A doctoral degree in psychology can prepare you to conduct scientific research, professional practice, or both. The two primary paths are the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree. While both choices will give the student the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a specific field of psychology, there are many differences between the two degrees. Understanding how they differ will help you find the best fit for you!
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Generally offered at either private or public universities, the Ph.D. is for students looking forward to producing new knowledge via scientific research or gaining teaching experience (Michalski & Fowler, 2016). In a Ph.D. program, you will be spending a significant amount of time navigating research design and statistics to produce new knowledge. You will also probably be expected to produce a dissertation to show off your new skills and competency. Please note that it is all not about research; many students are interested in applied work. This could be clinical contact, consulting, psychometrics, etc. Ph.D. programs can take five to seven years to complete, including the year-long internship (Golding & Lippert, 2016).
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
The Psy.D. degree came about during the 1970s as an option for those more interested in providing psychological services than delving into research. According to Michalski and Fowler (2016), the Psy.D. degree is generally offered at professional psychology schools and can be affiliated with a research institution or an independent grad school.
The purpose of Psy.D. programs are to train students to apply scientific knowledge of psychology to deliver empirically-based service to individuals, groups, and organizations (Michalski and Fowler, 2016). Most programs require students to write a thesis or dissertation, but students may use either qualitative or quantitative approaches. Psy.D. programs can be earned in four to six years, including a year-long internship (Golding & Lippert, 2016).
Both Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs should prepare students to be licensed psychologists. Your training should prepare you for your state’s licensing exams. Please note that states, not schools, grant licenses. Many states also require students to graduate from an APA accredited program to make sure students learn all they need to know to take care of patients and clients. Please pay close attention to your state’s requirements. The APA’s website will have all the information you need. The APA accredits clinical, counseling, and school psych programs. More on the APA in another post.
References
Golding, J. & Lippert, A. (2016, March 2). Choosing between a PhD and PsyD: Some factors to consider. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/careers-in-psych/201603/choosing-between-phd-and-psyd-some-factors-consider
Michalski, D. S. & Fowler, G. (2016. January). Doctoral degrees in psychology: How are they different, or not so different? American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2016/01/doctoral-degrees
