Doctorate in Psychology

It is one of the few things that becomes more bewildering to scientists as they learn more about it. No, it is not outer space. No, not the ocean. It is the human mind, and — in many ways — it is just as mysterious now as it was when researchers first began studying it thousands of years ago.

Perhaps that is why the field of psychology continues to fascinate students who want to learn more about human behavior and help those struggling with their own choices and problems. By earning a doctorate in psychology, you can acquire knowledge and skills to go on to a lucrative and rewarding career in an industry that is not only growing in numbers, but also growing in value.

A step-by-step guide to your doctorate in psychology

If you are considering a doctorate in psychology, you may be wondering where to begin. Here are five steps to take as you move forward toward your degree.

1. PhD vs. PsyD in psychology

First, choose which degree is right for you.

You have two choices: a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or PsyD (Doctor of Psychology). Your choice will likely depend on your career aspirations after graduation. If you plan a career in research (or research AND practice), a PhD may be the best path for you. However, if you plan a career as a practicing psychologist, a PsyD may be the better choice.

PhD in Psychology

Although both the PhD and PsyD programs are similar in rigor and coursework, if you choose to pursue a PhD in psychology, you will have a different focus while in the program. PhD programs are designed to educate psychologists who can understand and apply research, as well as conduct it. Here is a look at what you may expect from a PhD program in psychology:

  • Focuses coursework on research
  • Combines scientist and practitioner models
  • Designed for those who may want to do research or teach as a career
  • Dissertation emphasizes original research
  • May take one-to-two years longer than PsyD due to dissertation (requires that students devise, conduct, write up and defend a research study that will make an original contribution to the literature)

You may also find that PhD programs offer more funding choices than PsyD programs. While many students pay for their PsyD degrees with student loans, PhD students may find that many schools have faculty with research grants who can afford to hire students to work with them. Many even offer some combination of tuition and a stipend.

PsyD in Psychology

The PsyD degree came about in 1973, and the purpose was to create a professional degree that trains graduates for applied work — therapy. The idea was that many graduates planned to solely practice and not engage in research. Therefore, the PsyD prepares graduates for careers as practicing psychologists. If you choose to pursue a PsyD, you can expect the following:

  • A majority of training in therapeutic techniques
  • Many supervised experiences
  • Practice-related knowledge and experience
  • Some emphasis on research methodology
  • Dissertation challenges students to find real-world clinical applications of existing knowledge

You will find a difference of opinion in the marketplace regarding the value of a PhD vs PsyD in psychology. In academia, a PhD is preferable, but, in a clinical setting, both the PhD and Psy.D in psychology usually carry about the same weight.

Expect to spend five years earning your doctorate in psychology.

Step-2: Focus on accreditation

Imagine spending years earning your doctorate in psychology, only to discover, after graduation, your degree program was not accredited. Do not let that happen to you! Instead, find out if the program you are considering is accredited by the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation, or APA-CoA.

The APA-CoA is recognized by both the U.S Department of Education and the Council of Higher Education Accreditation as the national accrediting authority for professional education and training in psychology.

Step-3: Money matters

After confirming that your preferred institution offers an accredited program, you may want to do some accounting. PsyD programs tend to be more expensive than PhD programs, and PsyD students tend to graduate with more loans.

The reason? Some PsyD programs are housed in freestanding for-profit institutions that charge tuition, but many PhD programs waive tuition and provide students with stipends. Faculty members in PhD programs also receive grants to conduct their research, so they may be able to pay students who assist with the research. However, some PsyD programs do offer funding, so it is up to you to research your funding options.

Step-4: Consider quality

After you have figured out a way to pay for school, you should thoroughly dissect the program to find out if it is a good fit for your needs. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when looking into a particular PhD or PsyD program:

  • What is the class size?
  • What is the graduation rate?
  • How many students successfully match for an internship?
  • How well do students do on exams, especially the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology, or EEPP? On average, students with a PsyD tend to score lower on the EPPP than students with a PhD.
  • How many part-time or adjunct faculty members are employed? Too many may mean fewer opportunities for individualized attention.

Step-5: Apply to the program of your choice

When you have narrowed down your list of preferred programs, it is time to get organized! One idea — make yourself a spreadsheet of your top schools and enter related information, such as the following, in other columns:

  • Application deadline
  • Number of recommendations and transcripts
  • Where to send recommendations and transcripts
  • Whether there is a separate psychology department application
  • Whether you must send a writing sample
  • Application fee
  • Your username and password for online applications

After completing your spreadsheet, the real paperwork begins. Here are some things to consider while applying to your desired program:

  • Take the GRE revised General Test
  • Draft your Curriculum Vita
  • Gather the requested number of letters or recommendation
  • Prepare to submit to a phone interview
  • Plan to spend about $100 per school: This goes toward the application fee, sending GRE scores ($15 each), sending transcripts and mailing costs.

You earned your doctoral degree in psychology…now, what do you do?

Now that you have your doctorate of psychology degree in hand, it is time to start looking for job opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychologists apply their knowledge to a wide range of endeavors, including the following:

  • Education
  • Health and human services
  • Law
  • Management
  • Sports

However, psychologists usually choose to specialize in one particular area. The following are some of the areas that graduates might choose to seek:

  • Clinical psychologists: These professionals are concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders. PhD or PsyD graduates are qualified to become clinical psychologists.
  • Counseling psychologists: If you are a counseling psychologist, you advise people on how to deal with problems of everyday living to help improve their quality of life.
  • School psychologists: If you enjoy working with youth, this field may be right for you. School psychologists work with students in early childhood and elementary and secondary schools.
  • Industrial-organizational psychologists: This specialty applies psychological principles and research methods to the workplace in the interest of improving the quality of work life.
  • Developmental psychologists: Developmental psychologists study the physiological, cognitive and social development that takes place throughout life.
  • Forensic psychologists: These psychologists use psychological principles in the legal and criminal justice system to help judges, attorneys, and other legal professionals understand the psychological findings of a particular case.

If you graduate with a PhD in psychology, other careers in academia may also be available, such as researcher, teacher or college professor.

Licensure requirements

In addition to a PhD or PsyD in psychology, clinical and counseling psychologists usually need to complete an approved internship and have one to two years of professional experience. All states require that applicants pass an examination. In most cases, this is a standardized test, with additional oral or essay questions. And, some states require continuing education for renewal of the license.

Job placement and earnings

According to the BLS, psychologists held about 170,200 jobs in 2008. Here is a list of the places most psychologists worked in 2008:

  • Educational institutions: About 29 percent of psychologists were employed there in positions other than teaching, such as counseling, testing, research, and administration.
  • Health care: About 21 percent were employed in health care, primarily in offices of mental health practitioners, hospitals, physicians’ offices, and outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers.
  • Government agencies: Government agencies at the state and local levels employed psychologists in correctional facilities, law enforcement and other settings.

About 34 percent of psychologists were self-employed in 2008 — mainly as private practitioners.

The BLS reports that, in May 2010, psychologists earned the following wages:

  • Clinical, counseling,and school psychologists: $72,540
  • Industrial-organizational psychologists: $114,040
  • Psychologists, all other: $86,510

What does the future hold for psychologists?

Graduates who hold a PhD or PsyD in psychology have every right to be optimistic about job opportunities in the future. According to the BLS, employment growth varies by specialty, but all areas are expected to grow in the period between 2008 and 2018:

  • Clinical, counseling and school psychologists: 12 percent growth
  • Industrial-organizational psychologists: 11 percent growth
  • Psychologists, all other: 14 percent growth

A doctorate in psychology is the pinnacle of educational achievement, and, with your degree in hand, you have the luxury of choice when it comes to your career. So, consider enrolling in a PhD or PsyD in psychology program, and watch your passion become change your life in more ways than one.