What To Expect From a Psy.D Program
Posted February 12, 2015
By Cindy Marino
If you are thinking about grad school you may be curious about the difference between a PsyD and PhD degree. Although I can’t tell you which program is right for you I can share a bit about what you might be able to expect from a PsyD program.
It was less than 3 years ago that I spent a ton of time researching different clinical psychology graduate programs. I made spreadsheets to visualize all of the variables at play in my decision (i.e., degree type, program focus, accreditation, curriculum, tuition rate, location, etc.). I had coffee with professors and mentors to discuss options. Ultimately, I landed in a program to attain my Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, also known as a PsyD. I am currently in my third year and I am happy to report that I am still very satisfied with my decision.
Getting a PsyD in Clinical Psychology is somewhat similar to getting your PhD in Clinical Psychology. However, the difference lies in the focus of each type of program. PhD programs are traditionally known to help graduates become researchers first and then practitioners. This is known as the scientist-practitioner model. PhD programs typically have an acceptance rate of 1-1.5 out of 10 applicants. If you think you might be interested in working in academia (research and teaching) then you might want to consider applying only to PhD programs.
On the other hand, PsyD programs are traditionally known to help graduates become a practitioner first and then a scholar of research. This is known as the practitioner-scholar model. The PsyD degree has been around since the early 1970s, and it is supported through its accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) as a program that prepares graduates for careers as practicing psychologists. And, PsyD programs typically accept 4 out of 10 applicants. Sounds great, right? Well, it is important to note that, in general, most PsyD programs have higher tuition fees and fewer opportunities for funding and tuition stipends.
The design of the PsyD program (practitioner-scholar) allows more time to focus on all things clinical because there is less research work. For example, in my program we are offered a large array of training in different therapeutic techniques and many extra supervised experiences. For those of us who are fairly confident that we would like to spend a majority of our time working with clients after we graduate this is an exciting feature!
In regards to research, many PsyD programs only require a dissertation. However, some PsyD programs do require both a thesis (for the Master’s) and dissertation (for the Doctorate). Either way, if you know that your interests are in working with clients then a PsyD program should provide you with sufficient research knowledge in order to guide your clinical decisions when working with clients and to do some collaborative research work on the side, should your heart desire. Students are known to take 1-1.5 years longer to graduate in PhD programs versus PsyD program, which may be related to the time needed for the rigorous research training that PhD programs provide.
For me, it helped to know that I wanted to spend more of my time in graduate school preparing to work with clients rather than preparing to work in an academic/research setting. Additionally, it helped me to know that because I have secondary interests to do both teaching (as an adjunct professor) and research work (collaboratively with others) that I can still attain both of these goals with my PsyD. Finding the right graduate program can be very challenging, so having a having a general idea of your long-term goals in mind as you explore different programs is beneficial. And, understanding a bit about the PsyD program might be helpful as you begin your search.
Best of luck in finding the right graduate program to support your future interests!
[Cindy Marino is a PsyD student of Clinical Psychology at the Pacific University School of Professional Psychology. Her early graduate research work focused on attitudes toward sexual minorities, while her current focus is on how diversity variables relate to mindfulness. Her clinical and assessment experience has included working in various settings, including community mental health, college counseling, and private practice.]
