Doctorate in Psychology

Featuring expert advice from Katie Federico James, psychology doctoral candidate

A doctorate is the highest degree you can get. When you complete a doctoral program in psychology, you’ll have the training you need to contribute at the highest levels of the field in research, academic, and clinical settings.

Although there are many types of careers in psychology, if you want the job title “psychologist,” you’ll need to earn a doctorate. While licensure requirements vary depending on where you live, this lofty educational requirement is a prerequisite in every state.

Most doctorate programs in psychology focus on specific areas of study, such as neuroscience, cognition, developmental, industrial-organizational, or behavioral psychology. Some programs will expose you to cross-specialty instruction combining two or more areas. You’ll learn how to conduct high-level independent research through instruction in areas such as qualitative and quantitative methodologies and theories. You’ll be taught by faculty who specialize in each specific discipline.

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Psy.D. vs. Ph.D.: The Two Types of Psychology Doctoral Degrees

As you consider your choices for getting your doctoral degree in psychology, it’s important to understand the two main types of degrees: a Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy.D.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in psychology. Although there are likenesses between the two—either one will qualify you educationally to work as a fully licensed psychologist, researcher, or professor—there are also some important distinctions.

In general, a Psy.D. program focuses on clinical psychology—treating patients. There are many career paths you can choose with this degree: you can specialize in school psychology, forensic psychology, or child psychology, to name just a few.

Some Psy.D. degree holders teach or design and perform research, but most are interested in treating people.

A Doctor of Philosophy in psychology, or a Ph.D. degree, is academically focused and is the degree that can lead to a position in research or teaching at the college or university level.

If you earn your degree in a psychology Ph.D. program, you’ll be prepared to work in academic settings, hospitals, or governmental agencies. You can do clinical work if you earn your Ph.D., but it is not the primary focus of the degree. One exception to this is the Ph.D. in clinical psychology. These programs prepare you for clinical practice, and there are often several specialization options within these types of psychology Ph.D. programs.

Here’s a table that shows the differences between the two degrees by key factors.

However, there are also similarities between the two degrees. Both degrees earn you the title of “psychologist.” Education programs for both are rigorous and require internships and usually a dissertation. And finding programs that are accredited is important for both degree types.

Explore these degrees in depth

Why Get a Doctorate in Psychology?

If you want to earn the title of “psychologist,” you need to have a doctorate. Those with master’s degrees can become counselors or therapists, but not psychologists. Why does this matter?

First of all, psychologists tend to earn higher salaries than counselors or therapists. The median yearly salary for psychologists was $79,010 in May 2018. In contrast, counselors (a combined category of substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental health counselors) earned a median annual salary of $44,630.

Psychologists also have more career options than counselors. Psychologists can conduct research and teach. They can work with populations outside of mental health, including businesses and criminal justice agencies. Psychologists also have the option of focusing more on the science of psychology, not just interpersonal relationships.

Finally, being a psychologist shows that you have undergone rigorous training and have a strong dedication to your field.

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