Home Doctorate in Psychology Psychology Ph.D. and Psy.D. Degree Programs in Connecticut

Psychology Ph.D. and Psy.D. Degree Programs in Connecticut

Find Doctoral Degree Programs in Connecticut

With the implementation of new federal healthcare laws and standards, the demand for mental health professionals has increased substantially all over the United States. This need is particularly strong when it comes to psychologists, who are eligible for reimbursement through Medicaid and may be able to handle more complex cases than Master’s-level therapists and counselors.

If you’re looking for a way to take the next step in your psychology education in Connecticut, consider how a doctoral degree could change your career and allow you to help more people. A Psy.D. may be the better choice for you if you know that you want to work exclusively in clinical care. A Ph.D. may be more appropriate for you if you would like to explore opportunities in research, teaching, and clinical work. Either way, you can expect to spend at least seven years in school after the completion of your Bachelor’s degree.

To start comparing your options and planning for your future, request information from doctorate in psychology programs in Connecticut.

Getting Your Doctorate Degree in Psychology in Connecticut

There are many variables to consider as a potential doctoral student in Connecticut. There are several well-known universities and colleges with Psy.D. and psychology Ph.D. programs, so you need to weigh the admissions requirements for each program and figure out where you fit in.

Furthermore, it’s crucial to pick a program with faculty members that align with your research goals. There are many highly specific areas of research in psychology. To thrive in your dissertation, you need to have an advisor who has experience in your chosen area of study.

Connecticut Students Studying Online Together For Psychology Doctorate Degree

If you’re considering a Ph.D. over a Psy.D. degree in Connecticut, you may have many specialty options. For example, the courses listed below are typically required for Ph.D. students in language and cognition:

  • Cognition Dynamics
  • Advanced Speech Science
  • Event Cognition
  • Sentence and Discourse Processing
  • Dynamical Systems and Cognition
  • Neuropsychology of Reading and Language
  • Semantic Memory
  • Psychology of Language

Throughout the seven years you spend earning your Ph.D., you should participate in several research projects. Your contributions should range from mere observation to design and analysis.

While the goal of a Ph.D. program is to produce graduates who are skilled in both clinical work and research design and execution, the aim of a Psy.D. program is to create clinicians who are effective in therapeutic interventions and well-versed in the research that impacts clinical protocols. Your clinical experience should focus primarily on patient work, but you are also expected to spend some time in research development.

A Psy.D. curriculum may include courses like:

  • Psychological Assessment
  • Individual Psychotherapy
  • Systems Theory and Family Therapy
  • Group Theory and Practice
  • Community Psychology
  • Professional Practice Seminar
  • Physiological Psychology
  • Advanced Research Design in Clinical Psychology
  • Affective Bases of Behavior

Working With Your Doctoral Degree in Psychology in Connecticut

Prior to beginning independent work as a psychologist in Connecticut, you must meet the specific licensing requirements of the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Before you can receive your full license, you must complete one full year of supervised work experience, excluding the work experience gained as part of your Ph.D. or Psy.D. When your application is accepted, you schedule the Connecticut jurisprudence examination and the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. You must secure passing scores on both exams to qualify for psychology licensure.

Doctorate in psychology programs in CT may outline a number of career options for you. Many graduates choose to go into practice as clinical psychologists, school psychologists, or counseling psychologists. In this field, the median annual salary is $86,950 (BLS, 2016). Through 2022, job openings for Connecticut psychologists may increase 8% (O*Net, 2016). Psychology instructors bring in an average of $86,430 annually (BLS, 2016). They may also expect a 14% boost in job openings is expected by 2022 (O*Net, 2016).

Exploring your educational opportunities can help you grow professionally. Get in touch with the schools listed below to learn more about earning a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree in Connecticut.