If you are looking to pursue a career in psychology – whether as a researcher, professor or psychologist – there are many different career trajectories that you can choose from. When it comes to doctoral level options in front of you in the field of psychology, there are two main ways that you can choose from. The first of these is a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree, while the other is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the field – which is psychology in this context. It can be quite confusing when you are trying to pick one path here, mostly because of the similarities and the differences between the two degrees.
To understand what is a PhD vs PsyD degree, it is important to get a brief introduction to both the degrees, so that the major differences can be highlighted, showing which ones suit your needs better. Keep reading to get a better understanding of the two degrees in the field!
PhD Degree
As a person looking to build a career in psychology, you can also choose to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the field of your preference. While PhDs are not restricted to the field of psychology – you can pursue one in any area of interest or expertise – it is a great way to take your education to the next level, especially if you have an interest in the research aspects of psychology. While this course may take longer for you to complete, there are many different benefits that you can accrue by choosing to go this way. Keep reading to understand the PhD vs PsyD debate by looking at the features of the former.
Average Time It Takes to Complete
On average, a PhD degree will take you longer than a PsyD degree – which is about four to six years. Here, you will be required to spend approximately five to seven years to complete the degree. It is a more research-heavy degree, with a compulsory dissertation submission and more intensive ground research requirements. You will also be required to study statistics and teaching methodologies, and complete a one-year APA-accredited internship.
Requirements to Enroll
If you are looking to enroll in a PhD program, you will be required to have a master’s degree – though some programs take bachelor’s – along with a high GPA and good scores on tests like the GRE. In addition to this, you will be required to produce letters of recommendation and essays. The acceptance rate of these programs is significantly lower than the acceptance rate of PsyD programs.
Average Cost
The tuition fee associated with PhD programs can range between $7,000 and over $40,000, depending on the school and program. However, the good part about these programs is that you tend to cover a huge chunk of this fee with the help of financial aid. Most programs waive the tuition and also provide stipends to sustain the students through this process, which allows PhD candidates to graduate without any debt.
Average Salaries
There is no set salary for people who have a PhD in psychology as the figure can differ from position to position. They do, however, have an advantage over PsyD degree holders as they do not have to worry about paying off student debts in most cases. On average, a person with a doctorate in psychology can earn over $100,000 a year.
PsyD Degree
As a student of psychology who is looking to pursue a career in the field, you may not be as inclined to take part in the psychological research aspects of the field that are usually covered in PhDs. To look into the needs of such students, the relatively newer Doctor of Psychology degree was introduced in the 1970s. This degree is specially designed to train students who want to apply the knowledge of psychology to deliver services to different individuals, groups and other organizations. To understand the differences between PhD vs PsyD degrees, it is important to look at the features of both.
Average Time It Takes to Complete
If you choose to pursue a PsyD degree, you must be prepared to spend about four to six years completing it. It is an intensive, high-level course that requires a lot of practice and application of technical knowledge of the subject. You may be required to complete an APA-accredited internship, along with a doctoral project in the form of a dissertation. You will only receive a degree once all the requirements are fulfilled.
Requirements to Enroll
The requirements differ from university to university but there are some commonalities amongst all admission requirements. For example, while some universities may accept you after a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree is an essential prerequisite for most schools. In addition to this, you must have a high GPA, good scores on tests like the GRE, letters of recommendation and essays. It may be helpful to keep in mind that the acceptance rate for PsyD courses is higher than the rate for PhD programs.
Average Cost
If you are looking to pursue a PsyD degree, you need to be prepared to pay a high tuition fee. On average, a PsyD degree will cost you between $25,000 and $30,000 for one year, without all the costs associated with living. While this degree can be finished earlier than a PhD, you may find yourself swimming in debt because of the lack of funding that is associated with these degrees. The extra money that you make in this period will go towards paying back student debts.
Average Salaries
With a PsyD degree, you have a wide range of career options available, for example, counseling, social work, consulting and human services. The salary that you take home will depend on your job profile at the moment. For example, industrial-organizational psychologists earn an average of $85,000, while clinical, school and counseling psychologists earn an average of less than $70,000. Others may earn upwards of $90,000 per year.
Wrap-Up
After going through this primer about the differences between a PhD in psychology and a PsyD degree, you will find yourself better equipped to understand which of the two paths are best for you in terms of qualification and realizing your full potential. The final decision needs to be made on the basis of your final career goal and monetary aspirations.