If your ultimate objective is to be a fully licensed and certified psychologist, researcher, or educator, there are many degrees that can engage you on your chosen career path. There are two primary options for doctoral-level that will enable you to qualify to work at the topmost level of the field – the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Psychology (PsyD).

Even though both of these degrees are intended for learners to be engaged in a profound knowledge expertise within the subfields of psychology, there are still significant differences between these degrees with regard to the type of training involved and also with the career plans of each student. Knowing and understanding the differences and similarities between PhD and PsyD will help each student to gauge what is the best-fitting degree for him or her.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The most popular degree in psychology is PhD. This degree is generally offered to both private and public research universities. This degree is designed for those students who are interested in acquiring new knowledge through scientific studies such as setting up experiments, gathering data, applying statistical and analytical strategies. It is also intended for students who want to gain teaching experience.

In order to independently develop and acquire new scientific knowledge, PhD students undergo a rigorous training in research methodology and statistical analysis and are required to make a dissertation which will demonstrate and measure their competence in researching.

In addition to research and academic work, learners enrolled in PhD programs may also be inclined to pursue professions in applied work – for instance, health care services, being a counsellor in a school setting and a consultant for businesses and organizations.

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

As an alternative to the PhD degree, PsyD came into existence in the 1970s. This degree is for students who are more willing to engage in offering psychological services than those who are inclined in conducting disciplinary research.

The degree in PsyD is usually offered in graduate schools of psychology – those which are either closely associated with research or teaching universities or those housed in a free-standing professional school.

PsyD programs focus on teaching students to take part in careers that generally applies scientific knowledge as well as psychology and provide empirically based services to people and organizations.

In most PsyD programs, students are required to make a thesis or dissertation using quantitative or qualitative methodologies to illustrate how research in psychology can be applied to the behavior of human beings.

Other Similarities and Differences of PhD and PsyD

1- Requirements for Admission

The application processes for PhD and PsyD programs are quite similar. You will certainly need to have a master’s degree in psychology or in any related field, although it may be possible to find combined masters or doctoral programs that will admit students who just have mere bachelor’s degree.

You would also need to have at least a 3.0 GPA and a certain admissible score on the GRE or other tests that are school-administered.

2- Acceptance Rates

The average acceptance rates of PhD and PsyD programs are by far the most notable difference in the admission process. Since there are far more PhD programs available in psychology, they tend to be somewhat more selective, with most of the schools only accepting ten (10) students or less a year. This only goes to show an average acceptance rate of approximately just thirteen percent (13%) of applicants throughout the country.

Although this tends to vary by school, PsyD programs tend to cater a higher number, which could be as many as one hundred (100) students per year. For this reason, plus the fact that there are fewer students wanting to apply for these programs in general, results in an overall average acceptability rate of around forty percent (40 %).

However, it does not necessarily mean that it is way easier to get into PsyD programs than with PhD. Although more students have often been accepted in PhD programs, there are far fewer PsyD programs in entirety. This means that the number of spots available for PsyD all over the country is more likely just the same or even less than PhD programs.

3- Length of Program

PsyD programs take roughly 4–6 years to finish for most students. Usually, PhD programs take between 5 and 8 years due to the greater focus on extensive and thorough research.

4-Training and Courses

The training received in a PhD program focuses more on research which will lead to new scientific knowledge being developed. On the other hand, PsyD programs highlight more on trainings that would essentially allow student to apply their knowledge and skill in a practical setting, albeit they would still be conducting some scientific research.

Students are obliged to take part in an apprenticeship for at least one year in both programs and it should be accredited by the APA. Preferring a non-accredited program or internship might make it challenging to obtain a license.

5- Doctoral Project

It is necessary to complete and defend a thesis in a PhD program. And in contrast, PsyD programs will also need for their students to complete a dissertation or a similar doctoral project – this is intended for the demonstration of different skills other than that of a PhD thesis.

6- License and Certification

To be officially called a psychologist, whether you are a PhD or PsyD holder, it is necessary to be licensed in the state where you are working. There is a slight variation in the requirement of each state, but it is required to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

Psychologists need not be certified for them to be able to work. However, a board certification is proof enough that would be able to show that you have the proper knowledge and training in your chosen career path. Having a certification can also give you a lot of better job opportunities. This certification can be obtained through the American Board of Professional Psychology.

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