How does a PsyD differ from a PhD?
A PsyD is a doctorate in professional psychology whereas a PhD in Clinical Psychology is a doctorate degree in philosophy with a specialization in clinical psychology.
Hear from Dr. Stacey Lambert, chair of the Clinical Psychology Department and vice president of academic affairs, about how a student can determine whether a PsyD or PhD is a better fit for them. Watch below!
The primary difference between the two types of programs is that a PsyD program generally places greater emphasis on clinical training early in the program while a PhD program, in many cases, will have greater emphasis on research involvement. For example, most PhD programs in clinical psychology require students to complete a master’s research project as well as a doctoral research project dissertation. In most PsyD programs, students complete a doctoral-level research project, which tends to be smaller in scope than a dissertation.
All APA-accredited doctoral programs are expected to assure trainees demonstrate research competencies, and William James is no exception. With our PsyD in Clinical Psychology program, you will be involved in clinical coursework and training starting in your first year. We also encourage you to become involved in faculty research early in preparation for your doctoral project. While called a doctoral project rather than dissertation, the length and quality of the projects completed by our students are very similar to dissertations produced by PhD students. In fact, a number of our students have published articles stemming from their doctoral research projects.
Finally, as you are making your decision between a PhD and PsyD, consider that many PhD programs have greater funding opportunities, but tend to have much smaller programs and much lower acceptance rates. If you would like to talk more in depth on whether the William James PsyD in Clinical Psychology is the right fit for you, please reach out to our admissions team at info@williamjames.edu.
Can I apply for this program without a master’s degree?
Yes! The PsyD in Clinical Psychology program does not require a master’s degree for admission. In 2021, approximately 67% of the incoming clinical psychology students did not report a graduate GPA in their application.
Prerequisites for this program are:
- A four-year baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution.
- Basic coursework necessary to apply. (See details here).
- Academic achievement at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels. While there is no minimum GPA requirement to apply, a 3.0 out of 4.0 is expected.
Is the GRE required?
The GRE is optional for students applying to the PsyD in Clinical Psychology for Fall 2024. It is not required for admission. If you have taken the GRE and feel that your strong scores would enhance your application, please feel free to submit. Please note: If you choose to enter self-reported General GRE scores, an official test score report will become a required component of your application.
When will I be working in the field during the program?
As a student in the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program, you will begin working in the field during your first year. Fourth-year and fifth-year students can choose between two different options for their clinical training experience.
See the chart below for specific details about each year’s field education requirements or learn more here.
| Year in the Program | Course | Hours Per Week | Total Hours |
| Year 1 | Clinical Practicum I | 16 | 640 |
| Year 2 | Clinical Practicum II | 20 | 800 |
| Year 3 | Advanced Clinical Practicum I | 24 | 960 |
| Year 4 | Track I: Advanced Clinical Practicum II | 20 | 800-960 |
| Track II: Half-Time APA Internship | 27 | 2,240 over 24 months |
| Year 5 | Track I: Full-Time APA Internship | 40 | 2,000 |
| Track II: Half-Time APA Internship (continued) | 27 | 2,240 over 24 months (continued) |
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FAQs
If you wish to pursue a position that involves research or teaching, a PhD will better prepare you for those roles. If you know you only want to apply your psychology training in a more client-facing way, a PsyD can provide you with advanced knowledge in that area.
Do PhDs make more than PsyD? ›
What kind of salary can a PsyD or PhD in Psychology degree holder earn? The median hourly wage of a psychologist is around $39 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). This is at least double the consolidated minimum wage in some U.S. states. A PhD vs PsyD salary has similar projections.
What is the difference between EdD and PsyD? ›
EdD vs.
PhDs are primarily designed for students who want to pursue scientific research or teaching, whereas PsyDs are intended for students who want to apply existing research and deliver psychological services directly to individuals or groups.
How does graduate training differ in PhD versus PsyD programs? ›
PhD programs tend to be fairly focused on research, whereas PsyD programs tend to be less focused on research and more centered on direct clinical service provision. (Masters level programs tend to involve no or minimal research.)
Why get a PsyD instead of a PhD? ›
Like a PhD in Psychology, the Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) prepares students to practice psychology in a wide range of clinical settings. A PsyD, however, focuses more on clinical practice and less on research. As a result, this degree requires fewer research and statistics courses and thus takes less time.
Are PsyD programs shorter than PhD? ›
While PhD programs train students to generate original knowledge, PsyD programs have traditionally been centered on applying said knowledge in the field. PsyD programs are a bit shorter than PhD programs—they take four to six years to complete—and do not tend to be funded.
What is the highest paying job with a PsyD? ›
High Paying Clinical Psychologist Jobs
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Salary range: $103,000-$149,500 per year. ...
- Criminal Psychologist. Salary range: $66,500-$117,000 per year. ...
- Forensic Psychologist. Salary range: $58,500-$111,000 per year. ...
- Clinical Therapist. Salary range: $59,500-$80,000 per year. ...
- Clinical Counselor.
Which field in psychology makes the most money? Clinical psychology, psychiatry, and industrial-organizational psychology typically offer the highest earning potential in the field of psychology. However, income can vary based on factors like location and experience.
Is PhD in clinical psychology worth it? ›
Earning Potential
On the other hand, clinical, counseling and school psychologists with PHDs tend to earn around $81,000 per year. The highest paying psychology careers can average up to $167,000, so studying a PHD in psychology will be worth it in the long run when it comes to career prospects.
Do clinical psychologists need a PhD EdD or PsyD in order to practice? ›
Answer: The following are the necessary requirements for licensure as a psychologist: Possess a qualifying doctoral degree [Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 2914(b)]
If you want to get an advanced degree in psychology and be able to do clinical work in your career, you may want to consider pursuing a Doctor of Psychology or PsyD. This degree can prepare you for some of the highest-paying jobs in psychology, including clinical psychology and psychotherapy.
How to choose between PsyD and PhD? ›
The primary difference between the two types of programs is that a PsyD program generally places greater emphasis on clinical training early in the program while a PhD program, in many cases, will have greater emphasis on research involvement.
How do I choose between PhD and PsyD? ›
The PsyD degree focuses more on hands-on clinical training along with research whereas the PhD degree focuses more on the research aspect. While both prepare you for promising careers in psychology, a PsyD degree positions you well for "in-the-field" careers, such as a clinical psychologist.
Do I need to do Masters before PsyD? ›
You do not need a master's degree to get a PsyD, as some programs accept students with bachelor's degrees in psychology or a related field. However, having a master's degree can enhance your qualifications and competitiveness.
Is it better to get a PhD or Masters in clinical psychology? ›
Master's degrees typically lead to fewer job opportunities and lower salary than Doctoral degrees. Part of this is the result of employers looking for those who have more experience and supervised training. 5) Fifth, let's bring up the issue of esearch training versus clinical practice training agin.
Is a PhD in clinical psychology worth it? ›
Earning Potential
On the other hand, clinical, counseling and school psychologists with PHDs tend to earn around $81,000 per year. The highest paying psychology careers can average up to $167,000, so studying a PHD in psychology will be worth it in the long run when it comes to career prospects.
Do clinical psychologists need a PhD EDD or PsyD in order to practice? ›
Answer: The following are the necessary requirements for licensure as a psychologist: Possess a qualifying doctoral degree [Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 2914(b)]
Does clinical psychology require PhD? ›
Clinical psychologists must have a doctorate, either a Ph. D. or a Psy D., and usually require training to get licensure to practice, commonly taking one or two years. In total, it could take up to ten years to become a licensed clinical psychologist.
