Are you thinking about getting a doctorate in psychology but aren’t sure which program is best or what the differences are?
Are you debating whether a PsyD or a Ph.D. would be better for your career?
You might be thinking about getting a doctorate in psychology because you’re fascinated by the human mind. You may also believe that you can turn your passion for helping people into a very rewarding career.
Am I correct?
If your answer is “Yes,”
It’s critical to understand that if you want to work in a doctorate-level role, you must be very methodical and targeted when choosing your degree path.
Having said that, both programs are frequently respected and fulfilling degree paths that can lead to exciting opportunities.
In this article, I will go over everything you need to know about pursuing a doctorate in psychology, including:
- Key Distinction differences between a PsyD and a Ph.D.
- Doctoral psychology careers and salary differences, and additional information about a doctorate in psychology.
Let us get started…
Doctorate In Psychology Salary: PsyD Vs Ph.D.
A doctorate in psychology opens the door to the best-paying, most interesting, and most useful jobs in the field.
It is not only prestigious, but it is also a marketable degree.
There is a continuing demand in today’s workforce for those with a doctorate in psychology, whether it is a PsyD or a Ph.D in psychology.
Indeed, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 14% increase in demand for psychologists from 2016 to 2026, particularly for those with a doctorate degree.
As a result, any career in research or academia that is concerned with clinical practice and patient care must earn a PsyD or Ph.D in psychology in order to assist you in developing a meaningful career that will make a positive difference in your life and the lives of those around you
Let’s look at the key distinctions between a Ph.D. and a PsyD in Psychology.
Key Distinction Between A PsyD And A Ph.D Degree In Psychology
- A PsyD is regarded as an alternative degree path that focuses on clinical and applied aspects of the field.
It is a good fit if you want to work in a professional practice or counseling setting.
Psy Degree graduates are most commonly found in clinical settings such as psychiatry practices, rehabilitation centers, public schools, universities, or prisons.
Evidence-based research and standards of practice are heavily emphasized in Psy Degree coursework.
Psy Degree programs are intended to teach students how to apply decades of research to patient settings.
The primary goal of a Psy Degree student is not to conduct original research. Rather, it is for the student to likely conduct independent research as part of your learning path.
However, you will most likely spend the majority of your time learning how to apply your education in clinical settings.
- A Ph.D. in psychology is often a good fit for someone who is passionate about research.
If you enjoy dissecting data to discover insights, this path may be for you. Your independent research findings may help to advance the field.
Many PhD holders work in research settings, designing and administering tests and surveys to better understand human behavior, the effectiveness of various treatments, and the underlying causes of psychological disorders.
PhD holders are also qualified to teach at colleges and universities.
This means they can use what they’ve learnt through study and research to help train the next generation of psychologists and researchers.
Many healthcare and government organizations also hire PhDs for consulting work.
A Ph.D. in psychology is useful for developing policies and making decisions in both private and public institutions.
Finally, before deciding on the best degree path for yourself, it is critical to understand what a PsyD and a Ph.D. in psychology are.
Read More: Become a Neurologist: Step-by-Step Career Guide
Doctoral Psychology Careers & Salaries
What kinds of jobs are available to people with doctorates in psychology?
Private practices, mental health facilities, schools, universities, and research facilities all have openings for people with a doctorate in psychology.
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists earn a median annual salary of $79,820.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,the following are some specific annual salary expectations:
Federally employed psychologist: $108,180
Psychology researcher: $105,780
Corporate psychologist: $96,270
Hospital psychologist: $90,640
General practice psychologist: $82,180
School psychologist: $79,820
Psychology professor: $78,180
Marriage and family therapist: $51,340
Exercise sports psychologist: $49,170
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, or mental health counselor: $47,660
It is important to note that salary expectations should be based on years of experience and the type of institution you’re employed by during your career.
Salary Differences Between PsyD vs Ph.D.
When it comes to salaries, there is no direct comparison between these two-degree paths.
Your salary is heavily influenced by the environment in which you work.
PsyD In Psychology
When moving from a general counseling or social-work role, there is a need for a potential advancement and pay raises. Since you earn revenue based on patient volume, a private practice is often the most lucrative option.
When working as a corporate or sports psychologist, PsyD graduates can often expect to earn a high salary.
PhD In Psychology
When it comes to leading research projects, Ph.D. graduates typically command the highest salaries.
Some Ph.D. graduates earn six figures as tenured college professors.
The overall salary expectations for PsyD and Ph.D. graduates are very similar.
However, the reality of your salary potential with either of the psychology degrees is determined by the type of work environment you choose.
More Like This: How Do I Get A Qualified Intellectual Disability...
Psychology Specializations
Most people who pursue PsyD and PhD degrees in psychology always want to apply their skills to some very specific passions and interests.
Below are some areas of focus for doctoral graduates.
- Clinical Psychologists
A clinical psychologist usually works one-on-one with patients to treat and diagnose mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
They often work in practices, hospitals, and care facilities.
- Forensic Psychologists
Psychologists like this usually apply their skills in the legal arena.
They lend their expertise to things like investigations and court cases.
Government agencies and local law enforcement always consult with forensic psychologists when working on cases or investigating crimes.
- Mental Health Psychologists
This type of psychologist uses their highly specialized training to evaluate a person’s mental health.
This is done through recognized and respected methods for interviewing, evaluating, and testing.
- Organizational Psychologists
They are charged with the responsibility of providing services to organizations and businesses looking to increase productivity through psychological principles.
An organizational psychologist would come into the picture to study productivity trends, management style, and employee morale to get an understanding of a company.
By doing so, strategic recommendations are given for how to make improvements using techniques for motivation, cooperation, and productivity.
- Sports Psychologists
These experts understand how performance is impacted by both psychological and physical factors.
This multifaceted specialty requires an understanding of the relationships between physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, and psychology.
Sports psychologists often work with coaches and trainers to create comprehensive plans for individual athletes and teams. They are often employed by sports teams, gyms, high schools, and universities.
As a psychologist, your training and skills are always tested every day on whatever job role that you are involved in.
The wonderful part of all these roles is that it allows psychology professionals to see the necessity of their work.
Psychology Licensing And Certification
You will become very familiar with the various licensing and accreditation bodies once you get deeper into your pursuit of becoming a working, licensed psychologist.
It’s important to take licensing and certification seriously because your ability to legally act and speak as a psychologist depends on them.
Below are some of the official bodies responsible for certifying a psychologist
- The American Board Of Professional Psychology (ABPP)
This organizational body is a type of a body that you can call the primary certifying body for professional psychologists in the United States.
This certification shows a psychologist is credible and can be taken seriously.
In addition, this certification is essentially a default requirement for being employed or representing yourself as a psychologist.
- The Association Of State And Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)
This body is charged with the responsibility of maintaining overseas standards for the licensing and certification of all psychologists throughout both the United States and Canada.
That is to say that every single practicing psychologist in any country needs to meet the association’s standards before being allowed to formally practice in their field.
- The Examination For Professional Practice In Psychology (EPPP).
This is the licensing exam developed by the ASPPB.
The exam exists to certify that post-doctoral students are legally permitted to practice psychology.
The ASPPB’s recommended minimum passing score is 500 out of a potential score of 800.
You cannot be a practicing psychologist in the United States without having approval from the ABPP and ASPPB.
That is to say that fulfilling all requirements and passing required exams are as important as graduating from a doctoral program.
Between A Ph.D. In Psychology Or A PsyD Degree: Which Is Preferable?
It’s time to get serious about making that hard choice between a Ph.D. and PsyD.
Choosing as early as possible can help you to narrow down your school search and get all of your paperwork in.
Let’s look into the requirements for each program.
Requirements For A Ph.D. In Psychology
- A dissertation is required.
- Lower acceptance rate (approximately 15 percent).
- More funding, stipends, and support are generally provided by institutions.
- Generally requires 90 to 120 credit hours.
Requirements For A Psy Degree
- A dissertation isn’t always required.
- Higher acceptance rate (approximately 40 percent).
- No special stipends are generally given to PsyD candidates apart from standard FAFSA
- Generally requires 70 to 114 credit hours.
As you can see, It seems as if acquiring a PsyD is easier to obtain by merely looking at the requirements.
However, it’s more important to focus on which type of program is going to provide you with the preparation and training you need to be able to contribute to your chosen field of expertise.
It’s not that a PhD is more difficult to obtain.
Rather, what we are focused on is the fact that a PhD in psychology simply requires candidates to dive into research in a more specific way than a clinically minded Psy Degree graduate.
Nevertheless, it takes less time to obtain a PsyD. This may make this degree path more attractive to you if you’re interested in getting into the field as quickly as possible.
Psy Degree Vs. Ph.D Psychology Admissions Requirements
The admissions requirements for PsyD and PhD graduates are similar.
However, they are not interchangeable. It is typically much more difficult to be accepted into a PhD program than a PsyD program.
The main reason is that PhD programs accept a certain number of the candidates.
Though actual admissions requirements vary by school.
However, many of the requirements are universal across all institutions.
Below are the necessary requirements for the admission program.
Psy Degree Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree
- Transcripts from all previous universities attended
- Letters of recommendation
- A minimum undergraduate GPA (varies by school)
- Personal essay
- GRE scores (varies by school)
PhD In Psychology Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in a related field
- Transcripts from all previous universities attended
- Letters of recommendation
- A minimum undergraduate GPA (typically 3.0)
- Personal essay
- GRE scores (varies by school)
A Job Outlook For A Doctorate Degree In Psychology?
A variety of clinical and research positions are available to professionals with doctoral degrees in psychology.
The list includes psychologists, psychology researchers, school psychologists, sports psychologists, organizational psychologists, and forensic psychologists.
Conclusion
With this, you can see that your answer depends on your interests and your career goals.
So if you are interested solely in clinical psychology and working directly with patients? Then consider a Ph.D in Psychology
Likewise also, If you envision yourself conducting scientific research? If you aspire to a career path as a psychologist? Then consider a Psy Degree in Psychology.
Regardless, both degrees can be applied to a variety of overlapping careers. What are you waiting for? Start applying!
If this article was helpful and inspiring, Don’t forget to comment and like our page.
Best of luck!
