Difference Between Phd and Psyd

PhD is Doctor of Philosophy. PsyD is Doctor of Psychology. PhD can pertain to any research doctoral degree. It is not restricted to philosophy alone. PsyD is specifically for psychology. It is not used as a doctoral degree for other subjects, disciplines or niche. That is the most notable difference between PhD and PsyD. There are schools that offer only PhD or only PsyD. Some offer both degrees.

Difference Between PhD and PsyD

To get enrolled in a PhD program, a student must complete a bachelor’s degree program, followed by a master’s degree program and then engage in research to come up with a doctoral dissertation. The bachelor’s and master’s degrees will have to be in the same subject or discipline. In some cases, subjects that are very related or interrelated in a given niche are acceptable. In case of PsyD, the general qualifying factors remain. A student would still need to undergo a bachelor’s degree program and a master’s degree program in the same discipline. Then one must get enrolled in a PsyD program which involves research. The one substantial difference is clinical training. For any aspirant to be awarded a PsyD, one must have substantial and actual clinical training.

Doctor of Philosophy or PhD focuses on academic research. It takes a long time to conduct sufficient research to write the dissertation. PhD programs run longer than PsyD programs. PhD is the more recognized degree between the two and hence more widely accepted. PhD programs usually have sufficient stipends and financial aid. Many PhD aspirants can work as interns. The research is usually focused on applied training or exploring the subject in a way that can be useful in practice.

Doctor of Psychology or PsyD is relatively new. It has been around for around fifty years. You can compare PsyD to MD, as in medicine. PsyD is more practical because of the on the field clinical training. This experience is priceless. The PsyD programs are usually shorter and they are easier to get enrolled in than PhD programs. Internships are not as common as for PhD aspirants and financial aid may also be rather insignificant. Accreditation is also a concern. Most PhD programs are well recognized and there is a peer review. PsyD is still in its nascent stages by comparison.
PhD will not prepare you to work in clinical settings. You need to develop that experience and only then would you be trusted or be able to make your mark. PhD prepares you for research and scholarly work. You can work in classroom settings and conduct your own research. PsyD prepares you for clinical practice.

Both degrees are very demanding. One needs commitment and also knowledge or expertise in the subject. Deciding between the two degrees is rather easy. If you wish to work in administration or research, then go with PhD. If you want to practice and deal with people having psychological problems or if you wish to run a clinic, then you should go for PsyD.

With a PhD in psychology, you can explore various realities and even come up with new theories. You can deal with education, addiction, human behavior or even business among others. You can become a faculty member at any institution, teach students or partake in more research as part of think tanks. PhD in psychology would involve ethics and multicultural issues, tests and measurements, advanced inferential statistics, qualitative analysis and quantitative research methods. You can expect to earn upwards of sixty thousand a year.

PsyD will train you on diagnosing and curing people. Research is integral to PsyD but secondary to clinical practice. PsyD will train you for state licensure, you would learn therapeutic techniques, the knowledge imparted would be more focused on practice and real implications of psychology, assessment of psychological conditions and necessary intervention. The programs would typically focus on ethics and multicultural issues, advance biological psychology, advanced psychopathology, evidence based practice and strategies used in clinical supervision, consultation and treatment. PsyD costs more than PhD programs. One could become a private practicing psychologist or one could take up research. One can become a school psychologist, counseling and clinical psychologist. PsyD will usually qualify you for jobs or private practice that can earn you upwards of sixty five thousand.

PhD is clearly the more traditional option. It is very hard to get enrolled but it is easier to pursue since there is enough financial help. From scholarships to aids to further a particular type of research, there is enough help. PsyD doesn’t have such help or financial benefits initially. It may also cost much more depending on the school to get a PsyD degree. However, it can be more rewarding. Working with clients and helping them out of their psychological problems is certainly a very satiating profession. It is as much of a challenge and pleasure as of a doctor.

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