PsyD vs PhD: Which Degree is Best for Your Career Goals?

From therapy to research to facility management, a lot is covered by the PsyD and PhD degrees in clinical psychology. But which is right for you?

Explore application requirements for Pacific's PsyD and PhD programs in clinical psychology and get your materials ready for the opening of the admissions window this fall. 

The Doctor of Psychology degree — sometimes called a doctorate in clinical psychology — is an entry point to a wide array of careers geared toward helping people through teaching, research, and clinical practice.

Split into two distinct doctoral degrees — the treatment-focused PsyD and the research-focused PhD — graduates with a doctor of psychology degree enter the workforce with an expertise in the study of human behavior.

They may sound similar, but the PsyD and PhD degrees are very different clinical psychology pathways.

While both programs enable graduates to treat people directly, their inherent specializations make them quite unique.

So which is right for you? Here's your guide to choosing between the two.

PSYD REQUIREMENTS

PHD REQUIREMENTS

PsyD vs PhD: What’s the Difference?

Since both the PsyD and PhD enable graduates to help people in a clinical treatment setting, it can be confusing to distinguish between the two degrees.

What is a PsyD in clinical psychology? For students who want to work directly with those experiencing mental health disorders, a PsyD degree is ideal.

Generally divided into several different specialties — the most common being child, adult, and neuropsychology — PsyD graduates enter the workforce able to diagnose and treat complex neurological conditions.

Across the country, and in Oregon specifically, there is a shortage of qualified mental healthcare providers, as well as a lack of diversity in the profession. To help address this gap, Pacific University has received a $1.8 million grant from the Oregon Health Authority to help increase capacity and diversity in the state’s mental health workforce. The two-year grant, which provides tuition assistance and stipends to Pacific PsyD and MSW students, is part of $80 million allocated to the OHA by the Oregon legislature as part of the Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative.

Pacific also features a unique path that specifically examines Latinx psychology, one of only a handful nationally.

What is a PhD in clinical psychology? The PhD is designed for students who want to improve the lives of others through scientific innovation.

A PhD in clinical psychology is perfect for those who want to study and examine topics in neuroscience such as mindfulness, addiction, and emotion management using scientific research and testing.    

Is an MA in psychology enough to do what I want?

Generally speaking, the Master’s in Applied Clinical Psychology is NOT seen as the terminal degree for those wanting to study and treat human behavior. 

While an MA in psychology can prepare graduates for careers in social work, counseling, or research, the PsyD or PhD programs are recommended for those who want to study and treat more complex neurological disorders and mental health issues. 

Are Clinical Psychologists Medical Doctors?

Neither PsyD or PhD graduates can practice medicine, as neither degree necessitates attending medical school or completing a medical residency.

Those wishing to become medical doctors with a focus on mental health should instead pursue the much longer doctoral path that results in a career in psychiatry.

How Long is Clinical Psychology School?

Both the PsyD and PhD programs take five years to complete, though students with certain advanced degrees — such an MA or MS in psychology — can finish in four.

Many programs will run year-round, meaning classes in the summer in addition to the normal course load.

Both programs are split between four years of coursework, research, and job training as well as a final entire year spent off campus in a doctoral internship. 

The PsyD and PhD programs in clinical psychology place a heavy emphasis on replicating real-world experiences that prepare students for careers after graduation.

Where can Clinical Psychologists Work?

The unique set of skills taught in PsyD and PhD programs means that graduates can begin a wide range of careers at a high rate of pay.

PsyD recipients can work in:

• Recovery centers. Substance abuse and other destructive behaviors are often treated with either group or individualized therapy from trained clinical psychologists.

• Mental health facilities. Talk therapy is an essential part of living with mental illness, and PsyD graduates find rewarding work in these settings helping people lead more fulfilling lives. 

• Private practice. Focusing on one-on-one, couples, and family counseling, private practice is a good choice for those who want an intimate connection with the people they treat.

  Pacific’s Healthcare Management MBA can prepare prospective private clinicians for running their own business. 

• Schools. For those with an emphasis on child psychology and development, working in an educational setting is a good way to greatly impact the lives of young people through individual attention. 

PhD graduates can work in:

• Research universities. Either as instructors, researchers, or postdoctoral fellows, a great deal of the research done in this country comes at the university level from PhD graduates in clinical psychology.

• Private business. Due to the broad nature of human behavior and psychology, many corporations employ psychologists to help analyze and improve the lives of its consumers and employees.

• Government. Whether working for the military, organizations overseeing public health, or in a federal health facility, governmental jobs offer a high degree of flexibility in how you use your degree.

• Criminal Justice. PhD graduates are vital in the fields of forensic psychology and criminal profiling. 

How much does a Clinical Psychologist Make?

Although there are different job outcomes for PsyD vs PhD, the salary for a clinical psychologist does not vary significantly by degree.

Connect with an expert PsyD or PhD admissions counselor today and start your journey towards a career in clinical psychology. 

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