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The PhD in Psychology is the highest level graduate degree in the field to which a student can aspire. The PhD and PsyD prepare the bearer for a variety of career options representing a wide range of research and practice areas; each of which is unique in its educational scope and training. Although the entrance requirements differ according to the degree granting institution’s policies, all universities do require a bachelor’s degree to be accepted and sometimes a master’s degree to gain admission. Alternatively, some universities offer a combination degree of the master’s program and the doctoral program; thus the matriculant enters the degree program with a bachelor’s degree and finishes with both a master’s and doctorate.
When surveying the options available in PhD programs, an important distinction to make is whether you want to work in apsychology-relatedfield such as counseling, social work, therapy or education; or if you are striving to get a diploma conferring a “Doctorate of Psychology.” Novices quite frequently confuse the academic Discipline of Psychology with alternative disciplines which are psychology-related and in the mental health field.
If you decide to pursue the Ph.D. in Psychology, be assured that across the entire mental health spectrum, a doctoral program is perceived as the ultimate pursuit of academic excellence. Communities look to their academic scholars for answers to society’s most important and complex questions. Without individuals committed to going the extra mile; systems and agencies could not be assured the knowledge and techniques being applied in their prospective fields were on the cutting-edge of development.
The “Doctorate of Psychology”
Dr. Emma Mansour is a licensed psychologist and founder of “Life Matters Counseling and Psychological Services, LLC., with locations in Salt Lake City and Farmington, Utah. Dr. Mansour is a graduate of the Counseling Psychology Program at the University of Utah, as well as a former instructor. She has taught classes in Developmental Psychology, Group Counseling, Personality Psychology and Counseling Skills. In her capacity as educator, Dr. Mansour has come in contact and consulted with many students facing these exact questions. Regarding the choice between the Ph.D. and the Psy.D. her advice is straightforward;
“My advice would depend on the student’s ultimate career goal. If the goal is to become a professor and engage in teaching and research as a career, there is really no option but to get a PhD. If the student is not interested in teaching or research and just wanted to be a private practicing psychologist, I would advise that they consider a PsyD program.”
Learn more about apsychology doctoral degree.
Do I need a PhD to Achieve My Goals?
One of the pressing questions doctoral candidates face is whether or not they are primarily only interested in a career as a practicing counselor, therapist or educator. If this happens to be the case, technically speaking they do notneedto go beyond the Master’s Degree in Counseling, Therapy, Social Work, etc., to reach their goals. In other words, various careers are accessible with a master’s degree and do not require a PhD. On the other hand, some careers areonlyavailable if you have a PhD. This is the point at which clarification of your career objectives becomes imperative. Getting a PhD is an arduous process and if you are unsure of your ultimate goals, it is advised you thoroughly research all of your options. Experts agree: it pays to do your “homework” before you enroll in a doctoral program.
“Becoming a psychologist, versus a counselor or therapist, is certainly a longer process but it affords you many more possibilities and will ultimately open many more doors for you as a professional, both from the status of the degree to the possibility of branching out into many other areas. It is important to bear in mind that a students' current interests will likely change over the course of their career so the broader degree allows for ongoing growth and opportunity.”
How Long Will it Take to Get a PhD in Psychology?
Universities are highly unique in their approaches to their doctoral programs. For example, UCLA’s program is 6 years. In describing their program they write,“The Ph.D. program is a six year, full-time only program.“In other words, students do not have the option of attending part-time. Many PhD programs can be completed within 5 years; most of them typically require the equivalent of 72 semester units. The design of the program can greatly influence the length of time it takes to earn the PhD; even for doctorates earned at the same institution. For example, NYU has 2 Psychology PhD programs: the PhD in Cognition and Perception and the PhD in Social Psychology. Although each doctorate requires 72 semester units, students who are “Teaching or Research Assistants” in the Cognition and Perception program usually take 3 courses per semester; the remaining student schedules are more flexible. Thus someone taking 2 courses a semester will graduate later than those taking 3 classes a semester. Most programs also have a maximum time limit to complete the PhD; at NYU if the matriculant has not finished their requirements after 7 years, their enrollment in the program is likely to be terminated.
Some of the questions you’ll want to research with regards to the amount of time you will be in school are:
What Types of Classes Will I Take in a PhD Program?
PhD programs in the field of psychology consist of some or all of the following categories of study:
Elements of the PhD in Psychology
Core classes prepare the student for the in-depth research they will embark upon as they advance in their prospective careers. Statistical proficiency is an important aspect of every program; examples of courses include:
Advanced Electives: Some examples of Advanced Elective courses from NYU are:
“All areas are research-oriented. This applies to the Clinical area as well: although this area offers excellent clinical training, the emphasis lies in research, not in training private practitioners.”
At UCLA research is included in the core curriculum and has a designated time sequence:
In slight contrast, while the program at Vanderbilt also emphasizes research-“We expect students to be continually involved in research throughout their tenure in our program;“their description of the first 2 years is quite different:
“The faculty attempt always to tailor graduate training to meet the needs and the interests of each individual student"and"The curriculum is designed to: (a) familiarize students with the major areas of psychology; (b) provide specialized training in at least one of the five specific areas of psychology emphasized in the program; and (c) provide students sufficient flexibility to enroll in classes consistent with their interests and long-term developmental trajectory. During the first two years, students take several core courses in quantitative methods and in substantive areas. Beyond this, the program consists of seminars, further research participation, and other inquiries expressly designed to fulfill career objectives.”
Highly Recommended
“Presentation of Research Papers at Professional MeetingsThe Program strongly encourages its students to present papers (or posters) on their research at relevant professional meetings around the country as a “real life” part of their education in becoming professional scientists and educators and to aid them in forming contacts for possible jobs and postdocs after the Ph.D.”
What is a Practicum?
Psychology programs vary considerably in their definition of practicum. Some consider the experience at their department’s in-house clinic to be the practicum, and may call subsequent pre-internship training in other settings “traineeships.” Others classify all pre-internship clinical experience as practica; others limit this definition to supervised experience only. This document is based on the definition thatpracticum experience includes all supervised pre-internship clinical training.”
Teaching Requirements
Doctoral programs can include teaching experience as a requirement for successful completion of the degree. Each university has unique mandates about the nature of the teaching experience and when it occurs.
A doctorate which includes a non-approved internship means that even when the PhD is granted, the graduated can never work for the Veterans Administration (one of, if not the largest employer of psychologists in the nation) or any military/government organizations. Secondly, many states will not grant a license to practice without an APA approved internship. TheAssociation of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)has a database within which theHandbook of Licensing and Certification Requirementscan be accessed. Before reviewing the handbook, however, you will have to provide the ASPPB with basic information about yourself. (The link provided for the Handbook will take you immediately to the questionnaire.) In retrospect, it becomes clear why the APA advises you to begin to work on getting your internship as soon as you begin your doctoral program; if you do not, you might not finish the program.
“Brown Bag Seminar:All members of the program are expected to participate in the weekly Brown Bag seminar. The seminar meets informally, over lunch, and is a forum for presenting current and planned research. Each student is required to present on his or her research once a year. The seminar is a key component of student training over the five years of doctoral study.
Mini-Convention:The Mini-Convention is a day-long, convention-type meeting currently held on the Friday a week-and-a-half after Labor Day in September. Faculty and students of the Program attend this meeting which provides a training experience in convention-style oral presentation. All first- and second-year students are required to present talks based on their research projects. Upper-year students with well-worked-out, interesting findings to report are encouraged to present talks, as well as those who have not presented at a Brown Bag for the past academic year.”
Proposal:Preparation for the dissertation-the proposal, begins and varies according to each university program. Examples of requirements from the colleges utilized thus far are:
NYU: “Dissertation Proposal.In the third year, it is expected that each student will have sufficiently clarified his or her interests to be able to formally propose a dissertation project.“Note: NYU offers 2 choices regarding the dissertation. The student can present the Traditional Thesis or choose a “Publication Route.”
UCLA: “By the fourth year a student should have enough experience and knowledge of current research issues to begin formulating a dissertation proposal.”
HARVARD: “The Dissertation Prospectus: By the end of the spring semester of their penultimate year, students must complete a dissertation prospectus for an original project that is meant to culminate in the dissertation.”
Basic Elements of a Proposal:The following is a general list of what is contained in the proposal.
Proposal Resources: There are numerous proposal support avenues, the most obvious being the APA website. A valuable listing of their publications specifically dealing with the dissertation from start to finish can be found in their Education section under “Dissertations and Research” (link provided).
Submitting:The proposal is typically submitted to the student’s advisor(s); following their approval it is submitted to department/governing committee for approval. The final “paper(s)” or dissertation is also submitted for final acceptance.
Funding: The time and research materials for the dissertation can run into the thousands of dollars. There are many ways to receive financial assistance; the APA is a good place to start. Their “Student Funding” page is helpful for finding grants, scholarships and the like. (link provided) They also have many advisory articles which offer real life examples of how others have managed the costs involved.
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Summary
The PhD in Psychology is a tremendous commitment with regards to time, opportunity costs, money and emotional wear-and-tear. Thoroughly investigate the programs available to you and speak with those who have successfully completed the journey. Good luck!
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