Psy.D. vs a Ph.D. in Psychology
Though both the Psy.D. and Ph.D. require APA accreditation for licensure and employment, some important differences exist between these two degrees. The typical Psy.D. program features less competitive admissions standards and less research-related coursework than a Ph.D. A Psy.D. often takes less time, 4-6 years, to complete than a Ph.D., 5-7 years.
Differences Between a Psy.D. and Ph.D. in Psychology
| Psy.D. Program | Ph.D. in Psychology Program |
|---|---|
| More specialized career options in clinical practice, including family and couples therapy and pediatric psychology | Opens more career options to areas purely related to research, which graduates can apply to careers in organizational psychology |
| Sometimes allows students to replace their dissertation with a doctoral project | Learning experience strongly emphasizes the major thesis work that culminates the program |
| Covers more course topics relating to intervention techniques and assessment strategies in different cultural and economic contexts | Covers statistics and qualitative and quantitative research methods in greater detail |
| Takes less time to complete, usually five years or less | Features more strict admissions standards for minimum GPA and standardized test scores and prerequisite coursework |
| Created to provide an alternative to Ph.D. programs for students less interested in research and more in practical psychology application | Commonly featured at most four-year universities |
Online Psychology Doctoral Degree Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.