Student Resources Psy.D. Doctorate Psychology Degree By Kendra Cherry Kendra Cherry Facebook Twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author and educational consultant focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 10, 2020 Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim LinkedIn Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Print Vstock / Getty Images Earning a doctorate degree in psychology is a great way to improve your opportunities for career growth. While you might immediately assume that the Ph.D. degree is your only option, the Psy.D. degree is a doctoral-level degree that you should definitely consider. What Is a Psy.D.? The Psy.D., or doctor of psychology, is an applied clinical doctorate degree that is one of the highest level degrees available in the field of psychology. Until the late 1960s, the Ph.D. in psychology was the only degree option available for professional psychologists. However, there was some concern that the doctor of philosophy degree did not provide adequate preparation for those interested in clinical work. As a result, the Psy.D. degree was developed in the early 1970s as a professional program to train psychologists as practitioners. What Can You Do With a Psy.D.? After earning a Psy.D. in clinical or counseling psychology and then passing the required licensing exams, an individual can diagnose and treat mental disorders. Common job duties include administering evaluations, conducting psychological tests, and providing psychotherapy services. Individuals with a Psy.D. can work in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, government offices, and schools. Some professionals choose to open their own psychotherapy practices or work as consultants for private corporations. Psy.D. Preparation is more focused on clinical work Graduates usually work with patients in clinical settings Takes 4-7 years to complete (shorter times more typical) Evaluation usually consists of exams and practical work Ph.D. Preparation is more focused on research Graduates often teach at the university level or do research Takes 4-7 years to complete (longer times more typical) Evaluation usually involves a dissertation How You Earn a Psy.D. The educational requirements for the Psy.D. are designed to train psychologists to utilize their understanding of the science of the mind and behavior to treat and diagnose mental illnesses. Most Psy.D. programs take approximately four to seven years to complete, depending on the program specialty, an individual's prior education, and so on. During this time, students study and practice a wide variety of topics, including psychological assessment, diagnosis, and clinical interventions. As with the Ph.D. degree, Psy.D. students must participate in a supervised practicum as well as a supervised internship in a clinical setting. During the practicum, students usually work part-time under the supervision of a licensed psychologist in a variety of different clinical settings. The internship is a full-time position and usually lasts at least one year. After completing an internship, students are then able to take state and national exams in order to become licensed psychologists. The American Psychological Association accredits both Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs. No matter what type of program you are considering, you should definitely check to see if the program is APA accredited. Most state licensing boards require applicants to have completed their degree and supervised internship at an APA accredited institution. How to Choose the Right Psychology Graduate Program Alternatives to the Psy.D. Degree Before you decide if the Psy.D. is the right degree for you, it is important to spend some time considering your options. The Psy.D. can be an excellent choice if you want to focus your energy on being a practitioner of psychology. If you are also interested in conducting research, then you might want to consider the Ph.D. option. If you know that you want to work in the field of mental health but aren’t sure if you want to spend the time and money on a doctorate degree, social work, counseling, school psychology, education, and health sciences are other academic options that might also hold some appeal. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Ever wonder what your personality type means? Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Psychological Association. Doctoral degrees in psychology: How are they different, or not so different?. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Psychologists. Occupational Outlook Handbook. American Psychological Association. APA accreditation. Additional Reading American Psychological Association. How long does it take to earn a research doctorate in psychology? Monitor on Psychology. 2017;48(2):15. Loyala University of Maryland. Can I get my Psy.D. without a master's in psychology?