More so than other branches of psychology, the field of clinical psychology is particularly concerned with the assessment and treatment of patients diagnosed with mental illness. If you are considering earning a doctorate in this field, it is first important to determine whether a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program is the best option for your future goals. What is the difference between a Psy.D. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology? Below, we explore some key differences between the Ph.D. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology programs.
What is a Ph.D. Clinical Psychology?
Since 1948, the American Psychological Association (APA) has officially promoted Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology. A doctor of philosophy, or Ph.D., generally focuses on research practices and the philosophy of a given field. The intention of a Ph.D. Clinical Psychology program is usually to prepare students to teach and/or conduct essential scientific research that can help advance the field.
Most Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology programs take five to seven years to complete beyond the undergraduate degree and some programs lead to licensure for clinical psychologist jobs in settings ranging from private practice to hospital systems. Most programs incorporate a teaching element, and all require a written dissertation.
What is a Psy.D. Clinical Psychology?
Compared to the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, the Doctor of Psychology, or Psy.D., is primarily concerned with the practical applications of psychology. According to the APA, “the focus of Psy.D. programs is to train students to engage in careers that apply scientific knowledge of psychology and deliver empirically based service to individuals, groups, and organizations.”
The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology typically takes four to six years to complete after earning an undergraduate degree. Students also have an opportunity to pursue specializations in certain areas, such as neuropsychology. At The Chicago School, our Psy.D. Clinical Psychology program takes five years to complete full-time.
While Psy.D. programs are designed to prepare students for careers as practitioners in psychology, students are not prevented from pursuing a career in academia. Most Psy.D. Clinical Psychology programs also feature practicums or internships, and many also require a written dissertation. Our clinical psychology doctoral programs include practicum experience in a closely supervised clinical setting such as hospitals, mental health clinics, college counseling centers, or forensic settings. As an additional part of our program, an internship is required following the completion of coursework, practica, and dissertation.
What’s the difference between a Ph.D. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology?
The key difference between a Psy.D. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is the specific focus and application. A Ph.D. is ideal for those pursuing a career in academia or research, while a Psy.D. is designed for those who want to apply the principles of psychology in clinical practice with patients.
Additionally, the program lengths differ. A Ph.D. typically takes five to eight years to complete, while a Psy.D. takes four to six years, depending on the program’s pace.
| Psy.D. | Ph.D. |
|---|---|
| Clinical-focused and practice-based | Research-based |
| Acceptance rates typically 20-40% | Acceptance rates typically below 15% |
| 4-6 years to graduate | 5-8 years to graduate |
| Doctor of psychology | Doctor of philosophy |
What’s the difference between The Chicago School’s Psy.D. Clinical Psychology and competitor programs?
Unlike many competitor programs, our Psy.D. emphasizes:
- Comprehensive Clinical Training: Early and sustained exposure to real-world clinical settings, facilitated by more than 300 practicum and internship sites nationwide.
- Diverse Specializations: Unique elective clusters such as International Psychology and Human Rights, Health Psychology, and Neuropsychology that cater to a variety of career goals.
- Cultural Competence: Systemic, multicultural factors are woven throughout the curriculum, and students engage with these critical concepts during clinical training, case conceptualization, and intervention strategies.
- Tailored Mentorship: One-on-one guidance from faculty actively working in the field, offering invaluable insights and networking opportunities and clinical site relationships built over four decades.
- Licensure Preparation: Integration of essential training and resources, including courses specifically designed to prepare students for licensure exams including the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
- Leadership Development: Opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research, policy development, and advocacy initiatives, ensuring graduates are equipped for leadership roles in clinical and organizational settings.
What to Expect From a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology Program
How is a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology Program Structured?
In general, Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology programs are designed to advance a graduate’s understanding of how to provide tangible psychological services. Many Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology programs follow the practitioner-scholar model, in which students train primarily for direct clinical practice with a secondary emphasis on applied scholarship. This means students undergo training primarily for field practice in combination with a secondary focus on scholarship.
The Chicago School Difference
Since opening our doors in 1979, The Chicago School has been synonymous with excellence in Psy.D. Clinical Psychology education. At a time when many psychology programs focused on academic theory, we stood out by emphasizing practical skills, clinical training, and hands-on learning at the center of our curriculum. In addition to academic or research positions, graduates are prepared to serve clients across a range of clinical settings and population groups.
The Chicago School’s APA-accredited Psy.D. programs offer up to three years of practicum opportunities to prepare students for their APA-required internship.
The practicum provides essential hands-on experience for aspiring practitioners. Psy.D. programs offer this experience to better prepare graduates for their clinical careers.
Expertise for Both the Clinic and the Classroom
While Psy.D. programs in Clinical Psychology focus on practice, graduates can also pursue careers in academia, research, policy, and clinical supervision.
Many Psy.D. graduates become faculty members while managing a clinical practice. So, don’t worry that earning a Psy.D. Clinical Psychology will hinder you from entering academia. Graduates from Psy.D. programs can pursue clinical practice, teaching, or even both. Our program prepares students for various job roles such as clinical psychologist, program director, faculty, and researcher.
Greater Student Accommodation
Psy.D. programs are generally able to admit more students than Ph.D. programs. This is because Psy.D. programs are often housed within schools concentrated on psychology, as opposed to schools that admit doctoral students to a wide range of programs. With this program offered at multiple campuses across the country, we aim to make clinical psychology education accessible to a wide range of applicants.
The Psy.D. Clinical Psychology is The Chicago School’s legacy program. It was our first program ever offered in 1979, which has allowed us to expand our offering of accredited Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology programs at our campuses around the U.S. and provide greater access to this type of education to a wide range of applicants.
How long does it take to get a Psy.D. Clinical Psychology degree?
In general, a Psy.D. Clinical Psychology program can take four to six years to complete.
At The Chicago School, students can usually expect to spend about five years in the accredited Psy.D. program, although this time can vary depending on each person’s specific circumstances. The time also includes the APA-accredited internship and leads to licensure.
For aspiring doctorate in psychology graduates, the first step is to apply to an APA-accredited Psy.D. program. This ensures that your degree will meet the qualifications for licensing in any state.
How Much Do Clinical Psychologists Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, clinical and counseling psychologists earned a median annual wage of $96,100 as of May 2023. The lowest 10% percent earned less than $48,820, and the highest 10% percent earned more than $168,870.
Salary varies significantly by specialization, setting, and geographic location. Neuropsychologists and forensic psychologists tend to earn at the higher end of the range due to specialized training requirements. Psychologists in private practice and hospital settings typically earn more than those in government or nonprofit roles.
Both Ph.D. and Psy.D. graduates in clinical psychology are eligible for the same licensure and can pursue the same clinical roles. Salary differences between degree types are generally driven by specialization and setting rather than by which doctoral degree was earned.
The top-paying states for this occupation are California, Alaska, Oregon, Hawaii, and Connecticut. Interested in how The Chicago School’s Psy.D. prepares graduates for licensure? Request program information here.
Learn More about The Chicago School
Are you interested in learning more about the Clinical Psychology program available at The Chicago School? Our clinical psychology graduates are highly sought after for their strong training and practical experience and excel in a variety of professional settings.
The Chicago School’s Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology is available at campuses in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Dallas. The Psy.D. Clinical Psychology program uses a rolling admissions process, so we accept applications year-round. Fill out the form below to request more information or apply today through our application portal.