An Explanation That Will Help You Decide

To better explain the similarities and differences between a Psy.D. and a Ph.D. I will be using the University of Minnesota and Wheaton College as examples.

To start, Wheaton College grants a Psy.D. which is a doctorate of psychology. Psy.D.'s focus on clinical work; working with patients and applying scholarly studies and research in their practice. As you know, a Ph.D. is also a doctorate, but one of philosophy. So, a Ph.D. in any subject such as psychology is truly a doctorate of philosophy in the study of psychology. Now, we would never say that considering it is a bit long, though, that is what it is. 

What is confusing is that a Psy.D. and a Ph.D. are very similar seeing that either one allows the doctor to practice psychology with patients in a clinical setting (if they are licensed in the state) as well as conduct research. In fact, many schools use a practitioner-scholar model. A model that trains practitioners, but focuses on research and the application of all scholarly material in the field of psychology to best help the patient. Research and therapy work together.

Personally, I prefer the Psy.D. over the Ph.D. because of the focus on clinical work rather than research. However, with that being said, Psy.D. students will most definitely have to conduct and present research while in graduate school. In fact, they will not be able to graduate without defending a dissertation. The main difference is that a Psy.D. program provides more clinical work opportunities and have students prepare for a career in working with actual people. Ph.D. programs, such as the University of Minnesota, focus on creating and forming scientists who will spend most of their careers researching, conducting experiments, and securing grants and scholarships. You may have heard people use the term, "professional student." This is where that originates from. It is similar to what a medical doctor may do by researching cures for cancer. Though, of course, that would be an M.D.

Both doctoral degrees are necessary. Still, I would like to have a career of directly impacting the people around me. A career that helps others. This is why I am pursuing the Psy.D. The Psy.D. is very comparable to an M.D. Medical doctors practice medicine. Psy.D.'s practice psychology. It is the M.D. of mental health.

Now, you may wonder why many large and prestigious schools do not offer the Psy.D. This is because of a few reasons with one being that the Ph.D. has been around for much much longer than the Psy.D. The Psy.D. is quite new (I believe the American Psychological Association created it in 1973). So, some schools have just been reluctant in creating this program since they already have the Ph.D.

Furthermore, schools want two things: money and prestige. Ph.D.'s are skilled in conducting research that could be groundbreaking which would lead to high prestige as well as large scholarships and grants which is good ol' money. They are able to do this because a teaching position allows ample time for research. Most only spend a few hours a week in the classroom. Those other hours are spent researching.

As for the Psy.D., there is now more knowledge than ever before in the psychological studies, human behavior, and the brain. Therefore, a new doctorate was formed because it was proven that there was enough information for its use. In addition, as we have slowly seen, the stigma around mental illness is lifting (it's taking its sweet time, though). With the stigma lifting, the realization that mental health problems exist and with the prevalence of them in so many people the APA wanted a better way to train psychologists to practice therapy rather than just focus on research. So, the Psy.D. was born.

When it comes to employment opportunities after graduate school a Psy.D. will set you up to work in clinics, hospitals, VA's, prisons, sports, private practice, etc. Many Ph.D.'s work as professors at universities. They definitely could work in other areas, but tend to teach. You may have noticed this while obtaining your undergraduate degree.

With the Psy.D. also being relatively new there is some thought that it is not quite as good as the Ph.D. That idea is foolish. This is simply because Ph.D. holders have been working in the field longer. Psy.D.'s do the same amount of research in graduate school and learn the same material just with an emphasis on therapy, diagnosing, and analyzing mental disorders in patients.

So, yes, if you obtained a Psy.D. you probably would not be a professor right away. After much research, this is the only career I could see as being affected by a Psy.D rather than a Ph.D. However, after years of practice, experience, and with Psy.D's being around longer I believe it likely that Psy.D's could land a job as a professor if they wanted.

To conclude, the schools offering a Ph.D. tend to have very small cohorts. The University of Minnesota has a cohort of about six or seven students each year. This is extremely small especially with how many applications they receive (which is in the hundreds). Wheaton's Psy.D. program has a cohort of about 20 with 80 to 100 applicants a year. 

So, it comes down to understanding where you stand in comparison to others. Just like you would not race Michael Phelps in a swimming competition because you would lose you should find someone to race where you have a good shot at winning. 

This explanation was written after a year of reviewing and researching APA accredited Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs, speaking with psychologists holding both Psy.D.’s and Ph.D.’s, and applying to graduate school. The author, Joseph Kerber, is currently studying at Wheaton College for his Psy.D.