Is a PhD in Clinical Psychology the Right Degree?
The following information may be valuable for students who are unsure if a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is the right program for them.
What other degrees can I get that will prepare me for mental health jobs?
The information that follows about other degrees is very general. It is important to get information about specific programs to help you decide which programs will meet your needs.
M.S.W. An M.S.W. (Master of Social Work) is a licensable degree. M.S.W.s do a variety of mental-health related jobs in many settings, especially mental health centers. M.S.W.’s, are trained to perform services valued by many agencies.
M.A. in Counseling. Counseling degrees are frequently offered through schools of education. Counseling and clinical psychology overlap to a large extent; clinical psychologists focus a bit more on serious psychopathology like the treatment of depression, while counseling psychologists focus a bit more on life transitions — including career counseling and school counseling.
Ph.D. The Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in clinical or counseling psychology follows the traditional "scientist-practitioner" model. This means that roughly half of your time is involved with research, half with clinical training. It takes at least 5 years (usually 6-8 on average) to complete and requires a dissertation, an original empirical research study. The Ph.D. also requires a year of pre-doctoral internship. This training equips graduates with skills to compete for academic jobs in colleges and universities, to enter private practice, and to work in businesses, organizations, social/community agencies, etc.
Psy.D. The Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) is a degree designed for those who want to focus their studies more intensely on clinical services such as therapy, assessment, and consultation. The Psy.D. program usually has fewer courses in research and more in clinical practice. It takes 4-5 years to complete and usually requires a substantial research paper. Like the Ph.D., it requires a year of pre-doctoral internship.
Most graduate programs in mental health fields are very competitive. You should seriously consider which of the above-mentioned degrees will give you the education and training you will need to fulfill your goals as a future mental health professional before you make your applications. Typically the Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology are the most competitive. You may want to apply to several types of degree programs in order to maximize your chances of admission.
