How To Become A Clinical Psychologist: The Best PsyD Program For You

Medically reviewed by Melissa Guarnaccia, LCSW and Laura Angers Maddox, NCC, LPC
Updated October 14, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Whether you are nearing the end of your bachelor's degree program or you finished it some time ago, you may be wondering what's next. You may have heard of other graduates pursuing options such as a Psy.D. or Ph.D., and you might be wondering what’s right for you. Below, we’ll discuss Psy.D. programs and how to choose the program that’s right for you.

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Choosing the best Psy.D. program can be confusing

How to become a clinical psychologist: Choosing between PsyD programs

A Psy.D., sometimes also written as PsyD, is a Doctor of Psychology degree, as opposed to a Ph.D. in psychology, which is a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Psy.D. programs prepare students for clinical practice, while Ph.D. programs generally prepare them for a career in research or academia. Clinical psychologists generally focus on evaluating and treating different types of mental illness. 

PsyD programs’ education and training requirements

A Psy.D. program can provide aspiring psychologists with the skills and knowledge necessary to have a successful career in a broad range of fields, training students to do clinical work in areas as varied as health psychology, sports psychology, or forensic psychology. Through academic coursework, fellowships, and internships, Psy.D. programs comprehensively prepare students for a career in mental health care.   

There are many Psy.D. programs to choose from, but how do you choose the right one? One way to start is by researching the best Psy.D. programs for the specialty you’re considering, taking into account factors like quality, location, requirements, goals, affordability, and internships.

Quality of clinical psychology programs and training procedures

One of the most important things to consider when trying to identify top Psy.D. programs is their level of quality. Accreditation status is one measure of the quality of a program's curriculum, student evaluation process, faculty qualifications, and general training procedures. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “accreditation assures the public, licensing boards and potential employers that you have a sound educational and scientific foundation on which to build a successful career in psychology”. 

The best clinical psychology programs, according to the American Psychological Association 

The Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation of the American Psychological Association is a trusted resource for checking a Psy.D. program's current accreditation status and viewing a list of other accredited programs. Choosing a Psy.D. program with APA accreditation may help ensure you receive the best possible preparation that will be recognized by employers. 

If you have more questions related to accreditation or you’re looking for additional resources, consider contacting the Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation directly. You can also browse the APA’s Standards of Accreditation and Accreditation Operating Procedures

Aside from accreditation, you may want to research various program’s reputation in the psychology field, as well as licensure exam pass rates and job placement rates for graduates.

Consider whether you want to go in-person or online

Some people feel like they need the structure that in-person Psy.D. programs provide, while others might prefer to complete a Psy.D. program online. This decision may depend on a variety of factors, such as whether you have or plan to have a family or job while pursuing your degree. If so, online Psy.D. programs might be a good fit for you as you will not be required to attend classes on campus. Although there are currently no exclusively online Psy.D. programs accredited by the APA, you may find some programs that allow some courses to be completed online. 

Another location factor to consider might be the availability of internship and training sites available near your schools of choice.  Sometimes these training opportunities also lead to jobs after graduation. Also, it may be wise to choose a region where Psy.D. jobs are expected to rise. To assess the need for clinical psychologists in a specific area, you might look at information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Requirements vary by program

In looking for the right Psy.D. program, it may help to first consider your ability to qualify for admittance. Admission can be highly competitive, and space at the best programs is often limited. Requirements like GPA (grade point average) and GRE (Graduate Records Examination) scores may play a role in the types of programs to which you will be accepted. You can find specific requirements for GPA and GRE scores by visiting an institution's website.

Requirements for a doctoral degree in psychology

St. John's University in New York lists the following among its requirements for prospective Psy.D. candidates:

  • A bachelor's degree
  • Transcripts of undergraduate studies and any graduate work
  • At least 24 undergraduate credits in psychology, including a statistics and laboratory course
  • Three to five letters of recommendation, one of which must come from someone who can attest to the applicant's research potential
  • Two papers written for psychology courses
  • Graduate Record Examinations scores
  • An interview with the departmental admissions committee

Requirements may vary from program to program, and it may be to your advantage to choose the programs for which you most exceed the requirements so that you will stand out from any competition.

Affordability

Affordability may also be a factor in your decision-making process. If so, it may help to consider what sort of financial assistance may be offered to help you pay for your degree program. For example, some schools offer scholarships, loans, and work-study programs, which may help cover the cost of your education. The more financial assistance you can get from scholarships or assistantships, the less stress you may have from loan repayments, which may allow you to focus more on your career as a psychologist.

What students should focus on when looking at PsyD programs

When looking at Psy.D. programs, you may also want to consider potential assistantships and fellowships. Fellowships are awards that often go to students who have demonstrated academic excellence. Fellows may be required to assist with faculty research for a specific number of hours within their respective department, and they often receive tuition support, a stipend, and health insurance. Assistantships often function like work-study programs and usually require a commitment to teaching or researching in exchange for tuition remission, health insurance assistance, and possibly a stipend.

It can also help to know how much money psychologists in your field typically make upon graduation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ site provides information on average and median salaries for different types of psychologists. 

Internships and research with practicing clinical psychologists

Another possible factor to consider is the availability of internships and whether they are paid or unpaid. Internships often provide academic credit and valuable professional experience that may help you find your first job once you complete your Psy.D. program. Internships may also offer you opportunities to network with psychologists with different specializations in various work settings. 

Internship requirements

As with the other programs above, internship requirements will vary from program to program, so it may help to research each program’s requirements a semester or two in advance to make sure you’ve completed the necessary coursework to apply. In addition to internship hours, Psy.D. programs usually require students to complete multiple comprehensive exams to graduate. For example, aspiring school psychologists at St. John’s University must complete a clinical competencies comprehensive exam and PRAXIS II exam. 

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Choosing the best Psy.D. program can be confusing

Getting support in choosing a PsyD program

Seeking an advanced degree can sometimes be a stressful process, whether due to pressure to earn good grades or difficulty balancing your education with work or other life responsibilities. If you’re looking for someone to talk to during this time but don’t think you can fit traditional therapy into your schedule, you might consider online therapy.

Research shows that online therapy is as effective as traditional face-to-face counseling, and it also tends to be more affordable. One study conducted by Brigham Young University researchers found that internet-delivered therapy provides other added benefits, including “lower cost, no travel time, no waitlists, and trackable progress.”

With online therapy, appointments are conducted by phone, live chat, or videoconferencing at a time that fits into your schedule. Also, with BetterHelp, you can communicate with your counselor in between sessions through in-app messaging, and they’ll respond as soon as they can.
"Laura Wood is a very competent therapist. She has a variety of skills which I hope we can use together. I feel very relaxed and safe with Laura and look forward to our sessions together."
— BetterHelp member’s review of their therapist

Takeaway

Choosing the best Psy.D. program for you can be a challenging process, but if you consider all the relevant factors, such as course delivery methods, fellowships, and cost, you can find a program that provides the training you need to practice clinical psychology. If you find the stress of working toward your Psy.D. feels overwhelming, you may benefit from speaking with a licensed online therapist. 

With BetterHelp, you can be matched with a therapist who has experience helping people navigate the challenges of graduate school or whatever other specific concerns you may be facing. Take the first step toward getting help with choosing a Psy.D. program and reach out to BetterHelp today.

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