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

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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

Talk through your academic goals in therapy

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.

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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.

Frequently asked questions

What happens in a PsyD program?

A Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program is designed to help clinical psychology students train to enter careers that involve applied scientific knowledge and empirically based services. Students are trained to provide these services to individuals, groups, and organizations, with the program typically ending with a written dissertation. After a PsyD program is completed (and an individual has acquired clinical experience and completed an internship), licensed psychologists may enter a variety of professional settings, such as hospitals, universities, in-person practices, and correctional facilities. Professional psychologists may also further their education or get specific certifications like APA accreditation.

What is the education process for a doctoral degree like?

While a thesis is typically written to get a master’s degree, doctoral degrees like a PsyD often require the completion of a dissertation. While both a dissertation and a thesis tend to have to do research work and are meant to show a student’s expertise on the program’s subject matter, the difference often lies in the length. In addition to being longer, a dissertation also needs to be defended. This process involves being questioned on the topics within their dissertation and testing the validity of their research.

Is a PsyD program worth it?

For those who want to be a clinical psychologist and diagnose and treat groups or individuals, a PsyD may be a worthwhile degree to pursue. On the other hand, if a person wants to conduct research in order to contribute new findings to the field of psychology, a Ph.D. program may be a better fit. Other occupations, such as a job in the field of school psychology, may ask for either a PsyD, Ph.D., or other specialized training, depending on their specific requirements. Whether or not you choose a PsyD or Ph.D. will depend on your personal goals, as well as your availability to each kind of program.

How many pages is a PsyD dissertation?

The number of pages in a PsyD dissertation can vary depending on the requirements of the academic institution one attends. In some cases, dissertations can be as short as 30 pages, while others may be required to reach hundreds of pages in length. Universities will often provide guidelines on the average length of a dissertation; in order to ensure you are complying with these guidelines, it may be helpful to consult a faculty member or any paperwork you were given before entering the program.

Can I become a doctor of psychology through the American Psychological Association?

While a Ph.D. is traditionally the program that would allow someone to publish research, someone with a PsyD can still conduct and publish research. This research could be done in any number of psychological fields depending on your area of interest and study. For example, if you are intending to be a forensic psychologist, your research will likely focus on the expansion of forensic psychology.

Clinical practice vs focusing on research

However, if someone doesn't want to diagnose patients in a clinical setting and instead wants to focus on research, working with a scientific foundation, or making new contributions to the field of professional psychology, it may be more beneficial to pursue a Ph.D. program. You will likely also be required to pursue licensure to work in a clinical setting, while research may not have the same requirements.

What are the disadvantages of thesis or dissertation?

While there may not be disadvantages to writing a thesis or a dissertation, there are differences that set these two types of academic writing. For one, you’ll likely need to complete a thesis to finish a master's program (or, in some cases for bachelor’s degree programs), while a dissertation is often required for the completion of a doctoral program. While both will serve as a test of your knowledge within your field, a dissertation typically involves presenting a new theory or hypothesis. In some cases, you may choose to disprove an existing theory. In addition, dissertations also involve a defense, which may make the process more difficult.

Is 3 months enough time for doctorate students to write a dissertation?

While it may be possible to complete your dissertation in three months, doing so may depend on several factors. For example, dissertation work duration may depend on the guidelines provided by your university or college, as well as the subject matter you are writing about. It can also be beneficial to set deadlines for each phase of your dissertation, so each step of the process is more manageable. This often starts with defining what the focus of your dissertation will be, then setting a schedule to research your ideas and write them down.

What is the hardest part of a dissertation?

While a PsyD can be a rigorous program with many difficult components, dissertations can often be challenging. In many cases, the hardest part of a dissertation may be the literature review or lit review. The lit review is the process of analyzing and assessing the sources for your dissertation, during which you will find any areas of your subject matter where you require more data. You may also want to discern whether you are taking into account other perspectives on the subject matter, and avoiding the trap of confirmation bias. This type of bias may lead you to only searching for information that supports your claim, which could lead to significant flaws in your dissertation.

What should you avoid in a dissertation?

While the process of creating a dissertation can vary based on the requirements set by the academic institution you attend, there are some common mistakes you may want to avoid, including the following.

Not Giving Yourself Enough Time: Dissertations can take a significant amount of time and effort to complete correctly, and starting too late may result in stress or a subpar final product. In most cases, it is beneficial to start your dissertation months ahead of the deadline.
Choosing Too Niche Of A Subject: While there may be a very specific or narrow area of your field you wish to focus on, choosing a niche subject may lead to difficulties during research. If there isn't sufficient literature about your topic, you may find the lit review process and subsequent writing more challenging.
Not Using Available Support: Writing a dissertation can be a challenging time in a student's life, and it's important to use your support system to ensure you aren’t overwhelmed. This can mean using the resources provided by your university, getting a program consultation, talking to friends about any struggles you are experiencing, or even seeking the help of a therapist or counselor.

Is it common to fail a dissertation?

The rate at which students will fail their dissertations will vary based on which academic institution they attend and what field of study they focus on. According to Franklin University, as many as 50% of students don’t succeed in completing their doctorate, which may involve failing a dissertation. Several reasons are cited for this failure rate, including underestimating the demands of the programs, failing to establish a time management plan and the lack of a healthy support system. In addition, some students may have difficulties writing, which is a significant component of the dissertation process. However, it's important to note that a dissertation is only one component of a doctorate program, and students may fail or drop out for a variety of reasons.

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