It was not until the mid-19th century, when interest into the links between physical and psychological states began, that psychology became a separate and unique scientific discipline. Yale and Harvard offered the first Ph.D.s in the United States in 1861 and 1878, respectively. In 1879, Wilhelm Wundt created the first psychological laboratory in Germany, and by 1892, the American Psychological Association was formed. The creation of clinical psychology is often dated to 1896, when Lightner Witmer opened the first psychological clinic at the University of Pennsylvania. Witmer believed that psychological clinics should be devoted to diagnosing and treating mental illnesses in addition to research. Many of the principles Witmer embraced, such as patient evaluation and diagnosis prior to treatment, are still in use today.
Those pursuing an education in clinical psychology often face a rigorous curriculum at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate classes address such topics as biological psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, psychopathology, research methods and statistics and health psychology. Graduate programs emphasize research and practical experience in clinical settings. In addition to more advanced versions of the previously mentioned courses, internships and externships make up the bulk of a graduate psychology student's learning.
There are several areas of specialization within clinical psychology. Child psychology focuses on how children progress mentally and emotionally through different stages of development. Geropsychology is concerned with the mental and emotional issues that older adults face. Neuropsychology addresses the relationship between the functions of the brain and resulting behaviors or mental states. Health psychology examines how physical, social and psychological factors affect health and wellness.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), individuals with bachelor's degrees will have limited access to jobs in psychology, but may find work in nonprofit mental health centers or as research assistants. The BLS says that those with master's degrees will also face some difficulty in finding jobs as there are limited opportunities for those looking to work outside the industrial-organizational field. Jobs in industrial-organizational psychology usually only require a master's degree as they focus on issues such as increasing workplace productivity or creating effective marketing strategies. Those with doctoral degrees in psychology will have the most career opportunities, from working in academia to working in scientific research settings. According to the BLS, about one-third of all psychologists are self-employed.
Over the past 30 years, the focus of the study of clinical psychology has diverged. There are now two different doctoral degrees an individual can earn: a Ph.D. and a Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology). The course of study that results in a Ph.D. takes six to eight years to complete and emphasis is placed on researching and gaining experience in teaching. The doctor of psychology program takes five to seven years to complete with a focus on clinical practice. Students pursuing this degree still receive some education in conducting research, but it is far less than the research training given to those pursuing a Ph.D. Because of the difference in focus, the doctor of psychology degree is commonly referred to as a counseling psychology degree, while the Ph.D. is known as a clinical psychology degree.