The Psy.D. was developed in the 1960s due to the rising concern that Ph.D. graduates did not have sufficient clinical experience when entering their professional roles. Thus a program was implemented to move away from the traditional scientist-practitioner model of degree programs and towards a new practice-oriented degree.
The Ph.D. and Psy.D. are both legitimate pathways into the field of clinical psychology and both are accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Both programs require an internship placement, a doctoral dissertation and a total of four to seven years to complete. The Psy.D. and Ph.D. are awarded by traditional universities and professional schools.
Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs differ mainly in the aim of their curriculum. Ph.D. programs focus on research training (theory and science), whereas Psy.D. programs shift the emphasis to clinical training. Like the Ph.D. program, the Psy.D. program lasts four to seven years, but during this time Psy.D. students receive three to four years of supervised clinical work experience. The focus of their doctoral dissertations reflect this shift. Ph.D. students are usually required to complete a master's degree research project before progressing to their overall theory and research-based doctoral dissertation. Psy.D. students work towards a doctoral dissertation that is usually more practice-oriented, as in formulating alternative treatment plans for patients.The focus on clinical training means Psy.D. students get clinical experience earlier in their programs and also tend to have more experience with psychological testing upon graduation. There is also a difference in program costs. Ph.D. programs generally offer more financial aid since the research students develop is considered work for the university.
Ultimately, students decide which degree to pursue based on their career goals. Graduates of Psy.D. programs work mainly as clinical practitioners in a variety of settings. They are qualified to work as professors as well, but academic roles are preferably granted to graduates of Ph.D. programs who have more experience with the intellectual matters of research and theory. Graduates of Ph.D. programs can also work as clinical practitioners. In clinical settings the two degrees are regarded equally. Thus, the Psy.D. program is advantageous for a student determined to work uniquely as a clinical psychologist because it offers them ideal preparation for this course. However, if there is a chance that a student might want to work in an academic role, they are usually advised to choose Ph.D. programs instead.