There are two types of psychology masters degrees offered in the United States: the master of arts degree and the master of science. An MA in psychology focuses on topics within the humanities and teaches you to look at human and animal psychology from an analytical and applied perspective. An MS in psychology, however, allows you to study the field from an empirical point of view. Specific degrees within a graduate school's MA department could include specializations in counseling psychology. Within an MS department, one possible specialization is neuroscience.
A PhD in psychology is the highest formal psychology degree you can acquire. To be accepted to a PhD program, you need a masters degree in psychology. After you are accepted to a PhD program, you can choose to specialize in such fields as clinical psychology, developmental psychology or social psychology. Whatever your specialization, the PhD program focuses on theory, empirical research and applications. You typically are required to present a dissertation near the end of the program which will highlight some original research you did within the field you are studying.
Harvard University awarded the first doctor of education degree in 1920 in response to the need for more practitioner-oriented education. Unlike the PhD programs in psychology that tend to focus on empirical research, doctor of education programs in counseling psychology focus heavily on practical education in counseling techniques. Like the PhD program, if you decide to enroll in a doctor of education program, you will be required to present a dissertation that is based on original research. However, that research typically has to have a practical application, such as the success of implementing autism counseling programs at middle schools.
Doctorate of psychology degrees (Psy.D) are the newest of graduate degrees offered by psychology departments in the United States. This plan is a practitioner training program for those interested in counseling and clinical psychology. Unlike the PhD program, which has coursework in quantitative research, the Psy.D program focuses only on the theories and applications that help you in the clinical work you will do in a professional setting. Before you graduate from a Psy.D program, you will complete a dissertation that focuses on an area within clinical psychology.