Should I apply to PhD or PsyD programs in clinical psychology?
Once you have decided you want to obtain doctoral-level training in clinical psychology, you must decide on whether to apply to PhD- or PsyD-granting programs. The extent to which you plan to engage in clinical practice versus research is highly salient for selecting the type of doctoral program to which you will apply. For students who have strong interests in clinical practice, the PsyD degree is a real option. Alternatively, if you may want to teach at a college or university, or want a research career, then the training you receive in a PhD-granting program is likely to better prepare you for such activities. According to the APA Research Office in 1999-2000, 13% of applications to doctoral programs were for PsyD training as compared to 86% for PhD programs. Although far fewer doctoral degree applications are made to programs granting PsyD degrees, it is erroneous to assume that it is easier to gain admittance to PsyD graduate programs in clinical psychology than to PhD programs. T
