What is a doctoral program in Clinical Psychology like?
The typical doctoral training in clinical psychology is very intensive, and attempts to train the student to be both a researcher and a practitioner. The dominant model of training is called the Scientist-Practitioner model, reflecting these dual areas of training, and leads to a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. An alternative degree program, referred to as the Psy.D. is more practical in its orientation, and usually has reduced research requirements relative to the Ph.D. model. These programs have recently emerged in Canada in the province of Quebec, associated with the movement of that province to a doctoral standard and the quick phasing out of masters level training. Memorial University in Newfoundland has also recently created a Psy.D. program. Training in clinical psychology takes a minimum of 5 years after the bachelor’s degree, and sometimes more, depending upon the type of research undertaken. Training typically includes extensive course work, practicum training courses, comprehe
