So You Want to be a Psychologist? Everything You Need to Know about a Doctorate in Psychology.
A doctorate in psychology is the pinnacle of learning in psychology and allows entry into fields such as clinical practice, research and academia. Achieving this is a long-term endeavor, however, the process is less daunting with the appropriate direction.
What is a Psychology Doctorate?
A doctorate in psychology deals with studying the mind and behavior by way of research, study and work. The two forms that a psychology doctorate can take are:
A PhD in Psychology: Is a doctorate based purely on research which leads careers in academia and science.
A PsyD (Doctor of Psychology): This form of doctorate is based on practical work and training for work in clinical practice.
Prerequisites and Preparation
Candidates require an undergraduate degree in Psychology or a related field; a high grade point average and a fundamental understanding of statistics and research methods is a must. Strong candidates often boost their application by being a research assistant to a professor, intern or through projects.
The Application process
Most psychology doctorates are highly competitive. It is important to include a high-quality CV, an academic transcript, recommendation letters and in many cases, a proposed research topic and GRE scores or an English proficiency exam (where applicable). It is crucial that you choose an accredited program, that has excellent faculty and research opportunities, to allow for your later licensing and job opportunities.
How Long does it take?
It takes an average of 6-10 years for students to achieve a doctorate in psychology with the time including undergraduate degree work. The doctorate program itself usually spans between 4-7 years and covers course work, research training, and the submission of a dissertation.
Funding of Psychology Doctorate Programs
The majority of students receive fully-funded psychology doctorates via either a teaching assistant, research assistantship, scholarship or via governmental/institutional funding.
Opportunities following study
A psychology doctorate allows professionals to practice as:
Clinical psychologists
Researchers
University teachers
Organizational/forensic psychologists
Neuropsychologists
Conclusion
A doctorate in psychology may require much dedication, hard work and long term planning but it leads to rewarding and influential careers, as professionals spend their lives studying behavior and improving mental health or expanding the world's scientific understanding.
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