Doctorate in Psychology (Ph.D. and Psy.D.): Courses, Requirements, and Careers
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- Degree Overview
- What Can You Do With It?
- Cost
- Admission Requirements
- How Long Does It Take?
- Accreditation
- Curriculum
- Is It Worth It?
- FAQ
Key Takeaways
- Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs both award doctoral degrees in psychology.
- Generally, Psy.D. programs focus on clinical practice while Ph.D. programs emphasize research.
- Either degree can lead to a career as a licensed psychologist or in academia.
What Is a Doctorate in Psychology?
A doctorate in psychology is a terminal degree program that prepares students for advanced careers in psychological research or clinical practice. Most doctoral programs lead to one of two designations: doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) or doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in psychology.
You can become a licensed psychologist with either a Psy.D. or Ph.D. in psychology, and both program types include applied clinical training. However, you should consider the significant differences between Psy.D. and Ph.D. degrees at the program selection stage.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), Ph.D. programs are research-oriented while Psy.D. programs more directly prepare students for careers as mental health service providers. The APA accredits both program types, which is important because many states require licensure candidates to hold an APA-accredited doctorate.
Although some schools offer online doctoral programs in psychology, the APA does not currently accredit fully online Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology programs. Instead, all APA-approved doctoral programs with online components use hybrid delivery formats.
What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Psychology?
A Psy.D. or Ph.D. in psychology can prepare you for advanced or licensed careers in research, academia, clinical practice, or private practice. You can also pursue corporate roles in industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology.
To practice as a psychologist, you will need a doctorate in the field and a state license. Industrial and organizational psychology are exceptions: Some states require you to hold a license to practice as an I-O psychologist, while others do not as long as your role does not involve clinical or healthcare-focused services.
The following table profiles some career paths you can pursue with a doctoral degree in psychology:
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical psychologists evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental and behavioral health conditions. They provide care in individual and group settings, conduct research, and help educate and supervise emerging clinicians.
Median Annual Salary: $96,100 (BLS, May 2023)
Research Psychologist
Research psychologists strive to advance scientific understanding of human behavior and psychology. They design studies, collect data, analyze results, and advance both theoretical and applied models of human psychology.
Median Annual Salary: $105,354 (Salary.com, Feb. 2025)
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
I-O psychologists specialize in workplace-oriented behavioral psychology. They apply scientific principles to help employers improve employee satisfaction, boost productivity, measure employee performance, and design effective motivational programs.
Median Annual Salary: $147,420 (BLS, May 2023)
Postsecondary Psychology Teacher/Professor
Postsecondary psychology educators teach undergraduate and graduate students. They design courses, assign and assess student work, and participate in research programs through their employer institutions.
Median Annual Salary: $84,380 (BLS, May 2023)
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychologists assess, evaluate, and investigate the psychological profiles of crime perpetrators, victims, and other justice-involved individuals. They also research underlying causes of crime and criminality and serve as expert witnesses in court cases.
Average Salary: $121,000 (Salary.com, Feb. 2025)
Educational Psychologist
Educational psychologists work with students of all ages and grade levels. They apply specialized advanced knowledge of human cognition to facilitate the academic and career success of their student clients.
Median Annual Salary: $84,940 (BLS, May 2023)
How Much Does a Doctorate in Psychology Cost?
Graduate schools charged an average of $20,513 in tuition and required fees for the 2021-22 school years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Whether you attend a public or private school can have a major impact on your tuition. On average, public schools charge less than half the tuition of private schools. Your net college costs also depend on factors like financial aid and funding and whether you attend a public institution as an in-state or out-of-state student.
Admission Requirements for a Doctorate in Psychology
Each school has its own admission guidelines, which can vary significantly. However, common requirements for a psychology doctoral program include:
- A bachelor’s or, more commonly, a master’s degree in psychology or a closely related field
- Cumulative GPA in the 3.0 range
- Academic writing sample
- Multiple letters of recommendation, especially from academic faculty members
- Statement of purpose, extended goal statement, and/or resume or CV
If you need to submit test scores, programs may require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the GRE Subject Test in psychology. However, many institutions are moving away from requiring test scores — even at the doctoral level.
Schools evaluate Psy.D. and Ph.D. in psychology applications based on academic merit and your research interests and career goals.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Doctorate in Psychology?
Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs in psychology typically have longer timelines than master’s degrees. On average, you can expect to spend 4-8 years completing your doctoral degree. However, whether you pursue a Psy.D. or Ph.D. also affects program length. Ph.D.s typically take longer to complete (5-8 years) than a Psy.D. (4-6) years. Other factors that can affect your completion timeline include:
- Program structure and whether you must complete all core coursework before your culminating experience
- Clinical training, practicum, dissertation, and internship requirements
- Whether you study as a part-time or full-time student
Note that some states require licensure candidates to complete at least one year of postdoctoral training. Contact the state licensing board in the state you plan to practice to learn about about specific requirements that may apply to you
Doctorate in Psychology Accreditation
Consider both institutional and programmatic accreditation and how they might impact your career plans. Institutional accreditation applies to an entire school, while programmatic accreditation is specific to a particular department or academic program.
Check the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) database to ensure the school you plan to attend has institutional accreditation from a CHEA-recognized accreditor.
Then, determine whether your program is APA accredited. If you plan to pursue a psychologist’s license, you may need an APA-accredited doctoral degree depending on your state’s requirements.
Doctorate in Psychology Curriculum
Doctorate programs in psychology typically include the following course types:
- Core requirements
- Electives
- Internships, practicums, and/or residencies
- Dissertation or other culminating experience
Some programs may also require doctoral candidates to complete a teaching experience involving undergraduate or graduate students.
Is a Doctorate in Psychology Worth It?
If you want to become a licensed psychologist, then a Psy.D. or Ph.D. in psychology can deliver worthwhile returns. You cannot obtain a license to practice as a psychologist without a doctorate in the field.
Another way to determine whether a degree is worth it to calculate your potential return on investments (ROI). Psychologists can have a strong ROI since they earn a median annual salary of $92,740, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
In other situations, calculating the degree’s value and potential return on investment can be more challenging. One way to estimate your ROI is to add up the total expected out-of-pocket costs for the program. Then, compare that figure to your potential salary both with and without a doctoral degree.
Advanced careers in psychology can pay well, but many require licensure. Without a license, your career options are typically limited to research, teaching, or nonclinical opportunities in the private sector.
Frequently Asked Questions About Doctoral Programs in Psychology
Neither is better than the other — the two doctorates simply differ in focus. Psy.D. programs focus on developing clinical skills, while Ph.D. programs have a stronger research orientation.
