Choosing Between the PsyD and PhD Psychology Graduate Degrees.
The difference is tremendous. One of the things I would encourage you to do is to look up the licensing board for your state (if you are in the US) to see what types of licensure you could seek with each degree. Where I have been, a Master's degr.
PhD in Psychology Graduate. PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) Developed in the late 1960s as an alternative to PhD psychology programs, a PsyD is typically pursued by individuals interested solely in the hands-on, straightforward practice of psychology, without dedicating professional time to research or academia.
A clinical psychologist, on the other hand, is also a type of psychologist but has expertise in Clinical Psychology with an additional two years of training. In most cases, such an individual has a Master’s degree that allows to gain clinical training. This is the basic difference between the two professions.
The Clinical Psychology Program adheres to a clinical science model of training, and is a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science. We are committed to training clinical psychologists whose research advances scientific knowledge of psychopathology and its treatment, and who are capable of applying evidence-based methods of assessment and clinical intervention.
Traditionally however, the main difference between counselling and clinical psychology is their perspective and training. Counselling psychologists, in general, focus more on healthier, less pathological populations whereas clinical psychology focuses on individuals with more serious mental health issues such as psychosis.
A master’s degree in psychology provides the foundation for a number of different careers in the public and private sectors. Although licensed independent practice as a “psychologist” typically requires a doctoral degree and postdoctoral training, there are alsoopportunities for individuals with master’s-level training in psychology.
Masters in Counseling vs. Masters in Psychology From the very get-go, you should research certification programs that are directly related to the professional field you would like to work in. If you have a profound interest in psychology and mental health, you might benefit from narrowing your search down to programs in psychology and counseling.