PsyD vs PhD

[vlynn103]

Hello all,

I hope you are staying healthy during these uncertain times. This application cycle I applied to 15 clinical psych doctoral program, one PsyD and the rest PhD. I was accepted into the PsyD and waitlisted for a PhD. I have a feeling the PsyD is going to be my only option and it's a good school that has research opportunities (dissertation requirements, a lab with my interest). My hesitency is that after I graduate I want to to apply for post doc research fellows and I'm worried I won't be as competitive with a PsyD versus PhD. Does anyone have any experience with this or advice? My ultimate goal is to work in a clinical setting but also have a nontraditional lab (so research is in the plan, but so is clinical work). 

[Yep]

Hi, this is more dependent on the specific psyd program you got into. If you talking generally, you will be at a disadvantage for your goal of a post doc research fellowship.

 

Doing a dissertation doesn’t matter since all PhD level clinical and counseling students are required to that.
 

A lab with your interest is great but it depends on how productive the faculty is in the research field. 
 

If the psyd is at the caliber of a research emphasis program like Rutgers or Baylor, then you might not be at a disadvantage.

if you want to pm me the program I can look at the program further to help but as it stands, your concerns are real.

[Clinapp2017]

What is a "non-traditional" lab? Do you mean a small lab with few staff or students? I am confused. 

 

In my experience as a PhD student, I am noting in my practica at well-known sites in a major metropolitan area that there is a good amount of PsyDs as postdocs and staff. It's not that all PhD students are "great," but there is a higher bar usually to get into funded PhD programs (and funded PsyD -- Rutgers and Baylor), so the people I notice who have these coveted postdoc positions and jobs are people who clearly push themselves to do more research/present/publish/get grants more than I think is required by most PsyD programs. 

 

If you are required to take out massive, life-changing student loans I would suggest you do not attend the PsyD program if you can wait a year and strengthen your application before re-applying. The typical earnings of psychologists (even specialists, like neuropsychologists) does not justify the debt. I know several psychologists who are or will be paying off student loans well beyond typical retirement age. 

 

 

[PsyDuck90]

I am a current student at a funded, research focused, university-based PsyD program, and I second everything that Itzik and Clinapp2017 have said. My experience has been similar to Clinapp2017 in that I did an externship in a research clinic within a VAMC and there were several postdoctoral fellows and staff psychologists within the clinic who had their PsyD. Definitely hear out what Clinapp2017 is saying about the debt. I absolutely would not attend an unfunded PsyD because that debt will be an albatross around your neck for the rest of your life. You can always just do more research work for the coming year, try to get a conference poster or pub and try again the following year if this program is unfunded. Feel free to PM me as well if you have any other questions. 

[vlynn103]

1 hour ago, Clinapp2017 said:

What is a "non-traditional" lab? Do you mean a small lab with few staff or students? I am confused. 

 

In my experience as a PhD student, I am noting in my practica at well-known sites in a major metropolitan area that there is a good amount of PsyDs as postdocs and staff. It's not that all PhD students are "great," but there is a higher bar usually to get into funded PhD programs (and funded PsyD -- Rutgers and Baylor), so the people I notice who have these coveted postdoc positions and jobs are people who clearly push themselves to do more research/present/publish/get grants more than I think is required by most PsyD programs. 

 

If you are required to take out massive, life-changing student loans I would suggest you do not attend the PsyD program if you can wait a year and strengthen your application before re-applying. The typical earnings of psychologists (even specialists, like neuropsychologists) does not justify the debt. I know several psychologists who are or will be paying off student loans well beyond typical retirement age. 

 

 

Thank for the reply! I should have been more specific, it is a funded PsyD so student loan debt is not an issue. I already have two first author publications and many conference posters/ oral talks.  The lab is non traditional because it's not directly affiliated with a school and the RAs are nonstudents.