The type of degree you choose to pursue is likely to depend on the field you go into and the type of career you wish to pursue within that field. For academic careers in basic areas of Psychology, a PhD is necessary, whereas for many careers in applied psychology (e.g., as a counselor), a Masters degree may be sufficient. The PsyD degree is, essentially, a PhD degree for applied work in psychotherapy (more advanced than a Masters degree, but without the research emphasis of a PhD). PhD programs are likely to offer some financial support through teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships, but PsyD programs are, financially-speaking, more like law school or medical school (direct support is not likely to be available).

If you enjoy doing research and think you would be a good teacher, this may be for you.  Those interested in academic careers should consider Ph.D. programs at one of the top Universities. Admissions to such programs are highly competitive. In addition to good grades and GRE scores, research experience as an undergraduate is extremely helpful. Basic psychology encompasses the well-established subfields of Psychology: Clinical, Personality, Cognitive, Social, Experimental, Physiological, Developmental. In addition, there are programs that train people for academic jobs in applied fields such as Health Psychology, Industrial/Organizational, Educational and School Psychology, Counseling, etc.
 

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There are a bewildering variety of programs in applied areas of Psychology (and related areas). In addition to Clinical and Counseling programs, there are many others, such as: Health Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Social Work, Educational Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Sports Psychology and much more. In many cases, careers in these fields can be pursued with a Masters, rather than a PhD.

The most popular applied areas are Clinical and Counseling Psychology, but there are many other areas to consider. Other sections of this bulletin board give information about applied areas.
 

Other Applied Areas To Consider

A degree in a Psychology-related field may be appropriate if you want to do certain kinds of counseling.  For instance, the MSW (Masters in Social Work) degree often has a counseling track.  People with this degree often have counseling jobs (e.g., working with troubled adolescents).  Similarly, degrees from Education programs may have a counseling emphasis, as does School Psychology (counseling and testing within the school system).

Related fields often offer pragmatic graduate programs for those who do not seek an academic job, but wish to use their psychology background.  If you are interested in Developmental Psychology, consider graduate programs in education, school psychology, developmental disabilities, or speech disorders.  If you are interested in Social Psychology, consider the more applied fields of communication, education, or marriage and family studies.  If you are interested in Cognitive Psychology, consider programs in speech, education, or human factors engineering.  You could combine your psychology interests with music in programs of music therapy. If you are interested in Neuroscience, consider a medical degree, pharmaceutical research or sales, rehabilitation therapy, or physical therapy.

Graduate school is something to think about early on in your undergraduate career.  What you find out early may influence the courses you choose and research opportunities you pursue.  Finding the right graduate program for you takes a great deal of research, as does the application process.  It is not something to leave until the last moment! Begin to talk to your professors, visit the Career Center, look up relevant websites, and look at relevant resource books when you are a Sophomore or Junior.
 
 
 

.Clinical and Counseling Psychology

The most popular subfields for advanced work in Psychology are Clinical and Counseling Psychology. In Clinical Psychology, the basic versus applied distinction can be transcended through the “scientist-practicioner” model in which a person may hold an academic position (teaching and engaging in scientific research) while also maintaining a practice as a psychotherapist. This model requires a PhD.

PsyD programs emphasize clinical skills, rather than research. PsyD programs have less competitive admissions requirements than PhD programs and are a good option for students who wish to work in an applied setting. Another option is to pursue a Masters degree in clinical or counseling programs.  This will allow you to do obtain counseling jobs, but Masters-level psychologists must be supervised by licensed Ph.D. psychologists.

Professor Metalsky’s web page (www.metalsky.com) lists all of the APA accredited programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. Also, see the Insider’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical & Counseling Psychology by T. J. Mayne et al.