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Learn more about "PsyD"
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Doctor of Psychology
The '''Doctor of Psychology''' (PsyD) degree is a professional doctorate, which is earned through one of two established training models for Clinical Psychology. In the United States, the other doctorate-level degree in Clinical Psychology is the PhD. An EdD (Doctor of Education) is also recognized as a clinical degree, often with a focus on counseling or developmental psychology.
The practitioner-scholar model and the associated PsyD degree were recognized by the Vail Conference on models of training in clinical psychology.[Appreciating the PsyD: The Facts - Psi Chi] At this conference, it was argued that the field of psychology had grown to a degree warranting training persons explicitly in the clinical practice of psychology. While both the PhD and PsyD models of training include basic science and a practical skills component, there are clear differences in relative emphases on the role of research versus clinical activity. Graduates of both training models are eligible for licensure in all U.S. state|states (licensing exams and renewal requirements are the same for both degrees).
Definition
The Doctor of Psychology (Psy. D.) degree is an applied doctorate on the same level as the Ed.D. (doctor of education), M.D. (doctor of medicine), D.O. (doctor of osteopathy), D.R.E. (doctor of religious education), D.B.A. (doctor of business administration), D.S.W. (doctor of social work), D.M. (doctor of ministry),D.P.M. (doctor of podiatric medicine), D.V.M. (doctor of veterinary medicine), D.S.M. (doctor of sacred music) and other applied or specialty doctoral degrees. The Psy. D. specialty degree, like other applied doctorates professional doctorate, is equivalent to the more traditional theoretical and research oriented degrees such as the Ph.D. (various fields), Th.D.doctor of theology), D.S.J.(doctor of jurisprudence), and D.Sci. degrees, supposedly distinguishes itself for a emphasis on applied clinical practice. The degree was recognized by the Vail Conference in 1973 as a desirable option for professional practice. Previously, those interested in psychology could only obtain the Ph.D., which is primarily a research degree plus applicable extensive clinical training. Psychology has traditionally been the teaching and research domain of education and social science departments, and is more applicably thought contemporarily as a behavioral rather than as a social science or as a component of education departments for academic housekeeping purposes. At the Vail Conference, it was recognized that a separate specialty degree would be good for promotion of psychological as a separate entity having its own professional or specialty degree. The Ph.D. degree is fully adequate and sufficient to prepare the individual for service as a counseling psychologist or clinical, counseling, or school psychology, and permits focus in several areas, including: child psychology, forensic psychology, neuropsychology, industrial psychology, or organizational psychology.
Background
In 1973, the American Psychological Association at its 'Conference on Levels and Patterns of Professional Training in Psychology' (The Vail Conference), endorsed the Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy.D.), indicating support for professional training that would be responsive to society's need for psychologists to function in a variety of practitioner roles.
Before this period, professional training for psychologists followed 'Boulder Model|The Boulder Model,' in which a psychologist earned a Ph.D. for competence both as a scientist and as a professional. The Boulder Model's ability to prepare its graduates for academic and research positions was unquestioned, but there was a growing interest in a degree that was self-identifying. The Vail Conference recognized that the development of psychological science had sufficiently spread so as to justify the creation of explicitly applied degree in addition to programs for training scientists and -professionals. These applied programs would be designated by the awarding of the Psy.D. degree. The Ph.D. and the Psy.D. would now stand together as two different paths by which to be trained as a psychologist.
In today's educational marketplace, both of these doctorate degrees in psychology exist in a wide variety of educational settings. Students looking to be trained as psychologists often have several questions about which of these is the right path for them. What is the difference between these two degrees? Am I considered a psychologist if I get a Psy.D. degree? Are Psy.D. programs accredited? What types of work can I expect to do with a Psy.D degree? The Psy.D. and the Ph.D. are both degrees that are used to train psychologists. The American Psychological Association evaluates schools that award either degree to make certain schools meet its rigorous standards for accreditation. The major difference between the two degrees is a stronger emphasis on research in a Ph.D. program as a major focus of training, and a stronger emphasis in Psy.D. programs on practice. The difference is in the method of training; often psychologists trained in either degree do similar work.
Accreditation
There are a variety of institutions that accredit training programs. For psychologists, one of the most important is the American Psychological Association (APA). which accredits Psy.D. programs as well as Ph.D. programs. Licensed persons with Psy.D., Ph.D. degrees in psychology, or an Ed.D.(doctor of education) with an appropriate concentration in psychology, are psychologists, who can work as psychologists in fields as diverse as private practice, hospitals, corporations, disaster relief centers, outpatient clinics, police advisory, church counseling, community mental health centers, schools and colleges, and other where skills as a trained psychologist is required..
Curriculum
Upon graduation, students will be expected to understand psychology at a psychological service provider level, understand and use their clinical skills as a practitioner, and be able to use scientific findings for clinical practice.
One benefit of the Psy D is that Doctor of Psychology faculty often have impressively diverse theoretical orientations. About 30 percent subscribe to the psychodynamic/psychoanalytic orientation, while another 30 percent to the cognitive-behavioral orientation, and about 20 percent to systems/family systems. An assorted 20 percent favor humanistic and behavioral theories, so depending on your interests, you can look for a program that really fits your beliefs.
To pursue a PhD versus a PsyD is a personal choice all psychologists make.[''Doctor of Psychology (PsyD): Degree Overview'' by Education-Portal.com]
See also
- Practitioner-scholar model
References
Category:Doctoral degrees|Psychology, Doctor of
Category:Clinical psychologyRelated Images
Sources: StartLearningNow, Wikipedia | Usage license: GNU FDL
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