Graduate School Choices: Exploring Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Programs

Pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical psychology (Ph.D. or PsyD) is one potential next step for individuals with prior degrees in psychology who want to progress their career. Whether you’re interested in treating patients, supervising a treatment program, doing research, or teaching in this field, educational programs are available. 

Since it can be hard to know where to start when choosing the right clinical psychology graduate program for you, below is an overview of some key factors to consider. If you’re facing stress related to your academic or professional career, you might benefit from working with an in-person or online therapist.

What is a clinical psychology Ph.D. program?

The American Psychological Association defines clinical psychology as “the branch of psychology that specializes in the research, assessment, diagnosis, evaluation, prevention, and treatment of emotional and behavioral disorders."

It will typically provide an emerging clinical psychologist with the knowledge and skills necessary to either:

• Pursue licensure to be a practicing psychologist
• Conduct research in the field
• Build academic careers through teaching

Candidates will usually choose their track early so they can gain the scientific knowledge or professional practice expertise they need for their desired career.

What do clinical psychology doctoral students study?

Each clinical psychology Ph.D. program may be somewhat different depending on the institution and the student’s chosen specialization. However, a few key parts of this course of study tend to include:

• Educationon research methods and data analysis skills for those who will be pursuing a clinical research-based career, or
• Education on psychometric theory and neuropsychological assessment or general psychological assessment skills for those who will be pursuing a practice-based career
• Ethical principles that relate to the student’s future career 

In addition to taking courses on these topics, most doctoral students will be required to conduct dissertation or thesis research and, eventually, do an oral defense of their work. At least a one-year internship involving supervised practice in clinical settings (like medical centers or hospitals) or research settings (like labs or in the field) is also usually required.

Finally, students in this type of program will typically need to meet the academic credit requirements for their school and their particular degree track and pass an exam in order to graduate with a Ph.D. or PsyD. Once students complete their course of study, those pursuing clinical practice will also need to become licensed.

A Ph.D. vs. a PsyD: Which is right for you?

There are two main tracks a doctoral psychology student may select based on their desired career path:

• A Ph.D. is generally intended for students who want to do research. Ph.D. graduates may apply for grant-funded research projects or research assistantships to answer empirical research questions and support new discoveries in the field, potentially going on to publish papers and present at professional conferences. Or they may choose to pursue a tenure-track professorship in the field.
• A PsyD is generally intended for students who want to pursue clinical practice. They often go on to work directly with patients or to supervise clinicians or programs that do. 

Both degrees may lead to potentially rewarding career paths. The choice may depend on the individual’s strengths, passions, goals, salary expectations, and available opportunities.

Facing a big decision about your future career may sometimes cause stress or anxiety. For emotional support, you might consider working with an online therapist.

Exploring specializations in clinical psychology Ph.D. programs

Within clinical psychology Ph.D. and PsyD programs, there are various specializations that students can pursue. It can be helpful to explore the different specializations in clinical psychology and consider which areas of focus best align with your interests and career goals. A few of the most common specializations include:

• Neuropsychology: This specialization focuses on understanding how brain function impacts behavior and cognition. Neuropsychologists often work with individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain injury, a stroke, or have other neurological conditions.
• Child and adolescent psychology: A professional with this specialization will typically focus on working with children or adolescents living with various psychiatric conditions. This type of specialist may provide individual or family therapy services.
• Geriatric psychology: This specialization focuses on understanding and treating mental health concerns in older adults. Geriatric psychologists often work in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or independent practice settings.
• Forensic psychology: This specialization involves applying social psychology principles in the legal system. Forensic psychologists may work with law enforcement, attorneys, and the court systems to evaluate individuals involved in legal proceedings or provide expert testimony.

Factors to consider when choosing a program

Choosing a Ph.D. program can be a big decision, since it may affect the next five or more years of your life as well as your future career prospects. In addition to researching programs online, you may want to take campus visits, ask to audit classes, and talk with professors and administrators.

Here are some factors to consider as you evaluate different clinical psychology Ph.D. programs:

• Faculty expertise. The faculty members in the clinical psychology department of your chosen institution will typically guide your academic and professional development, so you may find it useful to research their expertise and qualifications.
• Accreditation and reputation. You might consider whether you want to limit your search to programs that have been accredited by reputable organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA). You may also want to find information about each program's reputation and ranking within the field.
• Financial considerations. Pursuing a Ph.D. may involve a significant monetary investment, so it may be crucial to understand the program's tuition costs and available financial aid options. You'll likely also want to consider your potential long-term career prospects and how they may align with your financial goals.
• Campus culture and environment. The student life and setting of a school can play a significant role in your academic experience. You might consider factors like location, campus resources, and the overall atmosphere of the program and institution.
• Research opportunities and resources. Since research is often a core aspect of clinical psychology, it might help to know the extent to which a program connects students with specialized labs, funding for research projects, collaborations with faculty members, etc.

Funded vs. unfunded Ph.D. programs

Note that a clinical psychology Ph.D. program may be funded, partially funded, or unfunded. A funded program is one that gives graduate students stipend support to help cover their living costs while they’re in the program, while an unfunded program does not give a stipend and a partially funded program may give a smaller stipend. Considering your current financial situation and whether you may need financial support during this period of your education might help you further narrow down potential programs.

If you’re looking for mental health support that fits your budget as you navigate potentially stressful career decisions, affordable online care may be available.

Choosing an accredited program

Selecting an institution and a program that are fully accredited may help ensure that the degree you receive will be relevant and competitive in the job market after graduation. Also, graduates who are applying for clinical psychology licensure may be required to show proof of their doctoral program degree from an accredited institution.

One well-known example is the American Psychological Association guidelines for accredited educational programs. This accreditation helps ensure that each program “has clearly defined training aims that meet professional and scientific standards that support the successful, ethical, and skillful delivery of psychological service.” As of this writing, the APA’s Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation has accredited 430 doctoral programs.

Required qualifications for the admissions process 

In most cases, prospective clinical psychology Ph.D. students must meet certain qualifications and submit certain materials in order to begin the application and admissions process. These often include:

• Having a bachelor’s degree and, in some cases, a master’s degree in psychology
• Having achieved a certain minimum score on the GRE
• Submitting one or more letters of recommendation
• Showing proof of relevant transfer credits from graduate school or another Ph.D. program, if applicable
• Submitting a personal statement, a research statement, or similar
• For international students, submitting a TOEFL certification, a student visa, and/or other required materials

The details of the student admissions process can vary depending on the institution, the specific degree you’re seeking, and other factors. For support with the application process, you might consult with clinical supervisors, advisors, mentors, or previously admitted students in the program of your choice.

Tips for the application process

It can take time to narrow down the schools you want to apply for and keep track of all your applications once you begin the process. A few tips that may help include:

• Creating a structured decision-making process. Developing a structured approach to program research, decision-making, and applications may help you make an informed choice and keep organized along the way. For example, you might create a spreadsheet with criteria to evaluate your prospective institutions and understand what each program requires.
• Utilizing a decision matrix. A decision matrix is may be a helpful tool for evaluating and comparing different programs based on specific criteria. You can assign weights to each criterion and rank programs accordingly, which may help you visually decide which program aligns best with your personal and professional goals.
• Seeking advice and input. Consider reaching out to mentors, advisors, and peers for their perspectives on different programs. 

Life as a clinical psychology graduate student

Life for students admitted to clinical psychology graduate programs often involves working to find a sense of balance between classes, research, other graduate work, and clinical hours. Those in partially funded or unfunded programs may also need to maintain outside employment, which could be a lot to manage. 

Seeking support from loved ones, advisors, mentors, and fellow current students may be important for maintaining well-being throughout the duration of your program. Self-care may also be crucial in helping you navigate this period of your life while preserving your mental health.

Getting mental health support while pursuing a psychology career

Pursuing an advanced degree may be stressful. Deadlines, dissertations, finances, and career prospects may be common sources of stress for some doctoral students. It can be possible for new or advanced students to develop stress-related conditions, anxiety disorders, depression, burnout, or other concerns, particularly if they don’t have adequate support.

If you’re early on in your academic journey, meeting with a therapist may be a preventative step, potentially helping you stay balanced in the coming years of your education. Or, if you’re already experiencing high stress levels or mental health concerns, working with a therapist may be a way to address symptoms and cultivate improved well-being.

How busy students may benefit from online therapy

While mental health care may be an important part of self-care for aspiring or current doctoral candidates, receiving it isn’t always convenient. For example, a student who is already juggling classes, a clinical internship, and a job may not have time to commute to and from in-person therapy appointments. In such cases, online therapy may be a more convenient alternative.

With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a therapist according to the needs and preferences you outline in the onboarding questionnaire, which can make finding a provider easy. For example, you might indicate that you’d prefer to meet with a therapist who shares your same gender, sexual orientation, or cultural background. 

Once matched, you can meet with your therapist remotely, via phone, video, or live chat. That means there’s no commuting required, as you can attend virtual sessions from home or anywhere you have an internet connection. Also, online therapy tends to be more affordable than in-person sessions without insurance, which may be an important consideration for students on a budget.

Does online therapy really work?

A growing body of research suggests that online therapy may have many potential benefits—including often being as effective as in-person therapy. For example, consider one study that examined the impact of a virtual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for adults experiencing chronic stress. It reports that the intervention was successful in reducing stress-related symptoms, and that the virtual format has the potential to improve treatment availability.