PsyD

PsyD

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) is a professional doctoral degree in psychology. It is one of the highest levels of degrees available in the field of psychology. The PsyD program was first established in the late 1960s as an alternative to the traditional research-oriented PhD in psychology. The PsyD degree focuses on the application of psychological knowledge and skills in the delivery of professional psychological services.

History

The PsyD degree was first developed at the University of Illinois in the late 1960s. The goal was to create a degree that focused more on professional practice and less on research, as was the case with the traditional PhD in psychology. The first PsyD program was established at the University of Illinois in 1968.

Training and Education

PsyD programs typically require between four and six years of study. The curriculum includes coursework in core areas of psychology, such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology. In addition to coursework, students are required to complete a one-year internship in a clinical setting.

Licensing and Certification

After earning a PsyD, individuals must pass a state licensing exam in order to practice as a psychologist. In addition, many psychologists choose to become certified in a specialty area, such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or school psychology.

See Also

• PhD
• Clinical psychology
• Counseling psychology
• Developmental psychology
• Social psychology

References

PsyD Resources
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