There are two main types of doctoral degrees in psychology: the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Earning a doctoral degree is a significant time commitment, typically requiring five to six years of graduate study. While PhD programs are often housed in colleges of liberal arts and sciences, PsyD programs tend to concentrate more on the clinical application of psychology. Despite these differences, professionals in many healthcare settings may hold either a PsyD or a PhD.

Doctoral Degrees in Psychology

A graduation ceremony is a formal event where academic degrees are conferred upon students who have completed their studies. It is common for participants, such as graduates and faculty, to wear academic regalia like caps and gowns.

Graduation Ceremony

Individuals can obtain a degree in psychology at any of these levels:
- Associate's 
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral 

University of Chicago

Careers in psychology have a different set of requirements based on:
- Degrees (education level)
- Licenses
- Certifications

Psychology Credentials

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Psychology Degrees

Some careers in psychology require an individual to hold a license to work in that subfield. It's important to remember that different psychology licenses may differ by state in terms of their name and requirements needed to obtain a license. Some examples of psychology licenses include: 
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist 
- Professional Educator License
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

Psychology Licenses

Psychology certifications allow an individual to develop specialized skills and training in a subset of psychology. Some examples of psychology certifications include:
- Psychological First Aid (PFA)
- Board Certified Coach (BCC)
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Learn Before

Related

Learn After