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What is the difference for a undergraduate psychology student between pursuing a master's degree, Psy D, & PhD?
I'm a current #college #degree #psychology #psychiatry undergraduate student studying neuroscience and psychology.
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Michael’s Answer
Hi Christopher,
I hope you are enjoying your studies in psychology. I asked a similar question when I was an undergraduate psychology student. In many PhD programs you earn a Masters as part of the curriculum. I wasn't sure if I wanted to take the time and effort to get a PhD, but my advisor at the time suggested I apply to some PhD programs and if I didn't like it I could always leave after I earned my Masters. I ended up finishing my PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and it has opened many doors for me over the course of my career. If you think you might want to get a PhD or PsyD I would encourage you to give it a try, and apply to programs that grant a Masters as part of the process to give you options.
Good luck!
Mike
I hope you are enjoying your studies in psychology. I asked a similar question when I was an undergraduate psychology student. In many PhD programs you earn a Masters as part of the curriculum. I wasn't sure if I wanted to take the time and effort to get a PhD, but my advisor at the time suggested I apply to some PhD programs and if I didn't like it I could always leave after I earned my Masters. I ended up finishing my PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and it has opened many doors for me over the course of my career. If you think you might want to get a PhD or PsyD I would encourage you to give it a try, and apply to programs that grant a Masters as part of the process to give you options.
Good luck!
Mike
Updated
Riley’s Answer
To begin, the first glaring difference between the different levels of education that you could attain is the money and time spent on school in order to earn each degree. However, they do each open different paths for you to pursue. After earning a master's degree, one of the most appropriate careers for you to choose is a drug and alcohol specialist, which makes an average salary of around $40,000. Earning a PsyD would probably land you a job as a psychotherapist, making an average salary of about $40,000-$80,000. Furthermore, if you were to get a PhD you could become a professor, which usually makes around $80,000.
There are of course many different jobs you could pursue within each of these degrees, but these are the most common routes that could be taken.
There are of course many different jobs you could pursue within each of these degrees, but these are the most common routes that could be taken.
Updated
Isabella’s Answer
Hello Christopher!
To start off, a master's degree is usually two or three years after your undergraduate years. For psychology, you can get one of a few different degrees: experimental psychology, applied psychology, or clinical psychology. This is sometimes the lowest level of education for some jobs, so I would recommend looking into your career goals and see what level of education you need. If you want to continue your education even more through the PsyD or PhD. A Psy D is a Doctorate of Psychology is usually a few more years and you can use this degree to diagnose and treat disorders-- meaning it is more for those who want to go the clinical psychology route. A PhD puts an emphasis on research and are often more for those who want to work in an academic setting in the future.
Good luck and best wishes!
To start off, a master's degree is usually two or three years after your undergraduate years. For psychology, you can get one of a few different degrees: experimental psychology, applied psychology, or clinical psychology. This is sometimes the lowest level of education for some jobs, so I would recommend looking into your career goals and see what level of education you need. If you want to continue your education even more through the PsyD or PhD. A Psy D is a Doctorate of Psychology is usually a few more years and you can use this degree to diagnose and treat disorders-- meaning it is more for those who want to go the clinical psychology route. A PhD puts an emphasis on research and are often more for those who want to work in an academic setting in the future.
Good luck and best wishes!
Updated
Monica’s Answer
Hey Christopher,
It really depends on what you want to do in the future. Do you see yourself doing assessments? Doing clinical work? Doing research? It'll all depend on what feels good for you and your career goals. Really think about what you see yourself doing in the next couple of years.
A PhD and a PsyD is more intense as far as academics go. A PhD is more research based while a PsyD is more clinically based. A masters will depend, but usually it's more clinical and there are a ton of masters programs ranging from social work, to psychology, to counseling.
Really do your homework before you commit, any program you decide may require you to take the GRE's and the programs are quite expensive.
Best of luck!
Monica Wells, LMHC
It really depends on what you want to do in the future. Do you see yourself doing assessments? Doing clinical work? Doing research? It'll all depend on what feels good for you and your career goals. Really think about what you see yourself doing in the next couple of years.
A PhD and a PsyD is more intense as far as academics go. A PhD is more research based while a PsyD is more clinically based. A masters will depend, but usually it's more clinical and there are a ton of masters programs ranging from social work, to psychology, to counseling.
Really do your homework before you commit, any program you decide may require you to take the GRE's and the programs are quite expensive.
Best of luck!
Monica Wells, LMHC
Updated
Jay’s Answer
Hello! I think you could think of them in the following way:
MA/MS - Applied field that could broadly translate professionally (to Human Resources, counseling, social worker, communications, etc.).
Psy D - A more clinical doctor of Psychology that would likely translate to Counselor or therapist.
PhD - Often translates to careers in Academics, professors, and researchers, theory, journalists, writers.
Enjoy!
MA/MS - Applied field that could broadly translate professionally (to Human Resources, counseling, social worker, communications, etc.).
Psy D - A more clinical doctor of Psychology that would likely translate to Counselor or therapist.
PhD - Often translates to careers in Academics, professors, and researchers, theory, journalists, writers.
Enjoy!