Options For a PsyD Degree
PsyD degree encompasses four-five years of study and then an internship, resulting in a certification as a doctor in Psychology. One can pursue a degree either as a clinical degree, practical and applied, or a research one. You will find large differences between the two fields of specialization.
You can also find big differences between academic and professional programs, concerning both the coursework and the necessary expenses. Still, a professional school might not be the top option in certain areas of specialization. Considering this, you can find several pros and cons regarding the most appropriate option for a PsyD degree study and people who are interested in the topic should always follow their personal preferences and argumentation so they can have the most suitable solution.
Preferably after getting an MS degree, you can apply for a PsyD degree program by enrolling in a college or university, or in a professional school. It is not mandatory. You can also decide to take your PsyD degree without a MS one, although several people might find this a longer and wasteful process. Yet, if you think you may be able to obtain your PsyD degree sooner than average, not having previously earned an MS should not be a problem.
There are programs that allow you to skip some classes and shorten your PsyD degree study time, even though the process is not always easy and you should submit a syllabi waiver in due time. Not all PsyD programs will accept shorter studies, yet if you manage to finish your syllabi on time, in the first year or two you should be able to skip up to four classes each semester. Another solution could be to transfer few modules from MS, while the type of program you’ve chosen may be major for the information you can transfer, so you must also check the order of the classes in your program.
Usually, universities and professional schools do not agree to transfer of this kind of classes as long as you did not get to attend them. Mostly in the first year, a PsyD degree student may have limited alternatives regarding the course diversity. The students have to always attend the compulsory classes first. Most of the classes that might be skipped in various university programs were Stats I, Adult Psychology, Child Psychopathology and Research Methods. So if you ‘re aiming to do an MS and later enroll in a PsyD program, you can as well choose research-based MS programs that have a good history of getting people into doctoral programs. Furthermore, if you are thinking about shortening your study time in PsyD degree education, check your syllabi in time and submit your waiver as soon as possible, starting with the first years of study.
Adrian is an editor for http://www.psyddegree.com/,a website where you can find more info about a PsyD Degree.