Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

What is A Clinical Psychology (PsyD) Degree?

Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental processing, and Clinical Psychology is a specialty in the field that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders and disability.  In the PsyD program in Clinical Psychology you’ll study subjects like cognitive assessment, clinical assessment, individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, psychopathology, child psychopathology, research methods, statistical analysis, and others. You’ll have several practicum experiences and serve an internship.

By earning a PsyD in Clinical Psychology and passing the licensure exam, you’ll be able to practice as a Clinical Psychologist, treating patients in a variety of settings such as private offices, group practices, hospitals, clinics, and counseling centers. The PsyD degree has more focus on clinical training than on conducting research, so some programs may include writing a dissertation only as an option, not a requirement.  With the degree you will be qualified to teach college-level courses, but probably not at a research-focused university.

The video below discusses a “typical” program, so it should help regardless of which school you are considering.