What's the Difference between a PhD and PsyD in Clinical Psychology

If you are considering a career in psychology, you have likely encountered the PhD vs. PsyD debate. Wondering which doctoral program is right for you—a PhD in Psychology or a PsyD in Clinical Psychology?

While these programs share some similarities (both explore psychology in the clinical space, for instance), they can pave the way to different career outcomes. For example, PhD graduates often work in universities, hospitals, or research institutions, while PsyD graduates typically work in healthcare (and, in many cases, provide direct patient care).

Below, we explore what each of these degrees offers to prospective psychology professionals to help you choose an educational route you can feel confident about.

Clinical Psychology Programs

What is a PhD in Clinical Psychology?

When comparing PhD vs. PsyD, it helps to understand each degree track individually.

Like other PhD programs, the PhD in Clinical Psychology degree track is research-focused. It prepares students for careers in:

• Academia: Many PhD graduates go on to teach at the university level or support university-based research projects.
• Research: PhD graduates in Clinical Psychology are highly prepared to conduct field research. These professionals may work for universities, health systems, research organizations, or government agencies.
• Clinical settings: While Clinical Psychology PhD graduates typically pursue one of the career options above, they are also prepared to provide clinical care directly to patients.

Clinical Psychology PhD programs can be very selective. After earning admission, students typically complete PhD programs within five to seven years. During this timeline, prospective psychologists gain the critical skills they need to produce new scientific knowledge in the field. This includes skills like:

• Planning and setting up experiments and research projects
• Collecting high-quality data
• Applying data analysis techniques (including statistical analysis)
• Seeking peer review and publishing their findings

Since their degree programs are so research-centered, PhD students must often complete a doctoral dissertation in order to graduate. While this is not true of every Clinical Psychology PhD program, the vast majority require students to complete the dissertation process. Completing a dissertation can provide a springboard for future research opportunities.

Want to learn more about this degree track? Explore the PhD in Clinical Psychology program at Alliant International University. Our California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) offers multiple doctoral programs across the psychology specialty.

What is a PsyD in Clinical Psychology?

Alternatively, many of the psychologists of tomorrow pursue the PsyD in Clinical Psychology. The PsyD degree track is also rooted in psychological research; however, PsyD programs focus primarily on training students to apply this knowledge in the clinical space.¹

Simply put, PsyD programs prepare students to provide psychological services (including assessments, clinical interventions, and diagnoses) to patients through:

• Counseling and therapy
• Psychological evaluations
• Crisis intervention

During a PsyD program, students typically spend four to five years preparing for professional practice. Many programs also offer hands-on opportunities to hone clinical skills. These opportunities can include:

• Shadowing
• Preceptorships
• Clinical internships

Experiences like these better prepare PsyD graduates to work in areas like:

• Clinics: PsyD graduates can provide hands-on, direct patient care in emergency, inpatient, and outpatient clinics.
• Private practice: Many PsyD graduates eventually pursue careers in private practice, serving a smaller patient population, perhaps in a specialty (like pediatric psychology).
• Healthcare: PsyD-prepared psychologists can also contribute to the healthcare system at large: in leadership positions, consulting roles, or regulatory capacities.

The CSPP at Alliant International University offers nine APA-accredited doctoral degree programs in clinical psychology, including a PsyD degree track. With opportunities to develop a clinical specialty, participate in internships, and build multicultural competence, our PsyD program thoroughly prepares students for successful careers in Clinical Psychology. It is also a great fit for students exploring the clinical side of psychology and seeking to understand the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist in terms of roles, responsibilities, and training pathways.

Key Differences Between a PhD and PsyD in Clinical Psychology

Here is a quick overview of the differences between PhD vs. PsyD programs:

While both programs deliver knowledge specific to the clinical psychology field, PsyD programs are typically rooted in clinical work, while PhD programs are more research-focused. As a result, PsyD programs typically take less time to complete than PhD programs. Additionally, PsyD students must often complete extensive clinical experiences, while PhD students spend more time completing original research work.

Since PhD programs are more research-focused, they often provide a runway to careers in research. The dissertation process offers students an opportunity to develop one of their first extensive clinical psychology research projects. PsyD programs, on the other hand, prepare students for clinical careers by providing hands-on training in patient care.

PhD and PsyD programs also differ in admissions competitiveness and funding availability. In short:

• PhD programs feature rigorous admissions processes with high standards; programs are often highly selective. However, since PhD programs are research-focused, many students receive funding opportunities via grants and scholarships.
• PsyD programs often feature less competitive admissions processes than PhD programs. In addition, they can sometimes pose higher tuition costs; however, scholarship and grant opportunities are often still available.

For a more in-depth comparison of these two degree tracks, explore Clinical Psychology doctoral programs at Alliant International University.

How to Choose Between a PhD and PsyD in Clinical Psychology

First, assess your career goals. Do you envision yourself working in a lab, collecting data during research projects, collaborating on publications with peers, or training the next generation of Clinical Psychology researchers? If so, you might be a good fit for a research-intensive PhD program. PhD graduates often pursue roles in academia, research-focused positions, or policy work.

Alternatively, maybe you picture yourself working directly with patients, providing care in healthcare settings, serving as a leader in a healthcare organization, or enforcing regulatory requirements in clinical settings. A PsyD program could be a better match for you. PsyD graduates usually pursue roles in therapy, mental health practice, or psychological assessment.

Your career goals may also be tied to your specific interests. If you are interested in developing new scientific knowledge, you are likely a good fit for research training via a PhD program. PhD programs are also an appropriate route for future educators. If you have a passion for patient care (specifically mental health care), PsyD training is likely the best match for your interests.

Still not sure where to start? Alliant offers extensive admissions counseling for future psychologists looking for their ideal doctoral program. Whether you are navigating how to get into a PsyD program or exploring research opportunities through a PhD, you can request information from an admissions counselor to get started.

Clinical Psychology Programs

What to Expect in a PhD vs. PsyD Clinical Psychology Program

Given their differences, PsyD and PhD program elements may vary.

PsyD programs typically feature:

• A combination of scholarship and practice: PsyD programs offer both research and hands-on practice—academic knowledge and the skills future psychologists need to provide clinical care.
• Clinical training: Practical exposure is a cornerstone of any PsyD program. With clinical practice and internship opportunities, students experience patient care firsthand while honing their clinical skills.
• Multicultural competence training: PsyD students are trained to work with various populations, including people of all ages, genders, races, and classes. High-quality PsyD programs prepare students for real-world clinical care in diverse settings.

In comparison, PhD programs often offer:

• Research-focused learning: Clinical PhD programs focus on psychological clinical science research—the development of new knowledge that will impact clinical best practices in the field.
• Clinical exposure: Clinical Psychology PhD programs typically introduce students to the clinical space via internships. While clinical exposure in PhD programs is not usually as extensive as it is in PsyD programs, PhD students are still equipped to navigate direct patient care.
• Teaching opportunities: As part of a PhD program, you may have the opportunity to pursue teaching assistantships and explore instructional approaches in psychology training. These experiences can be particularly useful for students curious about what you can do with a behavioral science degree, as teaching and academic research often serve as common pathways for graduates in that field.

At Alliant, both our PsyD and PhD programs offer structured clinical experiences with real-world internship opportunities. We are dedicated to preparing every Clinical Psychologist (PhD and PsyD graduates alike) to understand both theoretical and practical principles in this discipline.

Admissions Requirements: What You Will Need to Apply

PhD and PsyD programs each have their own admissions standards, but most require:

• A completed bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field
• Transcripts demonstrating strong academic performance (especially in psychology and research-related coursework)
• Letters of recommendation (typically from professors, supervisors, or licensed professionals in the field)
• A personal statement outlining your goals and alignment with the program
• A resume or CV showcasing research, clinical, or academic experience

Some PhD programs may also require GRE scores, while PsyD programs may place more weight on clinical or volunteer experience. Always check the specific application checklist of each university.

Career Opportunities with a PhD vs. PsyD in Clinical Psychology

While there is certainly some career overlap, PhD and PsyD graduates tend to pursue different positions after earning their doctorates.

PhD graduates are well-suited for careers in:

• Teaching
• Research
• Consulting
• Leadership roles in academics, healthcare, or policymaking
• Clinical practice

PsyD graduates are highly prepared for roles in:

• Clinical practice
• Mental health therapy
• Private practice, hospitals, and healthcare systems

Both degree tracks can provide the foundational skills you need to become a licensed psychologist. If you are interested in the path to licensure:

1. Explore your state’s requirements: Graduate schools do not issue licenses; individual states do.²  Before choosing a graduate program, review the specific licensing requirements for the state(s) where you want to practice clinical psychology.
2. Ensure your program’s licensure preparation: Before applying to a graduate program, ensure that your program of choice prepares students for state licensure. Alliant International University provides comprehensive training to support this pathway (via both the PhD and PsyD programs).

Which Degree Path is Right for You?

As you assess PhD vs. PsyD programs, consider your career aspirations, interests, and strengths. While both degree tracks can prepare future psychologists for state licensure, PhD programs are more research-focused, while PsyD programs emphasize clinical skills.

But a Clinical Psychology doctoral program is more than a pathway to licensure: PhD and PsyD programs offer opportunities to build critical skills, access in-depth knowledge, and advance the field of Psychology as a whole. Both degree paths can lead to fulfilling careers.

Alliant International University is dedicated to developing the clinicians and researchers of tomorrow. With extensive clinical exposure, research opportunities, and hands-on training from experienced faculty, we offer future Clinical Psychologists the tools they need to succeed.

Take the next step toward a career in Psychology—apply now.

Sources:

1. Michalski, D., Fowler, G. “Doctoral Degrees in Psychology: How Are They Different, or Not So Different?” American Psychological Association. January 2016. https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2016/01/doctoral-degrees. Accessed June 30, 2025.
2. Michalski, D., Fowler, G. “Doctoral Degrees in Psychology: How Are They Different, or Not So Different?” American Psychological Association. January 2016. https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2016/01/doctoral-degrees. Accessed June 30, 2025.