Graduate education in the United States, and across the globe, has become increasingly valued over the past half century. The value of graduate education has been enhanced as our economy has shifted from one based predominantly on heavy industry to one based on services and information.

Whether you are an undergraduate student, have received your bachelor's degree within recent years, or are at a later stage in life, the first decision you need to consider is whether graduate education in psychology is the best option for you.

• Which is the "best" program in psychology?


• How do I determine which program is best suited for me?


• What types of employment opportunities are available to me with a degree in psychology?
• Should I apply to a master's or doctoral degree program?


• What is the difference between a Ph.D. and a Psy.D.?


• What are the admission requirements for graduate programs in psychology?


• What is accreditation?


• Do I need a license to practice psychology?


• What is the length of time required to complete a degree?


• What level of financial indebtedness can I expect to incur?


• What type of financial assistance is available?


• Want to learn more about Graduate Study in Psychology?

What is the "best" program in psychology?

This question is frequently asked by students or others who are thinking about graduate study in psychology. The answer is that there is no "best" program for everyone; rather, students should ask "which graduate programs are best suited for me?"

Psychology is a broad scientific discipline bridging the social and biological sciences, influenced also by such disciplines as philosophy and mathematics. Due in part to the breadth of the discipline of psychology as a scientific discipline and profession, there are many types of graduate programs. This is one of the reasons we do not rank graduate programs. Programs differ in their purposes and emphases, as well as many other factors (e.g., number and qualities of students admitted, number and qualities of faculty, financial resources available, etc.). Some programs are intensely focused on preparing an individual for an academic research career, while other programs focus on preparing an individual for applied research outside the university. Other programs prepare students to provide psychological services as licensed professional psychologists. Some programs bridge these various goals.

If you are interested in learning more about the diversity of programs, obtain a copy of the APA publication "Graduate Study in Psychology." You can do so by phone at 1-800-374-2721 or online at www.apa.org/gradstudy. The publication, with follow-up contact made directly with graduate programs of interest to you, should help you determine which programs are best for you.

Which program is best suited for me?

Selecting a graduate program in psychology that is best for you requires thoughtful consideration. Overall, your answer should reflect consideration of your: a) academic history, b) learning style, c) career interests, d) work experiences, and e) financial resources. In addition, for each department or program you are considering, ask the following questions:

1. What is the profile of students recently admitted to the program, in terms of academic background, standardized test scores, and demographic characteristics?


2. What is the program's "track record" in terms of students admitted who graduate, and the average number of years required to achieve a degree?


3. What are the goals and objectives of the program and do they match my interests and capabilities as a graduate student?


4. For programs with an emphasis on academic and research careers, what is the record of graduates' success (during their first five years) in obtaining postdoctoral research fellowships, academic appointments, or applied research positions outside the academy?


5. For programs with an emphasis on professional practice, what is the program's accreditation status (if applicable), the record of its graduates' success in obtaining licensure, and its graduates' selection for advanced practice residencies and professional development in their first five years?


6. For programs that require a internship or practicum, what is the success rate of placement for students attending the program?


7. What financial resources are available to students, and what is the average level of indebtedness among recent graduates of the program?

What types of employment opportunities are available to me with a degree in psychology?

Although employment in research, teaching, and human service positions are possible for those with a master’s degree in psychology, the doctoral degree is generally considered the entry-level degree in psychology for the independent, licensed practice of psychology as a profession. Increasingly, it is the preferred degree for college and university faculty and has long been a requirement for faculty positions in research universities. Many departments and programs track the employment and other postgraduate activities of students. Contact the department or program you are in interested in attending for specific information on employment outcomes. The accompany graph summarizes types of settings in which graduates of master’s degree programs are employed (CLICK TO GRAPH USED IN GRAD STUDY) For general information about degrees, employment, and salaries in psychology, you may wish to visit the website of the APA Center for Psychology Workforce Analysis and Research (CPWAR) at http://research.apa.org/.

Should I apply to a master's or doctoral degree program?

The answer to this question depends on many factors. Some students pursue a master's degree because they are not certain they want to spend the time and resources for a doctoral degree. Others consider a master's program as an intermediate step in their education towards eventually obtaining a doctoral degree in psychology or another field.

About one fourth of those awarded a bachelor’s degree continue in graduate or professional education in psychology or other fields. Some students earn a master’s degree, work for a few years, then return to study for a doctorate in psychology or another field. Other students earn a master’s degree as part of their doctoral program preparation. Still others bypass the master’s degree and work directly on the doctorate. Doctoral programs vary in their practices and admission preferences in this regard. The accompanying graph provides information on recent doctorates awarded in psychology (CLICK TO GRAD STUDY GRAPH).

For specific information on master’s and doctoral programs offered in psychology, obtain a copy of the APA publication "Graduate Study in Psychology." You can do so by phone at 1-800-374-2721 or online at www.apa.org/gradstudy. The publication, coupled with follow-up contact made directly with graduate programs of interest to you, should help you determine the type of program and degree you wish to seek.

What is the difference between a Ph.D. and a Psy.D.?

The two most common doctoral degrees are the Ph.D. degree and the Psy.D degree. A few programs in Colleges of Education may offer the Ed.D. The Ph.D. degree is the oldest doctorate and is generally regarded as the research degree. Although many independent schools of professional psychology award the Ph.D. degree, especially those in university academic departments, they typically have an emphasis on research training and the integration of that with applied or practice training.

The Psy.D., first awarded in the late 1960s but increasing in popularity among professional independent programs, is a professional degree in psychology (similar to the MD in medicine). Programs awarding the Psy.D. place major emphasis on preparing their graduates for professional practice as practitioner–scholars but typically with less extensive research training. Presently about 75% of all doctoral degrees in psychology are Ph.D. degrees. The attached graph gives a profile of initial employment outcomes for Ph.D. and Psy.D. program graduates. (CLICK TO GRAD STUDY GRAPH).

What are the admission requirements for graduate programs in psychology?

Gaining entry into graduate school in psychology can be difficult. The number of applicants typically exceeds the number of openings. Inquire from the department or program about the number of applications received by the department or school and the number of students accepted. These numbers should provide a sense of the competition you can expect when applying to a particular department, program, or school.

Requirements for admission vary from program to program. Many psychology programs prefer or require significant undergraduate coursework in psychology, often the equivalent of a major or minor, whereas others do not. Evaluate your educational background and be realistic about your abilities and academic potential. To assist in their evaluation of academic potential, many graduate departments require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and some require the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). If the programs in which you are interested require these standardized tests, you should take the GRE, GRE-Subject (Psychology), and the MAT in time for the scores to be included with your application materials. Other criteria considered as admission factors may include previous research activity, work experience, clinically related public service, extracurricular activity, letters of recommendation, statement of goals and objectives, and an interview.

What is accreditation?

Many students ask about a program’s accreditation. The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, school, or a combination of these areas. The APA does not accredit programs in other areas of professional practice (e.g. industrial/organizational psychology). It does not accredit master’s degree programs.

As an additional note, accreditation applies to educational programs (i.e., doctoral programs in professional psychology) and institutions (i.e., colleges, universities, and independent schools of professional psychology), not to individuals. Accreditation is a system for recognizing educational quality as defined by the profession or other accrediting bodies. Graduation from an accredited institution or program does not guarantee employment or licensure for individuals, although being a graduate of an accredited program may facilitate such achievement. For more information on programs accredited by the APA, go to http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/.

Do I need a license to practice psychology?

If you are interested in eventually practicing psychology in the U.S., it is important to know that the doctoral degree, is generally considered the entry-level degree in psychology for the independent, licensed practice of psychology as a profession. To practice psychology in a state, province or territory of the U.S. an individual must be licensed as a psychologist according to the laws and regulations outlined by that particular governmental entity. Requirements for license to practice in psychology are not standardized across states. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) has a website that provides links to state psychology boards, in addition to general information about the requirements in education (which may include graduation from an APA accredited program), examinations, and supervised experience: www.asppb.org.

In addition, to the doctoral degree, licensure for the professional practice of psychology may require additional years of supervised training experiences, such as an internship or post-doctoral residency. You will need to research and contact the Board of Psychology in the state you are interested in practicing for information in the area of education and supervised experience required. Once again, for information related to qualifications and exams required for licensure and practice in the U.S., go to the following web site, sponsored by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards www.asppb.org.

What is the length of time required to complete a degree?

Actual time to earn a degree varies due to program requirements and differences among students (e.g., the extent to which they are financially supported, time to complete dissertation, etc.). The average time to earn a doctoral degree is approximately 5-6 years, after achieving the bachelor’s degree, some requiring less time and others more. Programs in certain areas of professional psychology require a 1-year internship as part of the doctoral program. Master's degree programs generally require 1-2 years to complete, with the exception of the Education Specialist degree (in school psychology) which is usually a 3-year program.

What level of financial indebtness can I expect to incur?

The cost of graduate education can be expensive. Tuition for out-of-state students in public institutions and for all students in private institutions will be higher. Many students require loans, even when working part time to pay for their graduate education. Indeed, the amount of debt incurred by graduate students can be significant, as illustrated in the following graph. (CLICK TO GRAD STUDY GRAPH).

What type of financial assistance is available?

Financial assistance in various forms is available to many students. Thus, you may wish to apply for a fellowship, scholarship, assistantship, or another type of financial assistance. Many fellowships and scholarships are grants or subsidies and require no service to the department or university. Assistantships in teaching and research are also available in many programs. These are forms of employment for services in a department. Teaching assistantships may require teaching a class or assisting a professor by grading papers, acting as a laboratory assistant, and performing other such supporting work. Research assistants ordinarily work on research projects being conducted by program faculty.

The amount of work required for fellowships, assistantships, and traineeships is expressed by departments and programs in hours per week. Stipends offered by departments and programs may be for an academic year or nine (9) months. Students should inquire, when receiving an offer of financial assistance, as to the amount to be given in terms of tuition remission (not requiring the student to pay tuition) versus a stipend (actual cash in hand).

You may want to review the APA Education Web site at www.apa.org/ed for information about scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other funding opportunities.

Want to learn more about Graduate Study in Psychology?

The APA publishes Graduate Study in Psychology which provides information related to graduate programs in psychology in the U.S. and Canada. 'The 2008 Edition of the publication can be purchased from the APA for $25.95, plus shipping. In addition, most university libraries and university psychology offices have the publication on-hand for check-out. The publication contains information about departments and programs, including the number of applications for programs, number of individuals accepted in each program, dates for applications and admission, in-state and out-state costs, availability of internships and scholarships, orientation and emphasis of departments and programs, plus other relevant information. To order a copy by phone with your credit card, please call the Order Department at 1-800-374-2721 or you may order online at http://www.apa.org/books/. Access to the listings from the Graduate Study in Psychology are also available through Graduate Study On-Line at www.apa.org/gradstudy/.