Did you know that you can only use the title psychologist if you had a license? And that a doctorate in psychology degree is the first requirement for taking the licensure exam? If you’re especially targeting applied psychology, you really have to go beyond a masters in psychology.
This can be extremely challenging considering how competitive it is to be admitted into most psychology graduate programs, even at the masters level. And bear in mind that most schools expect you to go on and complete psychology doctoral programs once you’re accepted.
Making The Cut
Think of Duke University’s record. Based in North Carolina, its Department of Psychology and Neuroscience record demonstrates how tough it is to get into this field of study.
Consider that there are 250 to 300 applicants for their doctorate in psychology programs every year. You’re extremely good and lucky to make it to the 30, who will get interviewed. In the end, only four to seven applicants will finally make the cut. This NC school’s record for granting a doctorate degree under its clinical psychology program is 12 each year.
What kind of screening process do they put applicants through? A really tough one. You need a bachelors degree, in psychology would be advantageous, as one of its minimum requirements. Aside from your academic and scholarly records (GPA of at least 3.0 and GRE cumulative scores of 1200 to 1600), you are judged on the basis of your potential to conduct original research and engage in scholarship. You must also be interested in both research and clinical psychology.
At any given year, the department has about 30 to 40 students enrolled and closely working with the faculty to thoroughly develop competent professionals with well-rounded skills and knowledge.
Maybe the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is not as stringent, or it’s just really the kind of challenge you face when seeking to get admission into psychology graduate programs at any level.
Admission into campus programs may be a little more difficult, but remember that a doctorate in psychology online is just as valid and acceptable as long as it is accredited.
Potential Schools To Consider
If you’re interested in Experimental Psychology for your doctorate in psychology, then look up the University of Texas at Arlington. Unlike many schools, including the Argosy University in Dallas, which offer a doctorate in clinical psychology, University of Texas gives focus on this area, even at the undergraduate level.
When in NY, you can try applying for admission at Cornell University, whose main mission is to develop researchers, scholars and teachers with their doctorate in psychology programs that emphasize on biopsychology, cognition and perception and social and personality psychology. The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development under the New York University has three doctorate in psychology programs: Ph.D. In Psychological Development, Ph.D. In Counseling Psychology and Ph.D. In Psychological and Social Intervention.
Drexel University in Philadelphia offers doctorate in psychology programs for clinical psychology, applied cognitive and brain sciences and its combined law and psychology degree for those wishing to work as forensic psychologists.
Argosy has an extensive menu of programs from undergraduate to graduate degrees. It has several campuses in California. The University of Phoenix, also has multiple locations in the state including the North Valley Learning Center in Sacramento. University of Phoenix is located nationwide from Washington to Florida, Texas to Minnesota. A search through the internet will tell which campuses offer doctorate in psychology programs, and their focus that you may be interested in.
Many students start their careers with a masters in psychology degree, which is the minimum requirement to be able to apply knowledge in this field. The shorter studying time is a plus and enables them to gain experience before really pursuing doctorate degrees which take from five to seven years.
A doctorate in psychology is the ultimate preparation to become a professional, and the challenge is to do well once accepted into programs because of what it cost you to get in.
Below find more interesting articles about the different programs, schools, rankings and salaries.
