How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Psychology?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Long Will It Take?Before You Earn PhD in PsychologyWhich Type of Degree Should You Get?Can You Finish Your Degree Early?

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How Long Will It Take?

Before You Earn PhD in Psychology

Which Type of Degree Should You Get?

Can You Finish Your Degree Early?

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Just how long does it take to get a PhD in psychology? The answer can vary depending on your program, educational background, and academic schedule. In general, most PhD psychology programs take anywhere from five to seven years to complete.

Learning more about what it takes to get a doctorate in psychology can help you better plan your educational and career journey.

At a GlanceGetting a PhD in psychology can take several years of graduate study. If you are thinking about becoming a psychologist, research your degree options to figure out what type of degree you need and how long it will take to enter your chosen profession. No matter what you decide, plan to spend anywhere from three to seven years in graduate school to earn a doctorate.

At a Glance

Getting a PhD in psychology can take several years of graduate study. If you are thinking about becoming a psychologist, research your degree options to figure out what type of degree you need and how long it will take to enter your chosen profession. No matter what you decide, plan to spend anywhere from three to seven years in graduate school to earn a doctorate.

How Long Will It Take to Get a Doctorate Degree?

How long it takes to get a doctorate in psychology depends on various factors, including the type of degree you have selected, your educational background, and the individual doctorate program in which you have enrolled.

Most doctorate programs in psychology take between four to seven years to complete.

PhD in Psychology

Most PhD programs require at least five to seven years to complete. These programs often follow a scientist-practitioner model that trains professionals both in research and clinical practice.

In addition to regular coursework, you may also be expected to complete an internship or supervised residency. The program usually culminates in completing an original research project or dissertation.

PsyD Degree

Most PsyD programs require between four to six years to complete.A PsyD is a degree designed to train professionals to apply psychological knowledge to treating and helping people in real-world settings.

According to the American Psychological Association, PsyD programs focus more on applying psychological science, usually in the form of service.

EdD Degree

Most EdD programs require between three to five years to complete. EdD programs are often focused on psychology, counseling, or counselor education. They explore topics that involve both education and psychology.

It is important to note that many applicants to EdD programs already hold amaster’s degreein a related field.This differs from applicants to PhD and PsyD programs, who often begin their program of study with a bachelor’s degree.

Before you begin your academic journey, it is a good idea to look at just how long it will take you to complete your degree. The amount of time it will take can depend upon various factors, including:

A doctorate-level degree in psychology is required to work in many job areas, including as a licensed clinical psychologist or counseling psychologist. According to the American Psychological Association, a doctorate degree is also often required in fields such asschool psychologyorhealth psychology.

RecapSo how long does it take to get aPhD in Psychology? First, it is essential to realize that the degree requirements can vary depending on the field that you decide to pursue. A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy degree is not necessarily your only option. In some cases, you might want also to consider the PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) or the EdD (Doctor of Education) degree options.

Recap

So how long does it take to get aPhD in Psychology? First, it is essential to realize that the degree requirements can vary depending on the field that you decide to pursue. A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy degree is not necessarily your only option. In some cases, you might want also to consider the PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) or the EdD (Doctor of Education) degree options.

If you want to conduct research:

A PhD in Psychology tends to focus on a research-based model of education.People with a PhD in Psychology are qualified for a wide range of teaching, research, and clinical positions in colleges, universities, hospitals, government offices, and private mental health practices.

If you want to treat mental health issues:

ThePsyD degreeoption generally focuses on a practitioner-based model of education. Individuals with a PsyD degree can also teach or conduct psychology research, but they frequently work in applied settings to provide direct mental health services.

If you want to apply psychology to help students:

Finally, there is also a third doctorate option that you might also want to consider depending on your career goals. If you are interested in working as a school psychologist or in a related educational field, the EdD, or Doctor of Education, is a possible option.

Despite the years of work, earning your PhD, PsyD, or EdD can be well worth the effort. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that workers with a doctoral or education specialist degree in clinical, counseling, and school psychology will find the strongest job opportunities.

Generally, if you have a strong background in psychology and have completed all of the necessary prerequisites, you can finish your doctorate sooner than students who have not taken the prerequisite courses.

Carefully planning your degree can also help ensure you complete the program requirements quickly.

Be sure you have a clear idea of what you want to do with your psychology degree once you’ve completed it. Do you want to teach, or is research more appealing to you? Are you interested in seeing clients, or are you planning to combine your training in psychology with another field, such as law or medicine?

If you need help deciding, make an important with an academic advisor at your school. They can help you explore your options and answer any questions you may have.

What This Means For YouNo matter the degree you decide to pursue, earning a doctorate in psychology requires a significant investment of time, money, and effort. Because of this, it is essential to carefully consider your goals before deciding on a graduate program. You should also think about whether you need a doctorate or if a master’s might be more appropriate.

What This Means For You

No matter the degree you decide to pursue, earning a doctorate in psychology requires a significant investment of time, money, and effort. Because of this, it is essential to carefully consider your goals before deciding on a graduate program. You should also think about whether you need a doctorate or if a master’s might be more appropriate.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gee DG, DeYoung KA, McLaughlin KA, et al.Training the next generation of clinical psychological scientists: A data-driven call to action.Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2022;18:43-70. doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-092500Loyola University.Can I get my Psy.D. without a Master’s in Psychology?American Psychological Association.Doctoral degrees in psychology: How are they different, or not so different?Franklin University.Is getting a Doctorate in Education worth it?American Psychological Association.Frequently asked questions about graduate school.Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.Additional ReadingCarr, A.Clinical Psychology: An Introduction. London: Routledge; 2012.Kuther, TL.The Psychology Major’s Handbook. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning; 2016.

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gee DG, DeYoung KA, McLaughlin KA, et al.Training the next generation of clinical psychological scientists: A data-driven call to action.Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2022;18:43-70. doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-092500Loyola University.Can I get my Psy.D. without a Master’s in Psychology?American Psychological Association.Doctoral degrees in psychology: How are they different, or not so different?Franklin University.Is getting a Doctorate in Education worth it?American Psychological Association.Frequently asked questions about graduate school.Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.Additional ReadingCarr, A.Clinical Psychology: An Introduction. London: Routledge; 2012.Kuther, TL.The Psychology Major’s Handbook. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning; 2016.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Gee DG, DeYoung KA, McLaughlin KA, et al.Training the next generation of clinical psychological scientists: A data-driven call to action.Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2022;18:43-70. doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-092500Loyola University.Can I get my Psy.D. without a Master’s in Psychology?American Psychological Association.Doctoral degrees in psychology: How are they different, or not so different?Franklin University.Is getting a Doctorate in Education worth it?American Psychological Association.Frequently asked questions about graduate school.Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Gee DG, DeYoung KA, McLaughlin KA, et al.Training the next generation of clinical psychological scientists: A data-driven call to action.Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2022;18:43-70. doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-092500

Loyola University.Can I get my Psy.D. without a Master’s in Psychology?

American Psychological Association.Doctoral degrees in psychology: How are they different, or not so different?

Franklin University.Is getting a Doctorate in Education worth it?

American Psychological Association.Frequently asked questions about graduate school.

Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Carr, A.Clinical Psychology: An Introduction. London: Routledge; 2012.Kuther, TL.The Psychology Major’s Handbook. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning; 2016.

Carr, A.Clinical Psychology: An Introduction. London: Routledge; 2012.

Kuther, TL.The Psychology Major’s Handbook. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning; 2016.

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