Is obtaining a Psy.D. the same as a Ph.D. in psychology, or is the Ph.D more prestigious?

Answer 1

The Ph.D. is still considered to be the standard and I know there are some internship programs that will not accept a Psy.D. Here's the difference between the Ph.D. and Psy.D.
The PhD follows the Boulder Model. The Boulder Model believes that psychologists should be trained as scientist-practitioners. Boulder-model programs provide rigorous education as a researcher along with training as a clinician. The requirements will be more research and science based than the PsyD programs. Boulder-model programs are also almost universally located in graduate departments of universities.

The PsyD follows the Vail Model. The Vail Model believes that psychologists should be scholar-professionals with the focus primarily on clinical practice and less on research. While a PsyD program has less emphasis on research, this does not mean that research is ignored all together. In PsyD program, you learn to be a critical reader and evaluator of the research and learn how to apply that to clinical practice. While some PhD programs will require you to perform research, PsyD program may still give you the option to do research if you choose. Vail-model programs can be housed in three organizational settings: within a psychology department, within a university-affiliated psychology school, and within an independent, freestanding psychology school.

In sum, the primary disparity is in the relative emphasis on research: Boulder programs aspire to train producers of research; Vail programs train consumers of research. PsyD programs require some research and statistics courses; you simply cannot avoid research sophistication in any APA-accredited program. The clinical opportunities are very similar for students in both types of programs. Indeed, research has substantiated that PsyD programs provide slightly more clinical experience and clinical courses but less research experience than Boulder-model, PhD programs

Answer 2

PsyD is a newer, more specialized degree intended for people who want to focus on clinical psychology. Some people do not consider it to be as prestigious as a PhD, but I think that's silly. Doctoral degrees require a LOT of work and a lot of time and effort must be invested to earn one.

PhD is more geared towards academia and research. It is a good degree, no doubt about that.

Anyway, neither PhD nor PsyD-level psychologists are allowed to prescribe medicine. Psychiatrists can, but they have medical degrees, MD or DO.

Error noted. Homer nods. But to clarify, that depends on the region, still.

Answer 3

Gumdrop, while in good faith, is in error.

There are some test programs still being run to allow specially selected and trained non-MD psychologists to prescribe medication.

Answer 4

there are psychologist which are more of a glorified counselor.
they can help with problems but they cannot administer drugs.

a psychiatrist is a doctor who helps with problems and can also administer drugs.