is their a PhD program that focuses on clinical instead of research?

Question

I am considering going for a PhD in clinical psychology but I'm not that's interested in research (and I don't want to go for a PsyD because I heard that it can limit your options). I was wondering if their were any PhD programs that emphasized clinical practice over research.

Answer 1

I'm afraid I agree with James. The Ph.D. is a research degree, which doesn't mean that it doesn't prepare you for clinical practice. All of the well-trained psychologists I know (and I know a lot of them) were trained in research; this wasn't because they were expected to spend their lives primarily engaging in research, but so that they had a full understanding of the literature and of human nature. The reason the Psy.D. might limit your options is precisely because it does NOT include this. I think that if you are not willing to learn about research, you would be better off getting an honest Psy.D. than getting a poor-quality Ph.D. which doesn't offer what the Ph.D. is intended to offer.

Answer 2

First of all, I must disagree with the poster who said that most programs nowadays are not all that research oriented. I just went through the process and I did not find that to be the case at all. There are a few which are more clinical (I have heard that Texas Southwestern, Washington State, Arkansas, Catholic, and Colorado-Colorado Springs are 50-50 or trend clinical, so that may be a start) but they seem to be the exception to the rule. You may want to pick up a copy of the Insider's Guide to Clinical Psychology Graduate School (or something like that, you can find it on Amazon) as it has all of the programs and rates how clinical they are.

Also, the person who said that counseling programs are not research focused at all is also uninformed based on my experience. My undergraduate institution is home to a counseling psych department and they do LOTS of research. Perhaps it is the exception to the rule, but again that hasn't been my experience. If you are going for a PhD you are pretty much going to need to do the research!

While a PsyD MAY limit your options it is only going to preclude you from doing the things you wouldn't want to do if you don't want to do research. It is a fine degree, especially if it comes from a top school like Baylor or Rutgers!

Check out the Insider's Guide, it will tell you what you need to know! Not to advertise for them at all but here is a link to it on Amazon just so you know what I am talking about http://www.amazon.com/Insiders-Graduate-Programs-Counseling-Psychology/dp/1593852584/ref=sr_1_1/104-3869708-4415117?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185778549&sr=1-1

Answer 3

Believe it or not, most PhD programs in Psychology are 'canted' more toward the 'clinical' than the 'research' end of it ... but I think that you should at least 'seriously consider' taking some of the 'advanced courses' in psychological research ...you will be 'better paid' and actually have MORE to offer even if you are in 'private practice' with the knowledge you'll get from the 'research' side.

Answer 4

Well, the PhD is research oriented and the PsyD is practice oriented. Decide which you want.

Answer 5

How about a DNP or MD/PHD? The latter is obvious. DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) with specialty in psychology. It is all clinical. Great pay, prescription, counseling, priviledge.

Answer 6

What about a PhD in counseling psychology?That is not research focused at all.

Answer 7

No offense, but hopefully not! The Ph.D. degree is known across the disciplines as a research credential.

Answer 8

Psy. D.

Argosy University has this program.