Clinical Psychology: Psyd Vs. PhD Essay

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Thus, PysD programs prove beneficial in terms of professional expectations.

This more practice-orientated path goes beyond research. PsyD programs offer a "Comprehensive, carefully supervised training for practice and thorough training for research cannot both be accomplished in the time allowed," (Walfish & Hess 2001:54).

Preparation for the student within a PsyD program comes from actual practice, rather than simple observation. It is within this scope of practice which allows for more thorough preparation for clinical practice. According to the research, "The PsyD students were to have class work as rigorous as that of their fellow students who were working for a PhD, but instead of doing research-based dissertations, they spent more time in practicum work and submitted a final document focusing more on a clinical demonstration project instead," (Walfish & Hess 2001:48). Students are allowed to go beyond the classroom and experience the reality of clinical practice within a psychology context. The result is better prepared graduates. In PysD programs, "Students are not expected to believe that the best way to prepare for a professional career is to do research. They are trained for practice," (Walfish & Hess 2001:53). Thus, there is an emphasis on more hands-on learning approaches. Yet, this emphasis on practice over research is not the only reason for its superiority.

Lastly, the PsyD proves to provide a much more specialized education which prepares students for more focused professional practice following graduation. According to research, the PsyD is "based in disciplined knowledge," (Walfish & Hess 2001:53).

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Therefore, these students are trained with a specific focus in mind. Most PsyD programs are taught by working professionals rather than scholars "The faculty in schools adhering to the professional model of training became largely composed of practicing clinicians rather than clinician-scholars or scientist-practitioners, offering a different type of role model for students," (Keith-Spiegel & Wiederman 2000:42). Additionally, the PsyD program is modern and innovative. It provides a specialized and up-to-date training for practice within a modern and ever-changing world. Therefore, it is superior than the PhD in that it is a progression from it. "Most of your undergraduate professors, regardless of what department they are in, earned a PhD," whereas PsyD graduates are actual clinicians working presently in the field (Keith-Spiegel & Wiederman 2000:44). Thus, these degree programs help mold ready experts who can easily adjust into the actual and real professional world. The emphasis on creating a working-ready educational background then provides a much better opportunity for graduates when they enter the working world.

It is clear; despite the universal appeal of PhD programs, PsyD programs offer a better education within the context of clinical psychology. The PsyD programs then prove the most beneficial in terms of preparing budding psychologists as they enter real world situations in a clinical context. Thus, a PsyD program would be the best choice within the specific situation of pursuing a doctoral degree within clinical psychology......

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