About the Profession
What are the key differences between a Ph.D. and PsyD in Clinical Psychology?
Ph.D. and PsyD programs in clinical psychology differ primarily in training emphasis and career goals. PsyD programs follow a practitioner-scholar model, focusing more heavily and early on in clinical training, assessment, and intervention skills to prepare graduates for direct service roles in various settings (e.g., community mental health, outpatient clinics, schools, hospitals, inpatient and residential units). In contrast, Ph.D. programs follow a scientist-practitioner model, placing strong emphasis on research training, data analysis, and academic scholarship, and often prepare graduates for careers in research and academia.
| Aspect | Existing Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in Clinical Psychology | Proposed PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) in Clinical Psychology |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Research, theory, academic teaching—scientist‑practitioner model | Clinical practice, hands‑on application—practitioner‑scholar model |
| Program Duration | Typically 5–7 years | Typically 5 years |
| Research Component | Extensive emphasis on original research, statistical methods, and dissertation | Less research-intensive; may include a clinically focused doctoral project, program evaluation, intervention evaluation, or case study. |
| Course Work | Involves less course work given applied research training and dissertation research. | Involves more course work than Ph.D. programs, aiming to focus in more depth on clinical skills and foundations needed for clinical practice in a wide range of populations and settings |
| Clinical Training | Included, but often later in the program; integrated with research training. Full-time internship in final year. | Emphasized early, with extensive practica required. Full-time internship in final year. |
| Admissions | Small cohort sizes (2-8 students). Emphasis on research experience, academic indicators | Larger cohort sizes (20-25 students). Broader acceptance criteria; often valuing previous clinical or clinical-adjacent (e.g. human services, etc.) experience |
| Career Outcomes | Academia, research, doctoral-level teaching, neuropsychology, assessment, clinical roles, consulting | Clinical practice (private/public) across a broad range of settings, practitioner roles, doctoral-level teaching, assessment, consulting |
| Licensure Eligibility | Yes—both degrees qualify holders for licensure, requiring supervised clinical hours and passing the national exam (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology; EPPP) | Yes—the same licensing paths and exams apply |
| Funding | Often funded via graduate teaching or research assistantships, stipends, tuition waivers | Less likely to be funded; more programs require tuition and fees, though many offer teaching assistantships or scholarships |
Applying to Graduate School
Where can I learn more about differences among graduate programs and how to become a competitive applicant?
"Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology: 2026-2028 Edition" by John C. Norcross Ph.D. and Michael A. Sayette Ph.D. is a comprehensive, practical resource that that not only compares Ph.D., PsyD, and other training models, but also provides detailed program listings, guidance on evaluating fit (e.g., research vs. clinical emphasis, funding, outcomes), and step-by-step advice on preparing strong applications, including selecting programs, writing personal statements, and navigating interviews. See also A Practical Guide to Applying to PsyD Programs in Clinical Psychology.
When do you plan to accept the first cohort of students?
Applications will open in fall 2026 for an inaugural cohort beginning classes in fall 2027.
Academics and Training
What are the research expectations in the PsyD program?
As a practitioner-scholar program, the PsyD emphasizes the application of scientific knowledge to professional practice. Students receive training in research methods, statistics, evidence-based practice, and program evaluation, and learn to critically evaluate and apply psychological research to clinical decision-making.
Students will complete a Doctoral Research Project sequence during their third and fourth years in the program (Doctoral Research Project I-V) while concurrently engaged in other coursework and practicum training. The project will address a clinically relevant question and may include program evaluation, case studies, intervention outcomes research, assessment-focused studies, quality improvement initiatives, systematic reviews, or other forms of applied scholarship that contribute to psychological practice and service delivery. Projects may involve the collection of primary data, but it is not necessarily required.
Students will develop and defend a research proposal, complete an independent scholarly project under faculty mentorship, and produce a written manuscript that demonstrates their ability to integrate scientific evidence with professional practice. Students are expected to defend their completed doctoral research project by the end of their fourth year of training.
Can I work while pursuing my PsyD degree?
The PsyD program is designed as a full-time doctoral training experience. Students complete a rigorous combination of coursework, clinical training and supervision, research, and professional development activities throughout the program. Because of these substantial time commitments, outside employment is generally not feasible and is discouraged.
During the fifth and final year of training, students complete a full-time doctoral internship, which is a required component of the degree. Doctoral internships are typically paid positions in settings such as hospitals, community mental health centers, schools, university counseling centers, and integrated healthcare systems.
Can I transfer other graduate credits (e.g., from my master’s program) towards this degree?
Transfer credit requests may be considered in limited circumstances and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with UNLV Graduate College policies. However, because the PsyD curriculum is highly specialized, sequenced, and competency-based, it is unlikely that previously completed graduate coursework will satisfy program requirements. As a result, most students should expect to complete the full PsyD curriculum regardless of prior graduate study.
Am I able to earn a master's degree during the course of pursuing my doctorate in this program?
No, the program does not confer a master's degree en route to earning the PsyD degree. Instead, students complete an integrated doctoral curriculum designed specifically to prepare them for doctoral-level practice as licensed psychologists.