A graduate degree, either at the masters or doctoral level, is required for some careers in psychology. For example, a Ph.D. is required to be a professor or a scientist. A graduate degree is also required for many careers involving providing services to individuals with mental health or similar concerns.

Choosing the right graduate program can be tricky, especially for students interested in pursuing a career in clinical practice. Students who are interested in a career in clinical practice should be aware that there are several different types of degrees, including a masters, Psy.D., or Ph.D., that can lead to a career in therapy or other types of mental health work. The Psy.D. is a more clinically-oriented version of the Ph.D. and there are different requirements associated with these programs of study. Master’s degrees can be particularly confusing because some will allow you to gain licensure to practice psychotherapy independently and some will not. Students should contact their psychology advisor for help exploring the possibility of applying to graduate programs in psychology. Below are useful resources for learning about preparing for graduate school in psychology.

• External Link How to Prepare Effectively for Graduate School: Tips for how to prepare for the graduate school application process while you are an undergraduate at UWM.
• External Link Applying to Post-Baccalaureate Positions: Helpful information about how to pursue positions after earning your bachelor’s degree that will help make you a competitive applicant for PhD programs in Psychology.
• External Link Applying for PhD Programs in Psychology: A set of instructional videos, produced by the APA, that provide useful guidance about the process of applying to PhD programs in Psychology.
• External Link Pre-Professional Experience | LearnPsychology.org: A student’s guide to pre-professional psychology opportunities.
• External Link Clinical Psychology Grad School: a comprehensive set of tips on whether to seek a PhD in Clinical Psychology and how to have a successful application.
• External Link Resources for Applying to Graduate School in Psychology
• External Link What’s the Difference Between a Clinical PhD and the PsyD?

Considering a career in counseling or psychotherapy?

There are many different types of careers and educational paths to choose from – it can be confusing! For an overview of the options, check out the External Link Careers in Psychology and External Link Careers in Counseling and Psychotherapy sites.

Considering a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology?

This FAQ produced by the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology programs may help. In addition, please consult the following resources:

• External Link Uncensored Advice for Applying to Graduate School in Clinical Psychology – a must read from Mitch Prinstein, a clinical psychology faculty member at the University of North Carolina
• External Link The book “Insiders Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology” is an excellent resource for Clinical and Counseling Psychology Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs
• External Link Before you Apply – Advice on when to apply and how to get post-baccalaureate experiences that can increase your chances of gaining admission to graduate school from Casey Calhoun
• External Link Tips on Applying to Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Programs– A Ph.D. student’s extremely helpful perspective on the process.

Some resources for choosing a graduate program in clinical psychology:

• External Link How Difficult is it to Gain Admission to Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs?
• External Link Likelihood of Obtaining an APA-Accredited Predoctoral Internship by Accredited Doctoral Programs