| The emergence of the Psy D degree in recent years | | | | Colorado in 1973, which resulted from a disagreement |
| has brought about change in the way psychology | | | | from an earlier conference traditionally held in Boulder, |
| students approach earning a doctorate degree. A | | | | Colorado (hence, the Boulder model). The Vail |
| traditional PhD program focuses on the | | | | attendees endorsed an alternative training model that |
| scholar-practitioner model while Psy D programs are | | | | would be used to distinguish the scientist role from the |
| aimed at those who wish to tailor their careers less | | | | clinical and counseling practitioner role. |
| toward research and more toward clinical and | | | | In its earliest stages, the Psy D program was only |
| counseling psychology. | | | | offered by private colleges and universities. Today, |
| Recognized by the American Psychological | | | | several state schools offer Psy D degree programs in |
| Association, Psy D programs have steadily grown in | | | | addition to the traditional PhD in psychology. Public |
| popularity since their acceptance into mainstream | | | | University Psy D programs are some of the most |
| academia. As PhD graduates in the field of psychology | | | | competitive of all available doctorate degree options |
| often enter into purely research oriented, clinical and | | | | as a result of their relative newness. Entering classes |
| research or teaching positions, the need for a program | | | | at some institutions can be as few as 5 to 10 students, |
| that could adequately prepare graduate students for | | | | compared to substantially larger numbers for well |
| the specialized area of clinical and counseling | | | | established PhD programs. |
| psychology has been ever present. Many who earned | | | | As of this writing, Psy D degree programs from any |
| PhD programs before the advent of the Psy D | | | | accredited institution are accepted by licensing boards |
| program found entering the profession in a counseling | | | | from all 50 states. Recognition from the APA, state |
| capacity to be difficult. Simply meeting state licensure | | | | licensing boards and the American Board of |
| requirements and setting up a private practice or | | | | Professional Psychology is a good indication of level of |
| working for an established practice does not a clinical | | | | acceptance regarding the validity of Psy D programs |
| or counseling psychologist make. | | | | from the profession as a whole. |
| The extensive coursework and dissertation work | | | | To learn more about Doctorate Degrees Online visit |
| involved in a doctor of psychology degree program is | | | | our site. You can also obtain online learning information |
| geared toward the hands on instruction of the "Vail | | | | on our blog as well as additional online and campus |
| model" as opposed to the "Boulder model" associated | | | | based degree program information at Search for |
| with a PhD in psychology. The Vail model is named | | | | Classes. |
| after a national training conference held in Vail, | | | | |