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