Types of Psychology Degree Programs

Intended for students who have a high school diploma, GED or an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree programs in psychology generally emphasize the sciences in addition to psychology. Most psychologists have a bachelor's degree in psychology.

A master's psychology program requires at least two years of full-time graduate study. Coursework generally includes the following:

Psychologists with a master's degree in psychology may work in the industrial-organizational field or as psychological assistants.

These programs are designed for people who have completed a master’s degree and wish to increase their skills for advanced certification requirements or other professional objectives. The EdS level is the minimum preparation for school psychologists and directors of special education in most states. The EdS has become the intermediate degree for many professionals who supervise master’s degree level personnel.

The EdD is likely to be a preferred qualification for mid-career employees, many of whom will already have master’s degrees but wish to pursue studies at the doctorate level, which are based on research in addition to the application of that knowledge in professional practice. The EdD is designed for the professional practitioner.

Graduates are qualified to work as administrators, superintendents, teacher educators, as well as other educational leadership positions.

Psychologists with a PhD qualify for a wide range of teaching, research, clinical, and counseling positions in universities, healthcare services, elementary and secondary schools, private industry, and government. A PhD places an equal emphasis on research and clinical training. Entrance into PhD programs is highly competitive. A master’s degree in psychology is often a prerequisite to a PhD program.

Many doctorate programs in psychology require a master's degree in psychology or a related field. The PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) is a newer professional degree, offered by the professional schools of psychology that emphasizes clinical practice with only a minimum of research training. Entrance into PsyD programs is generally less competitive than PhD programs.

Post-doctoral psychology certificate program are for professional psychologists with a PsyD or PhD who wish to expand their knowledge and training in a specialty psychology area such as academic, clinical, counseling, health, or organizational psychology.