Working with Children--Doctoral Degree in Psychology
After receiving my Psychology degree, can I pursue a Doctoral Degree in Psychology as far as Working with Children?
The answer to this question is a clear "Yes". Psychologists with a Doctoral degree generally work in one of the following areas:
Clinical- best suited for those with an interest in psychopathological populations and behavioral health--typically involves doing therapy
Counseling- best for those interested in vocational and career processes, human diversity, and professional training
Educational (School)- provide counseling services to students, including those with a learning disability or those with behavioral or social problems
Experimental--research the human growth and development process
In Clinical Psychology you can go to graduate school for a PhD (Doctor of Philosphy) or a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology), whereas in the other areas you typically receive a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). Note that a PhD follows the completion of a Master's (MA or MS) degree, either from the same school or another school. Completing a PhD takes between 4-6 years of graduate school, and your degree will be earned after you complete a thesis (research project). A PsyD takes a little less time to complete than a PhD, and it does not involve a research thesis. In most cases, when you are working toward your PhD you do NOT pay tuition, and you receive what is called a "stipend" for working as a Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant--the same is not true for a PsyD. As you might imagine, both a PhD and a PsyD offer greater job opportunities and a greater salary than a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Also, both a PhD and a PsyD allow you to be licensed by a state to do certain activities (e.g., testing, therapy). Read about a comparison between Masters and PhD degrees in psychology here. Also, read about a comparison between a PhD and a PsyD here.
Once you have your Doctoral degree you might find a job in a school, at a private clinic, with a non-profit organization, or with the state or local government.
apa.org lists the median yearly income for a PhD in Clinical Psychology at $80,000.
apa.org lists the median yearly income for a PhD in Counseling Psychology at $85,000.
zipcruiter.com lists the average yearly income for a PhD in Developmental Psychology at $71,000.
payscale.com lists the average yearly income for a PsyD at $77,000.
Click here to read important steps to a MA/MS or PhD in childcare or research.
Other links on explorecareersinpsychology.org
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Click on the links below to read about other Child care and Research careers that only require a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology degree:
Working with Children--Child care
Working with Children--Child Protection
Working with Children--Teaching Children
Working with Children--Master in Social Work
Working with Children--Psychiatrist
Working with Children--Careers that Require a Master's Degree in Psychology