From Bachelor’s Degree to Doctoral Study: What You Need to Know About PhDs and PsyDs

August 04, 2025

Thinking about a doctorate in psychology? Whether you're coming from a bachelor’s or master’s program, understanding the differences between a PhD and PsyD is essential. Each degree opens distinct doors in clinical practice, research, teaching, and leadership—and knowing what each path entails can help you make a confident, informed decision.

But for some, getting a PhD or PsyD might be the right next step. If you want to deepen your clinical skills, transition into teaching or leadership, or expand your research opportunities, earning a doctorate can open up many additional doors.

Here are some things to know about PhD and PsyD programs in order to help you make the right choice for your life.

Benefits of getting a doctorate degree

First, it’s important to understand what a doctorate can offer — not just in terms of credentials, but in how it shapes your future.

A PhD or PsyD can deepen your clinical skills, open up professional opportunities, and give you access to career paths that might not have been available to you otherwise. Often, doctorate-level candidates have more flexibility in where and how they practice. If you choose to go into teaching, research, or leadership are in your long-term vision, a doctorate is often required.

Getting a doctorate can be more financially rewarding, as well. For example, clinical psychologists make a median salary of around $100,000 per year, while Masters-level licensed therapists make closer to $75,000.

Here are some of the benefits of earning a PhD or PsyD in a mental health-related field:

Increased clinical authority and independence. With a doctorate, you may be able to supervise other clinicians, own a group practice, or serve as a clinical director. Some of these opportunities may be open to you with a Master’s degree only, but having a doctorate may set you up for more success.
Research and academic opportunities. A PhD especially sets you up to teach at the university level or lead large-scale research projects. Teaching at a university level may not be possible with a Master’s degree.
Leadership and advocacy roles. Many doctoral-level professionals work in policy, program design, or advocacy, and help shape how mental health systems are built and run.
Specialization. Doctoral programs often offer emphasis areas or specialized training that let you dive deeper into a population or issue you care about — like trauma, pediatrics, forensic psychology, or multicultural care.

Job opportunities for PhDs and PsyDs

With a doctorate, you have a wider range of job possibilities — especially in clinical, academic, and leadership settings. Some graduates stay in direct clinical care, while others transition into teaching, research, program development, or even consulting.

Depending on your focus, there are multiple settings where you could find employment as a PhD or PsyD. These include:

Private practice (often with increased independence and earning potential)
Hospitals, VA systems, or integrated healthcare settings
Community mental health centers
Correctional or forensic settings
Military and government mental health services
Academic institutions, either as faculty or in research roles
Administrative or leadership roles at agencies or universities
Advocacy organizations or nonprofits focused on mental health access and reform

We live in a time when behavioral and mental health needs are growing across every sector, and there’s real demand for highly trained professionals. Getting a doctorate degree sometimes gives you an advantage over your competitors, especially if you want to do more than be a therapist.

How to choose the right doctorate program

If you’re seriously thinking about going back to school, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is choosing the right program. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best program is the one that matches your goals, values, and learning style.

At Palo Alto University, there are two distinct doctorate programs designed for different kinds of mental health professionals.

PhD in Clinical Psychology

If you're passionate about combining clinical expertise with research, PAU’s APA-accredited PhD in Clinical Psychology could be the best path. This program prepares you to work in a wide range of settings — from hospitals to universities — while equipping you with the tools to lead, publish, and advocate for mental health on a broad scale.

In addition to a comprehensive curriculum that covers clinical practice, psychological assessment, research, and theory, the program also offers optional emphasis areas in:

Diversity and Community Mental Health
Forensic Psychology
Health Psychology
LGBTQ Psychology
Neuropsychology
Pediatric Behavioral Health Care
Trauma

Graduates go on to take postdocs, residencies, or research positions, with many finding placement in hospitals, VA systems, academic institutions, or private practice. If you want to make an impact both in the therapy office as well as in broader mental health systems, this might be the right choice.

PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision

If you already work as a licensed counselor and want to shape the next generation of counselors — or step into leadership and supervision roles — Palo Alto University’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision might be a better fit.

This program focuses on real-world counselor education, from culturally affirming pedagogy to anti-oppressive supervision. Students learn how to lead with humility, conduct meaningful research, and teach in ways that reflect the real challenges of the communities counselors serve.

Graduates will leave with:

Experience designing and teaching culturally relevant counseling curriculum
Advanced skills in supervision and leadership
Strong research skills and a publication-ready dissertation
A clear understanding of program accreditation, evaluation, and management
If you love working with people but also see yourself stepping into a leadership or faculty role, this program helps bridge your experience as a counselor with the skills you need to teach, lead, and shape the future of the profession.

Earning a doctorate is undoubtedly a big commitment. But if you’re feeling called toward deeper learning, leadership, or specialization, it may be a path worth exploring.

If you think it’s possible you’ll be interested in continuing your education after finishing with your Master’s, talk to our academic advisor. She can help you choose courses and programs to help set you up for success further down the road.

About the Author

Say De Marais Saya De Marais is an extensively published writer in the mental health space. She graduated with her Master in Social Work (MSW) in 2010 and worked as a therapist in a wide variety of community settings before becoming a writer. You can learn more about her on her website.