How Do I Choose a Specialization in Psychology if I Want to Pursue Graduate School?

A graduate degree opens many doors to numerous careers, from clinical practice to research and academia. Before applying, you will want to choose which type of degree you want to pursue and then choose a focus in psychology as this choice determines your required coursework, training, licensing processes, and your career. If you seem overwhelmed, don’t worry! This article goes into depth of the processes of how to choose a graduate degree in psychology.

Ph.D. vs. Psy.D. vs. Master’s Degree

When you decide to go to graduate school for psychology, you will need to choose which type of degree you want. Here are the different types and what you would study to get that degree:

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy): This degree usually takes 5-7 years to complete after your bachelor’s degree. While pursuing this degree, you will study to pick a career that focuses on research and teaching psychology with careers such as a licensed clinical psychologist, a psychology professor teaching at university, or a psychology researcher. No matter what career you choose, pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology will give you a career focusing on research, teaching, and/or statistical analysis [Source 3].

Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology): This degree usually takes 4-6 years to complete after your bachelor’s degree. While pursuing this degree, you will study to choose a career that focuses on the applied practice of psychology with careers leading to similar careers as pursuing a Ph.D. (i.e., licensed clinical psychologist, psychology professor, or a researcher). However, these careers will be focused on more client-based work [Source 3].

Master's Degree (MA/MS): This degree usually takes 2-3 years to complete after your bachelor’s degree. There are typically two degrees to choose from to get a master’s degree: a Master of Art’s (MA) in psychology or a Master of Science (MS) degree in psychology. A MA degree focuses on the liberal arts behind psychology while an MS degree focuses on the sciences and research behind psychology. Visit this website to learn more [Source 5].

Three Main Fields: Clinical, Research, and Academia

In studying psychology, there are many career options that fit into one of these three categories: clinical practice, research, and academia work. Below are brief descriptions of each field with examples of careers to help you determine which area of focus you want to study [INSERT WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH A PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE ARTICLE].

Clinical Practice

• Work: Assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
• Career Examples:
• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• School Psychology
• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Degrees:
• Psy.D.  (Practice-focused)
• Ph.D. (Scientist-Practitioner)
• Master's (for some fields like Counseling/School Psychology)

Research

• Work: Discover new knowledge  about human or animal behavior and mental processes through systematic study and data analysis.
• Career Examples:
• Experimental Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Quantitative Psychology
• Degrees:
• Ph.D. (Research-focused)
• Master's (often for research roles in industry or as Ph.D. preparation)

Academia

• Work: Teaching and mentoring the next generation of psychologists, typically alongside a research and/or clinical practice component.
• Career Examples: Any field (e.g., A Clinical  Psychologist who teaches, or an Experimental  Psychologist who teaches).
• Degrees:
• Ph.D. (Standard route for Professorship)
• Psy.D.  (Occasionally for teaching in practice-focused programs)
  

What Should I Choose?

To find the right fit, you need to figure out which area of study you’re interested in from the section above. Do you want to work with clients and patients, teach students, or conduct research in psychology? Check out the table below to help you make a decision!

Next Steps: Who Do I Talk To & How Do I Choose My Focus?

After choosing your specialization, find a school that aligns with your program, degree, and academic and career goals. Then when you start applying to doctoral programs, especially if you are pursuing a Ph.D. or Psy.D., you must research and contact a faculty member whose research aligns with your own interests. The faculty member you want to work with will become your future advisor in your graduate program as you work toward receiving your degree! Visit this article to learn more tips and tricks for getting into grad school [Source 1].

Search Tool: The American Psychological Association website has a tool where you can search for different schools and programs via “Search for Accredited Programs.” Have fun and good luck finding your school [Source 4].

Funding & Tuition: How to Afford Grad School

Now that you have chosen a specialty and school to pursue your graduate degree, you’re probably wondering how you’ll be able to afford it! Below are the typical costs for each degree and how you can afford it [Source 2].

Doctoral Degrees: Ph.D. vs. Psy.D.

Here are typical costs and differences in funding a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree:

Ph.D. Programs (Research-Focused): Most reputable Ph.D. programs, especially those in clinical psychology, are fully funded. This funding typically includes a full tuition waiver (meaning you pay no tuition) and an annual stipend (a living allowance).

• Stipends usually range from $20,000 to $35,000 per year and are often provided in exchange for work as a teaching or research assistant.
• As a result, Ph.D. students typically incur minimal graduate debt (often less than $30,000).

Psy.D. Programs (Practice-Focused): Psy.D. programs generally operate on a tuition-based model and are very rarely funded.

• Students are usually required to pay the full tuition, which can cost $30,000 to over $50,000 per year.
• The typical debt for a Psy.D. graduate is significantly higher, often ranging from $150,000 to over $250,000.

Master’s Degrees

Master’s programs are generally like Psy.D. programs in that they typically require students to pay full tuition:

Tuition Costs: Tuition for a master's degree in psychology varies widely based on institution type (public vs. private).

• In-state public programs can range from $10,000 to $25,000 per year in tuition.
• Private programs can range from $30,000 to $50,000 or more per year in tuition.

Limited Funding: While a master's degree typically requires payment, some programs offer graduate assistantships which may include a stipend and/or a tuition waiver for students in exchange for work.

External Funding Options

Regardless of the program type, students can seek external funding to help with the costs, including:

• Federal/National Fellowships (e.g., the National Science Foundation’s GRFP).
• Scholarships and Awards provided by professional organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) and its student arm (APAGS).
• Grants to fund specific research/projects in pursuing your degree.

Sources:

1. “Cracking the grad school code…," American Psychological Association, (2025).
2. “Free money for education,” American Psychological Association, (2025).
3. “How to Choose Between a Psy.D. and Ph.D.,” Psychology.org, (2025).
4. “Search for Accredited Programs,” American Psychological Association, (2025).
5. “What to Know About a Master's in Psychology,” Verywell Mind, (2025).