PhD/PsyD Licensure and teaching

[woodstock219]

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I'm not sure if this has been posted somewhere previously, but I cannot seem to find a post relating to my question. If it has been answered, please just let me know.

I am currently in the application cycle for this year's PhD group, and am looking also at career trajectory and planning to some degree now that I've got a bit of downtime. My eventual goal has always been teaching/research over practice work, with a specific focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders. As a result, the majority of my applications are for clinical programs (although one is a BehNeuro specialty degree). I was wondering if the internship year and post-doc time for licensure were required if I planned to go into an academic setting. I have read enough posts on related topics that imply heavily that it is beneficial for some practical reasons, but didn't know if it was actually a requirement.

If it isn't required, how does that alter the track of a clinical PhD. Do you still simply complete the coursework/practica/etc, move along to dissertation, and then go straight to degree and into teaching? Or, do you lock yourself into having to complete an internship/post-doc before receiving the degree?

Whichever way it turns out, I will likely still do the licensure route as I realize that the benefits (IRBs wanting licensed supervisors for research, potential to go PP or practice on the side if I wish down the road, more options in job market) really are worth the effort. I simply wanted to have a clearer idea of what my options were.

Thanks!

 

[WisNeuro]

If you are not going to do clinical work, a postdoc is not necessary. As for the IRB thing, preference for license depends. If you are going to be working with clinical populations, might be a good idea. Otherwise, not an issue. Most reputable programs require an internship before your degree is conferred, so that is the same whether or not you go academic or clinical. Your other required coursework and practica are also pretty much the same for everyone.

 

[Ollie123]

Note that, while you aren't "required" to do a post-doc for a purely academic path, it can be quite difficult to make the leap to a faculty position at a research-heavy university without one. The overwhelming majority of people pursuing academic careers more-or-less have to pursue post-docs.

Of course, these post-docs are typically research-oriented (many are also hybrids where you are doing primarily research but also getting hours for licensing) and the pay is usually around 40k (from what I've been able to glean here, purely clinical post-docs typically pay less).

 

[AcronymAllergy]

As Ollie and WisNeuro mentioned, the postdoc isn't necessary for those going purely academic, but it's fairly common for folks in this and other academic disciplines to do research-oriented fellowships in order to make themselves more competitive for faculty positions.

On the other hand: if the program is clinical, then yes, an internship year will be required.

 

[woodstock219]

Thank you to the three of you for giving me a much clearer idea of the process and what I was potentially looking at. Have a great weekend!