Hello, I am an undergraduate student of psychology from Indonesia. Since the degree program in my country for psychology only takes 3,5 years, thus I will graduate next year. And, I intend to continue my higher education in the USA. My long term goal is simply to be a lecturer and work as psychologist or career counselor at the same time. Therefore, I am confuse which degree program I should take, PhD in Psychology or PsyD? Also, do I need to get an certified transcript from WES?
Thank you in advance, I do appreciate your respond
Hello, How's the weather in Indonesia?
Do a little more research in this forum by searching old threads/posts. There is a lot of information in past posts that will help you to understand the distinction between the two (Clinical psychology PhDs & PsyDs are very similar degrees...it is depends on the training programs - most PsyDs still require a dissertation on your desired research interest). I've learned working in the field alongside PsyDs that essentially they are similar degrees. Most people think PsyDs place more clinical emphasis in the training, but it really depends on the program. My Clinical psychology PhD program has vigorous clinical training while incorporating strong research goals. Both degrees sound like you'll achieve your end result. However, you can also look into Counseling psychology PhD programs. Counseling takes a slightly different emphasis than clinical training programs, mainly having to do with the populations that you treat.
I'm nearing the end of my training and it's a nuance, but I've learned to
not say that my clinical work is 'counseling;' it is psychotherapy. 'Counseling' offers more of an opinion and directed approach, similar (but not limited to) social work. My intention of making this statement is not to get into a theoretical discussion, but the fine distinction is evident between Counseling and Clinical psychotherapy when you are exposed to training in either field. Clinical psychologists help you find your goals & design a treatment plan based on your personality functioning/psychopathology combined with the patient's goals while s
imultaneously improving interpersonal relationships, but we're also trained to do psychological assessments, group & individual therapy and provide psychoeducation. Perhaps, Counseling psychologists may do this too, but their work involves groups or individuals counseled on specific topics, like substance addictions, and may involve more psychoeduction. [Maybe someone in a Counseling program could better comment on the distinction from his/her point of view.]
Bottom line: Investigate Clinical psychology PhD, Clinical psychology PsyD & Counseling psychology PhD programs. Again, the end results could produce the same benefits (lecturing & treating patients). Apply to all, but make sure you know the difference between each when writing your personal statements. Don't put "I'd like to attend this Great University's PhD program in Clinical psychology because I want to
counsel patients." That will get your application filed in the "no interview" pile pretty quickly because the applicant didn't take the time to investigate his/her intended field deeply enough...it's tough, I know, but we must choose our words carefully when there are only 500 words which to define our goals & intentions.
I don't know what WES is so can't comment on that, but expect to take all the necessary steps that foreign graduates will have to take when continuing education in the U.S. Find someone who has done this in your university and speak with him/her.
Good luck!
