Psychology is a field studying the human mind and behavior. One with a PhD degree in clinical psychology, pure psychology or social psychology can earn up to $90,000 per annum in USD.
Doubtlessly, Psychology is one of the most demanding and highly valuable fields of study. The qualities and opportunities for a PhD in psychology are more valuable than other doctoral programs.
Related article: PhD in Biology- Admission Process, Requirements, Fees, Duration, Job opportunities, Salary and Universities.
What is psychology?
Psychology is a field of science that focuses on the study of the human mind behavior and related consequences. Though the subject psychology is most recent but the term broadly used to study the brain by either structuralism or functionalism.
The term has existed since 500BC. Wilhelm Wundt had explained psychology in terms of structuralism by correlating the brain functions and mental processes by brain structure.
Although, functionalism is totally a different thing explained by William James. He had stated that the brain structure is rapidly changing and not correlated with the functions.
American psychology society defines the term psychology as “the study of human mind, brain and behavior.”
Due to the wide range of applications of psychology it is divided into so many interdisciplinary branches like the:
| Clinical psychology |
| Cognitive psychology |
| Evolutionary psychology |
| Forensic psychology |
| Neuropsychology |
| Developmental psychology |
| Occupational psychology |
| Sport psychology |
Although all psychology PhD programs are high in demand, the forensic, occupational and clinical psychology are the most popular.
PhD in psychology: Admission process
The admission process of PhD in psychology is also similar to other courses conducted by universities.
However, the candidate did some research or completed the research aptitude test or JRF are highly prioritised.
Admission to the psychology PhD is based on the marks or grades of master’s degree and the score of the entrance exam aptitude test conducted by the university.
The process of as followed
- Completion of entrance exam or M Phil
- Personal interview
- Research proposal
- Selecting a guide
- Completion of course work
(note that if you fail to complete any of the steps listed above, your admission cant be accepted).
Eligibility criteria and requirements:
A student willing to do PhD in psychology must have completed a master’s degree in psychology or related interdisciplinary fields such as occupational, evolutional, clinical or forensic psychology.
- 55% or above marks average of all four semesters. Or more than 3.0 overall GPA
- M Phil in psychology, if needed
- NET, GATE, SLATE or any other entrance university level entrance exam.
- A good score in IELTS or TOEFL or GRE.
- Transcript
- Letter of recommendation.
Minimum 5 years of experience in teaching/ research and profession work in psychology in case of Psyd.
Although both the PhD in psychology and Psyd is different, you can read our article on it: PhD in psychology vs Psyd.
Note that some of the criteria may change based on the requirement of the university.
Overview:
| Course name | Doctorate of psychology or PhD in psychology |
| Admission criteria | Minimum a master’s degree with 55% or M Phil |
| Type of course | Semester system |
| Duration | 3 to 7 years |
| Course fees | Based on the university criteria |
| Salary scale | High up to 25 lacs or 1,00,000 USD |
| Job | Research, academics, counselling and private practise |
PhD in Psychology: Duration
Usually much like the other PhD programs it takes 3 years to complete it however, as PhD in psychology involve extensive research, clinical practice and internship, it may take up to 6 or 8 years to complete the PhD.
During the tenure of PhD, the whole year, a Ph.D. candidate has to invest to complete the course work. besides, the last year of their PhD period is dedicatedly allocated for the internship.
Based on their performance in internship and viva voce, the degree is awarded.
PhD in psychology: Subjects and Syllabus:
Although the PhD in psychology is more a research oriented clinical degree, a candidate have to first complete the course work in their first year and then study various subjects like the
Clinical psychology, practicum, psychotherapy methods, advanced psychology and psychopathology and other related subjects.
PhD in Psychology Jobs and opportunities:
Forensic, science and research, clinical practice, Teaching, sport and social science.
Job options for PhD in psychology:
The PhD in psychology is one of the most popular fields due to wide varieties of the career option available for a person.
Much like the all other PhD holders the obvious and the evergreen option for them is academics. There are so many professors’ jobs available for them. They can also do Engineering psychology.
A person with the PhD in psychology or Psy D can even open their own counselling clinic. They can start practicing in nearby hospitals as well.
Industrial and organizational psychology can also be one of the options for the lover of industries. By achieving expertise on some skills a candidate can also get a job in forensic psychology as well.
Some of good career option for a PhD in psychology:
- Forensic psychology
- Human psychologist
- Industrial-organizational psychologist
- Psychosocial specialist
- Parole officer
- Social service manager
- Rehabilitation counselor
- Mental counselor
- School-level psychologist
- School counselor
- Educational psychologist
- Social worker
PhD in Psychology salary and Income
As we said, the present subject is the most popular and demanding and hence the pay scale and salary status are also so high.
One with any type of PhD in psychology degree can earn between $60,000 to $2,00,000 per annum and even more.
In India, a PhD holder can earn up to 6 LPA or more in any job option listed above.
| Subject name | Salary per annum |
| Psychiatrist practitioner or clinical | $2,00,000 |
| Neuropsychiatric | $90,500 |
| Industrial-organizational psychologist | $1,02,530 |
| Clinical psychologist | $81,000 |
| Forensic psychologist | $59,000 to $1,00,000 |
| Sport and school level psychologist | $50,000 to $55,000 |
| Counseling psychologist | $72,000 |
| Private practitioner | $1,50,000 |
| Correctional Facility psychologist | $85,000 |
| Administrative hospital psychologist | $95,000 to $1,00,000 |
| Military | $80,000 |
| Special education teacher | $53,000 |
| Community service manager and counselor | $57,000 |
| geropsychologist | $50,000 |
| Family and marriage therapist | $45,000 |
| Mental health counselor | $39,000 |
| Substance abuse counselor | $38,000 |
Related article: PhD in Biotechnology, Genomics/Genetics- Salary, Jobs and Positions.
Universities for PhD in Psychology
Top PhD in psychology programs in USA:
| University | Location |
| Stanford university | |
| University of Michigan | |
| Yale university | |
| The University of California- LA | |
| The University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign | |
| Harvard University | |
| The University of Minnesota- Twin cities | |
| The University of Pennsylvania | |
| The University of California- Berkeley | |
| Carnegie Mellon University | |
| The University of Washington | |
| Princeton University | |
| Cornelle University | |
| The University of Wisconsin- Madison | |
| Columbia University | |
| The University of Texas at Austin | |
| University of Chicago | |
| Indiana University Bloomington | |
| University of Virginia | |
| Ohio State University- Columbus | |
| University of Oregon | |
| The University of Colorado- Boulder | |
| Northwestern University | |
| The University of North carolina- Chapel Hill |
Top PhD in Psychology programs in India:
| University | Location |
| Allahabad University | Allahabad |
| Amity University | Mumbai |
| Awashesh Pratap Singh University | Rewa, Madhya Pradesh |
| Banaras Hindu University | Banaras |
| Central University of Karnataka | Karnaataka |
| Dr Annasaheb GD Bendale Mahila Mahavidyalaya | Maharastra |
| Gauhati University | Guahati |
| Gokul Das Hindu girls college | Moradabad |
Conclusion:
If you want to achieve a good career and willing to take responsibilities of your own career on your shoulder, PhD in Psychology is one of the best options for you.
You can start your own clinic, can do government jobs or can give consultancy as well.
Dr. Tushar Chauhan is a Scientist, Blogger and Scientific-writer. He has completed PhD in Genetics. Dr. Chauhan is a PhD coach and tutor.
