PhD and PsyD Graduates: More Alike Than Different

This study seeks to measure the attitudes and contributions of professional psychologists who have earned a PsyD degree. Initially developed as a degree to emphasize training in clinical practice over academia or research, the Doctor of Psychology degree follows the Vail Model, also known as the practitioner-scholar model. A random sample of practicing clinical psychologists was surveyed to determine if practicing c linical psychologists with a PsyD versus a PhD degree differ in attitude regarding serving diverse populations, public advocacy, and scholarship, and whether these attitudes are confirmed in practice. A questionnaire with practice-based questions was administered to 600 licensed and practicing members of the American Psycho logical Association (APA), awarded degrees between 1995 and 2000. Half had earned PhD degrees and half earned PsyD degrees. Results demonstrated no significant differences between respondents with a PhD and respondents with a PsyD regarding diversity and advocacy attitudes or practice. Scholarly activities did not differ significantly between the groups with respect to conference attendance, professional presentations, time spent in teaching and research activities, or in the reading of professional literature, but PhD respondents indicated more publications over their lifetime than PsyD respondents. The study demonstrates actual practices of professional psychologists following graduation and licensure whereas previous comparisons of PsyD and PhD trainees were based on admission rates to graduate programs and scores on the Examination of Professional Practice for Psychology (EPPP)