I am very interested in both
clinical and research psych. I am quite interested in the xxx program,
which is exclusively research
oriented. Is there a way to get a Ph.D in research and still qualify for
practicing applied psych? The information I've come across seems to say
not, yet I remember a professor's comment that he could practice if he
wanted, coming from a research background; and I will contact the APA to be
sure, but the other part of the question is this: since there is
so much suspicion, apparently, regarding students switching from research
to clinical, is there a way to legitimately focus on both, at different
times, as opposed to majoring in both, in some kind of crazy double
program? DL
Clinical psychology programs vary markedly
in their
focus on research, from trivial focus to significant focus, but all include
research at some level. I would look at Norcross, J. C., Sayette, M. A., &
Mayne, T. J. (1996) to get a feeling for the range of clinical programs.
They rate programs on the degree of research focus. As you'll see, some
Psy.D. programs have a greater research focus than some Ph.D. programs.
There are at least three other ways to practice from a research orientation. One is to do a research degree, but pick up the work that will allow you to be competitive for clinical internships and licensure at a later date. This is the "crazy double program" you were talking about. A second is to do a clinical respecialization following your doctorate. The third, that your professor was probably talking about, depends on "grandfathering" in under less restrictive state licensure laws. This last alternative probably wouldn't apply to you. Good luck! JMS
