As one of the most popular majors on college campuses, the idea of becoming a psychologist has crossed the minds of many as a career path of interest. You may know that a Ph.D. is the most advanced degree you can receive, but exactly how long does it take to earn one?
Anatomy of a Ph.D. Program
A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is the highest level of specialization that you can achieve in the field of psychology. Unlike the bachelor’s degree, which is an introduction to the breadth of field, earning the Ph.D. means specializing in a specific area of interest.
Many requirements of Ph.D. programs include completion of a bachelor’s degree, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statement essay. Many programs nowadays are designed where you receive a master’s degree on the way to completing the Ph.D. program, usually marked by the completion of coursework and successful passing of oral or written exams.
How Many Years of Doctoral Study Should I Expect?
You can expect to spend at least 5 years working on your Ph.D. as a full-time student – from coursework to completion of your original research in the form of a doctoral dissertation. Of course, five years is simply a ballpark figure.
Some Ph.D. programs are designed to take longer, and others, given your level of focus and commitment to finishing early, you can actually shave a year or two off of the typical length of the program. Of course, this is not accomplished without a whole heck of a lot of work – on top of the hectic schedule of the typical grad school student.
And for still other people, life happens in the course of a Ph.D. program – health problems and emotional issues, family situations that may require you to take time off, or maybe the writing process for your doctoral dissertation isn’t coming along as seamlessly as you had originally hoped. These situations happen to quite a few people and can unexpectedly lengthen your course of study.
Recommended Reading
Graduate Study in Psychology is one of your best bets in getting familiar with different Ph.D. programs. Published yearly by the American Psychological Association, this book reviews the basic information and requirements for over 600 different programs in the U.S. and Canada. It is a huge help in moving from simply “I want to get a Ph.D.” to knowing which programs are a solid match for your specific career interests.
