Authored By: Michelle Ackerman, PhD
Many people, including students of psychology, frequently get confused about the different “types” of psychology and psychologists that exist. Not all jobs in psychology require a clinical license, which is one of the main differences between clinical and non-clinical Psychology PhD programs. I got my PhD from a non-clinical PhD program, and it has confused friends, family, and strangers about what it is that I actually do.
I often tell people that I’m a “lab coat and clipboard” psychologist to try and explain my focus on research and teaching. That is, of course, an oversimplification. Many clinical PhD holders work in research or teaching, and many non-clinical PhD holders work in helping professions, but it has been an easy way for me to explain to people that having a PhD in psychology is not the same thing as having a clinical practice and seeing clients.
Similarities and Differences Between Programs
| Clinical PhD | Non-Clinical PhD | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Prepares you to diagnose, treat, and work directly with clients | Centers on research, theory, and psychological science |
| Training | Supervised clinical hours, client interaction, practicums/residencies | Research design, data analysis, and behavioral investigation |
| Career Paths | Licensed psychologist, therapist, clinical practitioner | Researcher, professor, consultant, policy or organizational roles |
| Licensure | Typically leads toward clinical licensure | Not designed for therapy or licensure |
| Best Fit | You prefer hands-on work with people and clinical environments | You enjoy research, teaching, or analytical roles |
What is a clinical PhD program in psychology?
Clinical PhD programs usually focus on licensure eligibility. Students in clinical psychology programs participate in face-to-face residencies and may need to complete supervised field training to qualify for state licensure after graduation. If your goal is to work in a job or career where state licensure to practice psychology is required, then a clinical PhD program in psychology would be the right place for you.
However, there are many positions where you might work directly with people or within the mental health field that do not require state certification. To figure out the right path for you, you will have to do some legwork. Contact state and national psychology organizations to request information about licensing requirements. You can call your state licensing board and speak with an advisor about what jobs and positions require licensure. You can even browse through local job listings to see what their requirements are.
What is a non-clinical PhD program in psychology?
A non-clinical PhD program usually focuses on the knowledge of psychology without the focus of specifically working with clients. Usually, non-clinical PhD programs focus on information rather than practice. This includes how the mind works, how humans develop throughout their lives, or even how changing conditions (in the environment, in a community, or in a family) can impact different populations. Non-clinical programs also focus on research skills including how to conduct research that contributes to the body of knowledge about psychology.
If you need a clinical PhD in psychology to be a clinician, what can you do as a non-clinical PhD in psychology? Individuals with a PhD in Psychology work in a wide variety of career fields. Recent research suggests 50% of those with a psychology PhD reported working as either a clinical psychologist or psychology professor. However, the other 50% of respondents reported working as counselors, top-level managers and administrators, training and labor relations specialists, and managers in the medical and health services fields (Pappas & Samm, 2021).
According to the National Science Foundation’s most recent Survey of Earned Doctorates (NCSES, 2026), 31.8% of 2024 psychology doctorate recipients with a U.S. job lined up (excluding postdoc positions) were headed to industry or business. That is up from 23.7% in 2014 and 18.8% in 2004. Psychology graduates also had the highest rate of secured jobs or postdoc positions at graduation of any doctoral field, at around 80%. These numbers show that the research, analytical, and interpersonal skills you build in a psychology doctoral program are valued well beyond academia and clinical practice.
Develop New Skills
There are a surprising number of skills that you will develop as you gain your PhD in psychology, including communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, management, leadership, and teamwork.
Some organizations will be interested in your knowledge and expertise a psychologist, while others might be more focused on transferable skills. For example, using your experience conducting independent research during your dissertation to help an organization analyze data to better understand how consumers use their organization’s website.
National University offers two doctoral paths in Psychology
The online Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD-PSY) is a non-clinical, research-focused program with ten specializations, including industrial/organizational, health, and sport and performance psychology. It suits students aiming for careers in research, teaching, consulting, or leadership.
The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology is an APA-accredited clinical program taught in person at NU’s Pleasant Hill, California campus. It meets California’s educational requirements for licensure as a psychologist and offers concentrations in trauma, neuropsychology, integrated healthcare, and correctional and forensic psychology.
Think about what you want to do with your doctorate, then choose the program that best fits those goals. Reach out to professors, professionals in the field you’re interested in, and relevant organizations. It takes some soul-searching and research, but that effort will help you choose the best path toward your goals.
References and Resources
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, National Science Foundation. (2021). Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities: NSF 22-300. Alexandria, VA. https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf22300/.
National Science Foundation Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities. (2024) https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf26315/report/postgraduation-trends
Pappas, S. & Stamm, K. (2021). Psychologists’ skills are in great demand. Monitor on Psychology, 52(1), 56-57. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/01/trends-psychologists-skills
