Beyond Boulder and Vail:
A PsyD/PhD Professional Education Based on the MD/PhD Model

Ethel Matin
C. W. Post Campus, Long Island University

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ABSTRACT

A PsyD/PhD model for professional psychology based on the MD/PhD model is described. The model specifies a practitioner education (including applied science) for all clinical psychologists leading to a specific professional degree, the PsyD. A small number of students highly motivated for research and highly selected for research talent, would participate in a dual degree program. In addition to their PsyD training, these students would study for a basic science degree (the PhD), possibly, but not necessarily, in psychology (e.g, neuroscience, psychometrics, developmental psychology, genetics, social psychology). Dual degree candidates would meet the entrance and exit standards of both departments. The model's advantages are discussed in relation to factors that undermine efforts to obtain a specific professional degree certifying competence to practice psychology (such as the MD in medicine, and the JD in law).