Professional Doctorates are available in all areas of psychology. In the UK the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology has been around for a long time and newer courses in Educational, Occupational, Sports and Counselling Psychology are now available.

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
The Doctorate of Clinical Psychology is the only route to becoming a chartered Clinical Psychologist. The degree is awarded as either DClinPsy, DClinPsychol, PsychD or ClinPsyD depending on which university awards it - there is no difference between any of these qualifications, what is important is that the courses are currently recognised by the British Psychological Society.

Course Structure
Students undertake a number of clinical placements during the course (either 6 half year or 3 one year placements). Taught modules are usually mixed between one or two week long teaching blocks and one day a week courses that run through the placement periods.

Duration
Three years full time. Options for part time study are not available.

Funding
In the UK trainee Clinical Psychologists are employed by the NHS, who also pay the course fees. Pay is under review for 2006 but trainees can expect to earn around £16700pa. If you are a non-EU applicant it is very difficult to gain a place as the NHS are unlikely to employ someone who needs a work permit to work in the UK. Although it is possible to fund yourself in theory, there have not been any self-funded places available in recent years (the NHS uses all the available places on each of the courses).

Entry Requirements
The minimum entry qualification is a 2(i) Honours degree or equivalent. This degree course must be recognised by the British Psychological Society for graduate registration with the society (GBR). A 2(ii) is acceptable if supplemented with a relevant postgraduate qualification.

On average only 1 in 4 applicants are taken on by the NHS as trainee Clinical Psychologists each year. Candidates are recommended to get some work experience (as an assistant psychologist or a research psychologist) before applying.

Assessment
Students are continually assessed by coursework, case studies, research projects and the reports of their placement supervisors.

How to pick a course & when to apply
There are currently (2006) thirty-six BPS accredited Doctorates in Clinical Psychology. With the exception of the University of Hull (whose course is for undergraduate entry only) all courses in England, Scotland and Wales accept applications through the Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology. Applications through the Clearing House should be received by the start of December for an October start. In Northern Ireland Queens University Belfast has a separate application procedure.

Professional Doctorates in other areas of Psychology
The British Psychological Society now recognises a number of Professional Doctorates in psychology as conferring 'charted' status on those who are awarded them. It is worth noting that in areas such as Health Psychology the BPS regards PhDs from certain departments as conferring chartered status. Also, if your aim is to be an academic psychology, whose main focus is research, then a PhD is a better option than a professional Doctorate.

Course Structure
Courses tend to consist of a number of taught courses, and one or more research projects relating to practice. Research projects will usually be carried out either in a work placement or within the students own work environment if they are employed.

Duration
Three years full time, three-six years part time.

Funding
Funding availability will vary from course to course and institution to institution. It is possible that your employer may pay your course fees and some research council funding is available (as with most postgraduate education in the UK funding is not usually available for non-EU residents).

Entry Requirements
The minimum entry qualification is a 2(i) Honours degree or equivalent. For BPS recognised doctorates, this first degree course must also be recognised by them for graduate registration with the society (GBR). A 2(ii) is acceptable if supplemented with a relevant postgraduate qualification. Many courses will require a level of professional experience and perhaps a Masters degree.

Assessment
Students are continually assessed by coursework, case studies, research projects and the reports of their placement supervisors.

How to pick a course & when to apply
With a rapid expansion of the number of professional doctorates in psychology working out which is the best course can be difficult - many are untested. It would probably be shrewd to choose a course which is BPS recognised and will confer chartered status. If you have queries about whether or not a course is accredited or want to find out why a course doesn't have accreditation ask the university concerned and the BPS - they will be in a far better position to advise you than we are.