The second type of master's program prepares students to enter a doctoral program. Some of these programs are located in institutions that do not award a doctoral degree, which means that their graduates must apply to doctoral programs in other institutions after completing the master's degree. If you decide to enter a master's degree program, be aware of one possible disadvantage. Obtaining a master's degree at one school does not ensure your entrance into a doctoral program at another school. If you are accepted as a transfer student into a doctoral program after completing a master's degree, you may have to repeat some course work.
Some doctoral programs are more flexible than others.
The doctoral degree in psychology opens up many career opportunities. At least four years of graduate study are required to obtain a doctorate. If you wish to provide psychological services, another year for an internship and at least one additional year of supervised practice are necessary. Normally a graduate student begins to work with a professor in an apprenticeship role to learn how to do research early in the graduate program. After the course work is completed, the student must prepare for and pass the comprehensive exams and write and defend his or her dissertation.