Donald R. Peterson

Who is Donald R. Peterson?

Donald R. Peterson was professor emeritus of psychology at Rutgers University. Dr. Peterson was notable for advocating for a professional doctorate exclusive to professional psychologists, eventually leading to establishment of the Doctor of Psychology degree and programs. Establishing this degree as the standard doctorate for practicing psychologists was not embraced by most psychologists, who were concerned programs would abandon scientific principles in the name of greater clinical training. While Psy.D. programs are more likely to produce practitioners, this degree and research productivity are not mutually exclusive, and a number of psychologists holding the Doctor of Psychology degree have contributed significantly to scientific endeavors.