phd psychology programs in california

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PhD in Clinical Psychology

At the forefront in clinical psychology.

It takes a unique mindset to be a clinical psychologist. Students at PAU are taught to be science-minded while appreciating the broader role of psychology in alleviating suffering in the world.

If you are a curious student dedicated to using psychology to improve lives, pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at PAU is your next step towards effecting change in the world.

The PhD in Clinical Psychology Program at Palo Alto University is deeply committed to educating well-rounded clinical psychologists capable and competent as both researchers and clinicians.

Rigorous Evidence-Based Curriculum

The PhD program at PAU includes intensive study in five areas: Basic theoretical concepts in psychology, research, psychological evaluation, psychotherapy theory and process, and clinical foundations and field experience.

You will learn to value evidence-based clinical models while maintaining the responsibilities psychologists have to their community, society, and profession.

The goals and key themes of our program:

• To produce students and graduates who are critically reflective and informed consumers and producers of psychological knowledge and associated clinical sciences
• To produce clinicians with the requisite clinical knowledge, skills, and attitudes to successfully practice as entry PhD-level clinical psychologists in a variety of clinical settings and with a variety of clinical problems.
• To produce researchers with the requisite scientific knowledge, skills, and attitudes to both consume and generate research.
• To produce culturally competent clinical psychologists.
• To produce clinical psychologists whose conduct exemplifies excellence in professionalism and ethics.

Every PhD candidate at PAU takes pride in their capability and competence as both researcher and clinician. If you are ready to focus on your future, connect with PAU today.

PAU alumni go on to have successful and rewarding careers as clinical psychologists or in research-focused academics. Still others find their calling in the corporate and nonprofit sectors.

• With a PhD in Clinical Psychology, you can work in various settings, such as in hospitals and medical centers, community mental health clinics, private practice, and universities.
• With balanced training for competency as a clinician and as a researcher, you will have the training for clinical work, research, or teaching – or even a combination of all three.
• PAU areas of emphases enable our students to be board-certified in specialized psychology careers, including Neuropsychology and Forensic Psychology.

Fully Accredited Training

The program of study for the PhD is informed by the American Psychological Association’s (APA’s) guidelines for doctoral education in clinical psychology and emphasizes the integration of scientific research and clinical practices.

The PAU PhD in Clinical Psychology program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1988.

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation:

American Psychological Association 750 First Street NE Washington, DC 20002-4242 202-336-5979 [email protected] www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Learn more about Licensing and Accreditation @ PAU

APA IRC-26 Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

The PhD Clinical Psychology program faculty is a talented and highly distinguished group of psychologists from across the globe, with wide-ranging clinical and research specialties.

PhD Area of Emphasis

Your core PhD training at PAU provides broad and general preparation through the integration of scholarship, professional experience, and research with our practitioner-scientist training model.

We also offer optional specialized training in seven key emphasis areas – all in high demand and focused on building additional knowledge and experience within a focused field of clinical psychology.

The Diversity and Community Mental Health (DCMH) area of emphasis at PAU gives you specialized knowledge and clinical training to provide psychological services for the public mental health sector.

The PhD emphasis in Forensic Psychology at PAU trains specialists in the clinical application of psychology to the legal system.

PAU’s Health Psychology Area of Emphasis will prepare students with foundational knowledge and skills to conduct cutting-edge assessment, treatment, and consultation in interprofessional care environments.

At Palo Alto University, we are committed to ensuring that the next generation of clinical psychologists is competent in clinical practice and research with diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) populations.

The Meditation and Psychology Emphasis in the PhD Clinical Psychology program involves clinical and research training concerning the interplay of mind-body factors in health and well-being.

The impact of brain function on human behavior is endlessly fascinating – and it’s a great career path for science-minded psychology students.

Why choose pediatric behavioral health? It’s life-changing work – and the demand for highly-trained specialists continues to grow.

Combat veterans. Mass casualty events. Domestic violence. Child abuse. The potential long-term – and immediate – psychological costs of trauma exposure can be catastrophic.

As a student at PAU, you will have access to specialized research groups and clinical training opportunities through the Gronowski Center, a community-based psychology training clinic and treatment center dedicated to providing high quality, evidence-based, clinical services to adults, older adults, adolescents, children, and families in the community.

Admission and Graduation Requirements

The PhD Program is a full-time program and requires a minimum of three years in residence. The program is structured to be completed in five years: three years for academic coursework, one year for the dissertation and one year for internship.

Graduation Requirements

The PhD in Clinical Psychology program takes an average of five years to complete and is open to individuals who hold a bachelor's or master's degree and have completed the required prerequisites prior to applying for admission.

The PhD in Clinical Psychology program at PAU requires that candidates complete 150 units of required coursework and 18 elective units for a total of 168 units, which typically takes three years for full-time attendees.

During their final two years of full-time enrollment, students complete other graduation requirements.

Publication and Presentation : Students must make a significant contribution to a peer-reviewed journal article, book chapter, or literary contribution to another scholarly publication.

Milestones : In addition to the Oral Clinical Competency Exam, three written exams on research competency, clinical competency, and assessment competency must be taken. Additionally, students are required to complete a dissertation of 30 minimum units, a 12-unit internship , and at least two years of practicums . 

Students enrolled in the PhD in Clinical Psychology program are required to complete clinical practicum training.

Provides mentoring and clinical placement services to the PhD Clinical Psychology program students. PhD Clinical Training Faculty provide: Close faculty advising for students applying to practicum and internship Mentoring and intensive professional development advising throughout clinical training. Review of practicum sites for quality assurance

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Research labs.

All students in the PhD Clinical Psychology Program are required to participate in faculty-led research groups during their second and third years in the program – for 6 consecutive quarters.

You won’t spend all your time in the classroom – you’ll gain direct experience providing supervised therapy while working in a practicum or internship setting.

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Each year, the PAU psychology faculty participate in a thorough strategic review of our curriculum, processes, student learning, and student and program outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enrolling in a PhD program is a significant life choice – Palo Alto University faculty and staff will answer all your questions before you apply and after you are accepted.

1. Where can I find information on first year student orientation? 

You will receive an email from the PhD program office during the summer before Fall Quarter begins. You may contact  [email protected]  for additional information regarding orientation. 

2. Where can I find the academic calendar?

The Academic Calendar can be found on the  Registrar’s office page.

3. How do I get my PAU email address and access to the PAU Intranet ( https://my.paloaltou.edu/ics/ )? (Access email at gmail.paloaltou.edu)  From the  IT Helpdesk . Contact  [email protected]  with any questions.

4. Where are the classrooms?

At the PAU Allen Calvin Main Campus, Classrooms 1 and 3, and the computer lab, are located on the top floor of Building Three. Classroom 2 is located on the middle floor of Building Three.

At the PAU Los Altos/Gronowski Center Campus, rooms D11A and D11B are on the first floor of the Kurt and Barbara Gronowski Psychology Clinic located at  5150 El Camino Real, Suite 22, Bldg C, Los Altos, California 94022 . 

5. Where do I park for classes?

PAU encourages students to carpool to class as parking availability at the Los Altos/Gronowski and PAU Main Allen Calvin Campus is very limited. Directions to PAU campuses are available on the Locations, Transportation & Parking  web page.

The PhD program at Palo Alto University operates on two main campuses: The  Allen Calvin Campus at 1791 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto  and the Gronowski Center Campus at 1172 Castro Street, Mountain View   

Detailed Driving Directions:

At the Allen Calvin/Main Campus, drive through the gates and up the hilly driveway. There are several different areas for parking, including lower, middle, and upper level areas. You are welcome to park in any of these spaces. On days when there are campus events, parking may be limited. You may also park at the bottom of the driveway or at the nearby Alpine Inn parking lot, but be aware that those areas are not part of the campus and therefore not secure. The campus is in a remote area and there is no public transportation. Please carpool whenever possible.

If you ride a bicycle as your primary mode of transportation, please be extremely cautious when riding on Page Mill Road and Arastradero Road. There are sharp, blind turns, which may be especially dangerous at night or during heavy traffic hours. If you do travel at night, wear reflective clothing and use a light on the front and back of your bicycle. For your safety, always wear a helmet. Please lock and secure your bicycle at the upper parking level, near the cul-de-sac and Building One.

6. What if I have questions?

Please feel free to contact the PhD program or  PAU staff  should you have questions.

April House - PhD Program Manager ( [email protected] )

7. Where can I access basic information about the PhD program?

Please visit the  PhD Program Website . Your most important resource is the PhD Student Handbook. The website also provides links to PhD program forms, information on competency exams, dissertations, important contacts, course schedule archives, grievance procedures, additional program handbooks, and information on TA opportunities.

Other important links related to the PhD program include  the PAU Office of Professional Development and Advising  and  the PAU Institutional Review Board . All of these websites are accessible via  the PAU portal.

8. Who can I talk to about academic support at PAU, curriculum requirements, and program expectations to advance to candidacy?

The PAU Academic Advising Center (PAAC)  is a space where PhD students can  make appointments  to talk to advanced students when they are unsure about any aspect of academic progress at PAU. PAAC aims to support students in thriving academically and professionally throughout the PhD Program. These advanced students assist first year students in many ways, including:

• Reviewing research group application materials
• Providing a general overview of the PhD program curriculum
• Answering questions about academics and research
• Offering advice on surviving and thriving in grad school

PAAC hours shift each academic quarter. Please visit the website for the most-up-to-date hours.

9. How long will it take to earn my PhD at PAU?

Although the PhD program is designed to be completed within five years of coursework and practica, many students choose to take an additional year to complete their degree. Students must complete their degree within 7 years. The number of years it takes to complete the PhD program will depend on your individual needs and professional goals:

• Post-graduate career goals
• Competitiveness of clinical and research training sites
• Internship asirations and restrictions
• Practicum placements and performance
• Research opportunities, dissertation progress, publications and presentations
• Satisfactory academic progress

The PhD program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and follows their  Benchmark Evaluation System  to assess whether a student has met the competency benchmarks in professional psychology. 

10. How do I register for classes? How do I change my schedule?

For the first year of the PhD program, you are pre-registered for all of your courses based upon the required first-year coursework in the  PhD curriculum . Information about registration can be found at the  Registrar’s Office on the Portal , including  downloadable course schedules , and  academic calendars .

In subsequent years of the program, you will  use the portal for online registration . If you would like to change your schedule, you will need to email the registrar Nora Marquez ( [email protected] ) for further instruction. For additional questions about registration, including wait-listing, sequences, and other concerns, see the PhD Program Handbook. 

11. How do I obtain a copy of my course schedule?

You may always access  your current course schedule on the portal . Additionally, students can request a hard copy in-person from the Registrar’s Office at the PAU Allen Calvin Campus. 

12. Why am I required to attend 8 hours of therapy? Is the cost covered by PAU? How do I find a good therapist on a graduate student budget?

According to the PhD Student Handbook, all PhD students are required to complete 8 hours of individual psychotherapy with a doctoral-level licensed psychologist (PhD, ED, PsyD) or board-eligible psychiatrist prior to registration for the Oral Clinical Competency Exam (which typically occurs in the third year of the program). It is the perspective of PAU that the personal experience of psychotherapy is critical to the ability to work therapeutically with others. The cost of psychotherapy is not covered by PAU and is not part of the financial aid package.

Additional information about this requirement can be located in the PhD Student Handbook. There is an aggregate list of recommended low cost and sliding scale therapists noted under  Student Resources on the portal . You may also want to consult websites such as  Psychology Today  to select the right therapist.

13. How early do I have to decide if I want to complete a PhD  area of emphasis ? 

The first quarter of the first year is a good time to meet with a faculty advisor, as well as other PAU faculty and advanced students, to determine whether an area of emphasis will fit long term professional goals. As the year proceeds, students will have a better idea of their interests and the requirements for completing each area of emphasis. If you are still unsure, schedule an appointment with the PAU Academic Advising Center (PAAC).

14. When are financial aid refund disbursements available?

To receive the status of your financial aid, please visit the portal or email  [email protected] .

PAU alumna Amanda Harris (née Feldman), JD, PhD, a psychologist and attorney representing domestic violence survivors.

Graduate Student Lab

Graduate Students

Did you know . . ..

UC Davis Psychology Graduate Program Ranked #1 in the University of California System and #12 overall!!

Program Structure

We do not offer training in the areas of clinical or counseling psychology, and students are only admitted to the Ph.D. program, although students in the program have the option of obtaining an M.A. degree enroute to the Ph.D. Resources and faculty personnel are concentrated in five areas: developmental; perception, cognition, and cognitive neuroscience; biological psychology (comparative and physiological psychology), social-personality, and quantitative.

Highly Qualified Students

UC Davis faculty and graduate programs attract highly qualified students from diverse educational, social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. It is the mix of backgrounds, ideas and experience of faculty and students that contributes to the richness of both the campus and the city of Davis. The Psychology Department takes pride in the tradition of informality and supportiveness in student-faculty associations.

ANGELA SCULLY Graduate Program Coordinator

• Graduate Program
• How to Apply

University of California, Davis 135 Young Hall  One Shields Avenue Davis ,  CA   95616

[email protected] 530-752-1880

© 2000-2024 by the Regents of the University of California, Davis Campus. All Rights Reserved.

Psychology PhD

Psychology as a scientific discipline aims to describe, understand, and predict the behavior of living organisms. In doing so, psychology embraces the many factors that influence behavior-from sensory experience to complex cognition, from the role of genetics to that of social and cultural environments, from the processes that explain behavior in early childhood to those that operate in older ages, and from typical development to pathological conditions. The Department of Psychology at Berkeley reflects the diversity of our discipline's mission covering six key areas of research: Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience; Clinical Science; Cognition; Cognitive Neuroscience; Developmental, and Social-Personality Psychology. Our program learning goals focus on honing methodological, statistical and critical thinking skills relevant to all areas of Psychology research, enabling students with sufficient breadth to retain perspective in the field of psychology and sufficient depth to permit successful independent and significant research.

• The major academic objectives of the PhD program are for students to:
• Develop an understanding of the different theoretical and empirical frameworks that have defined and shaped the field
• Develop an understanding of the central questions and issues in contemporary psychology
• Develop expertise in one or more relevant research methodologies
• Build expertise in formulating testable hypotheses and designing appropriate studies
• Hone ability to critically evaluate scientific research
• Develop expertise in statistics and advanced data analytic approaches
• Develop an awareness of the importance of science to humanity while recognizing its limits (i.e., some scientific knowledge is culture-specific and may not be applicable to the human condition universally)
• Develop competence as a teacher of undergraduates and mentor to graduate students

Students select one of the following concentrations:

Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience: The Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience area encompasses faculty and students united by a common interest in the neurobiological/physiological bases of behavior, including but not limited to circadian and seasonal rhythms, decision-making, sex differentiation and behavior, energy balance, birdsong and animal communication, animal spatial orientation and navigation, gene-environment interactions, selective attention and visual perception, social behavior, attachment, developmental processes, physiological substrates of emotion and stress, and motivation. The methodologies currently employed by faculty and students cover the entire spectrum from the behavioral study of animals and humans to computational, cellular, molecular and neuroimaging analyses.

Clinical Science: Graduate students in Clinical Science combine rigorous research with hands-on clinical experience. In addition, students take courses that cover general areas of psychological science as well as more specialized areas based on a students interests. Most students will spend four to six years in residence at Berkeley plus one year at a Clinical Internship site, at or near the completion of the dissertation. Degrees are awarded after completion of the internship, even if the dissertation is completed earlier. The faculty advisor/mentor plays an important role in a students training. At the beginning of Year 1, each student is matched with a faculty advisor, usually one of the core Clinical Science Program Faculty, who supervises the student's research. In subsequent years, the student is free to continue working with that person or to seek a new research advisor. In addition to research supervision, the advisor works with the student in planning a program that fits that student's interests, while at the same time meeting program requirements. If a student is conducting research under the supervision of someone other than a core Clinical Science Program Faculty member (e.g., a faculty member in another area of the Psychology Department), then a core Clinical Science Program Faculty member is assigned to advise that student in matters related program requirements.

Cognition: The Cognition Program brings together faculty and students engaged in behavioral and computational investigations of fundamental cognitive processes, including learning, memory, categorization, reasoning, language, and perception. Our interdisciplinary approach borrows methods and insights from the cognitive sciences and other areas within the department.

Cognitive Neuroscience: Programs in Cognitive Neuroscience focus on neuroimaging and neuropsychological approaches to human behavior. Functional neuroimaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and intracranial EEG (iEEG) are used to study the neural bases of human behavior. Neuropsychological methods assess varieties of psychological dysfunction associated with brain damage or disease. Areas of specialty within this track include Sensory and Perceptual Processes, Attention and Working Memory, Learning and Memory, Emotion, and Motor Control.

Developmental: Our research goal is to understand how the organism and its capabilities develop throughout the lifespan. Our interdisciplinary approach is multi-species, multi-system, and multidisciplinary in nature. We study change over time in cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and neural processes. Our explanations include both neural accounts of the plasticity that is observed in the developing brain and other systems, and computational and psychological accounts of development. The bi-directionality of these processes is emphasized, with the organism's genetically program development being influenced by its physical and social environments and in turn influencing those environments. Thus, our research is situated at the interface between the fields of developmental psychology, computational modeling, psycholinguistics, cognitive psychology, developmental cognitive neuroscience, social psychology, cultural psychology, and clinical psychology. Our research examines numerous areas of development, plasticity, and change including sensory processes, cognitive capacities, language, reasoning, everyday knowledge of the world, emotions, and social relationships. We examine both typical and atypical development, each providing rich insights for better understanding the other and suggesting new approaches for effective treatments and preventive interventions.

Social-Personality Psychology: The social-personality program is devoted to training graduate students for careers in research and teaching. The program faculty and several affiliates conduct research and provide intensive training in six core areas of the field: (1) Self and identity; (2) Social cognition; (3) Emotion, emotion regulation, and affective neuroscience; (4) Personality processes and adult development; (5) Interpersonal, intergroup, and intercultural processes; and (6) Power, hierarchy, and social class. In addition to training in these core areas, the program encourages graduate students to develop their own research interests and build an independent research program. The program is characterized by considerable breadth and diversity. It provides students with special research opportunities, such as access to unique longitudinal databases, multi-method approaches (self-report, observational, archival, life-data, physiological), and biological perspectives on social behavior (e.g., evolutionary, neuroimaging).

Contact Info

[email protected]

2121 Berkeley Way University of California

Berkeley, CA 94720-1650

At a Glance

Department(s)

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 4, 2023

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Psychology's Ph.D. program. The Department invites applications from students who are primarily interested in research. Undergraduate research experience is helpful to have; this includes formal statistics/methods courses and special class projects, independent study projects, and part-time or volunteer work in research. All of our graduate program areas, including Clinical Science, have a strong research emphasis. We believe that competence in research and scholarship are prerequisites for leadership in teaching and public service in psychology.

• July 18 5-5:30pm UC Berkeley Psychology PhD Program online information session
• This information session will give a high level overview of our program. As you think about applying to graduate school, this session is designed to help you answer the question, "Is UC Berkeley's Psychology PhD program right for me and should I apply this year?"
• You can view the recording and slide deck here .
• August 31 5-5:30pm UC Berkeley Psychology PhD Admissions online information session
• This information session will give a high level overview of the application and admissions process for our program. As you plan to apply to graduate school, this session is designed to help you answer the question, "Am I ready to apply to the UC Berkeley Psychology PhD program this year?"
• You can view the recording and slide deck here . 
• September 27 12-12:30pm UC Berkeley Psychology PhD Application online information session
• This information session will give more details on how to apply to our program in the upcoming cycle. This session is designed to help you answer the question, "How can I be sure my application is received on time and read?"
• Thursday, November 9; 7-9am:  https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/96257995205
• Tuesday, November 14; 5-7pm:  https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/91942891539
• Monday, November 20; 7-9pm  https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/94956360877
• Wednesday, November 29; 12-2pm:  https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/98163977695

We also encourage you to connect with the  UC Berkeley Office of Graduate Diversity programs.    Registration is now open for a free online series,  Pipeline to the PhD Bootcamp ,  taking place online over five sessions which began on May 10. 

• Social Sciences Graduate Diversity Office
• Graduate Diversity Program
• Graduate Assembly of Students in Psychology

Join us at the  Graduate Diversity Admissions Fair .  The psychology department is holding a special information session on November 2, 10-11am as part of the fair.  Register on the Graduate Diversity website  and use this link to join the information session: https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/93600749804

Graduate Program Admissions Instructions

• Application Instructions
• Graduate Division Online Application
• Special Instructions for Clinical Science Program Applicants

External Fellowships

• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships : Applicants for the Department of Psychology's doctoral program are encouraged to apply. https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/Login.do .
• Also refer to Graduate Division Fellowships and Awards to review other significant funding opportunities.

Additional Resources

• Kisses of Death in the Graduate School Application Process
• Mitch's Uncensored Advice for Applying to Graduate School in Clinical Psychology

Questions? Please contact us at [email protected]

Graduate Student Services

Office hours.

Psychology Graduate Programs in California

1-25 of 61 results

Stanford University Department of Humanities and Sciences

Stanford, CA •

Stanford University •

Graduate School

Stanford University ,

Graduate School ,

STANFORD, CA ,

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Los Angeles, CA •

University of Southern California •

University of Southern California ,

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

UCLA College of Letters and Science

University of California - Los Angeles •

• • Rating 3 out of 5   1 review

University of California - Los Angeles ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars.

Read 1 reviews.

College of Arts and Sciences - American University

American University •

Graduate School •

WASHINGTON, DC

College of Science and Engineering - San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University •

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Elmhurst University

ELMHURST, IL

• • Rating 4.61 out of 5   23

UC Berkeley College of Letters & Science

Berkeley, CA •

University of California - Berkeley •

Blue checkmark.

University of California - Berkeley ,

BERKELEY, CA ,

College of Letters and Science - UC Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA •

University of California - Santa Barbara •

University of California - Santa Barbara ,

SANTA BARBARA, CA ,

Gevirtz Graduate School of Education

Isla Vista, CA •

ISLA VISTA, CA ,

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School of Social Ecology - University of California - Irvine

Irvine, CA •

University of California - Irvine •

• • Rating 4.33 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: enrolled as a student within the MAS Criminology program online. It was over all a great experience and as a full time employee, the program fit well with work schedules. I eventually got married and had my first child during the time I was studying within the program and being online I did not have to worry about missing so much class time. ... Read 3 reviews

University of California - Irvine ,

IRVINE, CA ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says enrolled as a student within the MAS Criminology program online. It was over all a great experience and as a full time employee, the program fit well with work schedules. I eventually got married and... .

Read 3 reviews.

UC Davis College of Letters and Science

Davis, CA •

University of California - Davis •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: Very informative and hard-working staff, graduate students and faculty. Anthropology department is robust, first-rate and diverse. Faculty are continuously researching and dedicating time to advancing the field. ... Read 2 reviews

University of California - Davis ,

DAVIS, CA ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Very informative and hard-working staff, graduate students and faculty. Anthropology department is robust, first-rate and diverse. Faculty are continuously researching and dedicating time to... .

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UC San Diego Division of Social Sciences

La Jolla, CA •

University of California - San Diego •

University of California - San Diego ,

LA JOLLA, CA ,

Graduate School of Education and Psychology - Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University •

• • Rating 4.75 out of 5   105 reviews

Master's Student: My experience in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy with LatinX Communities at Pepperdine University (also known as the Aliento Program) is something I have not experienced in the education system. That means enjoyable learning and not ignorant learning, where everything is about tests, grades, and even memorization. My professors here deeply care about me and my community and they show it. They are so skilled at what they do and made me realize and reflect on things that I did not think about before. They tell us that this program is about supporting one another and not about competition. I also feel the sense of community in the program where everyone is close to one another compared to other programs where students are distant from each other. I love this program because it feels like home, it feels like a family away from my biological family. This program made me realize so much about my community and culture which makes me want to learn more. ... Read 105 reviews

Pepperdine University ,

105 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says My experience in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy with LatinX Communities at Pepperdine University (also known as the Aliento Program) is something I have not... .

Read 105 reviews.

College of Liberal Arts - Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA •

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) - San Luis Obispo •

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) - San Luis Obispo ,

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA ,

School of Leadership and Education Sciences - University of San Diego

San Diego, CA •

University of San Diego •

• • Rating 4.17 out of 5   6 reviews

Alum: The MALS and other Leadership Graduate programs provided by USD prepares academics and professionals alike to generate the best possible organizational outcomes across industries. Balancing theory, research, pedagogy, and applied practice students develop their leadership skills to serve individuals and groups in a variety of settings. The innovative perspective of business has made a significant impact on management structures in recent year and offers a spectrum of career opportunities for multi-dimensional individuals. ... Read 6 reviews

University of San Diego ,

SAN DIEGO, CA ,

6 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says The MALS and other Leadership Graduate programs provided by USD prepares academics and professionals alike to generate the best possible organizational outcomes across industries. Balancing theory,... .

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University of San Francisco School of Education

San Francisco, CA •

University of San Francisco •

• • Rating 4.5 out of 5   8 reviews

Master's Student: I feel that this program is heavily committed to social justice which is something that is extremely important to me. Going into the mental health field, it is important to be attuned to what is going on in the "real world" and USF does a great job at making things "real". The professors are actively working in the mental health field, and a lot of them are doing community mental health which really ties in the social justice aspect of the profession. It has made my academic experience much livelier and relatable. ... Read 8 reviews

University of San Francisco ,

SAN FRANCISCO, CA ,

8 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I feel that this program is heavily committed to social justice which is something that is extremely important to me. Going into the mental health field, it is important to be attuned to what is... .

Read 8 reviews.

University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions

• • Rating 4.13 out of 5   8 reviews

Alum: The program is rigorous and well defined. Expectations are clearly communicated. Advisors and staff go above and beyond to help students succeed. ... Read 8 reviews

8 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says The program is rigorous and well defined. Expectations are clearly communicated. Advisors and staff go above and beyond to help students succeed. .

College of Liberal Arts - California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA •

California State University - Long Beach •

California State University - Long Beach ,

LONG BEACH, CA ,

College of Sciences - San Diego State University

San Diego State University •

San Diego State University ,

Division of Social Sciences - UC Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA •

University of California - Santa Cruz •

University of California - Santa Cruz ,

SANTA CRUZ, CA ,

University of the Pacific College of the Pacific

Stockton, CA •

University of the Pacific •

University of the Pacific ,

STOCKTON, CA ,

College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Riverside, CA •

University of California - Riverside •

• • Rating 4.25 out of 5   4 reviews

Master's Student: I hope to learn a lot from the Teacher Education Program at UCR! I love the opportunities that are offered to me and my peers. ... Read 4 reviews

University of California - Riverside ,

RIVERSIDE, CA ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I hope to learn a lot from the Teacher Education Program at UCR! I love the opportunities that are offered to me and my peers. .

Read 4 reviews.

School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences - Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, CA •

Azusa Pacific University •

Master's Student: My Master of Social Work program is well designed. Classes are designed to help professionals to practice in the field. In addition, the internship is designed to help students practice social work in different populations of their comfort zone. There is a lot of reading and homework. Research papers are always due. ... Read 2 reviews

Azusa Pacific University ,

AZUSA, CA ,

Featured Review: Master's Student says My Master of Social Work program is well designed. Classes are designed to help professionals to practice in the field. In addition, the internship is designed to help students practice social work... .

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - Azusa Pacific University

College of humanities and social sciences - california state university - fullerton.

Fullerton, CA •

California State University - Fullerton •

• • Rating 3.5 out of 5   2 reviews

Alum: The ENST (Environmental Studies Masters Program) at CSUF is great for the flexibility of having mostly evening classes and the ability to chose a project, thesis, or a test-out option. A student can complete this program in two years if attending fulltime for at least 3 semesters. I would recommend that the student have an advisor and project or thesis idea already planned out before attending this program so that the student will be ready to begin their research as soon as they enter the program. This greatly improves the outcome of the experience and lessens the stress of having to find an advisor while taking classes. I do feel that the program is more worthwhile when a student is completing graduate research verse just taking an exit exam. The exit exam is not something I would recommend for those who want the full graduate school experience. ... Read 2 reviews

California State University - Fullerton ,

FULLERTON, CA ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 3.5 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says The ENST (Environmental Studies Masters Program) at CSUF is great for the flexibility of having mostly evening classes and the ability to chose a project, thesis, or a test-out option. A student can... .

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences - California State University - Chico

Chico, CA •

California State University - Chico •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: It had been great so far! Due to covid, I have not experienced the in person experience of the school but the online course have been great. ... Read 2 reviews

California State University - Chico ,

CHICO, CA ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says It had been great so far! Due to covid, I have not experienced the in person experience of the school but the online course have been great. .

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, CA •

• • Rating 4.26 out of 5   34 reviews

Alum: As a former student at Saint Mary's College, I can confidently say that the best part of my experience was my exceptional education. The dedicated and supportive teachers fostered a stimulating learning environment, encouraging us to think critically and strive for academic excellence. The picturesque campus provided a tranquil setting for studying and reflection. Most importantly, the coursework was thoughtfully designed, balancing theoretical knowledge and practical application. However, what truly made my time at Saint Mary's memorable was the strong sense of camaraderie among students, creating a supportive and inclusive community. Overall, the education I received at Saint Mary's College was unparalleled and prepared me for future success in my career. ... Read 34 reviews

MORAGA, CA ,

34 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says As a former student at Saint Mary's College, I can confidently say that the best part of my experience was my exceptional education. The dedicated and supportive teachers fostered a stimulating... .

Read 34 reviews.

College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences - California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

Pomona, CA •

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona •

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ,

POMONA, CA ,

College of Human Sciences and Humanities - University of Houston - Clear Lake

University of Houston - Clear Lake •

HOUSTON, TX

• • Rating 1 out of 5   1

College of Health and Community Well - Being - University of La Verne

University of La Verne •

LA VERNE, CA

• • Rating 4 out of 5   2

Lewis College of Science and Letters

Illinois Institute of Technology •

CHICAGO, IL

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Application & Instructions

The deadline to submit the application and all supporting materials (e.g. letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.) for Fall 2024 admission for the Clinical area only is  November 1, 2023 . The deadline for all other areas (Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive, Developmental, Health, Quantitative, and Social) is  December 1, 2023 . 

If you have specific questions about the online UCLA application for Graduate Admission , please email the UCLA Division of Graduate Education office at  [email protected] .

Please note there is no departmental application. The only application you need to complete is the online UCLA application for Graduate Admission . Applications are accepted once a year for the Fall quarter only. 

Be sure to read  Information for Prospective Applicants  and  Preparation prior to submitting your application!   In addition, be sure to visit the link to the specific program to which you plan to apply for additional information. 

You may only apply to one of the seven areas in the Department of Psychology: Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, Health, Quantitative, and Social.

We do not offer rolling admissions or early acceptance into our program. We do not accept current graduate students transferring directly into our program. Applicants who are currently enrolled as graduate students elsewhere must apply and have their materials reviewed with the rest of the applicants that apply. 

Please note that a writing sample is not required but can be submitted through the application. Applicants to the Clinical and Quantitative program should view the fifth bullet point below.

FACULTY ACCEPTING STUDENTS FOR FALL 2024 ADMISSION:

Behavioral Neuroscience Area : Avishek Adhikari, Dean Buonomano, Jaime Castrellon, Michael Fanselow, Barbara Knowlton, Dario Ringach, Jesse Rissman, Ladan Shams, Kate Wassum

Clinical Area:  Denise Chavira, Bruce Chorpita, Michelle Craske, Tiffany Ho, Katherine Karlsgodt, Anna Lau, Lara Ray

Cognitive Area : Alan Castel, Jaime Castrellon, Patricia Cheng, Phil Kellman, Barbara Knowlton, Ian Krajbich, Falk Lieder, Zili Liu, Hongjing Lu, Martin M. Monti, Jesse Rissman, Ladan Shams

Developmental Area:  Bridget Callaghan, Andrew Fuligni, Catherine Sandhofer, Jennifer Silvers, James Stigler

Health  Area :  Julienne Bower, Theodore Robles, Annette Stanton, Jennifer Sumner, Janet Tomiyama, Patrick Wilson

Quantitative  Area :  Han Du, Craig Enders, Yi Feng, Amanda Montoya

Social Area:  Naomi Eisenberger, Yuen Huo, Jaimie Krems, Matthew Lieberman, Carolyn Parkinson

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR FALL 2024 ADMISSION:

Applicants that are invited to interview will be notified through email about two weeks prior to the interview appointment. Interviews will be conducted virtually. Applicants will receive individual emails with Recruitment Day information. Applicants that are not offered admission to our program for Fall 2024 will be notified by email no later than April 15, 2024.  BNS Area Interview Dates: January 26, 2024 Clinical Area Interview Dates: January 16 – January 19, 2024 Cognitive Area Interview Dates: January 26, 2024 Developmental Area Interview Dates: January 26, 2024 Health Area Interview Dates: January 18 – January 19, 2024 Quantitative Area Interview Date: January 26, 2024 Social Area Interview Dates: Early January, 2024

Department Recruitment Day: February 23, 2024

*** NOTE: ALL OF THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE REQUIRED ***

A) Statement of Purpose & Personal Statement:

The Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement must be submitted electronically through the application for Graduate Admission.

Guidelines for the Statement of Purpose:  Your statement can be up to 1000 words in length. Please state your purpose in applying for graduate study. Describe your scholarly and research area(s) of interest, experiences that contributed to your preparation in the field, and your plans for your future occupation or profession. Briefly describe experiences that have prepared you for advanced study or research, and provide any additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study. You are encouraged to indicate specific research interests and potential faculty mentors.

Guidelines for the Personal Statement : Your statement can be up to 500 words in length (approximately 1 page, single spaced, using 1-inch margins and 12-point font). Describe how your background, accomplishments, and life experiences (those not already described in your Statement of Purpose) led to your decision to pursue the graduate degree for which you are applying. Include any educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges or opportunities relevant to your academic journey. In addition, please describe any aspects of your personal background, accomplishments, or achievements that will allow the department to evaluate your contributions to the University’s diversity mission. Contributions to diversity and equal opportunity can take a variety of forms, such as efforts to advance equitable access to education, public service that addresses the need of a diverse population, or research that explores inequalities.

Additional Questions and Essays:  Applicants to the Clinical area must answer 6 additional questions. Applicants to the Quantitative area must provide a supplementary essay up to 1000 words describing their research interests in more detail. Supplementary essays are available in the ‘Psychology’ section of the application once you select ‘Psychology PHD’ under ‘Plans for Graduate Study’.

B) Three Letters of Recommendation:

It is your choice who you would like to choose as your recommenders. Your letters of recommendation can be submitted electronically by your recommenders either before or after you submit the application for Graduate Admission. It is also possible to send your letter of recommendation requests to your recommenders before you submit the application. Three (3) letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically through the application. Letter of recommendation services such as your school’s career center, Interfolio.com, etc. must also submit letters electronically through the application for the letters to be accepted. It is possible to submit more than three (3) letters of recommendation through the application. However, only three (3) letters of recommendation are required. The Letter of Recommendation Rating/Reference Form will only be sent to your recommenders when they submit your letters electronically through the application.

C) Transcripts:

All applicants must upload transcripts with the application. Unofficial copies of transcripts are acceptable for review purposes. If you are recommended for admission and decide to accept the offer, you must submit final, official copies of your transcript for final approval of your admission by the UCLA Division of Graduate Education office. Any discrepancies between the unofficial and official transcripts could lead to withdrawal of an offer of admission. International applicants must upload copies of original and translated international transcripts per country- or educational system-specific guidelines ( https://grad.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/ACADRECS.HTM ). UCLA does not accept international transcripts evaluated or verified by a service such as World Education Services (WES). 

D) Test Scores: Please note that starting Fall 2023, admission applicants are not required to take the GRE.

• GRE General Test:  Applicants for admission to our graduate program are not required to submit a GRE score report as part of their application package. Applicants may voluntarily submit GRE test scores and they will be reviewed as one part of the holistic application consideration. The applications with GRE scores will not be given greater weight than those that do not include scores. During the 2020 and 2021 admission cycles combined, 25% of applicants to the UCLA Psychology graduate program submitted GRE General Test scores. The number of applicants that applied, submitted GRE scores, and the percentage of applicants that submitted GRE scores, organized by Area, can be found in the table below.

• GRE Psychology Subject Test:  Consistent with the policy of the UCLA Department of Psychology, applicants to the clinical psychology doctoral program at UCLA will not be required to take the GRE. The GRE Psychology Subject Test is not required and will not be used to make admissions decisions. However, applicants who score above the 70 th  percentile can use the GRE Subject Test to partially fulfill Discipline-Specific Knowledge requirements (e.g., cognitive, social) that are part of accreditation by the American Psychological Association. In this way, admitted students may be able to reduce the amount of, or more flexibly select, coursework needed to complete program requirements. Students may elect to take the GRE Subject Test after their admission into our program and all program requirements can be fulfilled without taking the test.
• To ensure your official test scores are properly processed if you choose to submit them, please be sure the personal information provided in the UCLA application for Graduate Admission matches exactly the information provided to the testing service. Do not wait for your test results to complete the application. Educational Testing Service (ETS) sends scores electronically to UCLA. The institution code for UCLA is 4837. The department/major code is not necessary.  
• Official GRE test scores  cannot be more than five years old . If the GRE tests are taken more than once, the most recent scores are considered.
• Quantitative program applicants: Quantitative psychology is by definition very reliant on quantitative skill sets which can be demonstrated in a number of ways: performance in mathematics courses, performance on the quantitative section of the GRE, and/or letters of recommendation speaking to your quantitative expertise. When reading applications, we will look for demonstrated ability in quantitative skills, but this should not require a GRE score if other parts of your application speak to these skills. If you are unsure whether you should or should not include GRE scores in your application to UCLA, please feel free to contact the quantitative area faculty.
• TOEFL or IELTS EXAM:  INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS whose first language is not English must submit an official TOEFL (Test of English As a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university located in the United States or in another country in which English is both the primary spoken language of daily life and the language of instruction (i.e., Australia, Barbados, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, United Kingdom) and the medium of instruction, or who have completed at least two years of full-time study at such an institution, are exempted from both the TOEFL/IELTS requirement and the English as a Second Language Placement Examination. The minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores are 560 on the paper and pencil test, 220 on the computer-based test, or 87 on the internet-based test (TOEFL/IBT), or overall band score of 7.0 (IELTS). TOEFL and IELTS test scores are valid for only two years. Educational Testing Service (ETS) sends scores electronically to UCLA. The institution code for UCLA is 4837. The department/major code is not necessary. Please contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for GRE and TOEFL test scheduling, registration, and information. Visit the Educational Testing Service web site at  www.ets.org  or call them at (510) 873-8100 (West Coast) or (609) 771-7100 (East Coast). IELTS is administered by local IELTS test centers throughout the world. Applicants should consult  www.ielts.org  for the nearest IELTS test center.

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UCLA Graduate Programs

Graduate Program: Psychology

UCLA's Graduate Program in Psychology offers the following degree(s):

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Masters available on Doctoral track

With questions not answered here or on the program’s site (above), please contact the program directly.

Psychology Graduate Program at UCLA 1285 Franz Hall Box 951563 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563

Visit the Psychology’s faculty roster

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Visit the registrar's site for the Psychology’s course descriptions

• Admission Requirements
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(310) 825-2617

[email protected]

MAJOR CODE: PSYCHOLOGY

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Graduate Program

History and overview of the program.

The San Diego campus of the University of California was formally established in 1958 around the nucleus of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It has since become one of the most renowned research universities in the United States. The Department of Psychology was formed in 1965 and first admitted graduate students in 1966. For the 2021/2022 academic year, there are 79 graduate students in the Department's doctoral program. As of June 30, 2021, 426 doctoral degrees have been awarded.

The Department remains committed to the belief that the best training for a career in psychology, even one in clinical psychology, is a strong background in Experimental Psychology . As such, conducting experimental research is the primary activity of graduate students in our program.

Each graduate student in our Department works closely with one or more faculty advisor(s) throughout their graduate career, in an apprenticeship system that distinguishes our Department from others. Our graduate students are actively involved in research design, implementation, analysis, and publication processes, and they are treated more like colleagues than students. 

Graduate students in our program start off by conducting a year-long independent research project, which serves as a major criterion in the evaluation of our first year students. In addition to conducting well-supervised, original research in their respective labs, our students take classes (seminars and proseminars), teach and mentor undergraduate students, participate in lab meetings and journal clubs, and attend Department-sponsored events, such as Brown Bag meetings and our Colloquium Speaker Series .

Our Department and the greater University are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all our members. Click on the following links to read our Department Climate Statement , and the UC San Diego Principles of Community .

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Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Program

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SDSU / UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology

About the Program

The program provides outstanding education and training to scientifically oriented research professionals who will make significant contributions to clinical psychology in their areas of specialization. The program combines the scholarly resources and offerings from the Department of Psychology in SDSU’s College of Sciences and the Department of Psychiatry in UC San Diego’s School of Medicine.

As a clinical science program, we emphasize integrating research and practice in training, activities, and experience, allowing students to participate in clinical research activities throughout the program. The development of research skills and attitudes is the foundation of training; clinical psychologists will have duties encompassing teaching, research, diagnosis, treatment, consultation, and program evaluation and design, including applying research skills and knowledge to various areas and settings. Our doctoral program enables students to be at the forefront of developments and applications in clinical psychology.

The program includes an initial two-year core curriculum of formal instruction followed by additional experience/instruction in the student’s chosen major area of study. The SDSU/UC San Diego JDP in Clinical Psychology curriculum is based on a twelve-month academic year. Students typically complete the program within five to six years, including an American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited internship.

Completion of the core curriculum ensures that all students have a common background in:

• Empirical psychology (biological, cognitive, affective, developmental, and social bases of behavior).
• Conceptualizations of psychopathology.
• Theory and techniques of psychological assessment.
• Therapeutic interventions and therapeutic skills.
• Experimental design and statistics.

Clinical activities, integrated with formal instruction, begin in the second year. Students will acquire higher clinical proficiency through practicum placements at nearly 30 training sites supervised by SDSU/UC San Diego joint-doctoral faculty representing research and clinical expertise in virtually every topic relevant to clinical psychology.

Major areas of study:

Specialized training is conducted through seminars, tutorials, and extensive research and clinical experience under faculty supervision. The APA-accredited clinical internship typically occurs in the fifth or sixth year. Whenever possible, clinical practica and therapeutic activities are coordinated with the student’s progression through courses and research activities. Summers are utilized to offer more concentrated research and clinical training.

Program History

The SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology began in 1985, was first accredited by APA in 1990, and has been reaccredited consistently since then. Since 1949 and 1964, SDSU and UC San Diego, respectively, have been regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission . In addition, the School of Medicine at UC San Diego is accredited by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) .

The program emphasizes and appreciates broadly defined human diversity and offers extensive opportunities for students to become involved in research and clinical activities focused on diverse, underserved populations.

Recently, rankings calculated by the National Research Council (NRC) placed the SDSU/UC San Diego joint doctoral program among the top five psychology programs in the country, regardless of whether they were clinical or nonclinical. Similar rankings have been reported by Academic Analytics in 2010 and by Stewart, Roberts, and Roy (2007).

This program is a good-standing member of the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology (CUDCP), the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science (APCS), the Council of Clinical Health Psychology Training Programs (CCHPTP), and the Association of Psychology Training Clinics (APTC). These organizations strive to provide quality education and training at the doctoral level, ensuring the doctoral program stays abreast of changes and developments in the field. 

Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 E-mail: [email protected]

Graduate Program

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• Quantitative Methods Certificate
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Psychological Sciences Ph.D. Program

Thank you for your interest in the Psychological Sciences Ph.D. program at UC Merced. We will be accepting applications for Fall 2024. Applications are due Dec. 1, 2023, and admissions decisions will be made in late December and early January.

GRE scores are not required for applications to our Ph.D. program for 2024 admission but can be optionally reported by applicants. The decision to include or not include GRE scores in the application will not affect admissions decisions.

UC Merced offers doctoral graduate training in Psychological Sciences, culminating in the Ph.D., with emphases in developmental , health , and quantitative methods, measurement, and statistics . We welcome applications for Ph.D. studies in any of these three areas.

Guiding Principle

We create, cherish, and champion a culture of community, collegiality, and compassion. 

Program Goal

Our goal is to prepare sophisticated and creative independent researchers who can apply the qualitative distinctions of our program in a variety of professional settings, including academic institutions, public or private agencies, and industry. To that end, our Program Learning Outcomes  indicate the most prominent skills and knowledge that our graduates will possess to enable them to start successful research careers. Graduates have gone on to a range of positions  upon graduation where they utilize their research competence.

What Distinguishes Us

Having opened its doors in 2005, UC Merced is one of the youngest research universities in the United States. The Psychological Sciences Ph.D. program has grown rapidly since then, with 18 faculty and 44 graduate students in 2018. Our highly productive  faculty conduct impactful research and have gained national and international recognition.

Our program’s national stature has likewise grown rapidly. In the 2018 US and World News Report , our Ph.D. program ranked 90 th (tied with UC Santa Cruz) out of over 200 Ph.D. programs in psychology. We are by far the youngest program ranked this high. We were ranked as 190+ in 2013 and 158 in 2015, indicating a remarkable increase in recognition and influence in a very short time.

We are a congenial group of faculty and graduate students who enjoy creating a supportive work environment that gives everyone here the opportunity to succeed. We strive to maintain a positive, supportive environment for all members of our academic community. This starts with faculty actively practicing kindness, civility, and empathy with one another and with students. We believe that by applying and modeling these values, students more often feel respected and empowered to do their best.

With nine members, we claim the largest identified health psychology faculty group in a regular academic department of psychology (discounting universities with research medical schools) and certainly one of the strongest such research and training programs anywhere in the world. Among strengths in this group is our focus on understanding disparities in health, especially as relevant to our unique region.

Likewise, we feature one of the largest and arguably strongest quantitative methods, measurement, and statistics  research and training programs anywhere. Our five quantitative scientists conduct research from both frequentist and Bayesian approaches applied to a wide range of methods.

Developmental psychology  at UC Merced seeks to achieve world-class recognition for strong empirical research on cognitive, language, and socio-emotional development that relies on advanced quantitative methods and emphasizes the unique contextual and biological factors that may promote or hinder healthy development.

View the Psychological Sciences digital brochure

To apply, visit the UC Merced Graduate Division website .

Updated 2023

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Psychology Doctoral Programs in California - PhD

PhD Programs in Psychology

Alliant international university – fresno, california school of professional psychology.

Alliant International University is a private, non-profit university that is strongly committed to preparing students for professional careers where they can make positive contributions to their community. Alliant has been named the Top Producer of Graduate Degrees for Minorities by Diverse Issues in Higher Education. The Alliant California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) has also been recognized as awarding the most doctoral degrees in psychology to Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. In fact, the school has trained almost half of all the practicing psychologists in the state.

PhD in Clinical Psychology

At the Fresno campus, the Clinical Psychology PhD program focuses on clinical training and research with a strong emphasis on preparing students to teach psychology in academia. In the third year of training, students are required to complete a minimum of 1,600 hours at the on-campus Psychological Services Center, which provides numerous diagnostic and therapeutic training opportunities. Students in the program have the option to choose an emphasis area of Clinical Forensic Psychology, Ecosystemic Child Psychology, and Health Psychology to develop a focused subject of expertise.

Accreditations

• American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact Information

5130 East Clinton Way Fresno, CA 93727 559-252-2200 [email protected] https://www.alliant.edu/psychology/clinical-psychology/phd

Alliant International University – Los Angeles

Selected as the “Best for Vets” college in the nation for the third consecutive year by Military Times Edge magazine, Alliant International University is well-known for offering students high-quality financial assistance, academic flexibility, and support services to help all succeed. The California School of Professional Psychology on the Los Angeles campus is highly regarded in the profession and attracts some of the leading field experts to the faculty. With a small student-teacher ratio, graduate students in the programs are able to thrive with hands-on training, academic mentoring, and innovative curriculum based on multiculturalism.

Situated in the unique global hub of Los Angeles, the PhD in Clinical Psychology program offers plentiful opportunities for research, practice, and community service learning outside the classroom. Students in the program are required to select one of the four available emphasis areas to focus their studies on, including Clinical Health Psychology, Family and Couple Therapy, Multicultural-Community Psychology, and Multi-Interest Option. Although it is not required, the CSPP strongly encourages students to participate in a full-time internship experience in an accredited clinical setting for the fifth year to gain valuable real-world application before graduation.

1000 South Fremont Avenue Unit 5 Alhambra, CA 91803 626-270-3300 [email protected] https://www.alliant.edu/psychology/clinical-psychology/phd

Alliant International University – San Diego

First formed in 2001, Alliant International University is comprised of the combination of two highly regarded institutions, the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) and the United States International University (USIU). Founded by the president of the American Psychological Association, CSPP is strongly focused on seamlessly integrating academic excellence, multiculturalism, mentoring by experts in the field, and hands-on training in a variety of clinical settings. For a competitive edge, the school requires all students to specialize in a certain professional niche of interest to give their career a jumpstart.

The Clinical Psychology PhD program at the San Diego campus has developed a unique integrated blend of both research and clinical practice for well-rounded professionals. As students progress through the program, they are able to work closely with established applied researchers to discover increased understanding on principles, such as traumatic brain injuries, autism, mind-body disorders, pediatric psychology, and mindfulness. Each student enrolled in the program is assigned a faculty advisor to help them formulate a customized plan for practicum and internship training that aligns with their schedule and future career goals. Students are required to complete 800 hours in the second year and 1,000 years in the third year in one of the 80 different partnering agencies in the San Diego area.

10455 Pomerado Rd. San Diego, CA 92131 866-825-5426 [email protected] https://www.alliant.edu/psychology/clinical-psychology/phd

Alliant International University – San Francisco Bay

The California School of Professional Psychology on the Alliant International University at San Francisco Bay campus is committed to preparing students for professional careers in the rewarding field of psychology. Since real-world practicum is so vital to the school’s goals, students are given placements in mental health clinics, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, day care programs, correctional facilities, governmental agencies, and many more clinical settings. All of the doctoral programs offered by CSPP exceed all of the state and national accreditation requirements in California, so graduates are automatically eligible to sit for the examination to become licensed as a professional psychologist.

As the perfect blend of psychological theory and research with a heavy dose of fieldwork, the Clinical Psychology PhD program at the San Francisco Bay campus emphasizes training in cutting-edge strength areas. Depending on their individual interests, students can elect to specialize in LGBT Psychology/Gender Studies, Multicultural Community Psychology, Health Psychology, or Child and Adolescent Psychology. Over the course of the five-year program, students will be able to participate in student-led research projects to apply their skills in collaboration with other institutions, including the University of California at San Francisco, Stanford University, and the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

2030 West El Camino Avenue, Suite 200 Sacramento, CA 95833 916-565-2955 [email protected] https://www.alliant.edu/psychology/clinical-psychology/phd

Biola University

Rosemead school of psychology.

Located in sunny Southern California, Biola University is a private Christian university dedicated to delivering exceptional biblical-centered education and spiritual development to fulfill students’ vocations. As one of the leading Christian universities, it is no surprise that Biola has been recognized as the 177th best college in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. The Rosemead School of Psychology offers reputable, accredited programs that have had a proven track record of preparing graduates for success in the highly competitive field. Through a biblical understanding of human nature and truths from God’s written Word, the programs seek to produce balanced psychologists who will make a difference in areas of teaching, counseling, research, or clinical practice.

Within the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Biola University, students are required to complete a minimum of 133 semester hours in four years of residency. In addition to the major course requirements, students must complete a minor in theology and a minimum of 17 semester hours in biblical coursework. Enrolled students in the program need to satisfactorily complete a full-time clinical internship for one year, as well as compose a dissertation with an oral defense before the doctoral committee before graduation.

• Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
• Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)

13800 Biola Ave. La Mirada, CA 90639 562-903-4867 [email protected] https://www.biola.edu/degrees/g/clinical-psychology-phd

Fielding Graduate University

School of psychology.

As one of the top 100 graduate degree producers in the country for minority groups by Diverse Issues in Higher Education, the Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara is committed to programs in psychology, educational leadership, and organizational development. The School of Psychology offers the only accredited doctoral programs in the nation that utilize the innovative distributed delivery method to support students’ other daily obligations. Although some master’s degrees are offered entirely online, the doctoral programs are blended with in-person class sessions, independent studies, online seminars, and meetings with colleagues or faculty. Since being founded in 1974, the school has developed the core values of lifelong learning, social justice, and research innovation.

Fielding Graduate University offers a high-quality Clinical Psychology PhD program within a diverse, challenging, and dynamic community of professionals in psychology. Although all of the faculty instructors are active scholars and practitioners in the field, many have even been nationally recognized in their area of specialization. Students in the program have the option to concentrate in Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Neuropsychology, Violence Prevention and Control, or Parent-Infant Mental Health. If students follow the curriculum sequence that is recommended, the 175.5 semester units can be completed within six years.

• California Board of Behavioral Sciences

2020 De La Vina St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 805-687-1099 [email protected] https://www.fielding.edu/our-programs/school-of-psychology/phd-clinical-psychology/

Fuller Theological Seminary

With more than 4,300 students hailing from 67 international countries and 108 denominations, the Fuller Theological Seminary has been described as one of the most influential seminaries in the nation and the largest multi-denominational seminary on the globe. After it first opened its doors in 1965, the Fuller School of Psychology became the first seminary-based program in psychology to receive full accreditation from the APA. Today, the School is home to the 164th best graduate clinical psychology program and the 214th best graduate psychology program in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. In the Lee Edward Travis Institute, students and faculty members of the School of Psychology are consistently involved in research across the full spectrum of behavioral sciences.

Within the six-year Clinical Psychology PhD program, students are required to complete a minimum of 300 semester units with a seamless integration of clinical practice and innovative research experience. Students are awarded a Master of Arts in Psychology after finishing 88 units in major courses, and then a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership when the required 76 units of theology courses are completed. The program also involves more than 1,000 hours engaging in clinical training through a variety of field placements scattered across the diverse greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.

• Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada

135 North Oakland Ave. Pasadena, CA 91182 626-584-5200 [email protected] https://www.fuller.edu/phd-clinical-psychology/

Loma Linda University

School of behavioral health.

Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist institution with more than 4,000 students completing studies in health and science majors. Previously called the School of Science and Technology, the School of Behavioral Health has undergone a recent transformation to specify its goal of delivering high-quality graduate level education for professionals in behavioral health practices. It now consists of three distinct departments that have matured for the past decades, including Social Work, Psychology, and Counseling and Family Services. The School is currently home to the 164th best graduate clinical psychology program in the nation, according to the U.S. News and World Report.

The LLU Clinical Psychology PhD program strongly adheres to the guidelines and regulations that have been established by the APA. With the largest medical facility in the Inland Empire at Loma Linda University Medical Center, students enrolled in the program receive significant training in behavioral health across diverse populations. Students are encouraged to select one area of professional emphasis, such as neuroscience, health psychology, child and adolescent psychology, or social-cultural behavioral health. Before receiving the degree, students must complete a minimum of 204 semester units, typically within five years.

Griggs Hall 11065 Campus St. Loma Linda, CA 92350 909-558-8722 [email protected] https://behavioralhealth.llu.edu/academics/psychology/clinical-psychology-phd

University of California – Berkeley

Department of psychology.

Overlooking the beautiful San Francisco Bay stands the 20th best college in the nation, the University of California at Berkeley. As one of the premier public universities in the world, the faculty of UC Berkeley is comprised of 22 Nobel Prize winners, 32 MacArthur fellows, and 4 Pulitzer Prize winners. Over the past ten years, the National Science Foundation has awarded more Graduate Research Fellowships to this university’s students than any other in the nation. The Department of Psychology aims to produce high-achieving scholar research students with a significant understanding of psychology and ability to conduct independent research for further knowledge in the field.

The UC Berkeley Clinical Psychology PhD program is currently ranked as the 11th best graduate psychology program in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Students in the program are expected to complete the degree within five or six years, after successfully finishing the required full-time clinical internship and dissertation. At the beginning of day one, students are matched with a faculty advisor who will supervise the student’s research and provide assistance in scheduling their clinical training.

PhD in Social Psychology

Currently ranked as the 8th best Social Psychology PhD program in the entire nation, the program endeavors to prepare students for professional careers in research and teaching at the university level. Through the rigorous curriculum, students gain expertise in the six core areas of social psychology, which are self identity, social cognition, emotion/motivation, personality development, interpersonal relations, and organizational behavior.

• Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS)

3210 Tolman Hall #1650 Berkeley, CA 94720 510-642-5292 [email protected] https://psychology.berkeley.edu/research/clinical-science

University of California – Los Angeles

Commonly referred to as UCLA, the University of California at Los Angeles is situated in the Westwood neighborhood of downtown LA, just five short miles from the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Renowned for its legacy of academic excellence in Southern California and beyond, it is currently ranked as the 23rd best university and 2nd top public school in the nation. At the UCLA Psychology Clinic, students enrolled in the Department of Psychology gain valuable experience by providing low-fee therapy and assessment services to diverse populations. Students can also conduct individual or supervised research at the Fernald Child Study Center, which is intended to bolster the department’s commitment to childhood learning and behavior disorders.

Doctoral in Psychology Training Program

PhD in Clinical Psychology – The UCLA Clinical Psychology PhD program has been recognized as the best in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. The doctoral training program enables students to choose from a variety of distinct areas of concentration, including Behavioral Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Learning and Behavior, and Social Psychology. Although the program must be completed within seven years, it provides flexibility for individual variation spanning from four to seven years.

1285 Franz Hall Box 951563 Los Angeles, CA 90095 310-825-2961 [email protected] https://www.psych.ucla.edu/grads

University of California – Riverside

Graduate school of education.

The University of California at Riverside is currently ranked as the 112th best college and 55th top public school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. It has also been named as the 5th best college in the United States for contributing to the public good by Washington Monthly magazine. Widely recognized among the most ethnically diverse research campuses in the country, the university has more than 21,000 students pursuing more than 65 different degree programs. Since opening in 1969, the UCR Graduate School of Education (GSOE) has prepared researchers, teachers, school psychologists, and administrators for success in education.

PhD in School Psychology

Leading to a state of California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential, the PhD in School Psychology is a five-year, full-time degree program that includes a one-year internship opportunity in a school or university setting. Using the innovative eco-behavioral theoretical model, the program is designed to help students develop skills for reform and implementation of the Response to Intervention (RTI) approach.

• National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

1207 Sproul Hall 900 University Ave. Riverside, CA 92521 951-827-5225 [email protected] http://education.ucr.edu/schoolpsych/schpsychmain.html

University of California – Santa Barbara

Gevirtz graduate school of education.

One of only 61 institutions elected to be members of the prestigious Association of American Universities, the University of California at Santa Barbara is ranked as the 41st best college and 11th top public school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. In addition, the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education is ranked as the 40th best school of education in the nation. The school is committed to educating scholar researchers and practitioners for excellence and equality in education.

Combined PhD in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology

Designed to prepare well-rounded psychological service providers to provide direct service to their clients, the PhD in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology program blends the three different service areas and employment settings. In order to develop research-oriented and academic psychologists, the UC Santa Barbara department helps students develop knowledge unique to counseling, clinical practice, and school psychology. After completing the program, graduates will meet the California PPS School Psychology credentials and be able to sit for the examination to become licensed.

552 University Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93106 805-893-3375 [email protected] https://education.ucsb.edu/ccsp/combined-doctoral-program

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School of Education

Educators are liberators because knowledge is transformative.

School Psychology

School psychology ph.d. program.

UC Riverside's  School of Education School Psychology program is the only American Psychological Association-accredited* doctoral program in Southern California. Students in our APA-accredited and National Association of School Psychologists-approved program benefit from our nationally recognized rigorous course of study and desirable location in the heart of the economically vibrant and demographically diverse Inland Empire region of Southern California.

We train students as scientist-practitioners who contribute to the body of accumulated knowledge in the field as well as address problems affecting K-12 pupils’ learning, behavior, and cognition. The School Psychology program promotes an eco-behavioral theoretical model emphasizing skill development using evidence-based practice derived from applied behavior analytic, cognitive-behavioral, and social learning theory and research.

Graduates have in-demand skills that create ample opportunity for employment mainly as practitioners in the public K-12 education sector or as faculty at postsecondary institutions. Students graduate having earned the Ph.D. and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing credential in School Psychology, and also have the opportunity to become Nationally Certified School Psychologists, Licensed Educational Psychologists (a California credential), and, upon completion of post-doctoral requirements (which vary by state), licensed psychologists.

*Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Specialization Overview

• Program Overview
• Program Cost
• Related Research
• Learning Outcomes
• Practicum and Internship
• Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data
• Professional Licensure
• School Psychology FAQ
• Start Term: Fall only
• Program Length: Approximately 5 years
• Units: 60 minimum
• Format: In-person instruction on Riverside campus
• Schedule: Each class meets once a week(Monday-Thursday); time of day varies
• 94% of students receive multi-year fellowships

Steps to Degree Completion

• Complete coursework
• Written qualifying exam
• Oral qualifying exam/pre-proposal
• Proposal approved by dissertation committee
• Dissertation and final defense

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program are often offered a multi-year fellowship which covers tuition and health insurance and provides a stipend and/or paycheck during the academic year. It is recommended that students complete the program full time to meet the fellowship requirements working as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Graduate Student Researcher (GSR). These duties require students to be available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for 15-20 hours per week.

Quarterly costs may be viewed here

Faculty research areas include:

• Applied behavior analysis
• Positive behavior support
• Response to intervention/multi-tiered systems of support
• School-based consultation

A complete list of faculty research areas can be found here , and SOE’s Centers, Programs, and Labs can be found here .

School Psychology Learning Objectives

• Engage in data-based decision making and problem solving to provide effective psychological services at all tiers of service delivery.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills to promote positive academic growth and the social-emotional and behavioral well-being of all children and families.
• Use varied consultation, collaboration, and communication methods as members of multidisciplinary teams to meet the needs of children, families, and systems.
• Value diversity, demonstrate awareness and respect for all cultures, and strive towards culturally sensitive practice in all professional activities.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge in research methods and the ability to apply this knowledge within the diverse school context.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the legal, ethical, and professional standards and the skills to implement these standards to enhance the quality of services and protect the rights of all parties.

The UCR School Psychology Program engages students in practica for four full years prior to the fifth year predoctoral internship. Students complete practica in diverse settings that include elementary school, middle/junior high school, and high school. Additionally, some students choose to complete advanced practica in clinic and/or nonpublic school settings. Many prospective interns participate in the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) match and have been placed in desirable settings located throughout the U.S. *Since 2018-19, 100% of our students who chose to participate in the APPIC match have matched in Round 1.

The Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association requires APA-accredited programs to update key outcomes of training on an annual basis. Current outcomes may be found here .

*NOTICE TO STUDENTS re: PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION* University of California programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student for California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the University of California and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.

The University of California has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether, if they complete a University of California program, they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).  

Frequently Asked Questions about the School Psychology program

Is it possible to enter the School Psychology PhD program after only completing my undergraduate degree?

Yes! Many students are accepted who have recently completed their undergraduate degrees. Most admitted students have degrees in psychology or a psychology-related field.

What type of financial aid is available?

The School Psychology Program at UC Riverside makes it a priority to offer financial support to its students. Multiple forms of financial assistance are offered to students and include stipends, fellowships, loans, graduate student research (GSR) assignments, and teaching assistant (TA) assignments. For the most part, students who need and request financial assistance will receive it in some form.

What separates this program from others?

UCR’s program is the only doctoral-level school psychology program in Southern California proper that is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA)*and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). UCR is considered the most diverse campus in the entire 10 campus University of California system, with students of color representing more than 83% of the undergraduate population. Southern California offers a rich atmosphere in which students can obtain valuable field experiences and conduct meaningful research with diverse populations. Along with being a recognized program with diverse surroundings, the faculty are dedicated to equipping students with extensive knowledge that will allow them to become leaders in the field. The experiences and knowledge gained by graduates allow for a multitude of career options, centering mainly on practitioner and academic/researcher roles. Overall, UCR’s doctoral program in School Psychology offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience for scholars passionate about making a difference in lives of children, youth, families, and schools.

What types of certification or licensure will this program prepare me for?

Upon course, practica, and internship completion, along with a passing score on the Praxis II Exam, all requirements to become a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) will be fulfilled. Graduates also qualify for the Pupil Personnel Services credential (PPS; the California credential to practice school psychology) and California’s Licensed Educational Psychologist credential. Graduates also are eligible to apply for licensure by a state board of psychology, pending completion of post-doctoral requirements (which vary by state). State licensure allows one to independently practice psychology in a variety of settings.

What happens after my application is submitted?

The admissions committee begins to review applications following the application deadline of December 15. All applicants are carefully considered across multiple domains to assess their qualifications and match for the program. Highly qualified applicants will be invited to our Interview Day, which is usually held on the last Friday in January. This is a day-long event during which applicants interview with current faculty, talk with current students, learn about the program and the Graduate School of Education, and tour the university. If an applicant cannot attend Interview Day, other forms of interviews may be arranged. After all interviews are completed, decision letters are sent out via email.

Can I just apply to the MA program in School Psychology?

No. The program at UCR only offers admission at the PhD level. Only those applicants who are interested in pursuing the PhD degree will be considered for admission. Students admitted to the UCR doctoral program typically earn an MA in the process but they are expected to finish the PhD.

Does this program follow a cohort model?

Yes. A student will enroll in courses with the rest of the students accepted in the same year. Moreover, it is expected that students within a cohort will progress through the program at a similar rate. The majority of students complete training in about 5.5 years.

Does this program accept candidates with Ed.S./MS/MA in School Psychology for advanced standing?

Applicants are welcome to apply as entering students and proceed through the entire program. Primarily due to our cohort training model and the need to operate in line with APA’s Standards of Accreditation, as a general practice we do not accept students with advanced standing. We also do not waive supervised field experience hours for students who have completed similar training elsewhere. Some course waivers/equivalencies are possible but are granted conservatively in accordance with APA standards.

Can I work full-time while completing the program?

It is not recommended that students attempt to dedicate a significant amount of time to outside employment. Upon accepting a fellowship, students agree to guidelines that specify how many hours they may work outside of the program, and only with approval from the Graduate Dean. The program is designed for full-time students and dedicating a significant amount of time to outside employment will likely hinder performance.

I’m getting my degree from another university and wish to complete my internship in Southern California. Would UCR recommend me for a California internship credential and/or supervise my hours for licensure?

No. Due to the responsibilities involved, we are unable to recommend prospective interns for the California internship credential or supervise students we have not trained. 

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 [email protected] www.apa.org/ed/accreditation  

The UCR School Psychology Program is a traditional, full-time doctoral program. Students must complete a minimum of three full-time academic years of graduate study plus internship prior to receiving the Ph.D. At least two of the three years must be at UCR. The program is designed for completion of all program requirements, including internship and dissertation within five years, but about 30% take an additional year. Continuous enrollment is required.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the UCR School Psychology Program are well prepared and have in-demand skills to promote positive outcomes for students, their families, educators, and school systems. Approximately 75% of graduates work in various applied settings and the remainder work as faculty in postsecondary institutions. Upon graduation, students earn their Ph.D. as well as the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing credential in School Psychology (PPS credential). Graduates also are eligible to become Nationally Certified School Psychologists, Licensed Educational Psychologists (a California credential), and, upon completion of post-doctoral requirements (which vary by state), licensed psychologists. Once licensed by a state-level psychology board, an individual has the option to seek other credentials such as board certification in psychology (ABPP) or listing in the National Register of Health Service Psychologists.

Meet the School Psychology Faculty

We encourage prospective students to reach out to faculty whose research interests align with their own.

Current Ph.D. Students

Meet our current ph.d. students.

What are you looking for?

Suggested search, department of psychology, psychology at usc.

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the University of Southern California Department of Psychology has among its faculty internationally recognized scholars and one of the most diverse student populations in the United States. Our faculty and students are engaged in groundbreaking studies, investigating basic theoretical questions and bringing their work to bear on some of society’s most pressing needs. The department offers graduate training in five areas: Brain & Cognitive Science, Clinical Science, Developmental Psychology, Quantitative Methods and Computational Psychology, and Social Psychology.

Explore the world of psychology at USC.

Undergraduate studies, graduate studies, department news, ian anderson.

Congratulations to Ian Anderson for receiving the USC Dornsife’s 2023 Communicator of the Year Award. This award honors scholars who contribute significant time and effort to meaningfully improve the public’s understanding of issues, influence policy, and/or raise the level of public discourse around research and scholarship conducted at Dornsife.

Dr. Darby Saxbe

Check out Darby Saxbe’s Op-Ed out in the New York Times! She wrote about teen mental health treatment and the iatrogenic effects of some programs.

Dr. Antonio Damasio and Dr. Hanna Damasio

Hanna and Antonio Damasio were featured in a Q&A in Neuron. They discuss the value of single case studies for neuroscience, consciousness research and the limits of AI, and the fascinating relationship between creativity and the brain.

Asaf Mazar won the best student led paper in 2022 SPSP Student Publication Award for his paper: The Unintentional Nonconformist: Habits Promote Resistance to Social influence.

Dr. Iony Ezawa

Please join me in congratulating new faculty member Dr. Iony Ezawa on receiving the very prestigious Marna Barrett Award for Excellence in Psychotherapy  at the  Society for Psychotherapy Research Annual Meeting held in Dublin, Ireland in the summer of 2023.

Dr. Henny Moll

Congratulations to Henny Moll on receiving the 2023 American Psychological Foundation (APF) Joseph B. Gittler Award. This award is to recognize psychologists who are making and will continue to make scholarly contributions to the philosophical foundations of psychological knowledge.

Katie Galbraith

Congratulations to Katie Galbraith on receiving the APA Dissertation Research Award for 2023. This is a prestigious award that Katie received in recognition of her promising contribution to psychological science. Katie is from the Clinical Area, and she worked with Stan Huey.

Greg Flores

Congratulations to Greg Flores on receiving a SPOT Award from Dornsife! Greg was nominated by Christine Patugan, the Deputy Director of Departmental Operations in the Business Office. Greg works behind the curtains, but he does an incredible job managing our business transactions. He provides support above and beyond his regular duties, and this award is well deserved!

University of California, Santa Barbara / College of Letters & Science

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The Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences is home to world-renowned faculty, 70 Ph.D. students, and 2500 undergraduate majors. Together we are pursuing cutting-edge science that expands our understanding of the mind, brain, and behavior.

We are committed to ensuring that the pursuit of higher education is available to all of the best and brightest students in California and beyond. In addition, the department is committed to supporting student organizations , including the organizations listed below.

The Society of Undergraduate Psychologists provides opportunities for students pursuing a major in the PBS Department, as well as for students who simply have an interest in the field.

Psi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology, with a mission of recognizing and promoting excellence in the science and application of psychology.

Access Grads connects psychology undergraduates interested in graduate school with graduate student mentors, and aims to increase access to research careers for students from diverse backgrounds.

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Inside Psychology 2023

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MS in Clinical Psychoparmacology (Post Doctorate)

Increasing access to multi-dimensional mental health care

  Credit hours: 30

  On-campus (1 intensive Maymester course) and online courses

  Start terms:  fall

Apply to CU Denver

The post-doctoral masters of clinical psychopharmacology is designed to provide you with the didactic information to use clinical psychopharmacology information, comprehend new psychopharmacology research, and consider how this information can be integrated into an ethical and culturally responsive clinical psychology practice. Prescribing psychology has been shown to be a safe and effective step toward meeting the overwhelming unmet mental health needs in the US for over 30 years.  We are excited that the passage of HB-1701 in Colorado, now means that psychologists in Colorado have the opportunity to be part of this growing field.

The program is designed to meet the didactic requirements as laid out by the American Psychological Association and the state of Colorado for the training of prescribing psychologists.

• Program Highlights
• Learning Outcomes
• Tuition and Funding
• Admission Process and Deadline
• Admission Requirements

Becoming a prescribing psychologist doesn't just give you the power to prescribe medication, but also the power to unprescribe medication when the patient has reached their sustainable clinical goals to prevent medication overuse, reduce patient costs, and the impact of side effects. Our program will teach you to do both.

The program is primarily online, with the exception of a 1 week intensive on campus course in the summer between year 1 and 2 covering physical assessment and lab analysis. The program is designed for working professionals with weekly synchronous online class meetings, and asynchronous work. Academic year semesters will be divided into 8 week terms, with 2 classes per semester (so that students will take 2 courses per semester, but they take them sequentially rather than simultaneously). Courses are generally required to be completed in the order listed below, though exceptions could be made in unique situations.

The Psychopharmacology curriculum

The program is designed to meet the didactic requirements as laid out by the American Psychological Association and the state of Colorado for the training of prescribing psychologists. Complete the required courses in order:

• Clinical Science 1: Basic Science
• Clinical Science 2: Neuroscience
• Pathology and Pathophysiology
• Clinical Medicine
• Applied Clinical Science
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Neuropharmacology & Neurotherapeutics
• Clinical Psychopharmacology 1
• Clinical Psychopharmacology 2
• Professional & Ethical Issues

Third Year Clinical Psychopharmacology Fellowship Certificate

If you are on the Clinical Licensing Track and intend to pursue licensure, you will also need to complete the 3rd year Psychopharmacology Fellowship Certificate. This is designed to meet the supervised practice requirements of the state of Colorado. It is a period of not less than 12 months with a minimum of 750 hours with 150 unique patients . For those wishing to have a geriatric or pediatric special population endorsement for their Colorado license, 250 of those hours must be focused on the specific population desired (e.g. geriatric or pediatric).

Topics include:

• Observatory Fellowship – including physical assessment and integrative health components
• Prescribing Psychopharmacology Fellowship 1 – initial experience in supervised psychopharmacology practice
• Prescribing Psychopharmacology Fellowship 2 – expanded experience in supervised psychopharmacology practice

Program Objectives

Goal #1: prepare students to use clinical psychopharmacology scientific research., objectives for mscp goal #1:.

• 1a.Students will acquire knowledge of basic research methods in clinical psychopharmacology.
• 1b.Students will acquire basic understanding of statistical analytic methods in clinical psychopharmacology.
• 1c. Students will be able to read and integrate empirical research into their clinical psychopharmacology practice.

Competencies for Goal 1 Objectives:

• Demonstrate entry-level ability to review, integrate, and critically evaluate research in clinical psychopharmacology.
• Demonstrate entry-level ability to understand and share scientific psychopharmacology research findings to peers and patients.
• Demonstrate critical and integrative thinking skills as well as intellectual curiosity.

Goal #2: Students will be trained to be capable entry-level practitioners of clinical psychopharmacology information.

Objectives for goal #2:.

• 2a. Students will acquire information about human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and neuroscience.
• 2b. Students will acquire knowledge of theory and research to understand psychological disorders in the context of multi-dimensional aspect of physical health and illness.
• 2c. Students will acquire knowledge of theory and research and related skills to conduct effective evidence-based psychopharmacological assessment and psychopharmacological interventions.
• 2d. Students will acquire knowledge regarding the application of ethical concepts and awareness regarding professional activities.
• 2e. Students will be knowledgeable and sensitive to individual, group, and cultural differences in clinical practice.

Competencies for Goal 2 Objectives:

• Demonstrate entry-level knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience.
• Demonstrate entry-level ability to diagnose psychological disorders in the context of physical health and illness.
• Demonstrate entry-level ability to conduct psychopharmacological and physical assessment.
• Demonstrate entry-level ability to select and deliver empirically-supported and evidence-based psychopharmacological interventions.
• Understand ethical principles and demonstrate ethical behavior in the application of clinical psychopharmacology practice.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural and diversity issues and adapt clinical psychopharmacology practice accordingly.

PF_C Goal #1: Students will be trained to be competent as entry-level clinical psychopharmacology prescribers.

Objectives for pf_c goal #1:.

• 3a. Students will acquire basic knowledge of biopsychosocial principles and research relevant to clinical psychopharmacology.
• 3b. Students will acquire basic, entry-level skills to conduct diagnostic assessments, and provide psychopharmacology services in clinical psychology and integrated health settings.

Competencies for PF_C Goal #1 Objectives:

• Demonstrate knowledge of biopsychosocial principles in the application of psychopharmacology practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge of clinical psychopharmacology research and ability to integrate best-principles into practices.
• Demonstrate knowledge and entry-level skill in application of clinical psychopharmacology assessment and prescribing skills in clinical psychology and integrated health settings.

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Clinical Psychopharmacology MS students are accepted for Fall admission only. Applications by pre-doctoral applicants must submitted by July 15th. Post-doctoral candidates who submit by July 15th will receive priority consideration for admission and funding opportunities. Applications by post-doctoral candidates submitted after the deadline are considered on a rolling basis until the first day of the semester.

Application Materials

For applicants currently holding a phd or psyd in a mental health field:.

• Two letters of recommendation (must be from academic/professional sources)
• Arrange submission of official transcripts from all schools where graduate credit hours were taken
• Statement of purpose and goal of graduate study (Part 2, Question 6 on application).
• International students: Please contact International Education for requirements and guidance.

For pre-doctoral applicants:

• Three letters of recommendation (must be from academic/professional sources)
• Arrange submission of official transcripts from all schools where graduate and undergraduate credit hours were taken
• Professional De-identified Clinical Writing sample
• Optional: GRE score not required, but may be submitted to aid application file

University Graduate Admissions (How to Apply)

Post-doctoral Applicants

• Completion of a PsyD or PhD in a mental health field
• If licensed, must be in good standing.

Pre-doctoral Applicants

• Must be currently enrolled in a PsyD or PhD mental health program
• Must have successfully completed a minimum of 45 hours of graduate coursework in their mental health program with a minimum 3.0 GPA. As part of the graduate coursework requirement, the applicant must have evidence on their transcript that they completed the 5 courses below with a minimum of a B-/80% in each class:
• Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology/Diagnostics
• Biological Bases of Behavior/Neuroscience
• Research Methods
• Clinical Assessment/Interviewing/Clinical Practicum

Other professionals

For unique situations, please contact the program director prior to the July 15th application deadline to discuss your qualifications further.

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Lower Division (9 units)

• PSYC 101 - Introductory Psychology (3)
• PSYC 201 - Introduction to Statistics in Psychology (3) *
• PSYC 202 - Research Methods in Psychology (3) *

* May substitute a similar course in the major approved by the Psychology Department, plus take an additional 3-unit psychology course from Upper Division or Electives.

Upper Division (6 units)

One of the following (3 units):.

• PSYC 302 - Learning and Memory (3)
• PSYC 303 - Sensation and Perception (3)
• PSYC 304 - Comparative Animal Behavior (3)
• PSYC 305 - Cognitive Psychology (3)
• PSYC 306 - Biopsychology (3)
• PSYC 331 - Personality Psychology (3)
• PSYC 341 - Abnormal Psychology (3)
• PSYC 351 - Social Psychology (3)
• PSYC 361 - Developmental Psychology (3)

Electives (6 units)

Special requirements.

Each course counted toward the minor must be completed with a “C” (2.0) or better. No more than three units of PSYC 499    may be applied toward the minor. PSYC 494    may not be used toward the minor, but three units of the course may be counted toward units to graduate from the university. A minimum of 12 units counted toward the minor must have been completed in psychology at CSUF.

Total (21 units)

Stipends for doctoral students of psychology have not kept pace with cost of living in the U.S., study finds

A n online survey of doctoral students in psychology across the U.S. has shown that their annual stipends are not keeping pace with the rising cost of living. More than 80% of these students reported taking on additional debt to cover their living expenses. The survey also found that students who were more concerned about their financial situation were more likely to postpone getting married or having children and were also more likely to forego medical or mental health care. The paper was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology .

The cost of higher education in the United States has risen dramatically over the past several decades. Since the 1980s, tuition and fees at both public and private colleges and universities have increased by as much as 250%, which is a rate far exceeding inflation. For the 2021-2022 academic year, the average cost of tuition and fees was $38,185 at private colleges and $10,338 for state residents at public colleges.

This rise in costs has been driven by factors such as increased demand for higher education, reductions in state funding for public institutions, growing administrative expenses, and investments in facilities and technology. The escalating cost of higher education has led to a significant increase in student loan debt, which has become a major financial burden for many Americans.

In 2021, total student loan debt in the U.S. was estimated to be over $1.7 trillion. With around 44 million borrowers, the average debt is around $38,000 per borrower. This rising cost of higher education and the associated debt has sparked an ongoing debate about the value of a university degree and the need to reform the higher education system.

Research focusing on graduate psychology students has revealed that their debt levels have escalated from between $20,000-$60,000 around the turn of the millennium to recent estimates exceeding $122,000 and $231,000 for PhD and PsyD students, respectively. This level of debt is in stark contrast to the median annual salary for clinical psychologists, which stands at $90,000.

Study author Erica Szkody and her colleagues wanted to further explore the financial stress and debt situations of doctoral students in clinical psychology. They were interested in understanding the sources of funding and financial support these students receive, how they manage their finances, and the impact of financial stress on their future plans and mental health. They sought detailed insights through an online survey.

The survey included 912 doctoral students from scientist-practitioner and clinical scientist psychology graduate programs in the U.S., with 82% identifying as female and 73% as White. The participants represented a diverse geographical distribution across the country.

The survey inquired about the students’ incomes, including stipends, part-time employment, savings, and other sources of income, as well as their expenses, such as daily living costs, work and education-related expenditures, and their level of debt. It also explored issues related to financial stress, including delays in achieving life milestones due to financial concerns, living arrangements, and assessments related to financial hardship, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, sleep patterns, and sleep difficulties.

The findings indicated that half of the students received stipends covering all 12 months of the year, while 39% received support for 9 months. Despite variations in funding during the summer, over half of the participants reported some form of support. Savings among students varied significantly, with 50% reporting up to $5,000 in savings and 15% having none. Financial support from friends, family, partners, or child support was crucial for 72% of the students, especially during the summer months.

Despite program restrictions on part-time employment, 28% of students reported having part-time jobs at some point. Only 5% had no undergraduate student loan debt, and 19% had not taken out graduate student loans. The average loan size reported was around $77,000, with some students reporting debts as high as $500,000.

Most students shared housing with roommates, family members, or friends, with 86% renting homes or apartments. The average annual expenditure for students was approximately $17,500, against an average reported income of about $21,500, leaving them with around $4,000 in expendable pre-tax income. However, about 35% reported having no expendable income.

Approximately 43% of participants expressed significant stress about their financial debt, and 16% seriously considered discontinuing their doctoral studies due to financial difficulties. About half of the participants delayed life milestones due to financial concerns, most commonly postponing marriage, starting a family, having children, and participating in social activities.

Further analysis revealed that lower stipends, greater debt, and smaller savings were linked to higher financial stress and more time spent worrying about financial issues. Greater financial concerns were associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety, as well as reduced sleep quality.

“This study illustrates the inadequacy of current financial support for clinical psychology doctoral students,” the study authors concluded. “Most of the sample reported receiving a stipend that required them to take out significant loans during graduate school, which contributed to debt and financial stress.”

“We also now know that financial stress is related to symptoms of depression and anxiety, and poor sleep for clinical psychology doctoral students, as well as avoiding seeking proper health care, which makes financial stress in graduate school a topic of critical importance. University and program leadership are encouraged to advocate for increased financial support, as well as improve financial transparency and access to health care.”

The study sheds light on an important predicament current doctoral students face. However, it should be noted that study participants were exclusively students from clinical psychology programs that were members of the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology. Results might be somewhat different on students of other programs.

The paper, “ Financial stress and debt in clinical psychology doctoral students, ” was authored by Erica Szkody, Steven Hobaica, Sarah Owens, Jennifer Boland, Jason J. Washburn, and Debora Bell.