phd clinical psychology online apa accredited

PhD in Clinical Psychology

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Fielding’s doctoral program in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association. It is the only distributed learning program accredited by the APA. The Psychology PhD serves adults, many of whom who have trained or worked in the mental health field. Our unique distributed learning model blends the best of in-person learning opportunities with digital formats.

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] Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

For questions regarding the Clinical Psychology PhD Program contact [email protected].

About the Clinical Psychology Program

Application requirements.

Earning your doctorate in Clinical Psychology includes online and in-person seminars, meetings with faculty and other students in your region, weeklong residential sessions, as well as research and clinical training experiences.

The unique mix of online and residential learning provides flexible opportunities for individuals with career, family, and community responsibilities to achieve their advanced educational goals. Faculty are active scholars and practitioners with a wide variety of expertise, making it possible to offer training in a variety of therapeutic orientations and specialized concentrations in some of the most exciting growth areas of psychology.

• Conferred Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Online Application Form
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Statement of Purpose
• Critical Thinking Writing Sample
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• Official Transcript
• No GRE Required

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Apply now for fall 2025, student admissions, outcomes, and other data.

In accordance with requirements of the American Psychological Association (APA), Fielding Graduate University provides Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data pertaining to the education of our graduate students.

The Fielding Experience

• Become a member of a dynamic and diverse community of colleagues
• Interact with and learn from our expert faculty located all across the country
• Attend monthly professional development seminar in your geographic area
• Engage with alumni, faculty, and other students at sessions

Mission & Aims of the Program

Fielding’s APA accredited Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program is strongly aligned with the university’s mission to create a more humane, just, and sustainable world, and the university’s values that include academic excellence, community, diversity, and social justice.

Consistent with these values, a core mission of our program is to foster the inclusion of students from under-represented populations. These populations include students living in small communities, rural, or remote locations of the United States, students currently in the military or spouses of military members, adult learners with families, and students whose ongoing participation in their current communities cannot be halted for doctoral study elsewhere. These are student populations who are often unable to enter the field through preparation at a traditional university campus, yet these are the future psychologists for which the discipline and profession have expressed an urgent need.

In addition, our program aims to graduate entry-level scholar-practitioner psychologists who bring social justice values to their work as licensed health service professionals. Consistent with this overarching aim, we have four specific aims for our students, which must be achieved by the time of graduation.

• Students will demonstrate doctoral-level discipline-specific knowledge that represents the scientific and theoretical knowledge areas of the discipline of psychology (i.e., history and systems of psychology and the affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, and social bases of behavior).
• Students will demonstrate doctoral-level conceptualization, evaluation, analysis, and integration of discipline-specific knowledge across the curriculum.
• Students will demonstrate doctoral-level ability to understand and critique research; design, conduct, analyze, and communicate theoretically informed research; and conduct research in a manner that is culturally sensitive and consistent with legal code and ethical standards, including the APA ethics code.
• Students will demonstrate doctoral-level competence in the profession-wide competencies, including conducting an evidence-based diagnosis, assessment, and psychotherapy; and applying theory and research to develop case conceptualizations, treatment plans, and interventions that are consistent with legal and ethical standards and individual and cultural diversity factors.

Serving adults, many of whom have trained or worked in the mental health field, our unique distributed learning model blends the best of face-to-face learning opportunities with digital formats.

Faculty are active scholars and practitioners with a wide variety of expertise, which allows us to offer specialized concentrations and training in a variety of therapeutic orientations.

Geographic Eligibility

The program only considers applicants who reside in the contiguous United States and Canada. The program is not available to those residing internationally (except Canada). Applicants from Alaska and Hawaii may be considered pending confirmation of their ability and resources to attend local professional development seminars in contiguous U.S. on a regular basis, access to acceptable practicum training sites, and ability to relocate for internship. (Contact [email protected] to be put in touch with the Program Director for consideration prior to applying.)

Due to state licensing requirements, graduates of the program are not eligible for licensure in Oklahoma. For licensure information on your particular state of interest, please visit our Professional Licensure page [CLICK HERE].

School of Psychology News

The latest news, announcements, and special events from Fielding’s School of Psychology.

APA Award-Winning Research: Student La’ Toya Broughton’s Groundbreaking Study on Mental Health in Black Communities

By Fielding News | 2023-10-13T07:51:49-07:00 October 6th, 2023 |

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By Fielding News | 2023-09-27T07:14:30-07:00 September 27th, 2023 |

Alonso Center Presents: The Impact of AI on the Profession & Practice of Psychology

By Fielding News | 2023-08-22T09:52:07-07:00 August 21st, 2023 |

Why Choose Fielding for Your Psychology Degree?

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10 Best Online PhD in Clinical Psychology Programs [2024 Guide]

For a career as a licensed psychologist, you can take a look at clinical psychology PhD programs for the necessary training.

Getting a doctorate is an essential step in becoming a clinical psychologist who treats mental health disorders, joins the faculty of a university, or conducts psychology research.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Many clinical psychology schools offer online coursework so that you can complete some of the requirements for your doctoral program from afar. Through online classes, you could develop your skills as a competent, knowledgeable psychology professional.

Universities Offering Online Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Degree Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

1. California Southern University

California Southern University offers a Doctor of Psychology. The program requires the completion of 66 credits and a doctoral program. It can typically be finished in 4 to 5 years by full-time students. Potential courses include Advanced Theories of Personality, Advanced Psychopathology, and Statistical Methods and Analysis.

California Southern University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

2. Capella University

Capella University’s PsyD in Psychology program includes a blend of online learning and in-person experiences. It requires the completion of a dissertation and participation in a clinical practicum and internships.

Potential courses include Advanced Psychopathology, Theory and Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Psychology, and Neuropsychological Assessment. The program is designed to prepare students for state licensure.

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

3. Fielding Graduate University

Fielding Graduate University offers a PhD in Clinical Psychology program that includes online and in-person learning.

Potential courses include Psychopathology, Multicultural Psychology, and Developmental Bases of Behavior. The program also requires the completion of a dissertation and participation in more than 1500 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum and internship experiences.

Fielding Graduate University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

4. Liberty University

Liberty University offers a PhD in Psychology program that requires the completion of 60 credit hours and a dissertation under faculty mentorship. It usually takes 3 years to finish. Courses can be taken in a 100% online, 8 week format. The curriculum is designed to teach about human thought and behavior from a biblical worldview.

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

5. Meridian University

Meridian University offers a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology. The program offers several optional concentrations, including Collective Trauma and Social Healing, Transformative Leadership, Somatic Psychology, and Organizational Development. Courses are offered in hybrid and online formats and follow a quarterly academic calendar.

Meridian University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

6. Regent University

Regent University’s online PhD in Counseling and Psychological Studies program requires the completion of 51 credit hours. All courses are taught from a Christian worldview. Concentration options include Human Services Counseling, Addictions Counseling, Marriage and Family Ministry, Industrial-Organizational, Trauma and Crisis Counseling and more.

Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

7. Saint Mary’s University

Saint Mary’s University offers a Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology. This program requires the completion of 87 credits and two community practicum placements. It can typically be completed in 4 years. Classes meet on Wednesdays and Thursdays and have afternoon or evening time slots. It is possible to continue working while in the program.

Saint Mary’s University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

8. Saybrook University

Saybrook University offers a PhD in Clinical Psychology that can be earned online. The program usually takes 5 years of full-time study to finish. It is designed to prepare students for professional licensure in many states. Optional specializations are available in Advanced Psychological Assessment, Complex Trauma and the Healing Process, Existential and Humanistic Psychology, and more.

Saybrook University is accredited by the Senior Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

9. University of Colorado – Denver

The University of Colorado—Denver offers a licensure-track School Psychology PsyD program with a 100% job placement rate. It offers an optional Bilingual Spanish-English School Psychologist concentration. The program usually takes 4 years to complete. Potential courses include Introduction Counseling in School Psychology, Biological and Neuropsychological Bases of Behavior, and School-Based Multicultural Interventions.

CU Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

10. Walden University

Walden University offers a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Much of the program can be completed online, but to gain hands-on experience a supervised practicum, internships, and four 4 day residences are required. The program offers specializations in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Health, Forensic Psychology, and Teaching.

Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Clinical Psychology PhD Programs Online

Psychology is an interesting and important field of study. Professional psychologists help people through mental illnesses, life stresses, and major decisions.

Whether a psychologist works as a practitioner or researcher, they can contribute to the well-being of other people. If your goal is to become a clinical psychologist, then you’ll first be required to earn a doctoral degree, such as a PhD.

The requirements for a psychology PhD may include:

• Doctoral-level coursework
• Writing and defending a dissertation

The classes for this degree might cover advanced topics in various branches of psychology, such as social and behavioral psychology. You might also study ethics, assessment techniques, and pharmacology.

Research classes can be important for doctoral students as well. They can help prepare you for conducting your own original research and writing your dissertation. Clinical psychologists’ work often focuses on people with mental illnesses. Within this field, you can choose to specialize in a particular area. Examples include treating adolescent patients or working in the criminal justice system.

During your program, you will spend time working in real-world psychology settings. You can gain quite a lot of experience through these practicums and internships. Accredited psychology doctorates may balance online and in-person learning. Taking some classes online could help you fit schooling into a busy schedule. Industry-accredited colleges also have students come to campus for a portion of their studies.

Earning a PhD from a program accredited by the American Psychology Association (APA) will qualify you to take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. A passing score is required for state psychology licensure.

With licensure, you could become a practicing psychologist who treats patients. Some psychology professionals also join a college faculty, lead a mental health organization, conduct research, or work as a consultant.

Common Online PhD in Clinical Psychology Concentrations

Most psychology PhD students specialize in a particular area of psychology. Doing so can increase your expertise in that area and tailor your education to your professional goals.

• Child Psychology . For a career spent working with children and their families, you may want a doctoral program that focuses on the psychological needs of young people. You can learn about human development, child-onset disorders, and treatment options for kids and adolescents.
• Forensic Psychology . After completing this specialization, you’ll know more about mental health law, the role of expert witnesses, criminal profiling, and juvenile justice. The courses will help prepare you for a job in the criminal justice system.
• Healthcare Psychology . Professionals in health psychology study the relationship between the mind and the body. They use psychological principles to influence people’s health behaviors and outcomes.
• Industrial-Organizational Psychology . The field of I-O psychology addresses psychological factors—such as conflict, group culture, and change management—in workplace settings. Choosing this track might prepare you to work as a consultant.
• Teaching and Instruction . If you have an academic career in mind, then you might want to choose a teaching specialization that will prepare you for the role. You may learn how to design curriculum, deliver instruction, conduct evaluations, and supervise psychology students.

Your concentration track will probably influence the setting that you choose for your psychology PhD internship. It should play a role in selecting the topic for your dissertation as well.

Clinical Psychology Careers and Salaries

The goal of many students is to earn a clinical psychology PhD so they can become licensed and work as practicing psychologists.

Clinical psychologists may see patients in private clinics, hospitals, and mental health facilities. Although clinical psychology will be your overarching field of practice, your work might overlap with other branches of psychology as well. Depending on your previous training and your professional interests, you might be involved with industrial-organizational, forensic, or school psychology, for example.

You could also work as a counselor or a therapist by a different name. For instance, you might be considered a substance abuse counselor, a mental health counselor, a marriage and family therapist, or a behavioral disorder counselor.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , psychologists earn a median annual salary of $81,040.

Job titles and qualifications for some counseling and therapy roles vary from one state to the next. Earning a doctorate might advance your qualifications for leadership roles.

Some professionals lead other psychologists and counselors as the head of a nonprofit or community agency. Others might manage a healthcare organization, especially one that specializes in the field of mental health. People with PhDs sometimes teach college classes. As a professor, you might work with undergraduate or graduate students. Also, part of that job might involve research.

Being a researcher is a career path that you could pursue outside of an academic setting as well. Social scientists may work for the government or organizations that focus on education, marketing, healthcare, or human services.

Clinical Psychology Doctorate Curriculum & Courses

During your PhD in Psychology program, you can advance your knowledge with classes that provide new information, challenge your thinking, and encourage you to be a curious researcher.

• Advanced Social Psychology : The subfield of social psychology focuses on interactions between individuals and groups and addresses topics like prejudice, conformity, and social pressure.
• Biopsychology : As you study neuroscience, you’ll explore its relationship to psychology and consider the interplay between brain activity and behavior.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy : Studying CBT and related therapies may require both classroom instruction time and experiential learning in a practice setting.
• Development Across the Lifespan : This class will go beyond your undergrad studies in lifespan development and dig into the roles that genetics and environment play in people’s growth.
• History of Psychology : You’ll look into the history and development of psychological study and schools of thought.
• Mental Health and the Legal System : Through studies in mental health law, this class can prepare you to work in the criminal justice system.
• Psychological Tests : This course will teach you to give assessments and tests to patients and accurately interpret the results.
• Psychopathology of Young People : You’ll look at mental and behavioral disorders that begin in childhood, consider their medical classifications, and discuss treatment options.
• Research in Psychology : During one or more courses, you’ll learn about quantitative and qualitative research methods used in the field of psychology.
• Supervising in Psychology : You can learn how to effectively supervise and guide psychology students who are training to become independent practitioners.

In addition, completing your program will likely require an internship that’s worth several credit hours. You may also be required to write a dissertation.

Admissions Requirements

Doctoral programs are rigorous, so you’re often required to submit application materials that show you’re up to the challenge. Common requirements include:

• College transcripts that show courses taken, GPA, and degrees earned
• GRE scores, including the GRE Psychology subject test (often optional or not required)
• Letters of reference
• A resume that shows relevant experience in research or clinical practice
• Sample of your writing

Many schools accept applicants who have earned a Bachelor of Psychology online or on-campus, as well as those with traditional bachelor’s degrees. While a master’s degree may not be a requirement, it could potentially reduce the number of doctoral classes that you’re required to take. A growing number of universities now offer a masters in clinical psychology online .

Clinical Psychology Doctorate Programs Accreditation

Regional accreditation serves as a testament to a school’s reliability. Colleges apply for accreditation and are evaluated by one of the nation’s seven regional accrediting agencies .

After showing that they meet the organization’s standards, they are approved as regionally accredited institutions. Accreditation can make a difference in your educational experience and your career. Choosing a regionally accredited school is essential for using financial aid, transferring credits, qualifying for licensure, and being hired as a psychologist.

PhD in Clinical Psychology Programs APA Accreditation

In addition to regional accreditation, it’s also advisable to look for programmatic accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) . This industry organization evaluates doctorate in clinical psychology programs to make sure that they properly prepare students to work as professional psychologists.

Becoming licensed may depend on attending an APA accredited school. State regulations can vary, but accreditation is a common requirement. The APA does not accredit online-only programs, so at least a portion of your studies would need to be done in person.

Clinical Psychology Licensure and Certifications

To work as a professional clinical psychologist who sees patients independently, it’s necessary to become licensed by your state after graduating with your doctorate.

The application packet that you send to your state may include:

• Fee (often several hundred dollars)
• Transcripts showing completion of an APA-accredited psychology doctorate
• Records detailing your practicum and internship hours
• Passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology

In addition, the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) offers board certification in various specialty areas. Examples of specialty areas include forensic psychology, clinical neuropsychology, serious mental illness, police and public safety, and clinical child and adolescent.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

There may be funding opportunities available to you to help you cover the cost of your doctoral studies. State or federal government loans could help with upfront tuition payments. Some students might also receive grants. The first step is to see if you qualify by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) .

You could explore scholarship or fellowship opportunities from various organizations as well. Examples include national psychology groups or membership associations. Some colleges offer stipends to PhD students, but they may be reserved for those in on-campus programs. If you’re an online student with a full-time job, your workplace might contribute.

What Can You Do with a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology?

Having a doctorate in clinical psychology can help qualify you to become licensed in your state as a professional psychologist.

Licensed clinical psychologists work with people who have mental illnesses or other mood or behavioral concerns. Psychologists often see patients in hospitals, mental health clinics, or educational settings. Teaching college classes could be another line of work to consider.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, full-time professors often engage in research in addition to teaching. Some PhD graduates are managers. They may lead teams of healthcare staff or employees of nonprofit mental health organizations.

How Long Is an Online Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program?

You might be able to earn your online doctorate in clinical psychology within 3 to 5 years. It will depend on the program’s requirements and how much time you can commit to your studies. Part-time enrollment usually takes longer than full-time.

Online programs without dissertation requirements may take just 3 years. PhDs that include a dissertation often last longer. The exact length will depend on how quickly your project comes together, but many students spend about 5 years on their PhD studies. Schools often allow up to 7 or 8 years for finishing the program.

What’s the Difference Between PsyD vs. PhD Programs in Clinical Psychology?

There are two types of doctoral programs available to psychology students. Either can lead to a successful career, but it’s worthwhile to learn the differences between them.

Both types of doctoral programs usually include internships and can be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

What’s the Difference Between Doctoral Programs in Clinical Psychology vs. Counseling Psychology?

You can prepare for a career as a psychologist by studying either clinical or counseling psychology.

There are distinctions between these two fields, but even still, there is a lot that these two branches of psychology have in common.

Is a Clinical Psychology PhD Worth It?

Yes, a clinical psychology PhD is worth it for many professionals. Clinical psychologists provide treatment for people with mental and emotional health issues, or they offer invaluable research and instruction in that area. This is a career choice that can make a lasting difference in people’s safety, happiness, and well-being.

Employment for psychologists is steady, and some subfields are experiencing notable growth. Overall, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 6% growth rate for psychology positions over the next decade. In the area of clinical and counseling psychology, a 10% rate of growth is expected.

Getting Your Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Online

Becoming a practicing clinical psychologist requires earning a doctoral degree, and you can take online classes to help fulfill the requirements for this degree.

Through a distance-learning format, you can learn from experienced professors and engage in meaningful assignments. Getting a doctorate in psychology can provide valuable flexibility for working professionals, and you may be able to put some of the lessons into practice right away. After completing your doctorate, you’ll likely be ready to take your career to its next stage.

To find the online opportunity that’s right for you, you can start exploring accredited colleges with PhD in Psychology programs.

• Best Online Programs
• Best Campus Programs
• Behavior Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling & Mental Health
• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• General Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Industrial/Organizational
• Marriage Family Therapy
• Social Psychology
• Social Work
• Educational Psychologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Family Psychologists
• Marriage Family Therapist
• School Psychologist
• Social Psychologist
• School Counselors
• Neuropsychologist
• I/O Psychologist
• Sports Psychologist
• Addiction Counselor
• Mental Health Psychologist
• Counseling Psychologist
• Occupational Psychologist
• Child Psychiatrist
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia
• PsyD vs PhD

Best Online PhD in Clinical Psychology Program Rankings

Earning a doctorate in clinical psychology, or a closely related specialization within the field, can often be the most important academic step toward a rewarding and challenging career in psychology.

While most Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs in psychology don’t have any options for online education, there are a handful of Ph.D. in Psychology programs, including many that offer clinical specialization, that can be earned entirely or mostly online.

Let’s explore online Ph.D. in Psychology programs and learn more about what prospective students need to know about each one.

Schools On This Page

• Capella University

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

• Walden University

Northcentral University

Fielding graduate university, saybrook university, regent university, university of the cumberlands, liberty university, michigan state university, #1 capella university.

Most coursework for Capella’s general psychology Online Ph.D. can be completed online, and students will be required to complete about 12 days total of residency experiences over the course of their doctoral program, all of which are focused on the dissertation process. Six concentration areas are available.

Capella’s online Ph.D. may not meet the internship requirements in most states, so learners should be sure to consult the laws and regulations where they plan to practice before making any decisions.

*Visit Capella University

• Institution type: Private, for-profit
• Delivery method: Hybrid
• Headquarters: Minneapolis
• Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission
• Degrees offered: PhD in Psychology
• Possible concentrations: Ethics & Multicultural Issues in Psychology, Survey Construction & Administration, Multivariate Statistics: Theory & Application, Advanced Quantitative Analysis, Program Evaluation, Research in Psychology.
• Expected total PhD tuition: Inquire
• Prerequisites: Master’s degree

#2 Walden University

Walden’s 100% online Ph.D. in Psychology allows students to choose from one of six specialty areas, making it ideal for those who have an interest in a particular psychology niche. The program also has a few options when it comes to previous experience. Students with a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related area can start right after completing their undergraduate, while those who have a master’s degree can cut some time off the total investment.

The program isn’t accredited by the American Psychological Association, so students hoping to earn state licensure may need to add a supervised internship experience before applying for licensure in their state.

• Delivery method: 100% online
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Possible concentrations: Educational Psychology, Social Psychology, Health Psychology, Teaching in Psychology, Research in Psychology
• Prerequisites: Bachelor’s entry and master’s entry
• Visit school: Click here

With several possible Ph.D. degrees that can be earned mostly online , The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has some of the most robust online Ph.D. options. Most of the programs require some in-person experiences and internships, but degree options range from International Psychology to Organizational Leadership.

Most programs require students to have master’s degrees in psychology or related fields, but none of the school’s online Ph.D. programs are accredited by the APA, so students hoping to seek professional licensure will want to be sure they closely scrutinize all internship requirements in the states where they plan to practice.

• Institution type: Private, not-for-profit
• Delivery method: Mixed (PhD in International Psychology can be earned mostly online, others require some in-person coursework)
• Headquarters: Chicago
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools & Colleges Senior College and University Commission
• Degrees offered: PhD in International Psychology, PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, PhD in Business Psychology, PhD in Organizational Leadership, PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis
• Possible concentrations: Organizations & Systems, Trauma Services, Consulting, Industrial-Organizational Psychology
• Prerequisites: Master’s degree in psychology or closely related field
• Visit school:  Click here

Northcentral University’s unique online Ph.D. options are ideal for students who don’t want to wait until the start of a new school year to begin their doctoral journey. That’s because each learner is the center of their own education, and classes start every Monday.

Eight specializations are on offer, including in substance use disorders, gender, counseling and more. And while most tracks aren’t designed to lead to professional licensure, students can opt to take the California Licensure Track, which focuses on earning the state license for counseling.

• Headquarters: San Diego
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
• Possible concentrations: Addictions, General Psychology, Health Psychology, Mental Health Policy and Practice, Counseling Psychology, Psychology of Gender and Sexual Fluidity, Gerontology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Trauma and Disaster Relief, Counseling Psychology, California Licensure Track
• Prerequisites: Master’s degree in psychology, counseling or related field

Fielding Graduate University offers one of the few Clinical Psychology Ph.D. programs on our list that’s also accredited by the APA. While students will sacrifice an entirely online delivery, the added benefit of the APA’s seal of approval may be valuable for students who want to pursue professional licensure.

Most coursework is done online, but students will need to attend some in-person seminars and meetings in their region, in addition to weeklong residential sessions, research and clinical experiences.

• Headquarters: Santa Barbara, California
• Accreditation: American Psychological Association (APA)
• Degrees offered: PhD in Clinical Psychology
• Possible concentrations: Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Social Justice and Diversity, Neuropsychology
• Expected total PhD tuition: $145,500
• Prerequisites: Bachelor’s

With a combination of online coursework and in-person seminars, workshops and intensive experiences, Saybrook University’s Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is one of only a few that can be earned mostly online.

The program is not accredited by the APA, but the educational aspects are designed to meet the licensure standards in many states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Delaware, Hawaii, New York, Ohio, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

• Headquarters: Pasadena, California
• Accreditation: Senior Commission of Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Expected total PhD tuition: $137,000
• Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field

Regent University’s online counseling psychology Ph.D. tracks are ideal for students who want an online psychology doctorate that’s grounded in the Christian faith tradition. Students can choose from a wide array of focus areas within their doctoral program, including addictions, grief, biblical counseling, life coaching and more.

Regent’s programs won’t meet the practicum experience requirements that most states have for professional licensure, but interested students should be sure to examine the rules in their state before making their final decisions.

• Headquarters: Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
• Degrees offered: PhD in Counseling & Psychological Studies
• Possible concentrations: Addictions Counseling, Biblical Counseling, Grief Counseling, Human Services Counseling, Human Services for Student Affairs, International, Life Coaching, Marriage & Family Ministry, Pastoral Counseling, Research, Trauma & Crisis Counseling
• Expected total PhD tuition: $36,225

University of the Cumberlands is home to an online Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision that offers three possible focus areas, addiction, counseling and leadership. The degree track does require in-person practicum experiences, making it a hybrid program.

While it’s not accredited by the APA, the inclusion of a supervised internship experience may be a boost in states where APA-accredited degrees aren’t the only types of doctoral degrees accepted for licensure.

• Headquarters: Williamsburg, Kentucky
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs
• Degrees offered: PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision
• Possible concentrations: Addiction, Advanced Counseling, Leadership
• Expected total PhD tuition: $26,400
• Prerequisites: Master’s degree in counseling or psychology

Liberty University’s evangelical Christian tradition serves as the foundation of its entirely online Ph.D. in Psychology. Four concentration areas are available, including the popular and emerging fields of industrial-organizational and developmental psychology.

Optional on-campus intensives are offered for students with the ability to travel to Virginia, or who already live in the area, but the degree does not include an internship requirement. However, students will be able to contribute to research through their dissertations.

• Headquarters: Lynchburg, Virginia
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• Possible concentrations: General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Social Psychology
• Expected total PhD tuition: $39,970

Michigan State’s Ph.D. in Counseling, Educational Psychology & Special Education is unique among Ph.D. programs at major research universities. That’s because the program is designed to offer an optional hybrid online/in-person delivery method that allows working professionals to complete a doctorate without giving up their careers.

The majority of the program’s work is done online, and students who are able to get the time away from their jobs and families can visit campus for a semester of face-to-face courses. While the program does not include an internship experience, it does require a dissertation, and the online program is designed to be completed in just five years. Michigan State’s educational psychology department is APA-accredited, but because the online Ph.D. does not include a practicum or internship, it may not fulfill educational requirements for licensure in some states.

• Institution type: Public
• Headquarters: East Lansing, Michigan
• Accreditation: American Psychological Association
• Degrees offered: PhD in Counseling, Educational Psychology & Special Education
• Expected total PhD tuition: $60,000 (out-of-state)

While the bulk of online Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology, as well as other specialties in the field, can be earned only through in-person, traditional coursework, the handful of programs that can be completed entirely or mostly online gives students who require the flexibility at least a few options that may be right for them.

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Online Doctorate in (Clinical) Psychology – PhD Programs

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Pursuing psychology as an academic discipline creates fertile soil for the seeds of a career to grow in almost any industry. Because psychology is the directed study of the inner workings of the human mind, human behavior, and human motivation, its applications can propel someone into business leadership, human resources management, corrections, gerontology, rehabilitation, vocational and school counseling, educational design, and much more. 

As a subfield, clinical psychology is the study and practice of providing comprehensive mental and behavioral healthcare to individuals, families, and groups from all backgrounds. Although those pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology may choose to specialize in a certain disorder (e.g., addiction) or population (e.g., veterans), clinical psychology PhDs are often generalist degrees that provide a breadth of knowledge and a wide range of treatment options for a diverse client base.

According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS 2022), the job outlook for practicing psychologists between 2021 and 2031 is good. The BLS predicts that openings in the occupation will grow 6 percent in that decade, adding 11,300 new jobs for a total of 192,900 positions nationwide. This growth rate is nearly on par with the national growth rate for all occupations during that time period, which is an estimated 5 percent. Increasing needs for aging populations, trauma survivors, war veterans, and those with developmental disorders are all cited as reasons for the positive job growth. Also, many psychologists are expected to retire in the next decade, driving the demand for newly qualified psychologists to replace them. 

Those interested in joining the corps of mental health professionals who heal and foster human thriving through practice or research will have plenty of choices when looking for hybrid, online, and on-campus doctorate programs in clinical psychology that award PhDs, and some options for 100 percent online programs. 

Hybrid PhD in clinical psychology programs offer a balanced learning methodology that combines online didactic coursework with on-campus immersions, residences, internships, or orientations. While some of what a doctoral student in clinical psychology learns requires face-to-face instruction or experience, the online component provides increased flexibility over a classical full-time on-campus program. Those living far from a university campus, with demanding schedules, or those who can’t relocate for the duration of the program may be particularly suited to hybrid clinical psychology PhD programs.

This comprehensive guide to online doctorates in clinical psychology that confer a PhD discusses the difference between a PsyD and PhD, and common admissions requirements and courses in clinical psychology PhD programs. This guide also introduces prospective students to accreditation standards, features hybrid and online PhD in clinical psychology programs, distinguished online professors, and possible career pathways for those graduating with a PhD in clinical psychology.

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Psyd vs phd in clinical psychology: what’s the difference.

The main difference between a doctorate of psychology (PsyD) program and a doctorate of philosophy (PhD) program is the training emphasis. 

PsyD programs are focused on training graduates to become clinicians and focus heavily on clinical work. By contrast, a PhD program in clinical psychology prepares graduates to become scientist-practitioners and places more emphasis on research. 

While PsyD programs were developed in response to the concern that PhD in psychology graduates weren’t prepared for clinical practice, technically, both PhD and PsyD programs can prepare someone for work as a practicing psychologist.  A student with an earned PhD in clinical psychology who wishes to earn licensure as a psychologist may have to complete licensure requirements independently of the program. The research emphasis in a PhD program opens students to career opportunities outside of clinical practice if desired.

Typical Admissions Requirements for Online PhD Programs in (Clinical) Psychology

Students interested in entering a doctoral psychology program that points them toward a clinical career can find a wide array of admissions requirements, depending on the program. It is imperative that degree seekers take the time to understand if they fulfill all admissions requirements by carefully reading through admissions pages and/or by speaking with admissions officers. Applicants may need to provide any or all of the following to be considered for admission into an online PhD program in clinical psychology:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution
• Official transcripts demonstrating a minimum GPA at all previously attended post-secondary institutions
• Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
• Statement of purpose
• Writing samples
• Three recommendation letters
• Application fee
• Work experience
• Mental health license or proof of pre-license
• GRE or MAT scores

Courses in Online PhD Programs in (Clinical) Psychology

Coursework in clinical psychology PhD programs offered online vary widely from program to program, and may also vary based on a student’s chosen specialization, concentration, or focus. The following list is a sample of coursework that a student could expect when choosing to pursue an online PhD in psychology:

• Biological bases of behavior
• Clinical interviewing
• Cognitive and affective bases of behavior
• Developmental bases of behavior
• Ethics and laws in psychotherapy and behavioral science research
• Fundamentals of psychophysiology supplement
• History and systems of psychology
• Introduction to psychotherapy: technique
• Introduction to psychotherapy: theory
• Legal, ethical and professional practice
• Multicultural psychology
• Optimal functioning: psychophysiological applications in the community, school, sports, and workplace
• Personality theory and research
• Principles and theories of stress management
• Psychopathology
• Psychophysiological recording, assessment, and interventions
• Psychotherapy proseminar: humanistic psychology
• Research in psychotherapy
• Social bases of behavior
• Stimulation technologies

Supervised Clinical Hour Requirements & Internships – Online Doctorate in (Clinical) Psychology

Gaining licensure to practice independently as a mental health clinician or psychologist requires professionals to complete a certain threshold of supervised work hours under a licensed clinician. 

For example, in California , applicants for licensure as a psychologist must have completed at least 3,000 supervised professional experience hours, 1,500 of which must be completed post-doctorally. Whether or not an online PhD in clinical psychology program requires supervised hours and internships depends on whether the program is a licensure preparation program. 

Some clinically-focused PhD programs are designed for already-licensed or pre-licensed mental health professionals looking for expanded leadership opportunities, deeper disciplinary skills and knowledge, entry into professorship, or the desire to add to the lexicon of research in the clinical psychology arena. These programs often clearly state that the program is not designed to help with licensure. If an internship is offered, it will often be optional. Any desired supervised clinical hours must be pursued individually and outside the course sequence.

Online PhD programs in psychology that prepare students as much as possible for licensure will weave supervised clinical hours and internship experiences into the course sequence. Some online PhDs in psychology allow students to find supervisors for internships and practicum experiences nearby, while others require online students to choose from a curated list or relocate for the duration of the internship.

Program Accreditation for Online PhD Programs in (Clinical) Psychology

At its most basic level, accreditation is a sign that universities are providing educational interventions that adhere to certain standards for quality and practical relevance. To earn accreditation, universities submit to being evaluated by a third-party accrediting organization whose central purpose is to determine whether or not the university is adhering to these standards. 

Prospective students interested in applying to PhD programs in psychology should ensure that the institutions they’re applying to are accredited at either the regional or national level by accrediting organizations recognized by the Department of Education (DOE) or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) .

At a programmatic level, the American Psychology Association (APA) has long been considered the gold standard for programmatic accreditation for doctoral-level programs in psychology. In addition to being a benchmark for quality instruction, some states require that psychology professionals graduate from an APA-accredited program in order to pursue licensure to practice. 

At the time of this writing, however, the APA does not accredit online-only PhD doctoral programs , stating, “Some accredited programs may offer online courses or other content via distance education in an adjunctive role. These courses cannot represent a substantial nature of program content and certain classes (e.g., practicum) are not considered appropriate for this instructional method. Any online courses in accredited programs should be noted as such in public materials.” 

As a result, APA accreditation generally only occurs for hybrid or blended programs that include a minimum threshold of on-campus or in-person requirements. 

A prospective clinical psychology PhD applicant must understand how the APA figures into their state’s licensure requirements and whether or not the universities without APA recognition help students to gain the skills necessary for licensure.

Featured Online & Hybrid (Clinical) Psychology PhD Programs

Fielding Graduate University (Hybrid)

Fielding Graduate University offers a hybrid online and in-person clinical psychology PhD program that aims to create a more humane, just, and sustainable world by creating programming accessible to students from underrepresented populations and by graduating students who bring values of social and ecological justice to their work. 

Fielding offers the only distributed learning program accredited by the APA. Students enrolled in the 179-credit program earn a pathway master’s after the first two years of study. They can choose a concentration in forensic psychology, health psychology, neuropsychology, or social justice and diversity. 

On-campus requirements in this program include a weeklong orientation and two weeklong residencies in the program’s first two years. Some concentrations and seminars require additional on-campus presence as well. Students are also required to complete 600 residency hours, 1,500 practicum hours, and a 1,520-hour, one-year internship in the terminal year of the program that may require relocation to complete. 

Coursework in the program includes cognitive assessment, history and systems of psychology, biological bases of behavior, and multicultural psychology. No GRE scores are required to apply, and students without a master’s degree can also apply to Fielding.

• Location: Santa Barbara, CA
• Accreditation: American Psychological Association (APA)
• Duration: Five to six years
• Tuition: $9,700 per term

Lesley University (Hybrid)

Lesley University offers a low-residency PhD in expressive therapies designed for experienced art therapy professionals looking to advance in higher education or transition to leadership in the art therapy discipline. 

Coursework in the 45-credit program includes a series of residency experiences and doctoral seminars covering philosophical foundations of expressive art therapies, leadership in art therapy, ethics, teaching and research in higher education, and the explorations of the contextual framework for research questions. Students must attend one three-week summer intensive residency in Cambridge each year for the program’s first three years. 

A program for working art therapists, Lesley’s program requires applicants to have a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, certification or registration in at least one expressive therapy modality, GRE or MAT scores, and a minimum of three years of professional experience working as an expressive therapist. 

• Location: Cambridge, MA
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Duration: Four years
• Tuition: $64,915 total

Northcentral University (Online)

Northcentral University offers a 100 percent online 60-credit PhD in psychology that is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals who have an earned clinical master’s degree that included a practicum or internship. Students enrolled in the program can choose between ten available specializations, including addictions, the psychology of gender and sexual fluidity, general psychology, gerontology, health psychology, industrial organizational psychology, mental health policy, and practice, trauma and disaster relief, counseling psychology, and counseling psychology (California licensure track). 

With the exception of the counseling psychology (California licensure track), none of Northcentral’s programs are specifically designed to prepare students for licensure and do not provide any internship, practicum, or residency opportunities. The CA licensure track prepares PhD graduates only for the academic requirements needed for licensure in the state, and students will need to organize clinical requirements for licensure independently. 

Coursework across the programs includes research design planning, tests and measurements, scholarly writing and professional communication in psychology, and advanced qualitative and quantitative analysis and design. No GRE scores are required to apply. Those with master’s degrees outside of psychology, mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or social work may have to complete additional coursework before starting their PhD coursework.

• Location: San Diego, CA
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
• Duration: Four to seven years
• Tuition: $69,490 total

Saybrook University (Hybrid)

Saybrook University offers a hybrid online/in-person PhD in clinical psychology program that provides the coursework requirements to become a licensed clinical psychologist in 13 states. 

Students in the 108-credit program can enroll in one of four 15-credit specializations in consciousness, spirituality, and integrative health; creativity studies; existential and humanistic psychology, or psychophysiology. 

On-campus requirements for the program include a two-day residential orientation, two five-day residential conferences per year, and one optional three-day intensive midterm residential conference. Students enrolled in the program must complete a 600-hour minimum practicum over two semesters and a 12- to 24-month internship with a minimum of 1,500 clinical training hours. 

Coursework in the program includes ethics and laws in psychotherapy and behavioral science research, the psychology of multiculturalism in North America, social psychology, and integrative health psychology: the application of psychological concepts and tools to health. 

Students who enroll in the Saybrook program with a bachelor’s degree can earn a master’s degree on the way to the PhD. Although Saybrook is not an APA-accredited program, the program can be adjusted to meet APA equivalency in the student’s intended state of practice. GRE/MAT scores are not required to apply but can be submitted to strengthen an application.

• Location: Pasadena, California
• Duration: Five years
• Tuition: $1,514 per credit 

Walden University (Hybrid)

Walden University offers a hybrid online/in-person PhD in clinical psychology that prepares students to become practitioners, faculty members, consultants, administrators, or researchers. Walden’s blended learning approach prepares students to qualify to sit for psychology licensing exams by meeting the academic requirements stipulated by some state psychology boards. 

Students enrolled in this program will be expected to complete at least two of the four required four-day residencies in a face-to-face format, and will also need to complete one academic year in residence in the sixth through ninth quarters of the program. The year-in-residence program combines online coursework with face-to-face experiences in Minneapolis. 

Students enrolled in the 143-quarter-credit program can choose to pursue a general program or specialize in forensic psychology, health, industrial and organizational psychology, or teaching. Coursework in the program includes psychopathology from a clinical perspective, interpersonal psychotherapy, psychology and social change, and cognitive and affective bases of behavior. After completing a two-course practicum, students are also expected to complete four internship courses that help them to gain 2,000 supervised clinical clock hours, 900 of which must be direct client contact hours. GRE/MAT scores are not required to apply to Walden.

• Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Accreditation:  The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Duration: Five to eight years
• Tuition: $515 per credit

Professors to Know in Online PhD Programs in (Clinical) Psychology

Michelle Ackerman, PhD

Northcentral University

Dr. Michelle Ackerman is an associate professor of psychology at the doctoral level in the Department of Psychology at Northcentral University. Dr. Ackerman’s areas of expertise include cognitive aging, cognitive and physical training in impaired and unimpaired older adults, and mobility and driving in older adults.  She has taught doctoral-level courses in scholarly writing and professional communication, research methods, history and systems in psychology, and more

Dr. Ackerman is a published scholar, with works appearing in refereed journals such as the Journal of Applied Gerontology , the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing , Accident Analysis and Prevention , and The Gerontologist . 

Dr. Ackerman is a seasoned academic professional, with over 10 years of experience as a professor and one year as a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Research on Applied Gerontology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She earned all her graduate degrees and certificates from UAB: a graduate certificate in gerontology, a master of art in developmental psychology, and a PhD in developmental psychology.

April Fallon, PhD

Fielding Graduate University

Dr. April Fallon is a member of the doctoral faculty for clinical psychology at Fielding Graduate University. Her research interests include the assessment of clinically significant impulsivity, ethical hot spots of combined therapy, and informed consent in group psychotherapy. 

Dr. Fallon’s academic works appear in several peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless , the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy , Psychiatry Research , and Psychological Review . She is affiliated with many professional organizations, such as the American Psychological Association, the American Group Therapy Association, and the Philadelphia Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology. She also is on the board of directors for the Psychiatry Resident Teaching Award at the Drexel College of Medicine. 

Professionally, Dr. Fallon has 39 years of experience as an educator, training psychiatric residents in therapy methodologies at the Drexel University College of Medicine, with 23 of those years also spent teaching at fielding. She also has 37 years of experience as a private practice psychologist working with children, teens, and adults. She earned her PhD in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and participated in a postdoctoral fellowship in psychology at Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute.

Kelvin Ramirez, PhD

Lesley University

Dr. Kelvin Ramirez is an assistant professor of expressive therapies and global interdisciplinary studies at Lesley University. His research interests include the development of international art therapy initiatives, contemporary social justice issues, the presence or absence of addressing systemic oppression within art therapy, implications on demographic representation or absence on art therapy theory and practice, and the intersection of horticultural therapy, art therapy, and community transformation. 

Dr. Ramirez served as the executive producer for two films about love and art therapy, wrote a book chapter explicating art therapy’s impact on an El Salvadorean family, and is a prolific speaker, giving presentations at the New York Botanical Gardens, the Resilience Center in Mumbai, and at the Expressive Therapies Conference in Arlington, Virginia. 

As a professional, Dr. Ramirez has nine years of experience working as a high school vice-principal who incorporated art therapy into academic and therapeutic approaches to increase retention and enhance social-emotional development in the student population. He earned his master of science in art therapy and counseling from the College of New Rochelle and his PhD in expressive therapies from Lesley University.

Jobs in (Clinical) Psychology: What Can I Do with a PhD in Psychology?

Become a licensed clinical psychologist.

Graduates of doctoral programs in clinical psychology can eventually become licensed clinical psychologists. Psychologists who engage in practice use their formalized professional training and thousands of hours of clinical experience to help patients overcome hardships or live more harmoniously with mental health disorders, cope with chronic conditions, navigate life changes or transitions, treat addictions, and more. 

To this end, psychologists use evidence-based treatments, a mixture of therapy methodologies, and team-based care coordinated with other health practitioners to serve their clients. Clinical psychologists may work in private practice, schools, hospitals, governmental organizations, or ambulatory healthcare services.

Become a Professor of Clinical Psychology

Those with a PhD in clinical psychology can choose to take their formalized education to train the next generation of psychologists. Clinical psychology professors commit to engaging in research within the discipline and teaching their subject matter expertise to students at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level. 

As a part of a university’s faculty, clinical psychology professors may develop or improve syllabi, adjudicate assignments, lead a team of graduate assistants, work collaboratively within or across departments to improve course offerings, serve on college and university committees, and discern how to make course content effective and engaging for students.

Becca Brewer, MEd

Becca Brewer is building a better future on a thriving earth by healing herself into wholeness, divesting from separation, and walking the path of the loving heart. Previously to her journey as an adventurer for a just, meaningful, and regenerative world, Becca was a formally trained sexuality educator with a master of education.

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Clinical Psychology PhD

The PhD in Clinical Psychology is an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited program, and also a program member of the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology (CUDCP). The program adheres to the scientist/practitioner model of training, and requires a number of clinical and research practica in addition to an extensive course curriculum.

• It is a four-year plus internship, full-time program.
• It emphasizes a thorough preparation in theoretical psychology and methodology.
• Theoretical foundations in personality and psychopathology are explored prior to behavioral and personality assessment.
• Concurrent with the work in assessment, students begin study of the theory, research, and practice of psychotherapy.

The Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association can be contacted at:

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

Admission requirements

This program is open to applications from those who hold an undergraduate degree in psychology or have taken the required number of psychology credits (18). The requirement of 18 undergraduate credits includes statistics and 15 additional credits, preferably introductory psychology, developmental psychology, experimental psychology, and social psychology.

Students are selected from a pool of academically qualified applicants who can contribute to the diversity of the student body. Students enrolled in the clinical psychology program come from diverse ethnic, cultural, individual and experiential backgrounds. Applications are encouraged from those identifying with cultural and/or individual areas of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.

Acceptance decisions are based on outstanding undergraduate and (where applicable) graduate academic performance, evidence of scholarly activity such as publications and paper presentations, prior work experience, the personal statement, and letters of recommendation. 

The deadline for application for admission to the PhD program is December 15, 2023.

NOTE: The FDU application fee for the 2023-2024 application cycle has been waived.

To apply to this program , complete an application through the psychology common application PSYCAS .

This application should be used only to apply for the PhD in Clinical Psychology. Your application to the PhD program will not be considered complete unless you submit the following through PSYCAS:

• all official undergraduate and graduate transcripts,
• three letters of recommendation,
• a personal statement,
• official GRE aptitude and psychology test score reports. The psychology GRE is optional for those who majored in psychology as an undergraduate or attained an advanced degree in psychology. 

Degree plan

1st semester.

• PSYC6112      Clinical Research Methods & Psychometrics
• PSYC6114      Psychopathology
• PSYC6116      History & Systems
• PSYC6118      Computer Application in Statistics Lab
• PSYC6132      Developmental Issues in Clinical Psychology
• PSYC6180      First-Year Clinical Practicum I

2nd Semester

• PSYC6122      Personality Assessment
• PSYC6133      Intellectual Assessment
• PSYC6160      Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
• PSYC6624      Introduction to Psychotherapy
• PSYC6181      First-Year Clinical Practicum II: Ethics
• PSYC7120      Diversity Issues in Clinical Psychology

3rd Semester

• PSYC7110      Research Design & Analysis I
• PSYC7113      Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• PSYC7121      Cognitive Behavior Therapy
• PSYC7180      Second-Year Clinical Practicum I
• PSYC____     ASTCP_________

4th Semester

• PSYC7111      Research Design & Analysis II
• PSYC7125      Applied Social Psychology
• PSYC7130      Biological Bases of Behavior
• PSYC7181      Second-Year Clinical Practicum II
• PSYC____     ASTCP______________

5th Semester

• PSYC7133      Learning, Cognition, and Emotion
• PSYC8129      Psychopharmacology
• PSYC8180      Third-Year Clinical Practicum I

6th Semester

• PSYC9124      Advanced Research Seminar (1 credit)
• PSYC9138      Professional Development
• PSYC8181      Third-Year Clinical Practicum II

ASTCP (4 REQUIRED)

ADV PSYCHODYNAMIC (2 nd , 3 rd years) SPRING.

CHILD CLINICAL (offered every other year; alternates with Family; open to 2 nd ,3 rd years)

FAMILY THERAPY (2 nd ,3 rd years)

CLINICAL CASE (3 rd year) SPRING

NEUROPSYCH (Fall every odd year; open to 2 nd ,3 rd years)

ADVANCED PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT (Fall, every other even year, open to 2 nd , 3 rd years)

ADVANCED CBT (open to 2 nd , 3 rd years)

Advanced special topics in clinical psychology, 4 required

A class will run if there are sufficient enrollment numbers to support it.

• PSYC8114      Neuropsychology (offered even years in the fall; open to second- and third-year students)
• PSYC9160      Advanced Personality Assessment (offered odd years in the fall; open to second- and third- year students)
• PSYC8127      Clinical Child Psychology (offered  odd years  in the spring; open to second- and third- year students)
• PSYC8145      Advanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (offered in the fall; open to third-year students only)
• PSYC9143      Advanced Psychodynamic Therapy (offered in the spring; open to third-year students only)
• PSYC9145      Seminar in Clinical Psychology (offered in the spring; open to third-year students only)
• PSYC9123 Family Therapy (offered even years in the spring; open to second- and third- year students)

Additional optional coursework and independent studies

• PSYC9112      Dissertation Maintenance (summer)
• PSYC9113      Internship Maintenance (summer)
• PSYC9116      Research Maintenance (summer)
• PSYC9180      4th Year Practicum I (fall)
• PSYC9181      4th Year Practicum II (spring)
• PSYC9280      5th Year Clinical Practicum I (fall)
• PSYC9281      5th Year Practicum II (spring)
• PSYC9800      Independent Study

Special requirements

• First Year Research Practicum
• First Year Clinical Practicum
• Second Year Research practicum
• Second Year Clinical practicum
• Second Year Project
• Third Year Research practicum
• Third Year Clinical practicum
• Teaching Requirement
• Dissertation Accepted
• Qualifying Examination
• Comprehensive Examination

Internship and dissertation

Students are required to apply for internship via the national match system offered by the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) and participate in an approved internship. The internship may begin after the student has completed the courses listed under the first six semesters, completed the second year research project, passed the comprehensive examinations, and successfully defended the dissertation proposal. Typically, the dissertation is completed in the fourth year and the internship in the fifth year.

Evaluations

Ongoing annual evaluations of students will be conducted by the faculty using information submitted by practicum site supervisors, course instructors, and research mentors. Students will meet with the Program Director to receive feedback concerning these evaluations.

Research practicum

All first-, second- and third-year students participate in a research practicum of ongoing projects supervised by doctoral faculty members. The practicum requires approximately 8-10 hours a week. Research projects frequently culminate in the publication of articles in psychological journals and paper and poster presentations at various professional meetings, with students in the doctoral program participating as authors and presenters.

Forensic Track

An optional add-on forensic track is available to students in the Ph.D. program who fulfill the following additional requirements:

• Completion of at least one of the required clinical practicums at any point after the first year. This requirement can be satisfied through an NYNJDOT approved externship or similar placement meeting requirements of the track.
• Completion of at least two additional courses: PSYC7230 Forensic Assessment and Prediction and PSYC7235 Evaluating Criminal Responsibility and Competency.
• Completion of a dissertation on a forensic topic.

It should be noted that research opportunities in forensic psychology are available.

Forensic track courses may incur additional fees if they increase a student’s credit load for a given semester above the allowable flat fee level of 16.5 credits.

Students coming into the program without a Master’s degree may incur additional fees for the two courses mentioned above since they are above and beyond the required courses for the clinical doctoral program.

Completion of the forensic track will be noted on the student’s transcript.

• Long Island Jewish Medical Center—The Zucker Hillside Hospital; Glen Oaks, NY
• Veterans Affairs Medical Center—Bronx, NY
• Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital; Hartford, CT
• NYU Lagone Medical Center (Rusk Inst of Rehab Medicine); NY, NY
• Hudson River Regional Psychology; Poughkeepsie, NY
• Trinitas Regional Medical Center; Elizabeth, NJ
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine—Montefiore Medical Center; Bronx, NY
• Maimonides Medical Center; Brooklyn, NY
• Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility; Roosevelt Island, NY
• NYU Langone Medical Center (Rusk Inst of Rehab Medicine)-child/adol track; NY, NY
• UMDNJ UBHCH; Newark, NJ
• Westchester Jewish Community Services, Inc.; White Plains, NY
• Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System; Lyons, NJ
• Hudson River Regional Psychology Internship Program; Poughkeepsie, NY
• UMDNJ UBHCN (Child Track); Newark, NJ
• Mercy First; Syosset, NY
• University of New Mexico School of Medicine (Neuropsychology); Albuquerque, NM
• University of Massachusetts Center for Counseling and Psychological Health; Amherst, MA
• Columbia University Medical Center (child track); NY, NY
• Boston Consortium in Clinical Psychology (General Geriatric Neuropsych); Boston, MA
• Association for the Help of Retarded Children Dept of Family and Clinical Services; NY, NY
• VA NY Harbor Health Care System—Brooklyn Campus; Brooklyn, NY
• US Dept of Justice Metropolitan Detention Center; Los Angeles, CA
• Lenox Hill Hospital; NY, NY
• Children’s National Medical Center; Washington, DC
• University of Florida Health Science Center; Gainesville, FL
• Mount Sinai Services; Elmhurst, NY
• Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT
• Queens Children’s Psychiatric Center; Bellerose, NY
• VAMC—North Chicago; North Chicago, IL
• Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital’s Mental Health Network (Adult Track); Hartford, CT
• Temple University Health Sciences Center; Philadelphia, PA
• Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital; Morris Plains, NJ
• Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital’s Mental Health Network (Child/Adol Track); Hartford, CT
• Charleston Consortium Psychology Internship Program; Charleston, SC
• Interfaith Medical Center; Brooklyn, NY
• UCSD Psychology Internship Consortium/Veterans Affairs; San Diego, CA
• Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver; Denver, CO
• Columbia University Medical Center; NY, NY
• Mount Sinai Medical Center; NY, NY
• Univ. of S. Carolina, Counseling & Human Development Center; Columbia, SC
• VA Maryland Health Care System (Neuropsych); Baltimore, MD
• Astor Services for Children and Families; Poughkeepsie, NY
• Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, Inc.; NY, NY
• VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System—Montrose Campus; Montrose, NY
• Kings County Hospital Center (Adult Track); Brooklyn, NY
• Jewish Child Care Association of NY; Pleasantville, NY
• Louis Stokes Cleveland DVA Medical Center; Cleveland, OH
• NYU—Bellevue Hospital Center Clinical Psych.; NY, NY
• American Institute for Cognitive Therapy; NY, NY
• Behavior Therapy Associates; Somerset, NJ
• Bellevue Hospital Center; NY, NY
• Bergen County Division fo Family Guidance – Forensic Unit; Hackensack, NJ
• Beth Israel Medical Center; NY, NY
• Bronx Children’s Psychiatric Center; Bronx, NY
• Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy; NY, NY
• Children’s Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CCPEP); NY, NY
• City College CUNY; NY, NY
• Columbia University Medical Center Neuropsychology Service; NY, NY
• Columbia-Presbyterian’s Children’s Hospital; NY, NY
• Community Mental Health Services, St. Marys Hospital; Hoboken, NJ
• Henry Ittleson Center; Bronx, NY
• Hoboken University Medical Center; Hoboken, NJ
• Holliswood Hospital; Holliswood, NY
• Jacobi Medical Center; Bronx, NY
• Jamaica Hospital Medical Center; Jamaica, NY
• Jewish Board of Family & Children’s Services (JBFCS); Douglaston, NY
• Jewish Board of Family & Children’s Services (JBFCS); Riverdale, NY
• JFK Medical Center-The Center for Behavioral Health; Edison, NJ
• Karen Horney Clinic; NY, NY
• Kings County Hospital Center; Brooklyn, NY
• Mt. Sinai Adult Inpatient Unit; NY, NY
• Mt. Sinai Child & Family Support Program; NY, NY
• Mt. Sinai Eating and Weight Disorders Program; NY, NY
• Mt. Sinai Medical Center Department of Neurology; NY, NY
• Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Dept of Rehabilitation Medicine; NY, NY
• Mt. Sinai Obsessive Compulsive Disorders Treatment Center; NY, NY
• Nassau University Medical Center; East Meadow, NY
• New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College – Manhattan Division; NY, NY
• North Central Bronx Hospital; Bronx, NY
• South Beach Psychiatric Center; Staten Island, NY
• St. Barnabas Hospital; Bronx, NY
• St. Dominics Home; Bronx, NY
• St. Luke’s – Roosevelt Hospitals; NY, NY
• Staten Island University Hospital; Staten Island, NJ
• The Addiction Institute of New York; NY, NY
• The Center of Alcohol Studies at Rutgers; Piscataway, NJ
• William Paterson University – Counseling Center; Wayne, NJ
• Yale Young Adult Services; New Haven, CT
• YCS Institute for Infant and Preschool Mental health; East Orange, NJ
• Youth Development Clinic; Newark, NJ
• Barnard College Furman Counseling; NY, NY
• Behavioral Associates; NY, NY
• Connecticut Children’s Medical Center School; Wethersfield, CT
• Division of Family Guidance; Hackensack, NJ
• Elmhurst Hospital Center – Mt. Sinai Services; Elmhurst, NY
• Essex County Hospital Center; Cedar Grove, NJ
• Fay J Linder Center for Autism; Long Island, NY
• FDU Center for Psychological Services – Assessment emphasis; Hackensack, NJ
• FDU Center for Psychological Services – Therapy emphasis; Hackensack, NJ
• Four Winds Hospital; Katonah, NY
• Hackensack Univ. Medical Center, Audrey Hepburn’s Children’s House; Hackensack, NJ
• Hackensack University Medical Center; Hackensack, NJ
• Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center; Ward’s Island, NY
• Leake and Watts Services, Inc.; Yonkers, NY
• Lincoln Hospital; Bronx, NY
• Long Island Jewish Medical Center, The Zucker Hillside Hospital; North Shore, Long Island NY
• Manhattan Psychiatric Center; Randall’s Island, NY
• Memorial Sloan Kettering; NY, NY
• Metropolitan Correctional Center; NY, NY
• Montclair State University Counseling Center; Montclair, NJ
• Montefiore Medical Center of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Bronx, NY
• Northeast Epilepsy group; NY, NY & Hackensack, NJ
• NYSPI at Columbia Presbyterian; NY, NY
• NYU Child Study Center; Hackensack, NJ
• NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center; NY, NY
• NYU Counseling Center; NY, NY
• Phipps Community Development Corporation; Bronx, NY
• Princeton House Behavioral Health; Princeton, NJ
• Queens Hospital Center; Jamaica, Queens
• Regional Diagnostic &Treatment Center at Children’s Hospital of NJ; Newark, NJ
• Rehabilitation Specialists; Fair Lawn, NJ
• Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center; Orangeburg, NY
• Seton Hall University – Counseling Services; South Orange, NJ
• The Women’s Health Project Treatment and Research Center – St Luke’s Hosp.; NY, NY
• Tomorrow’s Children Institute at Hackensack Hospital; Hackensack, NJ
• Trinitas Hospital Child and Adolescent Outpatient Unit; Elizabeth, NJ
• Uconn; Farmington, CT
• UMDNJ-UBHC; Piscataway, NJ
• Washington Heights Community Center at Columbia-Presbyterian/NYSPI; NY, NY
• Weill Cornell Medical College/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, White Plains, NY
• Westchester Jewish Community Services; Hartsdale, NY

School of Psychology and Counseling

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• PsyD in Clinical Psychology

PsyD in Clinical Psychology Doctor of Psychology

Reach the pinnacle of your career while helping others develop their potential. The online PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Capella deepens your understanding of human behavior and helps you prepare for state licensure eligibility.

The program includes coursework, face-to-face residencies, clinical practicum, internships, and research to help you put theory into practice. A support team of licensure experts, advisors, and teaching assistants will help you stay on track for graduation.

Prepare for licensure

This program features online coursework and face-to-face experiences, both designed to help you pursue licensure. Learn more

Blend of in-person and online experiences

Coursework, residencies, clinical practicum, internships, and research complement online learning to help prepare you for real-world clinical settings.

Professional and credible

This program is designed around the core goals, objectives, and competencies that define the practice of professional psychology.

Apply today with no application fee.

At a glance

• Online and in-person
• 14 Core courses
• 30 Max transfer credits
• 2 Elective courses
• 6 Residency courses
• 3 Practicum courses
• 4 Internship courses
• 1 Dissertation Preparation course
• Clinical dissertation

Courses and skills

Explore clinical psychology courses.

• This program requires a total of 145 quarter credits
• You'll need to complete 14 core courses, 2 elective courses, 6 residency courses, 3 practicum courses, 4 internship courses, one dissertation preparation course and one clinical dissertation

View all courses in catalog

What you'll learn

Our PsyD in Clinical Psychology equips you with comprehensive clinical skills based on the theoretical and scientific foundations of psychology, from assessment to intervention. It is designed to help you pursue licensure, subject to the requirements in your state.

On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate the attitudes, behaviors, and foundational knowledge required for the practice of psychology
• Act consistently with the ethics and laws pertaining to clinical practice
• Integrate science and theory into the practice of psychology
• Understand, respect, and apply issues of diversity in the practice of psychology
• Provide effective and appropriate psychological intervention to clients
• Accurately select, administer, score, and interpret psychological tests
• Employ research as a means to advance the science and practice of psychology

Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.

Tuition and learning format

How much does the doctor of psychology cost.

The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.

A more structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.

• Based on the quarter system; 1–2 courses per 10-week quarter
• 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
• Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
• Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term

$555  per credit,  131  coursework credits, 30 max transfer credits

Learn more about GuidedPath »

Tuition breakdown

Program phases.

$555 Per quarter credit

131 coursework credits

Per quarter credit

Practicum and Internship

Included in coursework costs; additional expenses such as site-required expenses not included. Minimum of 1,000 supervised practicum hours; minimum of 2,000 supervised internship hours

Included in coursework costs, 6 required. 4 one-week sessions and 2 two-week sessions. Travel, lodging, meals and other expenses not included.

Dissertation Preparation

$2,780 Per quarter

Per quarter

Clinical Dissertation

Resource kit fee

Per quarter, coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials

Application fee

$0 no application fee

no application fee

Tuition and program length are unique to you

Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:

• The program specialization you choose
• Scholarships and finances
• Prior coursework

Transfer credits

• Employer and/or military benefits
• Amount of time spent working on practicum
• Number of quarters spent working on dissertation
• Complexity of your dissertation
• Academic performance
• School/work/life balance
• Unexpected life events

About cost scenarios

The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2024–25 Capella tuition rates and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing and pricing information is current as of Jan. 1, 2024. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price. You are responsible for paying your own travel costs related to residencies, including plane, hotel, and food expenses.

To discuss whether the specialization you’re interested in has additional factors that may affect program cost and length, contact a Capella enrollment counselor.

Cost scenarios

Get the details.

Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.

Scholarships and savings

Are there scholarships available for doctoral degrees.

Your education is an investment in your future that’s within your reach. There are  more ways to save  than you might think.

Get the credits you deserve. You may be able to save time and money on your Capella degree by transferring credits from an accredited university.  Get started

Employer & association discounts

If your employer or organization is a Capella network partner, you may be eligible for a discount. Ask your employer what offers are available.

10% Military discount Capella offers a  tuition discount  to active-duty service members and their spouses, Guard and Reserve members, and veterans.

Accredited and recognized

Capella is accredited by the higher learning commission..

Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our  accreditations  and  recognitions .

Understanding professional licensure

Preparing for licensure.

It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.

Licensure details

How to apply

What are the psyd admission requirements.

Applicants must provide the following information for  admission  to Capella programs and specializations:

• A master’s degree in psychology or a related field from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution.
• Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• A valid, government-issued form of photo identification

GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.

Additional requirements for Doctor of Psychology programs are:

• 3 letters of recommendation completed by professionals who can assess your aptitude for doctoral education in psychology
• An extended goal statement and writing sample.
• Your résumé or curriculum vitae (CV)
• After submitting admission materials, applicants may be required to take part in a faculty interview for assessment of professionalism and academic fit to the program

International Student Requirements

If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.

In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:

• Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
• Transcript evaluation

Learn more about  international student admissions .

Faculty and support

What support does capella offer online students.

Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of doctoral students. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces that build on one another to help you earn your doctorate. You’ll have support from faculty, staff, and online resources along the way.

Doctoral faculty

Work with faculty members who have years of experience and specialize in their areas of expertise throughout each phase of your program, including literature review and implementation planning.

Enrollment counselors

These experts will set you up for success. They’ll help you find the right degree program and answer all your questions about Capella.

Academic coaches

Through quarterly appointments and as-needed coaching sessions, these specialists introduce you to Capella and help you tailor your program to your personal goals and experiences.

Articles and resources

Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.

Helping Professions Program Guide

Wondering about the differences between PhDs and professional doctorates? What are the unique features of online and traditional doctoral programs? Read on to learn more and find the right program for you.

What’s It Like to Be a Doctoral Student?

Get details on Capella University programs in counseling and family therapy, psychology, social work and human services, and applied behavior analysis. Compare learning formats, financing options, and more.

Career exploration

What can you do with a psyd in clinical psychology degree.

Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to consider with a PsyD in Clinical Psychology.

Related job titles to explore*

• Psychologist
• Clinical psychologist
• Clinical manager
• Adjunct instructor or part-time psychology faculty
• Full-time psychology faculty
• Clinical director
• Research psychologist
• Clinical therapist

Employment settings to explore

• Hospital—inpatient or outpatient
• Community college
• Land-based or online college or university
• Community counseling center
• Social service agency
• Government—local, state, federal
• Health care clinic
• Mental health clinic
• Consulting firm
• Private practice

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.

Take the first step toward earning your degree and achieving your goals. {page-tel}

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Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies

Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Psy.D.

About the program.

Format : In person on the Statesboro Campus Credit Hours : 114-124 Entry Term : Fall

The APA-accredited doctorate program in clinical psychology at Georgia Southern University (GS) is a full time, day program offering a course of study leading to the Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree. The program’s curriculum prepares graduates for the practice of psychology with a special focus on practice in rural areas. Coursework and training prepare students for licensure as a psychologist, with an emphasis on educating emerging psychologists for the underserved areas in the state of Georgia and adjacent regions in the Southeast.

The Psy.D. program originated from a longstanding and dire need for licensed psychologists in rural, underserved areas of the United States, most specifically in the rural south. This mission is consistent with Georgia Southern University’s commitment to serve the needs of the southeastern region of the country. The program trains students according to the practitioner-scholar model. Students are taught to become generalists who will be effective in the delivery of psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and psychological consultation services in rural areas. Consistent with the framework of a generalist approach, the curriculum, beginning with foundational courses, strives to create and maintain a dynamic and integrative program, emphasizing behavioral, cognitive, existential, family systems, humanistic, and psychodynamic orientations.

The program is designed to foster the intrapersonal and professional development of students. This process is aimed at helping the students cultivate balance within their personal and professional growth. In addition to academic requirements, students are encouraged to take initiative and responsibility for personal and professional growth through independent readings, interaction with fellow students and faculty, attendance at colloquia, and additional elective research and practica opportunities. The PsyD is a professional degree, and focuses on the development of applied practice skills. Because the program is an integral part of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences in a regional university, doctoral students engage in all aspects of scholarly inquiry, including substantive qualitative and quantitative research, and professional membership and discourse in state, regional, and national organizations.

Ready to Apply?

Request information, visit campus, or, you can :, regular admission requirements.

A committee of faculty will determine admission based on the following:

• Grade Point Average (GPA): A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.30 is required for consideration. The average undergraduate GPA of successful applicants for the Fall 2022 class was 3.76 (on a 4.0 scale).
• A minimum grade of B in the following undergraduate courses: Psychological Statistics, Research Design, Abnormal Psychology
• Record of having taken at least two of the following courses: Personality, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Learning and/or Cognition, Health Psychology, Tests and Measurement, Theories of Psychotherapy, Psychology of Substance Abuse.
• Three letters of recommendation from former professors or appropriate employers/advisors.
• A written statement of professional goals. Please describe why you want to pursue doctoral training in clinical psychology. Also, describe how Georgia Southern University’s program is a good fit. Finally, please list three (3) Statesboro campus psychology faculty whose research interests are a match to your own. Of these three, please include at least one clinical faculty member and one faculty member who is not clinical.  This statement should be 500 words or less in length.
• A current Curriculum Vitae or Resume.
• Optional: Submission of a writing sample of past work provides an opportunity to showcase your writing skills, tone, and style. The sample should be no longer than two double-spaced pages. Consider submitting an excerpt or passage from a research paper or writing assignment for class, a manuscript, or other relevant works.

Based on a review of the application materials, the Admissions Committee will select top candidates for an on-campus interview. Interviews are mandatory for admission into the program. The Admissions Committee will contact top candidates with details regarding on-campus interview dates and procedures.

The PsyD program seeks a diverse applicant pool. We welcome applications from under-represented ethnic minorities, women, applicants with disabilities, first-generation college graduates, and non-traditional students.

*International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES accredited evaluation service  and must be a course by course evaluation and include a GPA. ( www.naces.org )

December 15 *

Does not admit

*The application and all ​​required documents listed on the “admissions requirements” tab​ for the program must be received by the deadline.  If all required documents are not received by the deadline your application will not be considered for admission.

Program Contact Information

C. Thresa Yancey, Ph.D. Director of Clinical Training, Professor of Psychology [email protected] 912-478-5704

Questions related to the program’s accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st St., NE, Washington, DC 20002 202-336-5979 [email protected] APA Accreditation Site

Last updated: 2/9/2024

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Office of Graduate Admissions Physical Address: 261 Forest Drive PO Box 8113 Statesboro, GA 30460 Georgia Southern University Phone: 912-478-5384 Fax: 912-478-0740 gradadmissions @georgiasouthern.edu

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Office of Graduate Admissions • P.O. Box 8113 Statesboro, GA 30460 • 912-478-5384 • [email protected]

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• Catalog Home

2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Academic catalog, clinical psychology, doctor of psychology (psyd).

Offered in: Chicago

Based on a practitioner-scholar model, the overall goal of the PsyD Program at Roosevelt University is to train clinical psychologists who can diagnose and treat psychological problems. We expect that:

• graduates demonstrate the requisite general knowledge and skills of intervention and assessment necessary for the ethical and competent practice of psychology,
• students address psychological problems and disorders using critical inquiry, and
• students engage in productive and professional relationships with others.

To reach these goals, we use the American Psychological Association's profession-wide competency model for health service psychology described in the Standards of Accreditation . Consistent with this model, students are required to take a mix of basic and applied psychology courses that facilitate knowledge and skill development in the following areas: 

I. Research. Students engage in research and scholarship that contributes to the scientific, psychological, or professional knowledge base; conduct, critically evaluate, and disseminate this research and scholarship results.  

II. Ethical and Legal Standards. Students are knowledgeable regarding the APA ethical principles, ethical codes of conduct, laws, policies, and guidelines for professional practice. Students behave ethically at all times in academic, research, clinical, and community settings.   

III. Individual and Cultural Diversity. Students reflect on how their own identities and personal background impact their worldview and interact with others. Students also develop knowledge around culturally competent and culturally fair services with diverse individuals and groups. Awareness and knowledge around individual and cultural diversity are integrated into all aspects of their academic, research, and clinical work. 

IV. Professional Values and Attitudes. In all research, academic, and clinical roles, students seek to comport themselves to reflect the values and attitudes of the field of psychology. 

V. Community and Interpersonal Skills. Students engage in productive and effective interpersonal relationships with others, including peers, colleagues, supervisors, faculty, and those receiving their professional services. They engage in effective interpersonal, verbal, nonverbal, and written communication throughout their academic and clinical work.  

VI. Assessment. Students develop extensive knowledge around the science of measurement and psychometrics of psychological assessment tools and select and use psychological assessment tools effectively with those receiving psychological services. Students interpret and effectively communicate the results of psychological assessment accurately and sensitively. 

VII. Intervention. Students develop effective and productive relationships with those receiving psychological services. An important focus is implementing evidence-based practice, or practice informed by empirical literature, knowledge of clinical theory and models, and the service recipient’s own preferences, needs, life circumstances, and cultural backgrounds. Also, as consistent with evidence-based practice models, students use assessment to monitor progress in therapy and guide treatment planning and clinical decision-making.

VIII. Supervision. Students become knowledgeable about supervision models and practices.

IX. Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary skills. Students develop knowledge regarding other professions’ roles and consultation practices to facilitate effective interdisciplinary care that will benefit the recipients of psychological services.

In addition, interested and qualified students, after completing a master's degree, may teach undergraduate psychology courses with the guidance of the Instructor Development course. Our university home also allows students to enhance their psychological training with relevant experiences from other disciplines.

Candidates for admission to the PsyD program must have either a bachelor's or a master's degree in psychology or a closely related field and must have completed the following courses with at least a 3.0 (B) grade-point average: General Psychology, either a Statistics or Research Methods course, and Abnormal Psychology. Deficiencies in prerequisite courses may be completed at Roosevelt University but will not count toward the PsyD degree. Students entering with a bachelor's degree may earn a non-terminal master's degree during their progress through the doctoral program.

Applicants must submit:

• Online PsyD application form.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
• Three letters of recommendation from academic and professional references. The professional references should be psychologists, professors, or other related professionals who can provide information regarding academic, clinical, research, and/or interpersonal skills.
• A personal statement. The personal statement should demonstrate a clear, well-articulated understanding of the expectations and responsibilities of graduate training in clinical psychology, strong career motivation, well-formulated career plans, and evidence of fit with the PsyD program.
• A curriculum vitae (CV). The CV details relevant educational/academic, professional, research, and clinical experiences.
• $40 application fee.

Selected applicants are invited to an interview that is required before admission is granted.

Roosevelt considers each applicant on an individual basis and seeks diversity in ethnic and cultural background, education and life experience, and sexual orientation. Although GPA cutoffs are not strictly adhered to, a GPA of at least 3.40 for undergraduate work is typical. 

Applications can be requested online here .

PsyD students must maintain a 3.25 cumulative grade-point average. Students who earn a C in a course must retake the course. Students who earn a C for either semester of practicum must repeat the entire year-long practicum sequence. Students who earn a D or F or a second C in any course will be dismissed from the program. PsyD students may also be dismissed from the program for lack of progress on the doctoral project if they do not meet a deadline decided by their doctoral project chair and the PsyD Program director.

Upon admission to the PsyD program, students meet with the director of the PsyD Program to develop a program completion plan covering all courses required for the doctoral degree, clinical training experiences, the comprehensive exam, and the doctoral project.

Requirements

All students must complete a minimum of 102 credit hours of graduate study plus 3 credit hours of internship credit for a total of 105 credit hours. In addition to coursework, students must pass the comprehensive examination, complete an introductory practicum, and complete at least two doctoral practica (supervised clinical training in the community), a pre-doctoral internship, and a doctoral project.

The standard course load for a full-time student in the PsyD program is 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester and from one to three courses in summer semesters. Students must complete at least 30 credit hours of work in a 24-month period. For at least one of those two years, the student must be at Roosevelt on a full-time basis. Thus, students must complete at least two consecutive semesters of full-time study before becoming eligible for the doctoral degree.

The PsyD program may accept credit for substantially equivalent graduate-level coursework completed at approved universities or schools of professional psychology, up to 27 credit hours. A maximum of 36 credit hours of credit may be waived with the approval of the doctoral program advisor for those entering with a master's degree; a maximum of 27 credit hours may be transferred for those entering with a BA or BS. Credit is granted only for courses in which the grade obtained was a B or higher and only if the courses were taken within seven years prior to the beginning of the student's doctoral program. Students entering with a master's degree will meet with the director of the PsyD Program to identify which required courses will be waived based on their previous graduate work. The doctoral project, internship, and at least twelve credit hours of practicum must be completed at Roosevelt University.

Courses taken in the PsyD program more than seven years before the semester in which the graduate degree is to be granted may not be counted toward the degree. There is a maximum limit of 10 years to complete all components of the program, including the pre-doctoral internship and the doctoral project. Students who have not completed the program by 10 years will be reviewed for dismissal. Students' progress will be evaluated at the seven-year point; if progress has not been adequate, students may be dismissed from the program.

Students may earn a minimum grade of B- in any one course in order for that course to count towards degree requirements but must earn a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average in order to remain a student in good standing in the program. 

Students must complete 789Y Doctoral Project Seminar Continuation before they can receive a grade for 789 Doctoral Project Seminar

Clinical Practicum

Applied clinical experience, which includes practica and the pre-doctoral internship, is a cornerstone of the PsyD program. Students entering with a bachelor's degree complete an introductory practicum prior to beginning their doctoral practica. Students may begin their introductory practicum after they have completed eight courses (24 credit hours). These courses must include two semesters of Psychopathology, Basic Clinical Skills, either two semesters of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies or Psychodynamic Therapies, and Intellectual Assessment or Personality Assessment. Students register for and attend the MA Practicum Seminar (for six credit hours) during their introductory practicum.

Following completion of the introductory practicum, students must complete at least two doctoral practica. Students typically spend 16 to 25 hours per week at their clinical training site and attend a weekly doctoral practicum seminar during their practice. Each practicum seminar is 3 credit hours per semester, for two semesters each practicum. Most practicum site placements are for 9 to 12 months. The focus of training depends on the individual student’s needs, interests, and experience.

Students who enter the program with a master’s degree will complete three doctoral practica. If a clinical practicum was completed as part of the master’s degree, the practicum might transfer in as the introductory practicum (upon review by the PsyD director and the clinical training director), leaving two doctoral practica to be completed. Students who earned practicum credit as part of a doctoral program may transfer up to two semesters of clinical practicum upon review by the PsyD director and the clinical training director. Additional practicum credit may be transferred as elective credit at the discretion of the PsyD director. A final practicum evaluation or letter from the licensed practicum supervisor documenting that the student has achieved the appropriate level of clinical skill should accompany any transfer of practicum credit request. No undergraduate practicum credit is accepted.

The PsyD student handbook and the clinical training manual have more details on requirements for practica and internship. Note that because the selection process for practicum placements begins early, students should begin preparing for an introductory or doctoral practicum a year before their anticipated start. The clinical training manual can be accessed at the PsyD program organization page within Roosevelt's Blackboard website, available to all current students.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination provides an opportunity for students to review and integrate their knowledge of the theory, research, and practice of clinical psychology. The examination is taken after students have completed at least 72 credit hours of coursework, including PSYC 791A DOCTORAL CLINICAL PRACTICUM 1  and PSYC 791B DOCTORAL CLINICAL PRACTICUM 1 (one complete doctoral practicum). Students must indicate their intention to take the comprehensive examination at the beginning of the spring semester of the year in which they plan to take the examination. If a student decides to change the date on which he or she intends to take the examination, the PsyD director must be notified no later than one month prior to the examination date. If a student notifies a change after one month or does not appear on the examination day, it will be considered a failure. If a student does not pass the examination, he or she may retake it once. If the student cannot pass it the second time, the student will be dismissed from the program.

Pre-Doctoral Internship

All students must complete a 1-year, full-time pre-doctoral internship approved by the director of training. To be eligible to begin a pre-doctoral internship, students must have finished all course work and practica, passed the comprehensive examination prior to application submission, and defended their doctoral project proposal by May 15th in the year prior to applying for internship.

Students are expected to seek internships accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) accredited internship training. Obtaining an internship is a competitive national process involving an electronic matching system. Students need to prepare to look outside of large metropolitan areas to increase the likelihood of obtaining an internship. The director of clinical training will provide guidance throughout this process.

Students register for a total of 3 credit hours for their internship experience, divided into 1.5 credit hours in the Fall semester and 1.5 credit hours in the Spring semester. Students are considered full-time during their internship experience.

Scholarship

The scholarship component of the program’s practitioner-scholar model is addressed by several components, including coursework, the Comprehensive Examination, and the doctoral project. Students may further their scholarship skills by participating in faculty or independent research (which often involves posters, presentations, and publications). Students who have completed the requirements for the master’s degree are eligible to teach undergraduate courses in psychology once they have taken the Instructor Development Seminar (or if they are taking it concurrently with their first teaching experience). Students are paid for their teaching and may have multiple teaching opportunities.

Doctoral Project

Students develop and enhance scholarly skills pertinent to the practice of clinical psychology by completing a doctoral project. In the doctoral project, students demonstrate their ability to assess and integrate the research literature on the management and conceptualization of clinical issues. There are five types of projects: a traditional empirical study, an extended case study, a literature review on a selected topic, applied treatment and program evaluation research, and program proposals. PSYC 530 ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS and PSYC 789 DOCTORAL PROJECT SEMINAR  / PSYC 789Y DOCTORAL PROJECT SEM. CONT.  help prepare students for the doctoral project. Students may begin informal work on their doctoral project at any time and are expected to begin such work by the end of their second year in the program, at the latest. At the end of the doctoral project seminar, students will have completed their first formal doctoral project proposal draft and selected at least two faculty members (a chair and 1-2 readers) who agree to constitute their doctoral project committee.

The doctoral project is to be conducted under the guidance of this doctoral committee, which determines when the project is acceptable and conducts the final oral defense of the project. At least two committee members, including the committee chair, must be full-time or half-time members of the Roosevelt University faculty. A third member may be an external psychologist. See the current PsyD Doctoral Project Manual for details on the doctoral project.

As noted above, students must have successfully defended their doctoral project proposal by May 15th to be eligible to apply for an internship. If May 15th falls on a weekend, the proposal defense must occur by the Friday before.

Student Evaluations

The PsyD program at Roosevelt University is accountable to the profession and the public for developing the professional standards of its future practitioners. Thus the successful completion of the program entails the development of academic knowledge and skills, professional skills, and interpersonal competencies necessary to function as an effective and ethical practitioner. Professional and interpersonal competencies include, but are not limited to, the ability to cultivate and maintain productive and respectful relationships across academic and clinical settings; the ability to respond productively to feedback and change problematic behavior that interferes or has the potential to interfere with one’s ability to function as a student and trainee; the ability to communicate effectively with instructors, supervisors, clients, students, and peers; and the ability to act ethically following cultural and professional standards.

The faculty provides feedback on students’ academic and professional development throughout the program. Students will be formally evaluated each year; students may be evaluated more frequently when concerns arise. Students are evaluated via a collaborative process that involves faculty and clinical training supervisors. Failure to meet the above standards may result in specific remediation requirements or dismissal from the program. Failure of a practicum or internship is also grounds for dismissal from the program.

Practice of Psychology by Graduate Students

PsyD students who render psychological services (other than practicum-related services) must report their activities to the director of the PsyD Program. If this activity is not within the student’s competence and under professional supervision, the student will be asked to desist as determined by the director. Failure to comply with this regulation will be grounds for immediate termination from the psychology doctoral program.

APA Accreditation Information

Roosevelt University's PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association. The Commission on Accreditation of the APA can be reached at:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail:  [email protected] Web:  www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.  A graduate course can only be repeated once; no more than two courses can be repeated.

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