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Although our efforts in life bring splendid results, we deal with pressure, urgency, tension, and anxiety that can affect our mental and emotional state. Consequently, the world is demonstrating a rising demand for:
- Therapists
- Counselors
- Psychologists
Psychology professionals who can assess, interpret, and offer solutions to alleviate mental, behavioral, and emotional problems for people who desperately need them are the key to health and happiness for so many.
A Doctor of Clinical Psychology is the highest level of education that allows professionals to become experts in the field of mental health and counseling. Let’s explore today’s top PsyD programs.
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Methodology
The Clinical Psychology graduate schools and programs are ranked based on institutional prestige, teaching and training standards, and student outcomes. Each program is known for the following features:
- Top-standard admission, retention, and graduation rates
- Rigorous medical coursework featuring up-to-date principles and state-of-the-art equipment
- Impressive job placement rates
- An esteemed panel of expert instructors with significant field contributions
- Various student assistance services for networking
- Accreditation from academic agencies and recognition within the medical circle
- Stellar reviews from alumni and Ph.D. students
To learn more, see our Methodology page.
Best Doctor of Clinical Psychology Graduate Schools
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.)
| Tuition: | $915 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours: | 93 |
Xavier’s PsyD degree aims to equip students with the ability to practice professional clinical psychology in diverse settings. This program offers various internships, practical experiences, and customization options.
There are three interest areas in this PsyD:
- Children and Adolescents Psychology
- Persons with Chronic Psychopathology
- Health Care Psychology
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
| Tuition: | $21,115 per year (in-state); $36,297 per year (out-of-state) |
| Credit Hours: | 108 |
UCLA’s research-based doctorate in clinical psychology aims to develop students into experts in advanced psychology research and teaching.
Students who aspire to careers in organizational psychology, industrial psychology, counseling psychology, or forensic psychology are not advised to apply to this program and look for schools that offer PsyD in Psychology instead.
Palo Alto University – PGSP/Stanford University Consortium
Palo Alto, CA
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
| Tuition: | $20,080 per quarter |
| Credit Hours: | 168 |
This degree is a practitioner-scholar program designed for individuals who aspire to pursue a career providing direct, thorough, and evidence-based clinical psychological services.
The program takes pride in its effectiveness in developing the student’s awareness and skills on the nine Health Service Psychology Profession-wide Competencies like research, ethical and legal standards, assessment, and more.
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, Maryland
Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.)
| Tuition: | $37,500 per year |
| Credit Hours: | 131 |
Loyola’s PsyD degree develops and prepares students to lead in the clinical psychology profession. This program includes more than 1,500 hours of supervised field experience in any of its 100 externship locations across the Baltimore-Washington, DC region.
Pepperdine University
Los Angeles, CA
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
| Tuition: | $1,970 per unit |
| Credit Hours: | 82 |
Pepperdine’s PsyD courses are delivered through a practitioner-scholar method of doctoral training to allow students to understand, absorb, and digest the practical application of the academic and clinical education they receive. This is among the US psychology institutions with a 100% placement rate.
George Fox University
Newberg, OR
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
| Tuition: | $1,120 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours: | 125 |
George Fox’s offers a PsyD program that allows you to earn a non-terminal master’s of Clinical Psychology within your five years of academic and clinical training. This accredited program offers students some of the best and most renowned clinical psychology faculty. Students can focus on one of the following training tracks:
- Broad and General Psychology
- Primary Care Psychology
- Child & Adolescent Psychology
- Assessment Track
University of Denver GSPP
Denver, CO
PsyD Clinical Psychology
| Tuition: | $1,356 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours: | 135 |
The PsyD in Clinical Psychology at DU allows students to apply via Georgetown University’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology.
This program is known to provide students with a solid background in clinical psychology with various specialization options. Students can focus on any of the following topics:
- Latinx Psychology
- Military Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and
- Substance Use Disorder Psychology
The George Washington University
Washington, DC
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
| Tuition: | $52,444 per year |
| Credit Hours: | 83 |
This PsyD in Clinical Psychology offers a curriculum that combines extensive practical experience and theoretical knowledge of psychology.
Students will receive mentorship from experienced professionals, clinicians, and researchers with unquestionable authority on cognitive, behavioral, and a host of other psychological disorders. Students will choose one track:
- Child & Adolescent Track
- Adult Track
- Assessment Track
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program (Psy.D.)
| Tuition: | $598 per credit hour (resident); $1,683 (non-resident) |
| Credit Hours: | 112 |
UNC at Chapel Hills offers an intensive PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree that combines research and clinical science training. The program offers two clinical tracks:
- Adult Clinical track
- Child/Family Clinical track
It’s an extremely competitive program that chooses only eight students from scores of applicants who want to get into the program.
Baylor University
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Waco, TX
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
| Tuition: | $2,421 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours: | 99 |
Baylor’s Clinical Psychology PsyD program equips students with theoretical and clinical competencies through intensive coursework plus 1,000 – 1,200 hours of clinical practice and research experience. With only a 2% acceptance rate, it’s also one of the most competitive PsyD programs.
Yeshiva University – Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology
Bronx, NY
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology
| Tuition: | $2,200 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours: | 116 |
Yeshiva University’s PsyD program is considered one of the best psychology schools in the US. It exposes students to various academic, research, and field training, molding them into excellent practitioners of clinical psychology.
Aside from its Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology offers a Doctor of Psychology in School-Clinical Child Psychology program.
Widener University
Chester, PA
Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)
| Tuition: | $1,160 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours: | 120 |
Students of Widener University’s PsyD in Clinical Psychology are guaranteed empirical and practical learning experiences for professional success. Students can pursue certificates in:
- Biofeedback
- Neuropsychology
- School Psychology
In addition, they also have the option to pursue concentrations:
- Child, Adolescent, & Family Psychotherapy
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy/Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (CBT/ACT)
- Consulting Psychology
- Cross-Cultural & Diversity Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Psychodynamic Psychology
Long Island University
Brookville, NY
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
| Tuition: | $1,834 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours: | 115 |
This program is designed for those who want to serve underserved populations. It offers a rigorous core curriculum that can provide you with mastery of your courses and allow you to choose two of its major areas of focus:
- Serious Mental Illnesses
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and
- Interventions with High-Risk Families
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology
| Tuition: | $1,100 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours: | 117 |
CHC’s PsyD in Clinical Psychology uses the practitioner-scholar model and develops students’ skills as they accumulate theoretical knowledge. It offers optional concentrations:
- Psychological Assessment
- Couple, Family, and Child Therapy
Students who can meet the optional requirements will be awarded a Certification of Concentration aside from their graduation diploma.
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
Clinical Psychology Doctorate (Psy.D.)
| Tuition: | $1,052 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours: | 111 |
UIndy exposes PsyD students to more advanced course content and allows them to master an area of focus like:
- Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine
- Adult Psychopathology and Psychotherapy
The university has more than 40 quality practicum sites and over 75 placements, including in:
- correctional facilities
- psychiatric hospitals
- university counseling centers
- VA medical centers
- specialized facilities for drug addicts, people with eating disorders, and victims of domestic violence
Biola University Rosemead School of Psychology
Mirada, CA
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
| Tuition: | $1,250 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours: | 123 |
This PsyD in Clinical Psychology delivers its curriculum through rigorous academic training, aiming to equip students with outstanding abilities to provide professional services. The university integrates science with Christian theology to mold students into God-ordained practitioners of Clinical Psychology.
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
| Tuition: | $18,633 per term |
| Credit Hours: | Information N/A |
UW’s clinical psychology doctorate is a research-based program designed for individuals who want to pursue advanced education in psychology with scientific, academic, and professional training.
The department offers research mentorship, evidence-based clinical training, and opportunities for specialized training in diverse science, data science, and quantitative methods.
Students can choose between the General and Child Track.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)
| Tuition: | $12,326 per semester (resident); $25,652 per semester (non-resident) |
| Credit Hours: | 100 |
UW Madison’s PhD in Clinical Psychology employs the scientist-practitioner method as its training model. It uses a mentor model for research training, integrating theory and practice through closely aligned research interests, coursework, and clinical practicum experiences, with financial support for all students.
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.)
| Tuition: | Information N/A |
| Credit Hours: | 98 |
Stony Brook’s intensive PhD in Clinical Psychology aims to produce clinical scientists who are qualified and skilled to assess and analyze psychological problems from a scientific, evidence-based perspective.
Students participate in a research lab, complete two projects, and present papers at conferences. The program is highly competitive, accepting only four to eight out of over 300 applicants.
Rutgers University
Piscataway, NJ
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D)
| Tuition: | $10,308 per semester (resident); $17,532 (non-resident) |
| Credit Hours: | 81 |
The PsyD program at Rutgers offers a Clinical Psychology specialization that equips future psychologists with a solid foundation in clinical practice, incorporating diverse theoretical orientations and individual differences.
Additionally, students will face new knowledge and clinical needs for practical learning experiences. It strongly emphasizes clinical values and knowledge-based practice for lifelong development and leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree?
A Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) degree is a doctorate in scientific psychology, psychotherapy, and psychoanalysis, qualifying for a licensing exam. Various US universities now offer it in fields like:
- Business Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- School Psychology
Doctoral degrees in Psychology include:
- Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (Ph.D)
Psy.D. prepares individuals for a career as a clinical psychologist, allowing them to take a licensing exam and work directly with clients with emotional, behavioral, or mental health problems.
Meanwhile, Ph.D. provides training in research and teaching. It prepares students for a career in academia or a business organization where knowledge of psychology is needed.
How do I choose between a Ph.D. and a Psy.D. program?
The difference between a Psy.D. and a Ph.D. can be confusing, but choosing the right program depends on your career goals. Ph.D.s are best for academic settings or experimental studies, while Psy. D.s are ideal for practicing with patients.
What should I consider when choosing a Psy.D. program?
Consider these six factors when choosing a Psy.D. program:
- Emphasis on Clinical Practice and Research
- Specializations or Areas of Focus
- Faculty Expertise
- Field Experience
- Alumni Stories
- Student Success Rate
What are the different types of Psy.D. degrees?
Some present-day schools have made it possible for students to earn a Psy.D. degree with a specialized or highly focused degree. This led to the emergence of four other Psy.D. specializations. Let’s identify the most popular of them:
| Clinical Psy.D | * Aimed at students who want to apply for clinical specialties in the legal or court system * Focuses on Psychology and courses unique to the field of Law |
| School Psy.D. | * Aimed at students who want to apply for clinical specialties in the legal or court system * Focuses on Psychology and courses unique to the field of Law |
| Counseling Psy.D | * Equips individuals with skills to assess and counsel individuals with chronic behavioral problems * Focus on abusive relationships and human sexuality as potential causes of emotional disorders |
| Forensic Psy.D. | * Aimed at students who want to apply for clinical specialties in the legal or court system * Focuses on Psychology and courses unique to the field of Law |
| Correctional Psy.D. | * Focuses on Criminal Justice * Ideal for students seeking psychological assistance in correctional institutions * Coursework covers psychology, the penal system, and correctional institutions |
What are the disadvantages of Clinical Psychology?
Every job comes with a few disadvantages, right? Here are a few to consider in the field of Clinical Psychology:
- High cost of treatment
- Limited access to care
- Stigma
- Time-consuming
- Potential side effects of medication
What can I do as a Doctor of Clinical Psychology?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics explained the demand for clinical psychology jobs is likely to grow by 7% from 2023 to 2033 and will provide 13,000 job openings each year for the same period.
One of the many benefits of completing a doctorate in clinical psychology is its potential to open doors for you in several careers in psychology.
Here are some of the most probable jobs you can get with a doctorate in clinical psychology:
- Counselor to specific groups, e.g., children, elderly, married couples, families, etc.
- Behavioral Health Psychologist
- Child Psychologist
- Clinical Case Manager
- Clinical Psychology College Professor
- Counseling Psychologist
- Psychotherapist
- Rehabilitation Psychologist
- School Psychologist
Key Takeaways
Clinical Psychology Ph.D. programs further your career in the field of mental health. Students are taught advanced psychological theories, research methods, and scientific knowledge.
Licensed clinical psychologists offer psychological services, develop treatment plans, and provide guidance in mental wellness practices. They work in mental health centers, sports psychology, forensic psychology, organizational leadership, or other clinical settings.
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