phd clinical psychology programs in california

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Program

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SDSU / UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology

About the Program

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

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

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

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

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

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

Major Areas of Study:

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

For more information about the three areas, visit our Major Areas of Study page.

Program History

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

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

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

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

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

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

California Institute for Human Science

PhD in Psychology Concentrations

• - Clinical Psychology (Licensure)
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Master of Arts in Psychology Concentration

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• - Anomalous Studies
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PhD in Clinical Psychology

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Home » Degrees and Programs » PhD in Clinical Psychology

PhD In Psychology - Clinical Psychology

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Learn more about taking the next step toward your dreams...

By submitting this form, I agree to be contacted by CIHS by email, phone, and text. I understand that I may opt out of communication with CIHS at any time.

PROMOTE HUMAN FLOURISHING AND MENTAL WELLNESS IN DIVERSE COMMUNITIES.

As a graduate of Doctor of Psychology – Clinical Psychology you are eligible to apply for the California License of Psychology, the highest mental health license granted by the state of California. Our 4-year full-time program empowers you with the necessary skills and knowledge to work as a whole person mental health professional in clinical psychology.

The PhD program’s mission is to train professionals who will provide traditional and innovative mind-body-spirit informed mental health services to a variety of communities. Our specific focus on mind-body spirituality sets us apart from other Clinical PhD programs.

The program can be completed fully online* and incorporates face-to-face synchronous components.

In this program you will:

• Integrate mind-body spirituality with the scientific discipline of psychology
• Train with our world-class holistically focused faculty and staff, as well as our student community
• Gain invaluable and highly impactful expertise in delivering both traditional and spiritually sensitive mental health services
• Prepare to serve diverse communities in key roles such as licensed psychologist, practitioner-scholar, program administrator, consultants, coach educator
• Develop skills for effectiveness in leadership and entrepreneurship
• Enrich your clinical education with an optional specialized coursework in Integral, Transpersonal and Positive psychology.

Attention to mind-body spirituality and the whole person is woven through every course.

This program qualifies you to apply for Psychology Licensure in the state of California and may also be accepted in the following states:  AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA CO, CT, DE, DC, HI, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OR, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY.

If you are planning on applying for psychology licensure in a state other than California, please check with the licensing body of that state for updated information.

The PhD in Psychology – Clinical Licensure requires 116 units, as follows:

Core Curriculum Clinical Psychology Concentration (28 units)

• Psychology Required Courses for the Clinical Psychology Concentration (66 units)

Dissertation Sequence Clinical Psychology Concentration (22 units)

In addition to completing the above 116 units of coursework, this degree requires students to complete the following:

• 500 hours of practicum
• 1500 hours of internship

Coursework (116 units)

• Scholarly Writing for Psychology I (4 units)
• Foundations in Whole Person Psychology (4 units)
• Consciousness Studies for Psychology (4 units)
• Counseling & Communications Skills (4 units)
• Spiritual Education (Several options available) (4 units)
• Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (4 units)
• Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (4 units)

Concentration Electives for Clinical Psychology (66 units)

• Human Sexuality: Clinical Considerations (4 units)
• Ethics & Law in Psychology (4 units)
• Family Violence, Partner Abuse, and Child Abuse: Assess & Intervention (4 units)
• Aging, Long-term Care, Grief and Suicide Risk Assessment (4 units)
• Psychopharmacology (4 units)
• Substance Abuse: Assessment, Intervention, and Treatment (4 units)
• Diagnosis in Clinical Psychology (4 units)
• Multiculturalism and Diversity in Counseling (4 units)
• Objective Personality Testing & Assessment (4 units)
• Intellectual Testing & Assessment (4 units)
• Projective Testing & Integrative Assessment (4 units)
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (4 units)
• Existential Humanistic Psychotherapy (4 units)
• Evidence-Based Psychotherapy (4 units)
• Dynamic Group Therapy: Theory and Practice (4 units)
• Family Therapy: Assessment and Intervention (4 units)
• Pre-Practicum Seminar (1 unit)
• Practicum Consultation Group (1 unit)
• Dissertation Topic Research (5 units)
• Dissertation Methodology Review (5 units)
• Dissertation I (6 units)
• Dissertation II (6 units)

PLO 1:  Examine people as ever evolving, multidimensional beings on a developmental journey toward wholeness, which encompasses the domains of mind, body, and spirit.

PLO 2:  Apply multidisciplinary research, theory and praxis to aspects of psychology and/or psychotherapy.

PLO 3:  Utilize holistic thought to psychology and/or psychotherapy in a way that includes consciousness and spirituality. PLO 4:  Evaluate and test elements of theory and/or application of psychological knowledge to human wellbeing.

PLO 5:  Develop a personal framework for “self-as-healer” and/or “self-as-scholar” underscoring the notion that ongoing self-development is positively correlated with professional aptitude.

When you reach out for more information or to apply, you’ll immediately be connecting with one of the leaders in your field of study. Although today these individuals are distinguished professors, once upon a time they were in your shoes and they haven’t forgotten what it is like and what you need.

They are passionate about their area of study, and want to do everything they can to mentor the next generation of experts and leaders to rise up, and exceed what even they have accomplished. As true leaders they know that is the best way of ensuring that their their area of study continues to significantly advance. They want you to succeed succeed beyond your expectations and do everything they can to ensure that – right from the start.

During the application process these leaders will work hard to understand where you’re at and give you their best advice, even if that means not joining their program. All of our faculty and staff are devoted to what is best for you, and the profession they serve.

CIHS is a relatively small family of people who are having an outsized impact on the world. We involve everyone who could possibly be needed to ensure that it’s as easy as possible to join us, and that you thrive with us right from the start.

The admissions team is always ready and overjoyed to help you. The core team consists of the senior Professor for the program that we’ve just mentioned, also known as the Program Director, and the  Dean of Admissions. The extended team includes the Provost (the most senior academic leader at the university) and key administrative members of her team such as the Registrar, the Dean of Student Assessments and Outcomes, and the Dean of Student Success. 

The program may be completed in person or 100% at a distance. 

International students from all countries are welcome in person or online.

In person classes are held at our campus in beautiful Encinitas California.

U.S. Based distance students must reside in one of the following states: AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, HI, ID, IL, IN, KY, ME, MI, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA. 

You can apply and be admitted to the program 4 times a year, at the start of each quarter.

We recommend beginning your application as soon as possible if you want to join the next start date.

Just click the button below for more information, or to begin the process…

• Fully accredited by WSCUC & non-profit serving students since 1992
• Unique, highly customizable degree programs
• Well known, proven leaders in the fields we specialize in
• World-class faculty and research programs
• Year round enrollment with frequent and convenient start dates
• Ability to complete your program in person, 100% online, or a hybrid between the two
• 10 week classes so you can start and finish faster
• Flexible class hours for working professionals
• Holistic & integral approaches
• Welcoming and inclusive environment
• Small class size with personalized attention
• Exceptional student support services
• Access to CIHS’s Science of Consciousness and Subtle Energy Research Laboratories, and one of the largest Faraday cages in the region.
• Extensive networking and career preparation opportunities
• Diverse faculty and industry professionals from a variety of fields
• Located in the beautiful beach city of Encinitas in northern San Diego, 95 miles south of Los Angeles

The most important benefit of attending CIHS does comes down to our focus on what we do.

We are the only fully accredited consciousness-based university in the U.S.

It’s what we’ve been exclusively focused on since our founding in 1992.

Since the beginning we’ve been a magnet for the top faculty, researchers, and students in the space.

If you want to advance the future of media technology, and have an outsized impact on the world with it, you go to the MIT Media Lab.

If you want to advance the understanding and applications of consciousness , and have an outsized impact on the world with it,  you come to CIHS.

There truly is no other fully accredited institution dedicated to it like we are.

Farnaz Khoromi, Psy.D.

Concentration director program co-director lead faculty.

DR. ARTHUR SUN

“CIHS is the best graduate school. I love the emphasis on scientific rigor and spirituality, and the integration of personal growth in each class. The professors are amazing and the administration is committed to the success and growth of each student. CIHS is an integral school that encourages multiple perspectives. If you want to grow not just academically but personally and spiritually, as well, come check out CIHS.”

CHRIS ORREY

“Receiving higher education from an institute such as CIHS was the most transformative journey of my life. Academic rigor paired with spiritual awakening, psychological healing, and professional development put me through the wringer. I had never felt more complete, whole, and connected to the higher truths that I had never known I already knew. At the same time, my entire worldview was shaken and flipped upside down. I have come to see life, existence, and the perception of the physical world in an entirely new way. I have come to understand, witness and meet the force of nature that underlies human consciousness, that is to the extent of my own pscyho-spiritual evolution. ”

FRANCESCA PARETTA

“CIHS has provided me with opportunities to understand psychology in a grounded scientific way, simultaneously exploring life, healing, and consciousness. CIHS is an ideal setting for those who are motivated to contribute to the evolution and progression of academic engagement, experiential learning, and research, and an equally supportive environment for healing practitioners seeking to deepen their skills and add to their credentials, where a multitude of perspectives are accepted and integrated, from wisdom traditions, to clinical understandings, to transpersonal awareness and beyond.”

MICHAEL SCOTT

“CIHS has been an incredible experience so far, both academically and personally. I have found a “home” here where I can study consciousness and subtle energy in ways I couldn’t at previous graduate institutions. The students, faculty, and administration are amazing and have such diverse backgrounds and interests. I can’t wait to see how the school continues to evolve and grow!.”

LAUREN HICKEY

“I am so pleased with my recent PhD from CIHS. Nowhere else could I have achieved such a blended education of psychology, spirituality, and consciousness. The instructors were all well qualified and knowledgeable and assignments were reasonable. CIHS gave me the confidence I needed to expand my private practice. I also have now begun running international retreats. I feel well prepared to present myself as an expert in the field.”

MICHELLE LEUSCHEN

• Graduate Program

The goal of the graduate program in Psychology at Berkeley is to produce scholar-researchers with sufficient breadth to retain perspective in the field of psychology and sufficient depth to permit successful independent and significant research. The members of the department have organized themselves into six training units. The requirements for each unit vary but always involve a combination of courses, seminars and supervised independent research. Students are also encouraged to take courses outside the Psychology Department, using the unique faculty strengths found on the Berkeley campus to enrich their graduate training. We are a STEM designated program.

For the Latest updates on COVID-19 related exceptions to policy relevant to Graduate Students, please see Graduate Division's Resource Page.

The areas offered to students to specialize in are the following: 

• Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience
• Clinical Science
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Developmental
• Social-Personality

To learn more about each offered area visit: Research Areas

Here are answers to most commonly asked questions about the process of applying to graduate school.

How do I find a program that is right for me? – See this handy  decisions tree , reposted from University of Houston Psychology website, to help you determine a route to your desired Psychology career.

For those interested in our Clinical Program, visit Mitch's Uncensored Advice for Applying to Graduate School in Clinical Psychology to answer many of your questions, including those you may have not previously considered.

• GRE scores (please note; the GRE is not required for FA24 Applications)
• Transcripts
• Resume or A curriculum vita (CV)
• Well-written personal statement(s)
• Letters of recommendation

You will want to check requirements for each school to which you plan to apply, but the above links to Cal's graduate program will give you an idea of what to expect.

Psychology Ph.D. Program Components  - with Christine Mullarkey - Student Services Advisor

Ph.D. Program through the Perspective of Professor Sheri Johnson - Head Graduate Advisor

Find your fit at Berkeley.

You are invited to Berkeley's Graduate Diversity Admissions Fair on October 7 - October 11 . This virtual event will help prospective professional, master's, and doctoral students:

• learn more about our top ranked graduate programs and award winning faculty
• gain a deeper understanding of Berkeley's culture and resources available
• understand the application process, and important deadlines
• consider funding options and opportunities

You can expect a lot to choose from. Over 50 sessions from UC Berkeley graduate programs in one hour info sessions, and discussion groups.

Register here to customize your fair schedule by signing up to the sessions that interest you.

Berkeley is a place that fosters a supportive community that is at the heart of our students' success. Our graduate diversity programs aim to create a culture of belonging for all students. This fair is one example of that. Though the fair is open to all – it's designed specifically for prospective students from historically excluded, and underrepresented backgrounds.

We hope you will join us.

Fall 2022 - Prof. Serena Chen (Social Personality), Prof. Aaron Fisher (Equity Advisor), and featuring graduate students

Fall 2021 - Prof. Serena Chen (Social Personality), Prof. Sheri Johnson (Clinical), Harumi Quinones (Student Services Director), and featuring graduate students 

Visit the Graduate Division website to learn more about the Fall 2024 Diversity Admissions Fair and register in the graduate application portal !

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PhD in Clinical Psychology

At the forefront in clinical psychology.

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

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

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

Rigorous Evidence-Based Curriculum

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

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

The goals and key themes of our program:

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

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

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

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

Fully Accredited Training

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

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

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation:

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

Learn more about Licensing and Accreditation @ PAU

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

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

PhD Area of Emphasis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Admission and Graduation Requirements

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

Graduation Requirements

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Research labs.

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

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

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

2. Where can I find the academic calendar?

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

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

4. Where are the classrooms?

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

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

5. Where do I park for classes?

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

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

Detailed Driving Directions:

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

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

6. What if I have questions?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14. When are financial aid refund disbursements available?

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

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

Graduate Program

Information about the UCLA Department of Psychology Graduate Research Program

The UCLA Psychology Department offers graduate Ph.D. training ( there is no separate M.A. program or Psy.D. program offered ) with area emphases in Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, Health Psychology, Quantitative, Social, and Social and Affective Neuroscience Psychology. In all of these fields, the central objective is to train researchers dedicated to increasing the body of scientific knowledge upon which the discipline of psychology rests. The program is designed to prepare psychologists to function effectively as researchers, college and university instructors, and professional research psychologists. Rigorous scientific training is the foundation of the UCLA Psychology Ph.D. program. As part of this training, the Department encourages student participation in the activities of a number of related departments, schools, or organized research units of the University. For instance, the Brain Research Institute, the interdisciplinary Neuroscience and Cognitive programs, the Institute for Social Science Research, and the Neuropsychiatric Institute provide extensive research facilities for interested students. The  Fernald Child Study Center , moreover, bolsters the department’s long-standing commitment to training in childhood learning and behavioral disorders. Other departmental resources include the Psychology Clinic. Our close working relations with local hospitals (the Veterans Administration), clinics, and institutes provide a unique opportunity for year-round training and research. UCLA’s exceptionally strong library system (the University Research, Biomedical and Research libraries, among others) perfectly complements the Department’s scholarly activities.

Graduates are prepared for careers in both academic and applied settings including positions at universities and colleges, research and governmental organizations and business and industry.  

The Psychology Ph.D. program is one of  18 Ph.D. programs in the biosciences .

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is one of the ten campuses of the University of California. Located in west Los Angeles, five miles from the Pacific Ocean, UCLA lies in one of the most attractive areas of Southern California. The campus is bordered on the north by the Santa Monica mountains and the new  Getty Museum , and at its southern gate by Westwood Village, an entertainment magnet with theaters, restaurants, and the  Armand Hammer Museum . The treasures of the  Los Angeles County Museum of Art  are a few miles to the east, as are the communities of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the downtown business and entertainment districts.

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M.A./Ph.D. Clinical Psychology

Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2024

The M.A./Ph.D. program celebrates its 30 year long tradition of offering clinical psychology doctoral education in depth psychological traditions, which emphasizes radical theorizing, in-depth relational clinical education, and engagement in issues of social justice and care. The program prepares psychologists through integration of diverse depth psychological traditions, human sciences scholarship, and community praxis.

• Degree Programs
• Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.)

M.A./Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with Emphasis in Depth Psychology

Learn about the clinical psychology ph.d. program.

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About the Clinical M.A./Ph.D. Program

Human science model.

“I want psychology to have its base in the imagination of people rather than in their statistics and their diagnostics.” James Hillman

Depth Psychological Perspective

“We need images and myths through which we can see who we are and what we might become.” Christine Downing

Clinical Training

“Psychological life in its texture, structure and function is a metaphorical reality.” Robert D. Romanyshyn

Contact the Admissions Advisor

• [email protected]
• (805) 879-7305
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Featured Blog Posts

• Dreams, Calling, Suffering, and Individuation: Finding Light in the Darkness
• A Second Ph.D.; An Alumna Story
• Pacifica’s Ph.D. Clinical Psychology Program; An Alumnus Story

Clinical Department Newsletters

• Spring to Summer 2019
• Spring to Fall 2018
• Winter 2018
• Spring 2017

Clinical Brochure

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Alumni Stories

Our goal is to prepare students to become constructively engaged in diverse clinical, academic, and community settings as researchers and clinicians who are grounded in deeply humane, theoretically sophisticated, and socially conscious approaches to clinical psychology.

Our alumni include:

Mark Montijo, Ph.D. (2006)

Mark Montijo is faculty at Pacifica in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. as well as the Masters in Counseling Psychology and Integrative Therapy and Healing Process programs. He was first licensed in New Mexico as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor where he worked in partnership with Native American healers using traditional healing techniques. He then became licensed in California as a Marriage, Family and Child Counselor. While working for the U.S. Postal Service in several capacities, Mark investigated and resolved Equal Employment Opportunity complaints, created protocol for threat assessment, coordinated a regional Employee Assistance Program, and managed psychological services in the aftermath of workplace violence. Currently a healthcare mediator for a large HMO , Mark works with patients, families, physicians and staff involved in unexpected adverse medical outcomes. He is a passionate advocate for patient and family centered care, including briding physician-patient perspectives . He also maintains a private practice and delivers pro bono geropsychology services at a skilled nursing facility in Berkeley.

AnnaMarie Fidel-Rice, Ph.D., LPC (Colorado), (2003)

AnnaMarie Fidel-Rice is a Professor at Regis University in the Division of Counseling and Family Therapy where she teaches grief therapy from a depth perspective among many other courses. She maintains a pro bono psychotherapy private practice in Arvada, Colorado , and is author of the book The Alchemy of Grief: a depth psychological approach to grief . AnnaMarie has given numerous presentations on alchemy, loss, and grief as well as led retreats in Peru for celebrating the feminine.

Doug Henry, Ph.D. (2003)

Doug Henry has worked in the inpatient psychiatric unit at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital where he did evaluations, group, individual, and family therapy. He also did training and consulting work with the Santa Barbara Police Department (Hostage) Negotiation Team and the CIT – Crisis Intervention Team of the SBPD as well. He has also been lead assessor for Santa Barbara County department of Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Services (ADMHS), in the Calle Real Adult Outpatient Clinic. He currently works at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as Clinical Administrator for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, where he has implemented funding from the Beckwith Institute’s Frontline Innovation Program to the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC). He also also moderated Clinical Grand Rounds presentations on children and adolescents at the WPIC.

Marcia Dobson, Ph.D. (1998)

Marcia Dobson is a Professor at Colorado College, in the Classics Department . She has taught there for over 35 years. In addition to teaching regular Classics courses such as ancient Greek drama and language, Marcia also teaches classes on discovering the unconscious, life of the soul, and myth and meaning. Marcia initiated the psychoanalysis minor at Colorado College, and now teaches classes in contemporary psychoanalysis to students both at Colorado College and at the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis during summers. Her recent research and publications consider classical texts in their relationship to psychoanalytic thinking and theory. She is also an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology .

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Chair & faculty.

The Faculty members of Pacifica’s Clinical M.A./Ph.D. Psychology program bring a passion for education and a wealth of real-world experience into the classroom.

As leaders in their fields, the members of Pacifica’s faculty include authors of international acclaim, renowned lecturers, practicing psychologists, and certified analysts. Many of the faculty are also meditation teachers, social activists, artists, and philosophers.

All Clinical faculty members share a passion for transformative forms of education and are dedicated to working with adult learners. To learn more about the faculty in the M.A./Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology, read the individual descriptions below.

Program FAQs

What is distinct about doctoral education in clinical psychology at pacifica.

Pacifica Graduate Institute has a 40-year long history of providing training in depth psychology within a human science model, and remains one of the few institutions in the world to offer degrees that bring together education in clinical psychology together with rich traditions of depth psychology, which draw from such fields as humanities, mythology, philosophy, cultural studies, and human sciences. In addition, Pacifica’s education emphasizes the dynamic contemporary visions of understanding human experience, which include somatic, spiritually-grounded, indigenous, multicultural, neuropsychological, and community-based approaches.

Oksana Yakushko, Program Chair, explains how Pacifica's Clinical Psychology programs educate students' minds, hearts, and souls.

Does receiving a M.A./Ph.D. from Pacifica’s clinical psychology program meet the qualification needed to be licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in California?

Our curriculum is designed to lead to licensure as a clinical psychologist (based on educational requirements for psychologists in the State of California). In order to receive the California Clinical Psychologist’s license, students must also have met the post-doctoral clinical services hours and examination requirements of the State. As part of receiving the degree from our program, students are required to complete pre-doctoral internship hours that meet requirements of the California Board of Psychology. The eligibility requirements for the formal internship programs in California are set by varied organizations, including the California Psychology Internship Council (CAPIC) which governs many clinical sites that embrace depth psychological treatment modalities.  Pacifica is a graduate school member of CAPIC, and students will be guided through the formal process of application to all such sites. Following receipt of their degree from Pacifica, students must follow state’s requirements, which include post-doctoral supervised clinical hours and passing scores on the national and state exams ( EPPP and CPLEE) . Applicants and students are responsible for following and adhering to the licensure requirements of other states or countries, in which they wish to reside and practice, which may differ from California requirements.

How long is the M.A./Ph.D. program?

Students attend classes in the M.A./Ph.D. program for three years on a year-round basis (including summers). Each year classes are held during nine, four (4)-day sessions. One seven-day summer week occurs during the summer quarter. Students complete their dissertations following the three years of coursework. There is an eight-year time limit for completion of the degree program. Please see the graph below for a visual overview of the M.A./Ph.D. program.

What is the general format of classes?

The classes are a combination of lecture and discussion formats and occur on Pacifica campus. While faculty present lecture material, time is set aside for discussions and question and answer periods. Some of the classes include presentations by experts, experiential activities (e.g., rituals, somatic exercises), as well as time for processing the information as a group. The cohort system at Pacifica encourages a process of in-depth collaborative learning that integrates the multiple personal and cultural contexts affecting learning and guiding discussions.

How much work is required outside of class?

Class assignments consist of readings, posted reflections/discussions, exams, papers or projects.  For every hour in class, at least three hours of academic work outside of class is expected.  This time may include reading, reflections, research, and writing.  Graduate study in general requires twenty (20) hours of study per week with an additional approximate 15 to 20 hours of practica per week in the second and thirds years. Dissertation and internship are undertaken after coursework is completed and comprehensive exams are passed.

Experiential clinical training at off campus clinical training sites is an essential part of the doctoral program. Students complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of practicum, 1,500 hours of internship, and 60 hours of personal therapy. The Director of Clinical Training works collaboratively with students to place them in practica in the beginning of their second year of academic study. Students receive supervision and are given feedback at off-site locations as well as during campus coursework.

Once students complete their coursework and practica and pass a comprehensive exam, students enter off-campus internships where they are also given supervision and feedback. Internships are completed in a multidisciplinary setting offering a variety of training experiences. To obtain pre-doctoral internships, students often compete in a state-wide or nation-wide competitive application process. However, state of California allows clinical training under a licensed psychologist as a psychological assistant to complete pre-doctoral internship hours required by the state of California toward psychology licensure. Training at culturally diverse sites is encouraged.

When do students have an opportunity to meet with faculty?

Each teaching faculty member holds office hours during the time that students are on campus as well as during specified hours during the week. These office hours schedules and sign-up sheets are made available during each learning session. Students are also assigned a core faculty advisor who connects with them regarding varied aspects of their academic and professional development. At the beginning of spring quarter, faculty advisors assess the progress that each student makes in the program as part of the student’s annual evaluations.

Where does a student complete the 2,500-hour practicum/internship requirement?

Students in the doctoral clinical program are required to accrue a total of 2,500 hours of approved and supervised clinical experience.  These hours are obtained in two “tiers” of training:  practicum (1000 hours required) and internship (1,500 hours required).  Both levels of training are obtained at off-campus locations such as group private practices, clinics, hospitals, treatment centers, or other agencies, in which psychologists provide services.  Practicum training is a lower level of training with more intensive and directive supervision, and is obtained during the second and third years of classes at Pacifica.  The Clinical Training Handbook outlines the requirements for beginning clinical training. During the coursework on campus, the students participate in Thursday evening practicum seminars designed to ground their clinical training experience in small-group discussions, case conferences, and intensive supervision by faculty. In contrast to practicum training, internship training is a higher level of training with more independence and responsibility, and is undertaken after the student has completed all of the coursework and passed the comprehensive exams.  The internship, in contrast to the practicum, is a summative and capstone training experience, in which the skills and the knowledge obtained through the coursework and the practicum experiences are exercised.  All of the training activities described here are coordinated and supported by Pacifica’s Training Office, including the Training Coordinator and the Director of Clinical Training.

Can a student use past personal therapy hours to satisfy the 60-hour personal therapy requirement?

The personal therapy requirement is an integral part of the program, essential for the development of clinicians who utilize themselves as an instrument of healing of others. In addition, personal self-awareness is essential to other processes of being a student including conducting research studies with human participants or engaging in clinical and scholarly dialogues in the field that expand psychological knowledge. Therefore, the minimum of 60 hours of personal therapy must be completed while a student is enrolled in the program. These hours may be completed in individual, group, couple or family settings.

Scholarships

Education Assistance Offered to new and returning students based on extreme financial hardship and strong academic excellence. The award is $1,000 to be equally divided between four quarters. For students in the M.A. Counseling program enrolled in the 3rd year, the award is $500. This scholarship is not renewable and students must apply each academic year. Students enrolled in the dissertation phase are not eligible for consideration.

Jung/Freud Clinical Psychology Scholarship Offered to newly admitted students entering into either the Ph.D. Clinical Psychology or Psy.D. Counseling programs. Awards range $2,000-$3,000. The number and amount of individual awards is contingent upon the number of eligible applications received. This scholarship is renewable, provided recipients meet the required 3.5 cumulative grade point average.

Yellow Ribbon Matching Scholarship Pacifica Graduate Institute is pleased to announce that we have entered into an agreement with the Veteran’s Administration in support of veterans continuing their education under the Post 9/11 GI Bill . Pacifica has agreed to provide up to ten Yellow Ribbon Scholarships each year for qualifying veterans under the Post 9/11 GI Bill on a first-come first-serve basis. Students in the M.A. Counseling program will qualify for up to $6,500 per year, M.A. Engaged Humanities and Creative Life will qualify for up to $5,400 per year, and those in the doctoral programs will qualify for up to $7,800 per year.

Curriculum Overview

Clinical Psychology M.A./Ph.D. classes take place in four-day sessions (Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon) once each month during fall, winter, and spring. There is also one seven-day summer session each year. Between learning sessions, advising, mentoring, study and instruction continue through individual and group mentorship from faculty, web-enhanced learning, and cohort support groups.

• Professional and Ethical Development Seminar I - CL 755 , 1 unit
• Professional and Ethical Development Seminar II - CL 756 , 1 unit
• Professional and Ethical Development Seminar III - CL 757 , 1 unit
• 1st Year Annual Assessment for Program Advancement - CL 758 , 0 units
• Psychoanalytic-Based Psychotherapy I: Developmental Perspectives - CP 711 , 2 units
• Jungian-Based Psychotherapy I: Personality Structure and Function - CP 810 , 2 units
• History and Systems of Psychology - CP 700 , 2 units
• Psychological Assessment I - CP 930 , 2 units
• Psychological Assessment II - CP 931 , 2 units
• Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice - CP 832 , 2 units
• Advanced Psychopathology I - CP 730 , 2 units
• Biological Foundations of Human Behavior - CP 735 , 2 units
• Research Designs and Methodology I: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods - CP 932 , 2 units
• Research Designs and Methodology II: Qualitative Methods of Analysis - CP 933 , 2 units
• Research Designs and Methodology III: Quantitative Design and Statistical Analysis - CP 926 , 3 units
• History of Depth Psych & the Human Science Traditions - CL 819 , 2 units
• Phenomenological Psychology: Theory and Practice - CL 917 , 2 units
• Emergent Clinical and Social Theories in Depth Psychology - CP 799 , 2 units

Second Year

• Supervision Practicum Seminar I: Assessment and Diagnosis - CL 759 , 1 unit
• Supervision Practicum Seminar II: Assessment and Diagnosis - CL 760 , 1 unit
• Supervision Practicum Seminar III: Assessment and Diagnosis - CL 761 , 1 unit
• Psychoanalytic-Based Psychotherapy II: Personality and Psychopathology - CP 712 , 2 units
• Jungian-Based Psychotherapy II: Affect, Mind, and Psyche - CP 811 , 2 units
• Principles of Psychopharmacology - CP 873 , 2 units
• Developmental Psychology Through the Lifespan - CP 830 , 3 units
• Alcohol, Chemical Dependency, and Addictive Behaviors - CL 900 , 2 units
• Cognitive Foundations of Human Behavior - CL 837 , 2 units
• Affective Foundations of Human Behavior - CL 838 , 2 units
• Advanced Clinical Research Approaches and Dissertation Development I - CP 961 , 1 unit
• Depth Psychological Designs and Methods I - CL 928 , 2 units
• Research Designs and Methodology III: Test and Measurement - CP 934 , 2 units
• Indigenous Approaches to Psychology - CP 803 , 1 unit
• Archetypal Psychology I: Social Basis of Human Experience - CP 840 , 2 units
• Social Foundations of Human Behavior - CL 800 , 2 units
• 2nd Year Annual Assessment for Program Advancement - CL 762 , 0 units
• MA Qualifying Exam - CP 890 , 0 units
• Psychotherapy Practicum Seminar I: Effective Psychological Interventions - CL 763 , 1 unit
• Psychotherapy Practicum Seminar II: Effective Psychological Interventions - CL 764 , 1 unit
• Psychotherapy Practicum Seminar III: Effective Psychological Interventions - CL 765 , 1 unit
• 3rd Year Annual Assessment for Program Advancement - CL 766 , 0 units
• Post-Jungian Psychotherapy: Biological, Ecological, and Cultural Systems - CP 745 , 2 units
• Theories of Group Psychotherapy - CP 719 , 1 unit
• Archetypal Psychology II: Personality, Psychopathology, and Culture - CP 814 , 2 units
• Advanced Psychopathology II - CP 731 , 2 units
• Principles of Clinical Supervision and Consultation - CL 752 , 1 unit
• Evidence-Based Psychotherapies - CL 912 , 2 units
• Violence and Trauma: Developmental and Social Theories - CP 834 , 2 units
• Advanced Clinical Research Approaches and Dissertation Development II - CP 962 , 2 units
• Depth Psychological Designs and Methods II - CL 929 , 2 units
• Advanced Clinical Research Approaches and Dissertation Development III - CP 963 , 2 units
• Research Designs and Methodology IV: Advanced Qualitative Methods - CL 940 , 2 units
• Gender and Human Sexuality - CP 901 , 1 unit
• Psychotherapy with Diverse Populations - CP 845 , 2 units
• Comprehensive Exam Portfolio – CP 989 - CP 989 , 0 units
• Capstone Projects and Program Requirements
• Comprehensive Exam Portfolio - CP 989 , 0 units
• Dissertation Writing - CP 990 , 15 units
• Pre-doctoral Internship - CP 980 , 0 units
• Personal Psychotherapy - CP 950 , 0 units

Requirements for Graduation

Degree requirements for graduation.

• Students must complete a total of 105 quarter units to fulfill the unit requirement for the Ph.D. degree.
• A minimum grade of “B” is required in each completed course. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained.
• Students must meet attendance requirements as articulated in the Student Handbook.
• 56 units of first and second year designated coursework have been successfully completed.
• Completion of 100 hours of practicum has been documented.
• Documentation of 30 hours of personal therapy has been submitted.
• In addition to completion of the M.A. degree requirements, in order to proceed with the third year of coursework, students must pass the Second Year Assessment for Program Advancement which encompasses a comprehensive review of coursework, annual evaluations, qualifying exam results (a minimum of 80% is required), advancement toward clinical practicum training goals, writing skills and readiness to conduct research.
• Students must successfully pass the Comprehensive Portfolio at the end of the third year.
• Students must submit and defend an original dissertation accepted by the faculty.
• Students are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of practicum and 1,500 hours of internship..
• Students are required to complete a total of 60 hours of personal therapy.
• Students must comply with all the policies and procedures articulated in the Student, Dissertation, and Clinical Handbooks.

Faculty Mentorship

Preparation for clinical psychology licensure, enroll today.

Pacifica Graduate Institute is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001, and is approved by the State of California Board of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and the U. S. Department of Education.

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Department of Counseling, Clinical, & School Psychology

Counseling/Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program

The counseling/clinical doctoral program adheres to a scientist-practitioner training model and provides students with both research and practitioner knowledge and skills. The program’s primary goal is to train students who are interested in academic and research positions; a secondary goal is to prepare psychological service providers who will exercise influence on professional psychology through teaching, research, and leadership. The organizing themes that integrate the identity of the Department are the values of human diversity and individual differences, health and development across the lifespan, and ecological (e.g., family, school, community) influences on human behavior.

Counseling and Clinical Psychology historically have reflected different service areas, employment settings, and populations served.

Counseling psychologists  have traditionally focused on life-adjustment problems and career development and have worked primarily in university counseling centers, Veterans Administration hospitals, and community agencies.

Clinical psychologists  have traditionally focused on the evaluation and treatment of clients with acute or chronic mental disorders and have worked in mental health centers, mental hospitals, and psychiatric units of general hospitals.

However, the interdependence of contemporary social systems currently requires that psychologists have a broad knowledge of service emphases, employment settings, and client populations. For example, counseling psychologists need to be familiar with the diagnostic procedures andprinciples of psychopathology; clinical psychologists need to be familiar with the influences and workings of school systems and patterns of normal development; and school psychologists need to be familiar with family systems and school-to-work transitions.

In order to develop research-oriented academic psychologists who can adapt to changing and diversifying roles, the CCSP Department requires all doctoral students to take core courses that provide: (a) awareness, knowledge, and skills that arecommonto counseling, clinical, and school psychology; and (b) awareness and knowledge unique to counseling, clinical, and school psychology. Beyond entry-level awareness, knowledge, and skill base taught in the common core courses, students receive focused trainingin counselingor clinicalpsychology to prepare them to meet the needs of the populations and settings served by the area they have chosen. This goal is accomplished through separate research practica, clinical practica, coursework, and internships unique to each of the two areas.

The organizing themes that integrate the identity of the program are: (a) the values of human diversity and individual differences, (b) health and development across the lifespan, and (c) ecological (e.g., family, school, and societal) influences on human behavior.

Requirements for Counseling/ClinicalPh.D., Counseling Emphasis  (degree sheet)

Requirements for Counseling/ClinicalPh.D., Clinical Emphasis  (degree sheet)

Counseling and Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student Handbook

*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](link sends e-mail) Web:   www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

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Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychological Science

Statement of goals, purpose, and values.

The clinical area will lead the search for new knowledge in assessment, understanding, prevention, and treatment of psychological disorders and mental health concerns from an inclusive perspective that is psychologically, ecologically, socially, and biologically informed. In this service, we will train clinical scientists to produce, implement, evaluate, and disseminate psychological science and to function as leaders in academic, research, and applied settings to improve the human condition from an inclusive lens.

Area Description

The UCI Clinical Psychology area follows the clinical science model. Students gain a solid foundation in research methods and data analysis as a foundation that supports learning as well as creating empirically-supported principles of assessment and intervention. The area provides students with an appreciation of the reciprocal relations between research and practice.

The UCI Clinical area is uniquely embedded within the School of Social Ecology, which emphasizes an integrative, biopsychosocial perspective on community, mental health, and physical health. Students approach clinical problems with an awareness of the complex interaction of biological, social, and community factors that influence how people interact with the environment around them.

Research is the central component of the Clinical area. Each student works closely with a primary faculty research mentor. Clinical area faculty and students conduct research on a wide range of topics, with work ranging from basic laboratory studies to problems in applied clinical and community settings. Students are encouraged to present research at professional conferences and to publish their work in professional journals. Clinical area students are required to complete an empirical doctoral dissertation that makes a unique contribution to knowledge in their area of specialization.

Clinical Psychology at UCI is intended to be a five or six-year area, which includes a full-time one-year clinical internship. Pre-internship clinical training includes a minimum of two years (six academic quarters) of part-time placements in clinical settings. These clinical practica provide students with opportunities to apply the skills and knowledge that they have acquired in the classroom to real-world problems and diverse populations. Practicum placements will draw upon the rich clinical training opportunities in the greater Orange County area.

The required one-year full-time clinical internship is undertaken after the student has passed the comprehensive examination and successfully defended their dissertation proposal. Students are eligible to receive the Ph.D. degree after successful completion of all area coursework, the doctoral dissertation, and an approved internship.

1. To produce graduates who possess a solid foundation of knowledge in core areas of scientific psychology and research consistent with a biopsychosocial and clinical-science framework.

2. To produce graduates who possess the ability to design and conduct research studies that can provide independent contributions to knowledge.

3. To produce graduates who can conduct competent clinical practice in the areas of assessment and intervention.

4. To produce graduates who can practice psychology and conduct psychological research according to ethical standards.

5. To produce graduates who can practice psychology and conduct psychological research with sensitivity to individual and cultural diversity.

For more information, see our  Clinical Area Handbook  or visit our FAQ below. 

For questions regarding admissions, please see here or email  [email protected]

Clinical Psychology Area Newsletter

If you wish to receive a copy of future newsletters in your email, please fill out the form below: Newsletter Subscription Form -------------------------

Volume 1 - January 2022

Volume 2 - January 2023

Volume 3 - January 2024

Clinical Area Costs

Students are offered a full funding package for 5 years, which is typically a teaching assistantship that includes a quarterly stipend, student health insurance, and full coverage of tuition.  The school also pays Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) for the first 3 quarters.

Domestic Non-resident students should petition for California residency prior to their second year of graduate study. 

Please note that these are just estimates based on 2024-2025 rates and are subject to change.

Many students seek additional income through loans or other sources. For more information on these options please visit the UCI Financial Aid and/or UCI Graduate Division websites. 

We do not vouch for the accuracy of the following, but  Expatistan  and Numbeo  offer more information about the cost of living in Irvine. Apartment Advisor provides a platform to help students find the best off-campus housing for their needs. 

APA Accreditation

We have begun the process of applying for accreditation. 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 Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data

Licensure Disclosures

As a new area aspiring towards, but currently not possessing, APA accreditation, we work to train our students in all the particulars of health service psychology so as to be equipped for excellence as scholars and clinicians.  We expect that the majority of our graduates will obtain professional licensure in clinical psychology. Because each state has governing boards (typically State Boards of Psychology) with different licensing requirements, we cannot guarantee that the specific training we provide will meet the criteria for licensure in any individual state.  The clinical area provides a curriculum and training experience consistent with current APA accreditation for a clinical program. If of interest, please consider reviewing current state licensing requirements at:

APA Services

Consumer Information Disclosures

State Board Contact Information

As a University of California (UC) area ultimately intended to provide licensure to practice clinical psychology in the state of California, our area must declare that admission into our area does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate in California. Licensure (as well as certification) requirements in California are determined by agencies not affiliated with the UC system and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.

Students intending to seek licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether they will meet that state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).

https://www.ucop.edu/institutional-research-academic-planning/content-analysis/academic-planning/licensure-and-certification-disclosures.html

Central Clinical Faculty

• Jessica Borelli , PhD (developmental psychopathology, attachment, emotion, prevention of mental health problems in children and adolescents)
• Susan Charles , PhD (emotional processes across the adult life span, subjective experience and cognitive processes, health and emotion)
• Kate Kuhlman , PhD (developmental psychopathology, psychoneuroimmunology, psychoneuroendocrinology, early life stress, and adolescent depression)
• Elizabeth Martin , PhD (emotion and social functioning in individuals with psychosis and psychosis-risk; EEG)
• Ray Novaco , PhD, Emeritus (anger, violence, stress, trauma, and interventions)
• Stephen Schueller , PhD (Health, technology, implementation science, treatment and prevention, depression, positive psychology)
• Jason Schiffman , PhD  Director of Clinical Training (identification and prevention of early psychosis, addressing issues of health disparities across racial/ethnic groups among individuals at clinical high-risk) 
• Julian Thayer, PhD (health psychology, psychopathology, health disparities, heart rate variability, emotions, stress)
• Alyson Zalta , PhD (trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, moral injury, resilience, treatment & prevention)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the area’s orientation/philosophy? The clinical area at UCI is a “clinical science” area. This means the area is designed to produce psychologists who are devoted to the advancement of scientific knowledge in clinical psychology and who have a broad range of clinical proficiencies in assessment and treatment. We aim to develop clinical psychology scholars whose research achievements provide prototypes for understanding mental health problems and for developing psychotherapeutic interventions and prevention programs.

If I choose UCI’s clinical area, will I graduate from an accredited program? Following the American Psychological Association’s timeline for accreditation, our area will likely have obtained accreditation status before the graduation of our inaugural class (i.e., students can expect to graduate from an APA-accredited program). We are also actively investigating accreditation through the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS).

Why UCI for graduate training? Students will gain from the interdisciplinary orientation of the School of Social Ecology with faculty/programs in UCI’s Schools of Medicine , Public Health , Nursing , Law , Education , Social Sciences , Biological Sciences , Arts , and Engineering , and UCI’s Institute for Clinical and Translational Science and the Institute for Memory Impairment and Neurological Disorders . Training will feature a partnership with Psychiatry and Human Behavior as well as community mental health agencies. Additionally, the School of Social Ecology houses the Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research , the Center for Psychology and Law , and the Newkirk Center for Science and Society , and UCI’s Campus Center for Neuroimaging . In addition to these educational and research resources, as well as being consistently ranked as a top 10 public university by US News and World Report, the UCI campus is located between Los Angeles and San Diego, and is just minutes from the Pacific ocean.

When I graduate, what will I be able to do? The area will prepare students for a broad range of high-demand careers. These include university faculty positions and research tracks; positions in behavioral medicine and health psychology in medical schools and healthcare organizations; positions as clinical psychologists in public- and private-sector mental health facilities; positions in forensic psychology; and applied research positions in companies, organizations, and programs that address mental health.      

How long is the clinical area designed to take to complete? The area is six years, including a one-year, full-time internship. The first five years are intended to be spent in residence at UCI. 

Am I guaranteed funding? All graduate students in our area are guaranteed funding for the first five years. Funding comes from teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships. 

What type of courses will I take? Students in the area will take a broad range of clinical, research, and statistics courses. These courses will include adult or child psychopathology, psychological assessment, clinical interviewing, neuropsychological assessment, evidence-based psychological treatments, multicultural issues, research methods, and psychometrics.

What are the clinical area’s thoughts on issues of diversity or inclusive excellence? As a minority serving institution , UCI is committed to attracting doctoral students who can help meet the mental health needs of a racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse population. We seek to attract a diverse applicant pool to increase student diversity and diversity in clinical psychology more broadly.

How are admissions decisions made? We approach admissions decisions holistically, attempting to evaluate applicants based on a variety of attributes demonstrated across their academic career and life’s journey to date. Students will be selected for admission based on interests that are congruent with our clinical area’s provisions and emphases on clinical science.

Can students applying to the clinical area apply to work with faculty in the Department of Psychological Science who are not listed as clinical faculty? Yes, all faculty in the Department of Psychological Science may be the primary advisor of a student in the clinical area.  We encourage you to apply to work with the faculty member that best fits your research interests, regardless of the faculty’s area. 

Can students applying to the clinical area also apply to one of the other departmental areas (Developmental Psychology, Health Psychology, Social Psychology)? No, we discourage students from applying to both the Ph.D. Program in Psychological Science (covering the areas of Developmental, Health, and Social Psychology) and the Ph.D. Program in Psychological Science with a concentration in Clinical Psychology (the clinical area).  These two programs have different training goals.  Therefore, we encourage you to apply to the program that best fits your training goals.

Can students who apply to one of the other departmental areas (Developmental, Health, and Social Psychology) be considered for admission to the clinical area? No, the application processes are separate.  If you want to be considered for admission to the clinical area, you need to submit your application to the Ph.D. Program in Psychological Science with a concentration in Clinical Psychology.

If I am not interested in research, is the clinical area right for me? No, this area aims to produce psychologists who are devoted to the advancement of scientific knowledge in clinical psychology. Thus, conducting and disseminating research is a main focus. 

Do you have full disclosure/student admissions and outcome data? Admissions data for the clinical area can be found on our webpage ( https://ps.soceco.uci.edu/pages/clinical-psychology-graduate ) under APA Accreditation ( Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data ). Note that some of the tables will not have data given the newness of our program.

Do you require the GRE or Psychology GRE? GREs are an optional part of the upcoming admissions cycle. 

In our first year accepting students, we received over 500 applications and had an entering class of nine. Successful applicants to the area have strong research backgrounds (e.g., at least 1 year of research experience in a psychology lab, experience disseminating their research projects at a conference or to a journal), interests compatible with those of core clinical faculty, and interests in academic/research careers. 

The clinical area encourages applications from a diverse range of applicants, including (but not limited to) applications from people of different ages, races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, religions, and ability statuses.

As a provisional member of the Council of University Directors of Clinical Training (CUDCP), the Clinical Psychology area at UCI adheres to CUDCP’s policies and guidelines for graduate school admissions, offers, and acceptance. For additional information about these policies, please visit this link.

More information about clinical psychology and application tips also can be found at clinicalpsychgradschool.org, offered by CUDCP.

For information on how to apply, please click here .

Application Requirements

Applications are due December 1st.   Applicants to the clinical area will complete an online application via SLATE. Below are the components/steps of the online application. 

For additional details, including eligibility requirements, please visit the Graduate Division website.

• A description of your background, research experience, current and future research interests, future goals, and how you see yourself fitting in our department.
• Name(s) of the faculty member(s) with whom you are interested in working and why.  
• Any educational, familial, cultural, economic or social experiences or opportunities relevant to your academic journey
• Challenges and/or obligations you have had to address in order to achieve your educational goals and how you addressed them
• Prior employment, as a student or as a working professional, that is relevant to your pursuit of a graduate degree
• Discuss any leadership roles or plans, outreach, or community service experiences and goals that have or will benefit others or the community
• How your perspectives, activities, or goals have or may contribute to inclusivity and/or broaden your understanding of the experiences of diverse groups of peopleAny educational, familial, cultural, economic or social experiences or opportunities relevant to your academic journey.  

We also expect applicants to include the following in the context of the above:

• Any experience(s) you have in advocating for diversity in organizations or communities of which you have been a member (3-5 sentences).
• Any significant challenge(s) you have faced and your ability to demonstrate resilience and achievement despite the challenges (3-7 sentences).
• Your interest in an academic career in teaching/research and/or other professional goals and interests you may have (3-5 sentences).
• GRE scores are optional. We do not require applicants to our graduate program to submit a GRE score report as part of their application. Applicants may choose to submit GRE test scores, and they will be reviewed as one part of the application evaluation. Applications with GRE scores will not be given greater consideration than those without scores. For applicants who wish to include their scores to supplement their application, please note that the Educational Testing Service (ETS) code for UCI is: 4859. Please visit the Graduate Division Website for more information.
• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended after high school. Applicants must upload unofficial transcripts directly into the online application.
• Fee waivers are available to qualified domestic applicants only. Eligibility to apply for a fee waiver is determined by diversity program participation, US veteran status, or demonstrated financial need based on information requirements specified on the application.
• Three letters of recommendation are required and must be uploaded digitally. Paper Letters will not be accepted. These letters should speak to your academic and/or professional achievement, describe your strengths and weaknesses, and comment on your character, integrity and motivation are especially useful. Additional information regarding letters of recommendation can be found here .
• All graduate applicants, except those who have earned an undergraduate or master's degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the  World Higher Education Database , are required to demonstrate English proficiency for admissions consideration. If English is not the sole language of instruction listed or if no language is listed at all, the waiver does not apply and the applicant is required to take and pass an approved English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS).
• English proficiency for Teaching Assistantship - All international students, including those with Permanent Resident status, who wish to serve as a Teaching Assistant or Teaching Associate must pass an oral English proficiency exam approved by UCI. Exemptions to this exam are ONLY given to students who meet specific criteria listed on the  Graduate Division website for English Proficiency for Teaching Assistantships . For more detailed information on these exams of spoken English proficiency, including the respective passing scores, please review the  G RE/TOEFL/IELTS Tests  section on the Graduate Division FAQ section.

Information Sessions

Online information sessions will be hosted by UCI Social Ecology representatives and are designed for prospective students to learn more about the Psychological Science Ph.D. programs, application requirements, tuition & funding. Archived information sessions and application workshop registration can be found here .

If you would like additional information, please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or contact us here .

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• Graduate Programs
• Departments

Counseling, Clinical & School Psychology

The Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology (CCSP) offers 3 programs:

1). A *counseling/clinical doctoral program designed to prepare the next generation of diverse scholars in applied psychology. Our primary mission is to prepare graduates for research/academic careers, with a particular focus on strengths-based approaches to working with vulnerable populations. Students complete coursework on research methods and evidence- based practice, gain research training and experience with faculty mentors, and complete practicum experiences in a range of settings. The doctoral program adheres to a scientist-practitioner model.

2). A *school psychology doctoral program which emphasizes a training model focused on developing the research skills needed to conduct basic and applied research that informs school psychology best practices. In addition, students learn how to effectively communicate evidence-supported practices to schools by directly engaging in the role of school psychologists and developing the skills needed to be a qualified practitioner as defined by state (CCTC) and national (NASP, APA) standards and also as leaders/innovators in comprehensive support services to schools. It is our belief that this type of training is needed to prepare school psychologist scholars, faculty, and leaders to contribute research and knowledge that will advance science, practice, and policy relevant to respond to the challenges of educating diverse student populations.

3). A Masters of Education in School Psychology Program that aims to be a model program for the preparation of school psychologists trained to support ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse students and families. These efforts are consistent with the mission of the CCSP department to engage in scholarship and prepare professionals who will foster the psychological well-being and social equity of all people, especially vulnerable populations. These efforts are also consistent with further educating and preparing students at UCSB to actualize UCSB’s commitment as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). We are committed to meeting the rising need and demand for highly-skilled, well-trained, and culturally-responsive school psychologists, especially from underrepresented backgrounds in the field of education, to serve school children in California and across the U.S.

Students interested in applying to our program should visit our department specific admission’s webpage to learn more about our specific requirements. All PhD applications must submit a completed At A Glance form as a supplemental document with their application.

Please Note: This is Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology Department in the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education. If you are interested in experimental psychology, please apply to the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences .

Department of Counseling, Clinical and School Psychology University of California, Santa Barbara Building 275, Room 4100 Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9490 (USA)

Website  http://www.education.ucsb.edu/ccsp

Email  [email protected]

Department Phone Number (805) 893-3375

• November 15, 2024 - by 11:59 PM PST.

Please Note : only applications fully completed by the deadline will be considered.

Requirements

• Doctoral Students Only: Please complete and upload the At A Glance form found on the department homepage in the Prospective Students - How to Apply section. This word doc should be included in the supplemental documents section.
• All requirements must be uploaded to your online application. Letters of recommendation are submitted online by letter writers. Supplemental materials are at https://education.ucsb.edu/academic-programs/dept-of-counseling-clinical-school-psychology/prospective-students/how-to-apply . 
• Online application : https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp
• Statement of Purpose, Personal History and Diversity Statement, and Resume or CV (submitted in the online application)
• Three letters of recommendation (submitted in the online application)
• Official transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutions attended (submitted in the online application)
• English Language Exam Scores (if applicable): TOEFL Internet-Based Test (IBT) total score of 80, or TOEFL Paper-Based Test (PBT) total score of 550, or IELTS Overall Band score of 7, or Duolingo English Test total score of 120, or higher
• Writing Sample (preferably a research paper or review written in APA style--submitted in the online application)
• See department website for additional requirements.
• Final/Official transcripts will be required for all applicants who are admitted and have indicated their intent to enroll at UC Santa Barbara by submitting a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). UC Santa Barbara reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admissions process, and rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between uploaded and official transcript(s) are found.

Although all Counseling/Clinical Ph.D. students earn the same degree (Ph.D. in Counseling/Clinical Psychology), each student is admitted to a particular emphasis: Counseling Psychology or Clinical Psychology. An M.A. in Counseling Psychology is offered as an option en route to the Counseling/Clinical Ph.D. once requirements are completed. School Psychology Ph.D. students may earn a M.Ed. in School Psychology en route to their Ph.D. Optional Ph.D. emphases include Feminist Studies, or Quantitative Methods in Social Sciences.

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Clinical Psychology

Take your understanding of psychology to the next level.

Need additional help or information?

Phd & psyd programs in clinical psychology overview.

The California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) offers nine APA-accredited doctoral degree programs in clinical psychology. Explore our APA clinical psychology programs in California below.

What To Know about a Clinical Psychology Major

Clinical science is a specialized field within psychology committed to improving public health and well-being by generating and disseminating the best possible knowledge.  This can be seen in various subfields of psychology, such as clinical neuropsychology, counseling psychology, and developmental psychology among others. Unlike traditional approaches that view research and intervention as separate entities, clinical science treats them as a single, integrated domain of expertise and action.

As part of the training of aspiring clinical psychologists, students in clinical science programs learn about an empirical, research-based approach to clinical work. By deeply understanding psychological phenomena and how they relate to clinical practice, students can conduct clinical research grounded in evidence and informed by real-world experience. This method can help reduce the struggles and improve the outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. Embarking on an educational journey through clinical psychology graduate programs might be the key to unlocking your full potential as a psychological science expert.

PhD in Clinical Psychology

This doctoral program will expand your knowledge and skills in this critical field. With a focus on mental health and human behavior, you'll learn to understand the psychological science and processes underlying human behavior and the tools used to apply this knowledge in clinical practice, improving the community’s health and well-being.

PsyD in Clinical Psychology

This clinical psychology doctoral program offers a variety of challenging courses to give you the knowledge needed, not only to master the psychology department, but also to succeed as a health service psychologist. Along with clinical training, evidence-based practice, and professional guidance, you'll get hands-on experience through a number of different learning opportunities with clinical scientists and other professionals in the field.

Explore our clinical psychology program research opportunities, practicum partners, and student communities.

  learn more, meet your program directors, more about clinical psychology, accreditation.

Both the PhD and PsyD programs are individually accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA). The California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) offers clinical psychology PhD and PsyD programs at its campuses in Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. The PsyD program is also offered at the  Sacramento campus. 

APA accreditation ensures that the programs meet the industry standards, follow the best practices, and use industry experts to teach.  For most psychologists, APA accreditation is also required for licensure by many states. 

*Questions related to each 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 (202) 336-5979 [email protected] https://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation )

Specialization

The programs’ emphasis and experience areas include:

• Clinical health psychology 
• Family/child and couple 
• Multicultural community-clinical psychology 
• Forensic psychology 
• Psychodynamic 
• Clinical health 
• Integrative psychology 
• Multicultural and international 
• Trauma, stress, resilience

Each APA-accredited program is unique, as are its emphasis, specialization, and track offerings. Our program teaches the basic skills needed to work in the field of psychology. In the programs you'll gain clinical practice experience, which helps to prepare you for entering the workforce as a clinical psychologist. Graduate students of the clinical program will be qualified to give psychological assessment in a clinical setting. If you're looking for PhD and PsyD programs in California, please see the doctoral program pages for specifics on emphasis area offerings in the field of psychology to help you become an effective licensed psychologist.

Hands-On Experience and Training

The degree programs at our university are built on a foundation of scholarship paired with hands-on experience in psychological services. As a PhD or PsyD student, you'll have opportunities to get professional practice through hands-on experience and internships. We have partnerships with thousands of practice sites that include hospitals, community mental health organizations, prison and correctional systems, veteran service centers, college counseling centers, nonprofits, and more.

As a doctoral student, you'll participate in required field experiences during most years of your program. The PsyD and PhD graduate programs require participation in practicum experiences, including a range of populations and age groups. This offers extensive practical exposure and continual opportunities to apply research and theory in real-world situations. Breadth and depth are the hallmarks of clinical psychology training, with practice involving:

• Numerous evidence-based treatment modalities
• A broad range of theoretical orientations
• Multiple treatment settings
• A wide, diverse range of patient populations

Yearly Placement

Practica and internships are generally assigned on a one-year basis. In clinical psychology degrees, you’ll typically assume new field placement positions at the beginning of each academic year so you can gain exposure to various training models. We attempt to match your interests and needs to training site offerings, although procedures for matching vary from campus to campus at our graduate school.

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Internships

The culminating clinical training component of the doctoral degree is the doctoral internship. An aspiring clinical scientist can apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, such as in hospitals and psychological services center facilities. Beginning with the first year and continuing throughout the doctoral degree program, CSPP doctoral students are provided with education about the internship process. Faculty and staff provide continuous support as you build your clinical training experiences, and they provide guidance across all phases of the internship application, interview, and acceptance process. Throughout the psychological clinical science degree program, faculty actively work to develop competitive applications for APA-accredited internships and obtain internships that are a good fit for student career goals. For additional information about a graduate program's specific internship application requirements in the psychology major, please refer to the program's webpage.

Research Opportunities

Our faculty collaborate with their students on various research projects and our students go on to publish their work and present at local, regional, national, and international conferences.

Networking and Mentorship

Aside from taking on the role of life-long mentor, our faculty are preparing their graduate students to become their colleagues. They expect each of their pupils to, one day, stand beside them as leaders in the field. Our clinical psychology students often attend conferences and community events with CSPP and their faculty. Whether presenting at psychological conventions or connecting with thousands of CSPP alumni, our students begin making connections in the field from the day they first set foot in our classrooms.

Career Preparation

The clinical PhD and clinical PsyD programs prepare you for licensure as a psychologist in California and most other states. All CSPP clinical psychology doctoral students graduate with at least 1,500 hours of supervised internship experience to meet the doctoral internship placement requirement for California Board of Psychology licensure. If you plan to seek licensure in California, you must accrue an additional 1,500 post-doctoral hours.

Multicultural Competence Training

Clinical psychology doctoral programs at CSPP have developed multicultural training to embrace consideration of diversity regarding issues of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, social class, and religion. This is reflected in specific required courses for all clinical students, as well as through the integration of multicultural perspectives in all courses throughout the curriculum.

The campus community’s diversity allows you to interact with the psychology department’s faculty, staff, administrators and other students from many different cultural backgrounds. Increasing self-awareness relevant to multicultural issues, increasing awareness of multicultural dynamics in larger society, and examining their implications for psychotherapy are the primary goals of the specific intercultural awareness and development courses. In these programs you'll be asked to look at your own multicultural identity, as well as at your values, stereotypes, prejudices, and potential blind spots. A willingness to self-evaluate and self-disclose are essential to the courses.

Courses throughout the clinical psychology concentration curriculum include a focus on increasing multicultural knowledge by increasing familiarity with theory, research, and clinical practice and applications relevant to diverse populations. Elective courses and the availability of field training sites that provide experience with diverse groups offer opportunities to develop skills that enhance work with culturally diverse clients. To be a clinical psychologist is a transformative experience that goes beyond the clinical psychology PhD program or PsyD program. It's also about making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. By understanding the critical components of the clinical program and the significance of practical experience, you're well on your way to becoming a distinguished clinical scientist in psychology.

Alliant offers a variety of different degree programs that are approved with top accreditation. Start your professional psychology career today with Alliant.

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Psychology Doctoral Programs in California - PhD

PhD Programs in Psychology

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

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

PhD in Clinical Psychology

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

Accreditations

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

Contact Information

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

Alliant International University – Los Angeles

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

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

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

Alliant International University – San Diego

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

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

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

Alliant International University – San Francisco Bay

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

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

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

Biola University

Rosemead school of psychology.

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

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

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

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

Fielding Graduate University

School of psychology.

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

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

• California Board of Behavioral Sciences

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

Fuller Theological Seminary

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

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

• Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada

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

Loma Linda University

School of behavioral health.

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

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

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

University of California – Berkeley

Department of psychology.

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

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

PhD in Social Psychology

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

• Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS)

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

University of California – Los Angeles

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

Doctoral in Psychology Training Program

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

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

University of California – Riverside

Graduate school of education.

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

PhD in School Psychology

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

• National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

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

University of California – Santa Barbara

Gevirtz graduate school of education.

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

Combined PhD in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology

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

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

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• Program Overview

Based in Jesuit values, the USF PsyD program's mission is to offer a rigorous program of study that emphasizes clinical and scholarly work with underserved populations and focuses on training culturally responsive health service psychologists to work in interprofessional, integrated behavioral health settings.

Clinical Psychology, PsyD

• Clinical Training & Research
• Financial Aid & Student Support

Program Delivery

• The program consists of four years of academic study, including three years of practicum training (1500-2000 hours), a clinical dissertation, and a fifth year internship (1500-2000 hours applied toward licensure).
• Admission is for the fall semester only, with year-round study during fall, spring, and summer semesters. 
• Some courses may be taken jointly with students in the Master of Public Health, the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs, and occasionally with students in other USF schools and colleges.
• Transfer credit may be given for courses taken at other accredited institutions that are substantially equivalent to those offered in the PsyD Program up to a maximum of 12 credit hours.

Residency Requirements

The length of the PsyD Program is four years of full-time academic coursework plus one year of full-time internship (or two years of part-time internship). The residency requirements of the program are as follows: Four years of full-time academic study plus one year full-time or two years part-time internship prior to receiving the doctoral degree.  Three of the required four academic training years must be completed within the USF PsyD Program, a minimum of one year of which must be in full-time residence at the USF PsyD Program.

Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

Program overview.

Chestnut Hill College offers the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in clinical psychology with optional concentrations in Couple, Family, and Child Therapy or Psychological Assessment. Students who complete the requirements for a concentration will receive a Certificate of Concentration in addition to the diploma at graduation.

The Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology prepares graduates to become professional psychologists with skills in psychotherapy, psychological assessment, supervision, and consultation. The Psy.D. program follows a practitioner-scholar model of training. Students are trained in clinical skills as they acquire a broad base of academic knowledge to permit them to evaluate and contribute to the scholarly literature in the field of clinical psychology. The curriculum is based on the list of competencies developed by the National Council for Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP) and provides the proper academic framework for the graduate to prepare for the licensing examination in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States. For most states, APA-accredited educational programs and APA-accredited internships meet the requirements for licensure. Links to individual state licensing boards are available at  https://www.apaservices.org/practice/ce/state/state-info .  The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards prepares an annually updated document of state-by-state requirements for initial licensure to assist psychology doctoral programs in meeting U.S. Department of Education-required Consumer Information Disclosures. This report can be viewed at:   https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.asppb.net/resource/resmgr/files/Consumer_Information_Disclos.pdf .

Theoretical Orientation

The theoretical orientation of the Department of Professional Psychology at Chestnut Hill College is a complementary blend of psychodynamic interpersonal and systems theories. Psychodynamic interpersonal theory serves as a method for understanding the personality formation and inner psychological world of the individual. The perspective of systems theory provides students with the understanding of the ways in which individuals, families, and communities influence one another.

Program Aims

• To prepare students to become competent practitioners of clinical psychology by facilitating the acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary for effective clinical practice.
• To foster respect for human diversity and to enable students to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• To foster ethical thinking and behavior in professional work and appreciation of legal and quality assurance principles that have an impact on clinical practice.
• To facilitate the development of a scholarly attitude, respect for the value of empirical findings in guiding one’s clinical decision-making, the ability to be effective consumers of research literature, and the ability to utilize research principles to answer clinically relevant questions.
• To promote professionalism, self-awareness, and active involvement in the profession of psychology and advocacy efforts.

Each of these goals has specific objectives and competencies associated with it.   Complete list of the goals, objectives and competencies .

• Applicants with a  bachelor’s degree  from a regionally-accredited institution and at least 12 undergraduate credits (4 courses) in psychology. These applicants enter via the M.S./Psy.D. track and earn the M.S. in Clinical Psychology en route to the Psy.D. degree.
• Applicants with a  master’s degree  in clinical and/or counseling psychology, or a closely related field. These applicants may be eligible for admission directly to Year II of the Psy.D. program. For criteria for admission with Advanced Standing, see  Psy.D. Program: Admissions .
• The program will also accept a limited number of students transferring from other APA-accredited doctoral programs in clinical psychology. (See Doctoral Admissions for information relevant to these applicants.)

The Doctoral Program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, relationship status, or on the basis of any other criteria that is inconsistent with state or local laws in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, or financial aid.

Program Highlights

• Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data PDF
• Accredited by the  American Psychological Association
• Requires  117 credits , including practica, internship, and dissertation. Students who enter with a bachelor’s degree must also complete an additional 18 credits in the first two years of the Psy.D. program.
• Students who enter at Year I receive the  M.S. in Clinical Psychology  en route to the doctoral degree in August of Year II.
• Qualified applicants with master’s degrees may apply to enter with  Advanced Standing  and may apply to transfer up to 24 credits.
• Psy.D. Program may be completed in six years for students who enter with bachelor’s degrees and five years for students who enter with Advanced Standing.
• Classes are scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays  to enable students to complete practica.
• There are  nine core doctoral faculty , four associated faculty, and three contributing faculty members. Of the core faculty members, eight teach in the doctoral program, and one is the full-time Clinic Director who supervises students in practicum and internship.
• Psy.D. Program follows a  cohort model . Students who enter the program at the same time progress through the program as a cohort and take all of their classes together, thus facilitating cooperation, collaboration, and the development of personal bonds.
• Optional concentrations  available in Psychological Assessment or Couple and Family Psychology.
• Theoretical orientation  of the Psy.D. program is a complementary blend of psychodynamic interpersonal and systems theories. Within the Psychological Assessment Concentration, students may select the optional Neuropsychology focus.
• Lab courses enable students to practice clinical skills under supervision of program faculty.
• Chestnut Hill College Assessment and Psychotherapy Clinic  provides supervised field placements for students on practica.
• Chestnut Hill College Internship Consortium  provides local internship placements for qualified students. In 2020-21, the Consortium provided placement for ten students. The Consortium is an APA-Accredited internship site.
• Structured sequence of mentoring and advising is designed to enable the student to complete the dissertation in a step-by-step manner prior to internship.
• Assistantships  provide partial tuition remission and are available for a limited number of qualified students.
• Psy.D. Program Affiliation with the  Center for Concussion Education and Research .
• Practicums and Internships
• Commitment to Diversity

Chestnut Hill College Psychological Services Clinic

CHC-PSC is a community-based clinical psychology training clinic. CHC-PSC offers psychotherapy and psychological testing services in order to support the wellbeing and serve the emotional, social, and behavioral health needs of our community. We are committed to the provision of affordable, evidence-supported, culturally-sensitive, affirming, compassionate and effective psychotherapy and assessment services. Confidentiality is a cornerstone value in our profession and our practice.

All mental health services are performed by doctoral psychology practicum students, pre-doctoral interns, and post-doctoral fellows trained in Chestnut Hill College’s PsyD Program. Licensed clinical psychologists on the faculty of the Chestnut Hill College Department of Professional Psychology guide and supervise all clinical work. CHC-PSC does not have a psychiatrist on staff but can in most cases provide referrals as needed. Services are by appointment only and not provided on a walk-in or emergency basis.

Learn More about CHC-PSC

For more information about the Psy.D. program, use the contact information below:

Phone: 215-248-7077 E-mail:    [email protected]

All degree requirements, including course work, clinical placements, and dissertation must be completed within eight years for those who entered as Year 1 students and within seven years for those who entered as Year 2 students.

Download the course sequence for each term

Download the Graduate Catalog to view the Curriculum, Courses Offered, and other Requirements.

Aim 1. To prepare students to become competent practitioners of clinical psychology, by facilitating the acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary for effective clinical practice.

• Element 1.1.1.  Students will demonstrate knowledge of lifespan human development
• Element 1.1.2.  Students will demonstrate knowledge of biological, cognitive, affective, social, and cultural factors that affect human behavior
• Element 1.1.3.  Students will demonstrate competence in applying theories of personality and other relevant psychological theories to an understanding of human behavior
• Element 1.2.1 . Students will demonstrate knowledge of the theory underlying psychological measurement
• Element 1.2.2.  Students will demonstrate competence in administering, scoring, and interpreting intellectual and personality assessment instruments for adults, adolescents, and children
• Element 1.3.1.  Students will demonstrate competence in conducting assessment and diagnostic interviews
• Element 1.3.2.  Students will demonstrate competence in using DSM-5 in differential diagnosis .
• Element 1.4.1.  Students will demonstrate competence in conceptualizing cases from a coherent theoretical perspective, setting appropriate treatment goals, and designing appropriate methods to assist clients in achieving these goals.
• Element 1.4.2.  Students will demonstrate competence in individual psychotherapy
• Element 1.4.3.  Students will demonstrate competence in basic techniques for intervening with family systems
• Element 1.4.4.  Students will demonstrate familiarity with evidence-based treatments
• Element 1.4.5.  Students will demonstrate familiarity with the application of psychology in medical settings.
• Element 1.5.1.  Students will identify the critical components of effective supervision, how supervision differs from consultation, and ethical issues involved in supervision and consultation
• Element 1.5.2.  Students will identify the critical components of effective consultation, how consultation differs from supervision, and ethical issues involved in consultation.
• Element 1.6.1 . Students will demonstrate competence in oral communication and delivering presentations on professional issues
• Element 1.6.2.  Students will demonstrate competence in effective written communication

Aim 2. To foster respect for human diversity and to enable students to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

• Element 2.1.1 . Students will demonstrate familiarity with cultural and gender issues relevant to clinical practice
• Element 2.1.2.  Students will demonstrate respect for individual and cultural diversity
• Element 2.2.1.  Students will demonstrate competence in assessing and treating clients from diverse cultures

Aim 3. To foster ethical thinking and behavior in professional work and appreciation of legal and quality assurance principles which have an impact on clinical practice.

• Element 3.1.1.  Students will demonstrate competence in applying APA Ethical Standards and PA law
• Element 3.2.1.  Students will consistently engage in behavior that is in keeping with ethical and professional standards

Aim 4: To facilitate the development of a scholarly attitude, respect for the value of empirical findings in guiding one’s clinical decision-making, the ability to be effective consumers of research literature, and the ability to utilize research principles to answer clinically-relevant questions.

• Element 4.1.1.  Students will demonstrate basic knowledge of research design
• Element 4.1.2.  Students will demonstrate competence in interpreting and applying basic techniques of data analysis
• Element 4.1.3.  Students will demonstrate competence in searching, integrating, and critically evaluating the published literature
• Element 4.1.4.  Students will demonstrate the ability to design and carry out a scholarly project
• Element 4.2.1  Students will understand the relevance and value of empirical findings for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions

Aim 5: To promote professionalism, self-awareness, and active involvement in the profession of psychology and advocacy efforts.

• Element 5.1.1.  Students will demonstrate the capacity for working collaboratively with colleagues and other professionals
• Element 5.1.2 . Students will demonstrate conscientiousness in keeping appointments, meeting deadlines, and completing documentation requirements
• Element 5.2.1.  Students will demonstrate the capacity to utilize supervision effectively
• Element 5.2.2.  Students will demonstrate the capacity for self-evaluation and self-reflection
• Element 5.3.1.  Students will become familiar with the various roles of the professional psychologist.
• Element 5.3.2.  Students will demonstrate a commitment to the profession by participating in professional organizations, professional activities, and/or advocacy efforts.

The following is a partial listing of post-graduation employment sites (including post-doc positions), doctoral internship placements, practicum and clinical experience placements.

CHC Alumni Employment Sites

(Private/Group Practice) Albright College Beechwood NeuroRehab Bryn Mawr College Caron Treatment Centers Central Montgomery Behavioral Health Cherokee Health System Chestnut Hill College Child Study Institute Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Devereux Foundation Franklin & Marshall College Georgian Court University Growth Opportunity Center Intercultural Family Services Juvenile Justice Center, Philadelphia Department of Human Services Larned State Hospital Merakey (formerly Northwestern Human Services) Mid-Atlantic Behavioral Health Monmouth University Neumann University Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Services Northern Children’s Services Penn Memory Center Pennsylvania State University Philmont Guidance Center Princeton University Renfrew Treatment Center Spectrum Behavioral Health St. Luke Institute Temple University Thomas Jefferson University Hospital U.S. Air Force U.S. Army U.S. Navy University of the Sciences Ursinus College VA Medical Centers Villanova University WES Health Systems West Chester University

Doctoral Internship Sites:

Ancora Psychiatric Hospital Beechwood NeuroRehab* CHC Psychological Services Clinic* Christiana Care Health System Coatesville VA Medical Center Connections Community Support Services, Inc.* Drexel University Federal Correctional Institute, Fort Worth Federal Medical Center, Lexington Friends Hospital Frostburg State University Georgia State University Growth Opportunity Center* Hamilton-Madison House, Inc. Henry Ford Health Sciences Center Holcomb Behavioral Health System Hudson Valley VA Health Care System Joseph J. Peters Child & Adolescent Treatment Center Loma Linda University School of Medicine Mid-Ohio Psychological Services, Inc. Mississippi State Hospital Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami Northeast Treatment Centers* Pennsylvania Hospital Philadelphia VA Medical Center Reading Hospital Rider University Counseling Center* SPIN – Special People In Northeast* Stone Mountain Health Services Superior Court of the District of Columbia Temple University Counseling Center Tulane University School of Medicine University of Central Florida CAPS University of Houston Counseling Service University of Southern California VA New Jersey Health Care System Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Wellspan Philhaven Hospital Wichita Collaborative Psychology Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Lackland Airforce Base YCS Institute for Infant & Preschool Mental Health

*Member institution of the CHC Doctoral Internship Consortium

Practicum (Assessment/Clinical) and Clinical Experience Sites

Bancroft NeuroRehab Bensalem School DistrictCarbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21 Center for Growth Center for Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Health Central Montgomery Behavioral Health Chichester School District Child Guidance Resource Centers Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Christiana Care Health System Clinical Neuropsychology Associates Colonial School District Cooper University Hospital Crozer Keystone Health System Devereux Children’s Behavioral Services Diversified Psychological Resources, P.C. Exton Behavioral Health & Rehabilitation Gateway Regional School District Graterford PA Department of Corrections Growing Tree Psychological Services Growth Opportunity Center Horsham Clinic Institute for Advanced Psychological Training Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation Lawrence Township Public School Lower Moreland Township School District Malvern Institute Willow Grove Merakey (formerly Northwestern Human Services) Mid-Atlantic Behavioral Health Neurodevelopmental Assessment and Consulting, LLC University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Neuropsychiatry Program Lifespan Neuropsychology Rehabilitation Services North Arlington Public Schools Odyssey Charter School Onward Behavioral Health Parkland School District Penndel Mental Health Center Pennsbury School District PMHCC, Inc. Behavioral Health Forensic Evaluation Center Preferred Behavioral Health Psychological Services Clinic of Chestnut Hill College Radnor Township School District Rider University Rose Tree Media School District Rutgers-Camden Student Health Services Specialized Counseling Associates Upper Moreland Township School District Vineland Counseling Services

Each student must complete a dissertation, which may consist of an original empirical research study, an extensive critical review and integration of the literature on a topic in the field, or a detailed clinical analysis of a series of cases representing a particular problem or diagnosis. The student must successfully defend the dissertation before a committee of faculty members.

The Dissertation Process.

• Statistical Applications (Year III). This course reviews the basic methods of statistical analysis for quantitative data and introduces the student to computer software used for data analysis.
• Dissertation Mentoring I, II, III. Starting with the summer semester of Year II, students begin a course sequence that is designed to assist them in determining a dissertation topic and developing the dissertation proposal.
• Dissertation Advising I: Proposal Development Phase I. Following the third semester of Dissertation Mentoring, students meet individually with the Dissertation Chair to complete a full draft of the formal dissertation proposal and related requirements.
• Dissertation Advising II: Proposal Development Phase II.  Following completion of the proposal draft and review by the Dissertation Committee, students meet individually with the Dissertation Chair to incorporate feedback from the Committee and to complete the formal dissertation proposal.
• Dissertation Advising III:  Proposal Development Phase III. Following completion of the proposal, students meet individually with the Dissertation Chair to complete and submit the IRB application and related requirements, and to secure IRB approval to conduct the dissertation research.
• Dissertation Advising: Continuation.  Students continue and complete the dissertation project under the guidance of the Dissertation Chair, in collaboration with committee members.

In the early stages of the dissertation process, the Year III students present their proposed topics in a poster session.

November 2019 Poster Session Videos

• All application materials are listed on the online application ( https://admissions.chc.edu/apply ). These include transcripts, three recommendations, a 5-page essay, CV or resume, and graduate syllabi if advanced standing is sought.  Graduates of CHC are not required to submit a CHC transcript.
• A printable version of the PsyD Recommendation Form may be emailed to  [email protected] if your references prefer to submit via email:  Psy.D. Recommendation Form .  Letters of recommendation should be from core faculty members and/or clinical supervisors who are familiar with the applicant’s skills and potential. At least one letter from a doctoral level instructor and/or core faculty member must pertain to the applicant’s academic performance and potential. At least one letter should pertain to the applicant’s clinical performance and/or potential. For applicants seeking advanced standing, one of the letters of recommendation must be an evaluation from a practicum supervisor or a supervisor at a work placement in a mental health setting.
• Official transcripts can be delivered to  [email protected] , or hard copies delivered to Doctor of Psychology Program, Chestnut Hill College, 9601 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA   19118.
• Applications for Year I admission (applicants with a bachelor’s level-degree) are considered on a rolling basis beginning mid-fall and continuing until the cohort is complete (usually mid-March). Applications for admission with Advanced Standing (applicants with a master’s level-degree in clinical/counseling psychology or a closely related field who completed foundational coursework) are due by January 15 in order to allow for syllabi review. The Early Consideration deadline for both Year I and Year II application is December 1.

Personal Essay

In an essay of approximately 1200 words (5 double-spaced pages), please address each of the following topics:

• What unique qualifications do you believe make you suited to a career in professional psychology?
• How does the Psy.D. Program at Chestnut Hill College fit with your professional goals? Please be as specific as possible. Discuss the match between your interests and those of the doctoral faculty (see  faculty biographies )
• One of the objectives of the Psy.D. Program is to foster “an understanding and appreciation of cultural factors relevant to the delivery of psychological services to a diverse client population.” Please discuss your background and interest in the topics of diversity and serving diverse populations, specifically addressing how you can contribute to the Psy.D. Program’s commitment to training students who will be competent to provide services to an increasingly diverse population of potential clients. (The Program adopts APA’s definition of “diversity,” which includes but is not limited to the following characteristics: age, disabilities, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.)

Essays will be evaluated both for content and for writing style.

Personal Interview

A personal interview with members of the faculty is required. Invitation to the personal interview is extended to selected applicants after review of the submitted materials. At the interview applicants will be required to disclose any past criminal history. In some cases an applicant may be required to undergo a criminal background check.

Transfer Credits

A catalog course description and syllabus are required for any course for which the applicant wishes to request transfer credits. These materials must be submitted with the application if the applicant wishes to be considered for admission directly to Year II. Syllabi and course descriptions are not necessary for graduate courses completed at Chestnut Hill College. See the policy on Transfer Credits (below) for more information.

Applicants currently enrolled in other doctoral programs:

The program will consider applications from those who currently attend or previously attended another doctoral program. In such cases, the applicant must submit a letter from the Chair of the program indicating that the student either is in good standing or left the program in good standing. A full application packet is required.

Eligibility to Apply to Year II with Advanced Standing

To be eligible to apply to enter the program in Year II with Advanced Standing, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Master’s degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology or a closely related field.

• Completion of a supervised master’s level field placement lasting at least three semesters for a total of 700 hours.
• Three 3-credit graduate-level courses that cover theories and techniques of psychotherapy, all completed with a grade of B or higher. Course syllabi must be submitted with the application. These courses are considered pre-requisites for Year II doctoral courses and are not counted towards the credit requirements for the Psy.D. degree.
• One 3-credit graduate-level course in group therapy equivalent to PSYG 717 Group Therapy.
• One 3-credit graduate-level course in multicultural issues in psychotherapy equivalent to PSYG 716 Culture and Gender in Psychotherapy
• One 3-credit graduate-level course in Human Development equivalent to PSYG 704.
• Two 3-credit graduate courses in Couple and Family Therapy where a systemic focus is the treatment approach.
• One 3-credit graduate-level course in Psychopathology equivalent to PSYG 703.
• One 3-credit graduate-level course in Research Design equivalent to PSYG 712
• One 3-credit graduate-level course in Ethics that covers the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association and that is equivalent to PSYG 713

Applicants who do not meet all of the above criteria are not eligible for admission with Advanced Standing but may apply to enter at Year I.  Where applicable, consideration is given to admit applicants with advanced standing who may need no more than three courses prior to the start of the Year III course sequence.

Transfer Credit Policy

A catalog course description and syllabus is required for any course for which transfer credit is requested. Courses must be substantially similar in content and coverage to the corresponding course at Chestnut Hill College. Similarity is assessed by the faculty by comparing the syllabus to the syllabus of the course taught at Chestnut Hill College.

To be considered for transfer credit, the course grade must be “B” or above. Online courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Only three-credit graduate-level courses for which letter grades were assigned are eligible for transfer. Pass/Fail courses are not eligible for transfer. Courses must have been completed within seven (7) years of application to be eligible for transfer.

The program will accept up to 24 transfer credits for foundational and elective courses at the master’s level for students who are admitted to Year II and up to 12 transfer credits for students who are admitted to Year I. See the list below for courses eligible for transfer credit.

For the following courses, transfer credit will be granted only if the student passes the corresponding Competency Examination (80% exam grade):

• PSYG 703 Psychopathology  (exam requirement waived if course was completed with a grade of A or A-)
• PSYG 704 Development Across the Lifespan  (exam requirement waived if course was completed with a grade of A or A-)
• PSYG 712 Research Design and Methodology  (exam requirement waived if course was completed with a grade of A or A- . or   if the applicant completed a single course in Research Design with a grade of B or higher and also completed a master’s thesis.)
• PSYG 713 Legal and Ethical Issues in Psychotherapy  (exam requirement waived if course was completed with a grade of A or A-)

The following courses are eligible for transfer credit without competency examination:

• The Role of Culture and Gender in Counseling and Psychotherapy
• Group Therapy
• A Systemic Approach to the Problems of Adolescents
• Couple and Family Therapy (Systemic Focus)

The program will also consider transferring up to 18 credits for courses at the 800 level and above if (1) the course was taken in another APA-accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology and (2) the course was completed within seven years of enrollment at CHC. Transfer credit will not be given for internship. In order to transfer credits from practica, the applicant must submit a written evaluation by the practicum supervisor as well as a detailed accounting of the activities performed and the number of hours spent in each activity.  This material will be evaluated and a decision made by the Chair/ Director of Clinical Training and other members of the department.

Procedure for Evaluating Course Equivalence 

• Student submits a syllabus, catalog description, and official transcript showing the grade for the course for which transfer credit is requested. Course syllabi from the semester the courses were completed must be submitted with the application. Courses will not be considered for transfer if a syllabus is not provided.
• This information is reviewed by the Chair or a designated member of the department faculty who has experience in the area covered by the course.
• The faculty member compares the syllabus and catalog description to the syllabus and catalog description of the corresponding course at Chestnut Hill College. If there is “substantial similarity,” which is defined by coverage overlap of 80% or more, and if the official transcript grade was B or above, the course is eligible for transfer credit. If either one of these criteria is not met, the course is not eligible for transfer credit.
• If it is not clear if the criteria for “substantial similarity” are met, then the reviewer will request that the student submit additional information, such as copies of the course texts or other readings, or copies of graded assignments, tests, or papers. In some instances the student may be required to obtain a written statement from the instructor of the course that explains in detail how the required content was covered in the course.
• Transfer Credit Challenge Examinations are administered for grades of B or B+ on a case-by-case basis. These examinations are administered in May and June at a date to be announced. They are typically 2-3 hours in length. Applicants have one opportunity to pass each Competency Examination at at least 80%. Applicants who do not pass the Competency Examination on the first attempt will not be granted transfer credit for that course and must complete the course at Chestnut Hill College within their first year of enrollment.

See  Financial Services  or the  Graduate Catalog  for procedures to apply for financial aid.

Assistantships

The Psy.D. program awards a limited number of assistantships to qualified students. Assistantships are awarded based on need, student qualifications, previous achievement, and potential. There are several types of doctoral assistantships. Office and/or research assistantships are open to students at all levels. Teaching assistantships are open to students in Year II and beyond who have already earned master’s degrees.

Each assistantship covers tuition for one 3-credit course per semester and requires 120 work hours per semester.  Partial assistantships (6 hours per week of service in exchange for one-half the tuition of one course) may also be awarded. For continuing students, a minimum GPA of 3.75 is required to be awarded an assistantship. Incoming students are awarded assistantships based on admissions criteria and application materials. Assistantships are renewable; continuation is dependent on the successful completion of the first semester of the assistantship and maintenance of a GPA of 3.75. Office or research assistants work in a variety of offices throughout the campus, including the Department of Professional Psychology. Teaching assistants work with instructors in the undergraduate psychology classes. Most positions require all daytime hours. For information on applying for an assistantship, contact Monique Melmed (215- 753-3652);  [email protected] ).

Directed Teaching

Advanced (Year III and beyond) doctoral students are eligible to participate in Directed Teaching. These students teach an undergraduate or graduate course under the supervision of a faculty member in exchange for a stipend and one credit of Directed Teaching. An announcement regarding Directed Teaching opportunities and application procedures is posted on Blackboard during the semester preceding the semester in which the teaching would occur. Students are not eligible for Directed Teaching if concerns have been identified on a Global Review conducted within a year prior to the application for Directed Teaching.

Corrie Jackson, Ph.D.

Chair, center for professional psychology associate professor of psychology.

• Program(s): Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) , Clinical and Counseling Psychology
• 215-248-7068
• [email protected]

Devin Hussong, Psy.D.

Assistant professor of psychology.

• Program(s): Clinical and Counseling Psychology
• 215-248-7162
• [email protected]

Kevin McCarthy, Ph.D.

Associate professor of psychology executive director, center for concussion education and research.

• 215-248-7115
• [email protected]

Bindu Methikalam, Ph.D.

Director of clinical training for psyd program associate professor of psychology.

• Program(s): Clinical and Counseling Psychology , Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)
• 215-248-7070
• [email protected]

Lindsay Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP

Associate professor of psychology.

• [email protected]

Cheryll Rothery, PsyD, ABPP

Professor of psychology.

• Program(s): Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)
• 215-248-7023
• [email protected]

Scott Browning, Ph.D., ABPP

Professor emeritus of psychology.

• 215-248-7149
• [email protected]

Claudia García-Leeds, Ph.D.

Associate professor of psychology co-director of master's program in clinical and counseling psychology, main campus.

• 215-242-7747
• [email protected]

Jade Logan, Ph.D., ABPP

Assistant professor of psychology director, chestnut hill college doctoral internship consortium.

• 215-242-7702
• [email protected]

Joseph A. Micucci, Ph.D., ABPP

• [email protected]

Nicole Monteiro, Ph.D.

• 215-242-7767
• [email protected]

Rachel Saks, PsyD

• 215-248-7160
• [email protected]

Leslie Parkes Shralow, Ph.D.

Assistant professor of psychology co-director, master's program in clinical and counseling psychology, main campus.

• 215-248-7024
• [email protected]

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Nav-main-mobile, vanguard university, header-utility-container, drawer trigger, nav-sub-horizontal, nav-breadcrumb, master of science in clinical psychology.

A t Vanguard University, we are known as one of the leading clinical psychology master’s programs in California.

Our Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Psychology program is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in varying theoretical and clinical modalities that will help you choose and develop your clinical and professional identity. Throughout your studies, you’ll gain the tools and techniques to work with those who struggle with behavioral, cognitive and emotional challenges. 

Designed with working professionals in mind, the clinical psychology master’s program is offered on campus or online. In the on-campus program, located at our convenient Santa Ana campus , take coursework in tracks varying from two to four years, with classes available in the late afternoon and evening. In the online program, you’ll learn from the same experts who teach our on-campus courses while having the resources and support to find success. 

This program meets the education requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and/or Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC) in the state of California.

• Application Deadline: Fall - July 1st Spring - October 1
• Number of Units:  61-66
• Cost per Unit: $840
• Time to Degree: 2-4 years

Pricing is based on the current academic year and is subject to change. Scholarships or partner discounts may be available. 

Request Information

Why earn your ms in clinical psychology from vanguard university.

The MS in Clinical Psychology program equips its students to serve with excellence as Christian mental health professionals by providing the highest quality of rigorous academic training, guided professional development and integrative faith-based learning in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Practicum & Licensure

A culture of mentorship, program learning outcomes, program formats, christ-centered education, hands-on experience.

During the program, you will complete a practicum placement at sites such as college counseling centers, substance abuse treatment centers, community counseling centers or others such as the  Journeys at Vanguard  counseling center, located on the campus. The program will support and assist you in securing a placement at one of our more than 60 partner sites. If you are interested in becoming a partner site, please see our colleague resources for more information. 

Clinical Skill Development & Practicum

• You will gain practical experience beginning your first semester in our clinical psychology degree as you meet with Vanguard University undergraduate volunteers and practice the clinical skills you’re learning in class. This applied experience will prepare you for your practicum placements and help you grow as a clinician.
• You will complete supervised field experience at your practicum placement and begin earning hours towards licensure.
• Required personal therapy will give you the opportunity to be engaged in the therapeutic process as a client.

Accreditation/Program Approval

Our degree fulfills all academic requirements that are set forth by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) (Business and Professions Code of California Section 4980.36). The program also offers additional coursework for students interested in dual licensure as both an MFT and a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). With this additional coursework, the degree also fulfills all academic requirements that are set forth by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for both licenses (Business and Professions Code of California Section 4980.36 and 4999.33). You can see our most recent pass rates for the licensing exams on the  BBS website .

Vanguard University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

American Psychological Association (APA) Accreditation – APA only accredits doctoral level programs in psychology. Since our program is a Masters level degree APA does not accredit us.

The program emphasizes mentoring and individual attention from faculty and staff in an environment that facilitates development of a cohesive and supportive community. We continue to support students in their career journey after Vanguard and maintain alumni groups and resources . 

Upon completion of the MS in Clinical Psychology  program, you will be prepared to:

• Core Knowledge of Psychotherapy.  Apply fundamental knowledge within the field of clinical psychology and psychotherapy to the treatment of individuals, families and groups.
• Diversity.  Demonstrate and apply cultural competency and sensitivity in the psychotherapeutic process.
• Integration of Faith.  Demonstrate and apply the integration of faith in the psychotherapeutic process.
• Clinical Skills.  Demonstrate effective clinical techniques within a therapeutic relationship.
• Communication.  Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills as it specifically pertains to the field of psychotherapy.
• Professional/Personal Qualities.  Develop the professional and personal qualities that are intimately related to effective psychotherapy, including competence, acceptance, curiosity, caring, integrity, sensitivity, flexibility, insight, compassion, and personal presence.

Whether you’re studying on campus or online, our MS in Clinical Psychology is designed with the purpose of providing you with personalized attention. Both track schedules are convenient for working professionals with tracks varying from two to four years, and courses are offered in the late afternoon and evening. You’ll greatly benefit from our small class sizes which average 12 students.

In addition, you will have opportunities to connect and network with classmates, faculty and staff outside of class time. We offer an environment that facilitates the development of an inclusive and supportive community—giving you a strong support system and sense of community throughout your studies.

Online Track

Our online Master’s in Clinical Psychology program is available for residents of the state of California. Most courses are eight weeks long. Learning online will give you the best of both worlds—flexible online coursework and live class time with other students and faculty on a weekly basis.

On Campus Track

Our on-campus program offers 16-week courses on our Santa Ana Campus. Learning in person provides ongoing interaction with your faculty and classmates, and allows for spontaneous discussions, meals together, and making connections in between classes.

What Will My Class Schedule Look Like?

The 3-year track is the most popular with our students and consists of 7.5-10 units per semester, in both the afternoon and evening. For all track options and sample schedules, see our Sample Curriculum Schedules page . 

At Vanguard University, you will experience personalized instruction paired with a strong spiritual foundation that fosters knowledge, cultivates character and deepens faith. Our Christian professor-mentors will prepare you to make meaningful contributions in your profession and community, equipping you to lead a Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service.

Get Started at VU

My favorite part of the clinical psychology degree program was the small class sizes; you get to have a close relationship with your professors and peers. Wherever you see yourself in the mental health field, Vanguard will prepare you for the journey. And if you’re looking for integration of faith in the classroom, this is the program for you. Now in private practice—not too far from campus—I am constantly being reminded of lessons and clinical skills that I learned at Vanguard.

Jacqueline Islas, MS '12 Alumna

Featured Courses in the MS in Clinical Psychology Program

Clinical foundations i.

Clinical and theoretical foundations of the field of clinical psychology are presented with an emphasis on Client-Centered therapy and the development of beginning level skills. Course includes  supervised experience which will be used in assessing eligibility for trainee status.

Psychodynamic Theory and Treatment

A study of the theories and processes of therapy based on the psychodynamic modality. Emphasis is placed on understanding a client's internal dynamics. Application is made in relation to theoretical and DSM diagnoses, assessment and treatment of individuals as well as an understanding how this approach can be utilized in multiple settings and with multiple populations.

Cognitive-Behavioral Theory and Treatment

A study of the theories and processes of therapy based on the cognitive-behavioral modality. Focus is placed on how belief systems interface with behavior and emotion. Application is made in relation to theoretical diagnosis, assessment and treatment of individuals, particularly with anxiety based or related conditions.

Psychology, Theology and Spirituality

Explores the integration of psychology, theology, and spiritual formation and how it affects the mental health of the client. Consideration given to the role of the therapist and the therapeutic relationship with an emphasis on the Christian faith.

Where can I Work with a MS in Clinical Psychology?

Our clinical psychology graduate program will help you pursue a fulfilling career as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and/or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Graduates of our master’s in clinical psychology program work as mental health clinicians, providing assessment, diagnosis, case management and therapy. You may also want to read this helpful article on career outlooks  for clinical psychology. 

Community Counseling Centers

County Mental Health Agencies

Foster Care/Adoption Agencies

Substance Abuse Treatment Centers

Private Practice

Psychiatric Hospitals

Rehabilitation Centers

Group  Homes

We recognize that our clinical education is rigorous, and we ensure that you have faculty who are dedicated to supporting you as soon as you begin your graduate coursework. Our program respects diversity and promotes an inclusive community. We focus on the therapeutic relationship, understanding counter-transferential and transferential data and learning in an experiential manner.

Brenda Gesell, PhD Program Director

Meet more Clinical Psychology Faculty

MS in Clinical Psychology Admissions Requirements

Application & admissions info, what to expect, admissions requirements - domestic applicants.

The university requirements for program admission below must be met before an application is considered complete.  

• Online application for admission
• Non-refundable $45  application fee  
• Request Official Transcripts from  any  colleges or universities attended. Vanguard graduates need only request transcripts from institutions attended after Vanguard.
• Any program-specific supporting materials (see below)

Required Supporting Materials

Applicants for the MS in Clinical Psychology  should also submit the following:

• References: (3) letters of recommendation from people who can speak about various aspects of your suitability, such as academic ability (professor), professional performance (i.e. work performance), clinical/leadership/relationship ability, or other relevant experience. The recommender cannot be a family member or friend.
• Personal Statement (750 words): Provide a detailed statement describing your significant life experiences and how they have lead you to pursue a degree in Clinical Psychology. In addition, discuss your future plans and professional goals as a result of obtaining this degree.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae: Provide a detailed resume or curriculum vitae listing all employment, experience, education, training, etc.

Prerequisite Courses or Requirements

Applicants should also have completed:

• Introduction to Statistics
• Psychopathology or Abnormal Psychology
• Developmental Psychology or Human Development
• Counseling Theories or Theories of Personality

It is required that all prerequisite courses have been completed with a grade of B- or better. For assistance with questions regarding prerequisite requirements or whether any exceptions would apply, please email [email protected] .

Submission Instructions

All transcripts and supporting documents should be submitted to the Graduate & Professional Education Office.

If possible, please submit transcripts electronically (e.g. Parchment). Unofficial transcripts and test scores* (with student name, test date and subscores), may be scanned and emailed. 

• Electronically through Parchment
• Email:  [email protected]
• Mail/Drop-Off: ATTN: Vanguard University Graduate & Professional Education 55 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626

*GRE/SAT Test scores are not required for admission into programs and are not considered in evaluating applications.

Admissions Requirements - International Applicants

To apply for a degree program at Vanguard, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and any program-specific admission requirements specified above.

• Evalution of Official Transcript(s):  All transcripts reflecting prior coursework must be submitted. Transcripts must be evaluated, not just translated, by an official agency.
• Official TOEFL ( Test of English as a Foreign Language ) Scores:  The minimum TOEFL score requirement is 80 on the web version. If English is the primary spoken language and medium of instruction at the institution(s) attended and at least two years of full-time study occurred at such institution(s), the TOEFL may be waived.
• Affidavit of Financial Support: If supported by personal and/or family funds, submit this form with an original bank statement in U.S. currency reflecting bank balance availability of the total amount listed below. If sponsored by a government or other official agency, an official letter stating that the funding and/or scholarship is valid for use at Vanguard University must be submitted. Please contact [email protected] to obtain the Affidavit of Financial Support.
• Copy of Valid Passport
• Students applying within the U.S. must submit copies of their visa , I-94 , and if on a student visa, copies of their I-20 A-B Form .

All materials must be received in the Admissions Office by the appropriate deadline:

• Fall semester - June 1  |  Spring semester - October 1

International students must be enrolled full-time within their program. For information on specific unit requirements, please contact the Graduate & Professional Education Office at [email protected] . International students are not eligible for any financial aid with the exception of institutional talent scholarships.

For current tuition rates and fees, please visit Account Services .

Scholarships

Vanguard University offers graduate academic scholarships for the biotechnology, clinical psychology, education, leadership studies, organizational psychology, and theology programs. These 10-15% tuition scholarships are based on cumulative undergraduate GPA calculations.  You will automatically be awarded a scholarship if you qualify. Vanguard University also offers a colleague discount for the MSN and post graduate certificate programs and the Ministry Grant for applicants working full time in ministry as ordained or licensed ministers or missionaries. Please ask your admissions counselor for more information.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is offered through the FAFSA application. Please see the  Financial Aid  page for further information and talk to your admissions counselor. 

Once an applicant’s file is complete, with all required items submitted, the file is forwarded to the department for review and potential admissions interview invitation.

From there, the Office of Graduate & Professional Education will inform the applicant of their admissions decision via email with a) a program acceptance to the university, or b) a program denial with recommendations for improving their file for potential resubmission. 

Admissions Deadlines

Applications are accepted year-round. Priority and standard deadlines for specific academic terms can be viewed on the graduate admissions page . 

Have Questions?

Fill out the request information form or reach out directly to one of our team of dedicated admissions counselors. 

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Phone: 714.966.5499

Email:   Graduate Admissions Email

Campus Locations

The Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions is located on Vanguard's main campus in Costa Mesa. 

The Clinical Psychology program's administrative and faculty offices and on campus classes are located on Vanguard's Santa Ana campus at  3000 W MacArthur Blvd, Ste 200, Santa Ana, CA 92704 .

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Clinical Psychology

*WE ONLY HOLD ADMISSIONS IN THE FALL FOR ENTRY A YEAR LATER*

The UNT Clinical Psychology doctoral (Ph.D.) program is one of only a handful of APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral programs nationwide that is housed in a top tier (R1) university that also holds the distinction of being a minority serving intitution (MSI). Over the past decade our program has transformed into a majority-minority student body. Additional information is provided in our Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data .

We are committed to a student-centered learning approach with close faculty mentorship. The program offers intensive research training in the science of Clinical Psychology via highly productive faculty research labs . Simultaneously, students obtain in-depth, closely supervised training in the practice of Clinical Psychology. Students begin clinical practicum internally within our psychology training clinic, which is located in a mental health professional shortage area, before advancing to high quality external practicum sites across the DFW Metroplex, gaining experience with underserved areas or populations. In addition to achievements among our graduates , our program is:

• ranked 14th nationally (top 6%) on its number of publications in the most influential assessment journals 1
• ranked 6th nationally (top 3%) on its impact as measured by its citations in the area of assessment 1
• ranked 5th nationally (top 3% on its adjusted passing rate on the national licensing exam (EPPP) 2
• home to one of the largest psychology training clinics in the country; offering high quality, low-cost services to a diverse clientele
• accredited by the American Psychological Association

Our Commitment to Diversity

Across research areas, our faculty evidence their commitment to diveristy, broadly defined (race/ethnicity, sex, language, age, country of origin, sexual orientation, religious/spiritual beliefs, social class, and physical disability). We are a proud member of the BRIDGE Psychology Network , which aims to connect prospective students to programs that collaborate and improve initiatives that nurture inclusivity and diversity in psychology graduate programs, and encourage students to utilize anti-racist resources as part of their multicultural competency development. Resources that inform our training and pertain to diversity include:

• Definitions
• Allies Resource List
• APA Presidential Task Force on Enhancing Diversity
• Guidelines on Multicultural Education
• Resource Guide for Graduate Students with Disabilities
• Resource Guide for Ethnic Minority Graduate Students
• Guide for LGBT Students Navigating Graduate Training
• Working with Immigrant-Origin Clients
• Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Low Income and Economically Marginalized Individuals
• Inclusion of Social Class in Psychology Curricula: Resources for Educators
• A Guide for Supporting Trans and Gender Diverse Students
• UNT Division of Institutional Equity & Diversity
• UNT Multicultural Center
• Resources for Elevating Voices to Address Racial Stress and Trauma

THECB Marketable Skills

• Assessment evaluations
• Psychological diagnostics
• Psychotherapy interventions
• Measurement and psychometrics
• Psychological consultation

Statement on Licensure

Our program adheres to APA accreditation standards and prepares students for entry into the profession of Clinical Psychology. Given the varied and changing requirements across jurisdictions, we cannot assure, nor is it our responsibility, that graduates will meet all requirements for licensure in all states, territories, or international locations. Doctoral trainess in this program are encouraged to become familiar with licensing laws applicable to their career plans and discuss their curricular plan with their major professor and/or the Director of Clinical Training (DCT) as needed. A compilation of licensure requirements, organized by jurisdictions, is available and updated annually via these links:

https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.asppb.net/resource/resmgr/docs/7.22.21_consume...

https://asppbcentre.org/additional-resources/survey-questions-and-answers/

• Morey, L.C. (2010). Leading North American programs in clinical assessment research: An assessment of productivity and impact. Journal of Personality Assessment, 92, 207-211. doi: 10.1080/00223891003670133
• Callahan, J.L., Ruggero, C.J., & Parent, M.C. (2013). Hidden gems among clinical psychology training programs. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 7, 278-284. doi: 10.1037/a0034233

The Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at the University of North Texas is accredited by the American Psychological Association, Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. 202-336-5979 Email: [email protected] Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

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Psychology MS

Psychology Department

Wondering whether a MFT master’s degree might be right for you? Contact our office to ask questions or set up a conversation with one of our faculty.

Phone: 530-898-5147 Email: [email protected]

This three-year program prepares students to become Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) in California. It includes 60 units of coursework and meets state licensing requirements. Students gain practical experience through laboratory courses, on-campus training, and off-campus internships.

The program covers various therapy theories, focusing on core skills applicable across different practices. It emphasizes three main areas: academic research, clinical practice, and personal growth. Self-care and personal development are considered as crucial as academic learning. Faculty serve as ethical, professional role models.

Training Exceptional and Versatile Therapists

Our mission is to train exemplary, passionate, research-informed, culturally-sensitive, client-centered, systemic therapists capable of excelling in a multitude of mental health settings through innovative and experiential learning. Students get hands-on experience working as a therapist working with individuals, couples, families, and groups.

Becoming an MFT

• Non-profit organizations
• Educational organizations
• Health care organizations
• Private practice

Practice Therapy and Counseling On Campus

The Counselor Training Clinic (CTC) offers free individual, group, family, and couples counseling by advanced MFT graduate students. Our services are free and available to both CSU Chico students, staff/faculty, as well as non-student and community members.

Real-World Skills

Chico State’s MFT program has trained hundreds of North State counselors and therapists over the last 40 years. The program partners with more than 20 agencies to offer internship and training opportunities.

Obtain Clinical Hours

Through partnerships with many local organizations, the program has a 100% placement rate in clinical traineeship.

Graduate Ready to be a LMFT

More than 90% of graduates pass the LMFT clinical exam on the first attempt.

Strong Bonds and Personalized Learning

The cohort model of the program fosters strong, lasting bonds among students. With small class sizes averaging 18 students, participants regularly engage with program faculty, enhancing their learning experience and professional development.

Additional Information

Are you ready to get to become a socially and culturally responsive relationship and family therapist or mental health counselor in the North State? Check out these FAQs below.

All prospective students must first apply for graduate admissions through Cal State Apply. Supplementary materials will either be collected electronically via Cal State Apply or sent directly to the program department.

More information about the application process is available here .

Application Deadlines

Fall: January 12 (December 12 for international applicants)

Spring: No spring admission

Supplemental Materials

• Responses to three interview questions
• Curriculum vitae/resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• Unofficial transcripts from every college/university attended since high school

Graduate students can qualify for traditional financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) .

Scholarship Opportunities

California State University, Chico, provides merit and scholarship awards to deserving students for graduate studies, and many go unfilled. Scholarships are provided based on a variety of criteria, including academic merit, financial need, participation in clubs and activities, volunteer and community involvement, major and career goals, etc.

Wildcat Scholarships

MBA Scholarship

Other Scholarships

You can still pursue this degree if your undergraduate degree was in a different field. Talk to your graduate coordinator for details.

The MFT program adheres to a full-time, three (3) year program of study.

Related Programs

Psychology ma, social work msw, here's where it all starts. apply today., honoring the mechoopda people.

We acknowledge and are mindful that Chico State stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, the Mechoopda, and we recognize their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land, the flora, the fauna, and the waters that run through campus. We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that since time immemorial have sustained the Mechoopda people and continue to do so today.