phd clinical psychology programs in california

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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

• Download the Brochure

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.

Lambert Campus 249 Lambert Road, Carpinteria, CA 93013

Ladera Campus 801 Ladera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108

805.969.3626

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, Learning and Behavior, Quantitative, and Social 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 nine 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.

Psychology PhD

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

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

Students select one of the following concentrations:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact Info

[email protected]

2121 Berkeley Way 3rd Floor

Berkeley, CA 94720-1650

At a Glance

Department(s)

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

November 15, 2024

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

• GGSE Resources

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

• 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 30 - November 3 . 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 now 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 2023 Diversity Admissions Fair and register in the graduate application portal !

• Current Graduate Students
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PhD in Clinical Psychology Admissions

The PhD in Clinical Psychology program admits students once a year for the fall term, which starts in September. Applications for fall 2024 opened in early September 2023. 

Admissions Requirements

• Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution or the international equivalent.
• In addition to the required prerequisites, we strongly recommend applicants have related volunteer or work experience in the mental health field and experience with research.
• GRE scores are not required for admission to PAU doctoral degree programs for the 23-24 admissions cycle.

Application Deadlines

Application review for the fall 2024 cohort begins November 1, 2023.

Applications may be accepted after this date if space is available.

• Online Application via PsyCAS
• Application Fee
• Official Transcripts
• Resume or CV
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose

Yes. Although both programs are committed to training clinical psychologists, the programs have different strengths, training missions, structure, and faculty. You do need to write separate statements of purpose for each program. To apply to both programs: 1. Start an application for the PsyD program in PsyCAS 2. In the "Program Materials" section, select "yes" to the question that asks, "Would you also like to have your application considered for admission to PAU's PhD in Clinical Psychology program?" 3. In the "Optional Documents" section, upload your additional personal statement specific to the PhD program.

Frequently Asked Questions: PhD Admissions

Recommended gpa.

• We strongly recommend applicants have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Applying to the PhD and PsyD Simultaneously

You are welcome to apply to both the PhD and PsyD concurrently. Your applications will be reviewed separately by the two Admissions Committees, and the processes will generally run independently of each other. There is no penalty for applying to both programs – we do encourage you to be clear about how each program is a good fit for your academic and professional interests.

• You should submit two Statements of Purpose, which address the distinct reasons for applying to each.
• Start an application for the PsyD program in PsyCAS
• In the "Program Materials" section, select "yes" to the question that asks, "Would you also like to have your application considered for admission to PAU's PhD in Clinical Psychology program?"
• In the "Optional Documents" section, upload your additional personal statement specific to the PhD program.
• PAU is atypical in terms of how students apply to research labs. Rather than applying directly to a research lab or faculty member, students apply to the PAU PhD program in general. Students can explore the broad range of labs available during the first year and even volunteer in labs. This allows students to make informed decisions about which labs they wish to apply to. Students apply for labs in the Spring of their first year.
• During the application process, we encourage students to mention a few faculty members with whom they would like to work. However, this is not binding. 

Research and Clinical Experience

• We strongly recommend applicants have related volunteer or work experience in the mental health field and experience with research.
• Feel free to include non-psychology research experience.
• For applicants with no formal research experience, including research conducted within an academic class may be helpful and may be a way to highlight one’s preparation for doctoral-level study.
• Feel free to include papers or projects underway but not complete at the time of application. 

Prerequisite Courses

The following courses are required for entry into the PhD Clinical Psychology program:

• Biopsychology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Developmental Psychology

The four mentioned courses will help ensure that all incoming students have a smooth transition into our rigorous doctoral program. They must be passed with a grade of B or better and completed before the start of classes in the PhD program. Prerequisite courses must be completed before an incoming student starts classes but do not need to be completed before applying. Students can mark that prerequisite courses are “in-progress.” Students with courses in progress or planned for a future term will be offered conditional admission, which will not be lifted until the pre-requisite courses are complete. 

• These courses can be completed at either the lower or upper-division level and may be completed at a community college or university extension program to save money. 
• Statistics can be completed in any discipline, not just in Psychology. 
• There is no statute of limitations on when these courses must have been taken, but we do encourage students who have been out of school for some time to consider whether a refresher course might be helpful. 
• Students with questions about whether a class will count toward a prerequisite should contact the Office of Admissions. An Admissions Counselor can review the course and determine its acceptability. 
• Courses graded on a pass/no pass scale are acceptable.

Master’s Degrees

• Students are not required to have a master’s degree, and there is no preference given to students with master’s degrees. There is also no penalty for having a master’s degree. 
• Grades from both the undergraduate and graduate levels are considered in the selection of students. Admissions Committee members do pay attention to trends in grades over time.

Personal Statement Criteria

The purpose of the personal statement is to provide a sample of the applicant’s ability to write in an academic and professional manner, as well as to learn about any qualifications/life events that were not captured in the application.

Formatting: Double space, and limit to 500 words. We recommend that you reflect on the following questions as you develop your essay:

• Why are you pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology?  What led this interest?
• What are your long-term professional goals?
• What are your research interests (including faculty you want to work with, and why)?
• How will a PhD from PAU help you to achieve your goals?

In your essay, you may also wish to include reflections about the following:

Experience with and/or commitment to serving minoritized and marginalized populations Personal qualities that will facilitate success as a graduate student and future psychologist

Areas of Emphasis

• Students indicate their possible area(s) of emphasis on the PsyCAS application; however, this is not a binding choice. 
• For the PhD, each area of emphasis is distinctive and has differing entry requirements.

Admissions Communication

• The primary form of communication in the admissions process is email, and we will use the email address you list on your application. 
• All students will receive a decision, and we will provide updates as often as possible. 
• Offers of admissions are made in late March. You are always welcome to reach out to the Office of Admissions for an update about your application status. 
• PhD and PsyD students have until April 15th to accept an offer of admission. This deadline may be extended due to extenuating circumstances.  
• Work-study awards are part of the financial aid package. Once awarded work-study, students may apply for any work-study job on the PAU campus. While it is technically possible for students to use their work-study award at Stanford, it is rare. 
• International students are generally allowed to work on campus but should check with the International Students Office to ensure an on-campus position is permitted based on visa type. 

Transfer Credit

Students may not receive transfer credit for any additional courses, including electives.

Palo Alto University’s Office of Admissions and Outreach is eager to answer all your admissions questions and connect you with helpful resources as you embark on your application process. 

Please direct all general inquiries to [email protected] , or you can call 650-417-2039 . Due to our remote work, our phone line is not staffed live. Please leave us a message, and we will return your call shortly.

Demographic Summary: Fall 2022 Deposited PhD Students

Self-Reported Race (PAU uses IPEDS rules when reporting race and ethnicity)

Race - Narrative Summary

Other Demographics

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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.

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

• PhD and PPS: November 15, 2023 - by 11:59 PM PST.
• MEd (School Psychology) and PPS: December 15, 2023 - 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.

Psychology, PsyD (Clinical)

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Program description.

• scientifically oriented;
• intensively trained and highly skilled psychologists; and
• well-prepared as psychologists (academicians, researchers, consultants, supervisors or clinicians) in the discipline of psychology in the twenty-first century, particularly in the health-related fields and within the context of a holistic approach to human health and welfare.

Program Website  |  Catalog

Program Length

Possible careers, application deadlines.

Admissions Requirements

• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Three (3) letters of recommendation are required (preferably from current or previous professors)
• Structured pre-admission interview by invitation may follow once all requirements for admission have been received
• Deadline for fall quarter admission is December 1
• The Department of Psychology accepts new students only in the fall quarter

Prerequisites

Discipline accrediting agency, state accrediting agency.

Expected Cost of Attendance

The following estimated cost of attendance is based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. Estimated amounts may vary based on a number of factors. Students may use these estimates when applying for financial aid.

Required Program Costs

Academic year 2024-2025.

Other Educational Costs

Non-required costs that can be funded with scholarships/loans.

• Estimated amounts are for the academic year specified only. Amounts are based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. International students need to calculate 12 months of living expenses based on these amounts.
• Amounts are expected to increase each year consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.
• To qualify for financial aid, most students must be enrolled at least half time in an aid eligible program and be taking degree requirements. Half time is 6 units in a quarter for undergraduate programs and 4 units in a quarter for graduate programs.

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Clinical Psychology, PsyD

At the University of San Francisco, PsyD students are trained to translate thought into action through practice-oriented training that emphasizes the mental, emotional, and physical health needs of underserved communities.

• Program Overview
• Clinical Training & Research
• Financial Aid & Student Support

Jada Carter

Navigating this world: uncovering the power of networking as a black woman.

I started my PsyD at USF thinking I was going to change the world and change my community. Today, I am completing my program committed to changing the world one person at a time and believing in the pay-it-forward effect."

Leading Location, Leading Program

• The PsyD program at USF is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association. It is an innovative, practice-based program focused on training students to work with marginalized populations in an interprofessional context.
• USF offers a rich academic and campus experience in the heart of San Francisco with a mission to prepare students to be leaders and change-makers.

Program Features

• The program is located in the School of Nursing and Health Professions within a traditional, comprehensive university setting centrally located in the diverse and innovative city of San Francisco.
• This is a practice-oriented Doctor of Psychology program grounded on scientific research; students are placed in real-world clinical scenarios for observation and experience.
• Supportive faculty focused on student mentorship and a diverse, dynamic student body.
• Graduates are proficient in the empirical and theoretical underpinnings of integrated, behavioral health interventions while being sensitive to contextual, cultural, spiritual, and socioeconomic environments of individuals and communities.
• Admission is based on the overall fit for each applicant. Applications are open for candidates from both Psychology backgrounds and other fields who have taken certain pre-requisite courses.
• Additional details are provided in our Student Handbook and Clinical Training Manual .

Diversity Scholars Program

The Clinical Psychology PsyD program is founded on values of social justice, health equity, and cultural responsiveness in teaching, clinical work, and research endeavors. Additional information about the Diversity Scholars program will be provided to applicants who are invited to interview as part of the admissions process.

Licensure and Accreditation

The University of San Francisco, School of Nursing and Health Professions is pleased to announce that our Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program (PsyD) has received ten years of accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA), effective October 28,2023. The ten-year term is the highest level of accreditation given by the association.

APA accreditation recognizes that the program meets the rigorous standards set by the Commission on Accreditation and that students receive training from a diverse group of expert faculty within a well-resourced program committed to training students for preparation for entry into the field of health service psychology.

Learn more about why APA accreditation matters . Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

The American Psychological Association Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation 750 First Street NE Washington, DC 20002-4242 Telephone: (202) 336-5979 TDD/TTY: (202) 336-6123 Fax: (202) 336-5978

The Program is also accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and has Associate Member status in the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP).

Graduates of the PsyD program at USF, once they have completed required postdoctoral hours, are eligible for licensure in California (and other states) as psychologists.

View our Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data for recent information on time to completion, internship placements, attrition, and more.

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PhD in Clinical Psychology, San Francisco

Expand your knowledge in clinical psychology with advanced studies.

Need additional help or information?

Doctorate in clinical psychology overview.

The San Francisco Bay Area APA-accredited PhD in clinical psychology program features a scholar-practitioner model that prepares you to become a broadly trained practitioner as well as to conduct a wide-range of psychological research. As a graduate of the program, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and experience necessary to contribute to the ever-growing body of psychological literature and behavioral science.

By infusing social justice concerns and multicultural perspectives throughout the curriculum, the program will help provide the knowledge, skills, and professional attitude necessary to evaluate psychological functioning and provide effective interventions with diverse clients across a range of settings, whether in a public or private practice.

A range of potential career paths is open to those with a doctorate in clinical psychology, including:

• Clinical practice
• Applied research
• Administration  

To learn more about this program and other offerings, visit our CSPP-dedicated microsite . You’ll find videos featuring our university president, dean of CSPP, and faculty, along with numerous interactive features!

Get the information you need in order to start your Alliant experience. See the latest admission requirements for your desired program.

Get the information you need in order to start your Alliant experience. Browse our list of diverse faculty members for your desired program.

Degree Information

The multicultural program emphasizes research and clinical training equally in leading areas, with a focus in the following areas:

Multicultural Community Psychology and Program Evaluation

• Family/child/adolescent psychology
• Gender studies and LGBT psychology

Multicultural Study, LGBT Psychology, Gender Studies

• Multicultural study
• LGBT psychology

Multicultural Community Psychology, Program Evaluation, Social Justice

• Multicultural community psychology
• Substance abuse
• Advocacy, public policy, social justice

Trauma, Stress, Resilience, Health Psychology

• Stress, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Health psychology

Family/Child/Adolescent Psychology

Learn more about these Emphasis Areas here .

Degree Competencies

In the San Francisco Bay Area degree program, all students are expected to acquire and demonstrate substantial understanding and competence in the following nine profession-wide competency areas:

• Ethical and legal standards
• Individual and cultural diversity
• Professional values and attitudes
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Intervention
• Supervision
• Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills

The competencies are met operationally through various academic and training activities that include courses, practicum and internship placements, and supervised research experiences. Multiple data sources are used to assess outcomes relative to these competencies. These competencies specify knowledge, attitudes, and skills that you are expected to achieve by the time you graduate from the clinical psychology program at the Bay area campus.

Discipline-Specific Knowledge

As a student in the program an aspiring clinical psychologist, you'll be expected to demonstrate discipline-specific knowledge in the following four categories:

• History and systems of psychology
• The basic content areas of scientific psychology, including affective, biological cognitive, developmental, and social aspects of behavior
• Advanced integrative knowledge in scientific psychology
• Research methods, statistical analysis, and psychometrics

San Francisco Graduate Program Features

The APA-accredited clinical psychology program emphasizes research and clinical training equally, with special strengths in:

• Multicultural psychology, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) psychology, and gender studies
• Community psychology, substance abuse, program evaluation, and social justice
• Trauma, stress, resilience, and health psychology

Because of the extensive clinical psychology courses offered in the program, the graduate student will have the opportunity to develop in-depth expertise in one or more of these areas by selecting required courses, elective courses, clinical practica (field placements), and supervisors that emphasize a specific theoretical orientation in therapy.

In the program, the graduate student will also have the opportunity to gain real-world experience like a clinical psychologist through a variety of field placements. Doctoral students develop practical skills in the program by providing real-world mental health services to underserved populations.

San Francisco Bay Area Community Services and Placements page

Unique Research Seminars

You’ll enroll in a research seminar during your first year in the program and continue for at least three years until you complete a dissertation proposal. This intimate, small-group setting, composed of students in all program years, gives you a chance to work with faculty members on areas of shared interest and faculty expertise.

In the past, students and faculty have presented their findings at several professional conferences, including the meetings and annual conventions of the following professional associations:

• American Psychological Association
• Association for Women in Psychology
• National Council of School and Programs of Professional Psychology
• Western Psychological Association
• National Multicultural Summit
• Association for the Advancement of Behavioral Therapy
• California Psychological Association

Clinical Psychology Degree

San Francisco provides a solid foundation for building a successful career as a licensed clinical psychologist. Psychology programs strongly focus on counseling psychology and a commitment to the behavioral sciences. Graduates must fulfill the licensure requirements after completing the clinical psychology San Francisco degree program, including supervised clinical hours and passing the national examination. Our graduate school campus is committed to guiding students through this process, offering support and opportunities to gain clinical experience ranging from hospitals to community mental health centers.

Accreditation

The clinical psychology PhD program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA), which requires that we provide data on time to completion, program costs, internships, attrition and licensure. Please follow the link below for that information. We hope this information will help you to make an informed decision regarding your graduate study in higher education, particularly in the psychology department.

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data  (.pdf)

The California School of Professional Psychology clinical psychology PhD program is offered on the Fresno, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco Bay Area campuses. Each is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA).

*Questions related to a 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

Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Our Campus Location

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School Performance Fact Sheet

Graduate Degree Aims, Competencies, and Element

The PhD Program has adopted a series of three aims, nine competencies, and related elements designed to implement its philosophy and meet the overall program aims. The competencies of the doctoral program are met through academic and training activities that include courses, practicum and internship placements, and supervised research experiences. Multiple data sources are used to assess outcomes relative to these competencies. These competencies specify attitudes, knowledge, and skills that students are expected to achieve by the time they graduate from the doctoral program, as well as the perceptions, feelings, and professional achievements alumni are expected to report as they pursue their profession. The elements are the expected specific outcomes for each of the respective competencies.

Aim 1: To educate students to conduct applied research and to be grounded in, and contribute to, the knowledge base of psychology.

Aim 2: To prepare students to be effective professional psychologists skilled at evaluating theoretical and scientific knowledge, psychological functioning, and providing efficacious interventions with diverse clients across a range of settings. We define diversity in keeping with Principle E of the 2010 amended version of the 2002 “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct” as reflecting individual, role, and cultural differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, socioeconomic status, and other differences.

Aim 3: To prepare ethical and responsible professional psychologists who are able to work collaboratively with other professionals and take on multiple roles in varied settings, and develop the attitudes and skills for lifelong learning and productivity.

Competency 1: Research

1a: Demonstrate the substantially independent ability to formulate research or other scholarly activities that are of sufficient quality and rigor to contribute to the scientific, psychological or professional knowledge base.

1b: Conduct research or other scholarly activities.

1c: Critically evaluate and disseminate research or other scholarly activities via professional presentations and publications at the local, regional, and national level.

Competency 2: Ethical and Legal Standards

2a: Be knowledgeable of and act in accordance with the current version of APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.

2b: Be knowledgeable of and act in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing health service psychology at the organizational, state, regional, and federal levels.

2c: Be knowledgeable of and act in accordance with relevant professional standards and guidelines.

2d: Conduct self in an ethical manner in all professional activities.

Competency 3: Individual and Cultural Diversity

3a: An understanding of how their own personal/cultural history may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves.

3b: Knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to addressing diversity, including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service.

3c: Ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences in the conduct of professional roles (e.g., research, services, and other professional activities).

Competency 4: Professional Values and Attitudes

4a: Behave in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including integrity, deportment, professional identity, accountability, lifelong learning, and concern for the welfare of others.

4b: Engage in self-reflection; engage in activities to maintain and improve performance, well-being and professional effectiveness.

4c: Actively seek and demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision.

4d: Respond professionally in increasingly complex situations with an increasingly greater degree of independence as you progress through levels of training.

Competency 5: Communication and Interpersonal Skills

5a: Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, including colleagues, communities, organizations, supervisors, and those receiving professional services.

5b: Produce and comprehend oral, nonverbal, and written communications; demonstrate a grasp of professional language and concepts.

5c: Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and the ability to manage difficult communication well.

Competency 6: Assessment

6a: Select and apply assessment methods that draw from empirical literature; collect relevant data using multiple sources and methods.

6b: Interpret assessment results to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations.

6c: Communicate, orally and in written documentation, the findings and implications of an assessment in an accurate and effective manner sensitive to a diverse range of clients and audiences.

Competency 7: Intervention

7a: Establish and maintain effective relationships with the recipients of psychological services.

7b: Develop evidence-based intervention plans specific to the service delivery goals.

7c: Implement interventions informed by the current scientific literature.

7d: Apply the relevant research literature to critical decision-making.

7e: Evaluate intervention effectiveness and adapt intervention goals and methods consistent with ongoing evaluation.

7f: Evaluate intervention effectiveness.

Competency 8: Supervision

8a: Demonstrate knowledge of supervision models and practices.

8b: Demonstrate the ability to integrate supervisor feedback into professional practice.

Competency 9: Consultation, Interprofessional Interdisciplinary skills

9a: Demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions.

9b: Demonstrate knowledge of consultation models and practices.

In addition to specific aims, competencies, and elements, the program also aims to instruct all students on domain-specific knowledge, that is the basic content areas that comprise the field of clinical psychology. Consistent with APA Accreditation standards, the program considers it critically important to train and evaluate student effectiveness in the following areas:

Domain-Specific Knowledge

Category 1: history and systems of psychology and basic content areas in scientific psychology.

1a: History and systems of psychology

1b: Affective aspects of behavior

1c: Biological aspects of behavior

1d: Cognitive aspects of behavior

1e: Developmental aspects of behavior

1f: Social aspects of behavior

Category 2: Research and Quantitative Methods and Advanced Integrative Knowledge in Scientific Psychology

2a: Advanced integrative knowledge of basic discipline-specific content issues

2b: Research methods

2c: Quantitative methods

2d: Psychometrics

Training Opportunities

Professional clinical training opportunities.

This program is infused with social justice concerns and educates students to conduct a broad range of psychological research and to become broadly trained practitioners. It provides training for clinical psychologists in all aspects of conducting psychological research such that they are capable of being productive scholars who contribute to the body of psychological literature. 

The program is designed to address all five levels of the biopsychosocial model of human functioning: biological, psychological, familial, community, and sociocultural. We encourage psychology major students to develop a personal integration of cognitive-behavioral, family systems, multicultural, and contemporary psychodynamic approaches. Because of the extensive clinical course offerings at CSPP-San Francisco Bay area, students are able to develop in-depth expertise in one or more of these orientations by selecting sections of required courses, elective courses, clinical practica (field placements), and supervisors that emphasize a specific theoretical orientation in therapy.

Students begin their professional clinical training in their second year in community mental health centers, clinics, inpatient mental health facilities, medical settings, specialized service centers, rehabilitation programs, residential or day programs, forensic/correctional facilities, and educational programs. In their third year, and often fourth year, students continue clinical training or a clinical research practicum. Students typically receive a minimum of 1,600 hours of clinical training prior to internship.

The San Francisco Bay Area offers an enormous range of training opportunities in service of individuals representing diverse populations. Students have conducted field placements in many diverse agencies, including: Veterans Affairs, Kaiser Permanente, and community mental health clinics.

Collaborative Agreements with Teachers College and Fordham University

CSPP has special collaborative agreements with Teachers College of Columbia University and Fordham University-Lincoln Center Campus for graduates of the master’s program to allow them to obtain pre-approved credit for previous work upon being accepted into the San Francisco program.  

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

Why alliant.

At Alliant, our mission is to prepare students for professional careers of service and leadership and to promote the discovery and application of knowledge to improve lives. We offer an education that is accredited, focused on practical knowledge and skills, connected with diverse faculty and alumni, and aimed at the student experience.

Founded in 1969, CSPP was one of the nation’s first independent schools of professional psychology. Today, CSPP continues its commitment to preparing the next generation of mental health professionals through graduate-level degree programs in clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, clinical counseling, organizational psychology, psychopharmacology, and more.

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Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Program

• Program Overview
• UC San Diego
• JDP Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee
• Program Committees
• Student Council
• SDSU Psychology Clinic
• Program Administration
• Program Faculty
• Practicum Supervisors
• Doctoral Students
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The admissions cycle for Fall 2024 is now CLOSED! 

Applications for the next admissions cycle (Fall 2025) will be accepted starting October 1, 2024. Deadlines for the next admissions cycle will be updated by the end of August 2024. See below for this year’s application deadlines as a reference. Thank you!

JDP Information Day

Our program held an online information session for prospective applicants on  Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 9:00-10:30AM PST . For anyone who was unable to attend, we have posted a copy of the presentation slides below. Thank you!

JDP Information Day Presentation for Fall 2024 Admission

Application Deadlines

Deadlines for fall 2024:.

• November 15, 2023 (11:59 PM EST): Supplemental Program Application Deadline (including letters of recommendation)
• December 1, 2023: Cal State Apply Application Deadline
• January 2024 (check SDSU account for specific dates): Deadline to Submit Transcripts to SDSU
• Mid-January 2024: Interview Offers Extended (Note: You will be notified by email either way)
• February 5 & 6, 2024: Two-Day ONLINE Interview Process

The Application Process has two Steps:

• The Supplemental Program and the Cal State Apply applications may be filled out concurrently.
• DO NOT send any application materials to UC San Diego at this time. Only students who are admitted to the joint-doctoral program must submit a UC San Diego application. After formal notification from SDSU, students will receive material from UC San Diego.

Step 1: Supplemental Program Application

November 15, 2023, at 11:59 PM EST (including letters of recommendation)

Submit your Fall 2024 Supplemental Program Application online: http://apply.interfolio.com/128030

Application materials may be submitted beginning Oct 01, 2023

Faculty Mentors

Choose faculty mentors to include on your application: Faculty Mentorship

Supplemental Program Application: Required Documents

NOTE: The SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program has decided to  waive consideration of all scores from the GREs (General and Psychology Subject Test) for the 2023-2024 application cycle  (for entry to the doctoral program in Fall 2024). We will not review any GRE scores for admission to the program.

1. Statement of Purpose

• Limit your statement to no more than 3 pages, single-spaced, 12-point type.
• In your essay, state your purpose in deciding to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Describe your scholarly and research areas of interest and your plans for your future profession. You are encouraged to indicate specific research interests and potential JDP faculty mentors with whom you would be interested in working during your graduate training.
• In addition, briefly describe characteristics of your background or training that speak to your likely success in graduate school and your chosen career path. You do not need to restate your CV. Instead, highlight the experiences you view as most relevant, formative, or illustrative of your potential and any aspects of your experiences that may not be summarized well on a CV or in a checklist.
• In addition, we are interested in learning about any challenges or adversities you have overcome during your academic journey. Further, describe any aspects of your personal or professional experiences that demonstrate your commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Examples include advocacy, community service with diverse populations, and research examining inequities.

2. CV/Resume

3. unofficial transcripts (for all colleges/universities attended), 4. three letters of recommendation.

(requested through the online Supplemental Program Application and received by the application deadline: November 15, 2023)

Recommenders may include:

• Supervisors or managers
• Colleagues from professional organizations
• Colleagues from charitable agencies
• No friends or relatives, please.

5. Current or Planned Coursework Form (if applicable)

Current or Planned Coursework Form

Interested in also applying to the SDSU Psychology Masters Program? You must submit a separate online Interfolio application to their Department of Psychology Master’s Program .

Having Technical Difficulties? For help signing up, accessing your Interfolio account, or submitting your application, please visit the help and support section or get in touch via email at [email protected] or phone at (877) 997-8807.

Program-Related Questions? For any questions about our program or the Supplemental Program Application that cannot be answered on our website, you may contact us at [email protected] .

Step 2: CAL State Apply Application

Please follow the “Cal State Apply Graduate Student Application Guide” located on the Cal State Apply website when completing your Cal State Apply application.

Applying to Multiple Programs? Applicants are only allowed to select one major per Cal State Apply application. If you wish to apply to additional programs, you can do so by simply completing a Supplementary Program application for each program. If the other program does not have a Supplemental Program application and only uses the Cal State Apply application to review applications, go ahead and select that program on your Cal State Apply application and just submit a Supplemental Program application (through Interfolio) for our program. 

Supporting Information Section: Our Selection Committee ONLY reviews information included in the Supplemental Program application; therefore, we recommend that you complete this section as follows (this only applies when you select our program “ Clinical Psychology San Diego Graduate ,” on your Cal State Apply application).

Experiences Select “I Am Not Adding Any Experiences”

For questions or help using Cal State Apply, visit the Cal State Apply Applicant Help Center .

Note: Application Fee Waivers are no longer available. Refer to our Admission FAQs page for more information.

SUBMITTING OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

Please refer to the SDSU Graduate Admissions website for general admission requirements and how to submit official transcripts.

International students completing a degree at an institution outside the United States should review and follow the  International Graduate Steps to Apply .

For questions about Cal State Apply or general admission documents (e.g. transcripts, TOEFL scores, etc.), contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (619) 594-6336 or [email protected] . International applicants may contact the International Recruitment Office at (619) 594-6336 or [email protected] .

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Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) Program (California)

Wscuc-accredited.

A reputable, private, non-profit university.

Millions in Scholarships

Explore National University’s scholarship opportunities. Eligibility requirements apply.

240K+ Alumni Worldwide

Become a member of NU’s global community.

Make a Positive Impact on the Mental Wellness of Diverse Communities.

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) (California) at National University’s JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences prepares you to make an impact in the lives of those in need. Our Program provides the highest level of training in the field of clinical psychology, equipping you with the necessary tools to serve communities in vital roles such as clinician, program administrator, evaluator, consultant, educator, and scholar.

The PsyD Program’s mission is to train practitioner-scholars who will provide comprehensive and culturally sensitive services to a variety of communities. This mission is embraced by our diverse faculty, staff, and student community. Our particular focus on multicultural and diversity competence sets us apart from other PsyD programs. Though NU’s Program is delivered on-site, in-person at the Pleasant Hill campus, upon completion, students are eligible to sit for the national licensing exam in professional psychology.

While attention to culture and context are woven through every course, students may also choose to complete specialized coursework in one of several concentration areas, such as forensic/correctional psychology, neuropsychology, or integrated health psychology. Students must reside in Northern California, as this Program is normally delivered in person, on-site, in Pleasant Hill, California. The Program accepts applications through the PSYCAS portal from November through August. Students may only be admitted to the program once a year, in Fall Quarter.  

NU’s Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (California) Program is currently not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) for new students. The PsyD Program is currently under accreditation review by APA. National University is regionally accredited by WSCUC.

Doctor of Psychology Program — Academic Plan for Students Matriculating in Fall 2023 and Beyond

Year one: 45 units.

PSD7036 IPS 1 Multicult. Foundations (5)

PSD7011 Clinical Interviewing Skills (4)

PSD7227 Human Development (4)

PSD7037 IPS 1 Multicult. Integration (5)

PSD7015 Psychopathology I & Lab (3)

PSD7122 Psychodynamic Theory & Applic (3)

PSD7038 IPS 1 Multicult. Tx Approaches (5)

PSD7016 Psychopathology II & Lab (3)

PSD7141 Ethical & Legal Issues Psych (3)

PSD7114 Psychometrics: The Basics of Assessment (2)

PSD7151 Research Methods & Stats I (3)

PSD7009 Group Clinical Skills (2)

PSD7123 Cognitive Behavioral Theory (3)

Year Two: 46 units + 3 elective units

PSD7136 IPS 2 Applied Diagnosis (4)

PSD7115 Assessment I & Lab (4)

PSD7250 Research Methods & Stats II (3)

PSD7124 Family Systems Theory & Applic (3)

PSD7137 IPS 2 Case Formulation (4)

PSD7116 Assessment II & Lab (4)

PSD7251 Qualitative Research (3)

Electives (1)

Units: 11 + 1(elective)

PSD7138 IPS 2 Informed Tx Planning (4)

PSD7117 Assessment III & Lab (4)

PSD7252 Dissertation Proposal I (2)

PSD7107 Biological Bases of Behavior (3)

PSD7131 Psych & Treatment Subst Abuse (3)

PSD7180 Psychology of Trauma (3)

PSD7253 Dissertation Proposal II (2)

Electives (2)

Units: 8 + 2(elective)

Year Three: 25 units + 10 elective units

PSD7236 IPS 3 Int Case Concept/Tx Plan (4)

PSD7108 Cognitive & Affective Bases (3)

Units: 7 + 2(elective)

PSD7237 IPS 3 Clinical Communication (4)

PSD7160 Psychopharmacology (3)

PSD7254 Dissertation Proposal III (1)

Electives (3)

Units: 8 + 3(elective)

PSD7238 IPS 3 Prof Dev/Lifelong Learn (4)

PSD7104 Social & Cultural Bases Behavr (3)

PSD7303 Dissertation Completion (0)

Units: 7 + 3(elective)

PSD7601 Psych Career Skills Building (1)

PSD7110 Integrated Foundationl Science (2)

Units: 3 + 2(elective)

Year Four: 9 units + 6 elective units + 4.5 Internship units

PSD7215 Foundations Prof Consultation (3)

PSD7331 Externship (1 elective credit)

PSD7230 Fundamentals of Clinical Supervision (3)

PSD7003 History & Systems (3)

PSD7401 Part-time Internship (4.5)

Units: 4.5 part-time

Year Five: 31.5 Internship units

PSD7400 Internship (9)

Degree and Course Requirements

To receive the PsyD degree, students must meet the following requirements:

• After admission to the PsyD Program, all academic requirements must be completed in residence, except where transfer credit units have been awarded
• Completion of the 180 quarter units required by the Program
• A full-time load of 36 units must be carried for a minimum of one year, preferably in year one
• A minimum grade of B- is required in each course applied to meeting degree requirements
• An overall grade-point average of 3.0 must be achieved in all work for the PsyD Program
• The Clinical Readiness Examination (1st year) and the Clinical Proficiency Examination (3rd year) must be passed
• The following professional training must be completed and documented: Ethnographic Placement (1st year), Beginning Practicum (2nd year), Advanced Practicum (3rd year), and Internship (after all coursework has been completed)
• Thirty sessions of personal psychotherapy must be completed (preferably prior to Internship)
• The dissertation must be successfully completed and defended (preferably prior to Internship)
• All Program requirements must be completed within eight calendar years of matriculation

A Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree opens doors in a variety of industries, including health care, social assistance, public administration, and professional, scientific, technical and educational services, among others.

If you’re looking for a program founded on the principles of social justice, diversity, and inclusion and emphasizes multicultural competence, NU’s PsyD degree can prepare you to sit for the national licensing exam for professional practice. Once you’ve earned your doctorate, you’ll be qualified to pursue a position in a field expected to grow by about 8% by 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics .* 

NU’s PsyD program focuses on preparing you with the knowledge and skills employers in this field actively seek, including competence in leadership, scheduling, adaptability, research, management, communications, teaching, planning, operations, coordinating, consulting, problem solving, and mentorship. With these qualifications, you’ll be in position to pursue positions** like:

• Licensed Clinical Psychologist
• Clinical Sport Psychologist
• Neuropsychologist
• Forensic/Correctional Psychologist
• Health Psychologist
• School Psychologists
• Industrial/Organizational Psychologist
• Psychological Consultant
• Program Director
• Pediatric Psychologist

*SOURCE: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-5

*SOURCE: Emsi Labor Analyst- Report. Emsi research company homepage at https://www.economicmodeling.com/company/ (Report viewed: April 21, 2022). DISCLAIMER: The data provided is for Informational purposes only. Emsi data and analysis utilizes government sources to provide insights on industries, demographics, employers, in-demand skills, and more to align academic programs with labor market opportunities. Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Current and prospective students should use this data with other available economic data to inform their educational decisions.

At National University, our dedicated faculty have expertise in working with diverse populations, as well as in the specific subject matter of their courses. Our educators include leaders within APA and other professional organizations, pioneers in fields such as cultural, LGBTQ+, disability psychology, and social justice advocates. 

Our program maintains a 8-to-1 core student to faculty ratio, ensuring that class sizes are small and that students establish relationships with mentors that continue throughout their doctoral program and beyond. Each PsyD student has a core faculty advisor to help them navigate the program and develop their professional identities.

Earning a PsyD degree can help you further your career in the field of psychology and fulfill your desire to make a positive impact in your community. You’ll also be well compensated for the impact you’ll have on the mental wellness of the communities where you choose to work; the Bureau of Labor Statistics states the median annual pay for psychologists was $81,040 in, May 2021 and climbs all the way to $133,890 for the top 10% in the field.*

Job prospects are best for those who have a doctoral degree in an applied specialty. Most psychologists also need a license. NU’s PsyD degree prepares students to serve their communities in a variety of vital roles, including:

• Clinical Psychologist
• Counseling Psychologist
• Post-secondary Psychology Teacher

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Program, students will be able to:

• Develop expertise in the integration of science and Health Service Psychology practice.
• Manage ethical issues in accordance with APA Ethical Principles, applicable laws, and relevant Health Service Psychology standards and guidelines.
• Integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural diversity in the conduct of Health Service Psychology roles.
• Cultivate professional values, attitudes and behaviors that are consistent with Health Service Psychology standards.
• Support effective interpersonal communication through written and oral Health Service Psychology language and concepts.
• Develop competence in conducting evidence-based and contextually appropriate assessment consistent with the scope of Health Service Psychology.
• Implement evidence-based and contextually appropriate interventions consistent with the scope of Health Service Psychology.
• Incorporate Health Service Psychology supervision models and practices in professional situations.
• Incorporate Health Service Psychology consultation models and practices in interaction with clients and other stakeholders.
• Integrate understanding of the history, foundational science, and research principles that underlie the field of Health Service Psychology.

Hear From Our Faculty

Watch our video to hear Program Chair Dr. Doug Haldeman discuss the Program and what you can expect.

Enrolling in a university is a big decision. That’s why our dedicated admissions team is here to guide you through the admissions process and help you find the right program for you and your career goals.

Applications to the PsyD Program are made through the PSYCAS portal, where you will upload all required application materials. The Program accepts applications from November through mid-August. Students begin classes once a year only, in the fall quarter. The Program operates on a traditional academic quarter system, and all classes are held in person at the JFK SOPSS campus in Pleasant Hill, CA.

Learn more about undergraduate, graduate, military, and international student admissions, plus admissions information for transfer students. You can also learn more about our tuition rates and financial aid opportunities.

To speak with our admissions team, call  (855) 355-6288  or request information and an advisor will contact you shortly. If you’re ready to apply, simply  start your application today .

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We’re proud to be a Veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners. Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 240,000 alumni worldwide.

“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”

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• Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data
• What Is a Doctorate?
• How to Become a Therapist
• Gaining Clinical Skills in Human Sexuality Psychology

Frequently Asked Questions

PsyD is a Doctor of Psychology, and a PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy. Training for PsyD students focuses more on clinical work, while PhD students tend to spend more time on research, following the scientist-practitioner model. The PhD also has a more rigorous and lengthier dissertation process involved.

Most PsyD programs can be completed in five to seven years, including an internship.

According to Salary.com, the median salary for a doctorate level psychologist in California earns $124,760 as of March 28, 2023. However, the typical range is between $113,419 and $138,651.*

*SOURCE: Salary.com, Psychologist — Ph.D. Salary in California, on the internet at  https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/psychologist-ph-d-salary/ca  (viewed April 2023)

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist helping others overcome mental health challenges, then yes, a PsyD is worth the money, as this degree provides the training and skills necessary to do so. Clinical psychology is considered a well-paying and personally rewarding, admirable profession.

Yes, individuals who hold a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) degree have earned a doctoral-level degree and are entitled to use the title “Doctor.”

No, a PsyD is not necessarily “higher” than a PhD. Both degrees require extensive study and research, but the emphasis is different. A PhD in psychology is focused more on research and experimentation, while a PsyD is focused more on clinical practice.

The Key Grant Scholarship

Do you qualify for a needs-based scholarship? Learn more about the NU Key Grant Scholarship and other scholarship opportunities to unlock the door to your dreams!

The Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) Program is currently under accreditation review by APA. National University is regionally accredited by WSCUC. Questions about WSCUC accreditation can be addressed at:

985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100 Alameda, CA 94501 Phone:  510-748-9001

Our students are strongly encouraged to complete their internship at an APA-accredited site. Students are required to use the APPIC (Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers) system for application to internships and a minimum of 80% of student applications must be submitted to APA-accredited sites.

In the United States, each state makes its own rules regarding the educational requirements for licensure of psychologists. As such, requirements for professional licensure and certification can vary markedly by state. The JFK School of Psychology at National University, Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) meets the educational degree completion requirements for licensure in the state of  California  as a Licensed Psychologist.

The curriculum requirements of the PsyD Program enable students to sit for the National Psychology Licensing Exam (EPPP). Completion of the PsyD Program allows the student to sit for the EPPP in any state, provided that all curricular requirements are satisfied.

It is important to know that some states require that students have a degree from an APA-accredited program. In addition, some agencies of the federal government only hire graduates of APA-accredited programs. If you wish to work for such an agency, please contact them directly for further information on hiring requirements.

We advise you to contact your state licensing and certification body to ensure the degree will meet requirements for licensure in the state in which you seek to be licensed. For licensing board contact information and approval status, please see the  Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards  website. For all students, applicants, or prospective students seeking licensure in any state, please review the chart below outlining the University’s determination about the program’s curriculum and how it relates to the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in that respective state.

It is strongly encouraged that students, applicants, and prospective students determine any additional (i.e., non-educational) requirements for licensure in the state in which they seek to be licensed. Many licensure boards require more than successful degree completion to obtain a license, such as completion of an examination(s), test(s), background check(s), internship/practicum hours, and other requirements determined by the respective state board. It is the responsibility of the student completing the licensure program to check with the respective state licensing board(s) for the most recent information, rules and requirements.

The Program is currently under accreditation review by APA.

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 Email:  [email protected] Web:  accreditation.apa.org

Program Disclosure

Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.

Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.

NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.

All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.

National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.

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By submitting your information to National University as my electronic signature and submitting this form by clicking the Request Info button above, I provide my express written consent to representatives of National University and National University affiliates (including City University of Seattle) to contact me about educational opportunities. This includes the use of automated technology, such as an automatic dialing system and pre-recorded or artificial voice messages, text messages, and mail, both electronic and physical, to the phone numbers (including cellular) and e-mail address(es) I have provided. I confirm that the information provided on this form is accurate and complete. I also understand that certain degree programs may not be available in all states. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary.

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Clinical Psychology, PsyD

In the PsyD program, we train students to lead across a range of settings in the field of health service psychology. 

Program Intro

In CBU’s Clinical Psychology, PsyD program, students focus on the practice of clinical psychology, using the science of clinical psychology to guide their professional work. They develop research skills through research teams and other avenues that result in original, empirical research projects. Through coursework, practicum training, a full-time internship, a clinical competency exam and an original dissertation project, students develop the requisite skills, attitudes, knowledge and behavior to serve a diverse public. The ultimate aim of the CBU PsyD program is to prepare doctoral students for entry-level practice in clinical psychology.

View All Courses

*Based on current academic year. Subject to change.

View Additional Cost of Attendance and Fees

Why Earn a PsyD in Clinical Psychology at CBU?

Be trained to work with a diverse public.

We acknowledge the reality that biases and assumptions often remain hidden, and can undermine effective client care when working with those who have a different cultural background. Because of this, faculty within our program work with students to be sensitive to cultural differences, and emphasize “culture-centered” research and and the importance of working from within clients’ own framework.

Integrate the Christian faith

We believe that the Christian faith, including the rich heritage of Christian writers who have elucidated an astute psychospiritual understanding of the human condition (especially suffering), can play an important role in working with Christian consumers of mental health services. Students are able to explore ways to think about building and testing theory so as to meet the needs of Christian clients, drawing from a Christian worldview in order to offer culturally sensitive, evidence-based care to a large segment of the American population. 

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data (PDF)

More About the Program

Program Details

Psy 736: behavioral neuroscience.

This course focuses on the biological bases of human behavior, exploring the structure and functioning of the brain, neurochemistry, hormones, genetic influences, and biological contributing factors to psychopathology. 

PSY 761: Psychology and Christianity I: Theology

As the first of four courses, students focus on understanding and applying Christian theology to the foundations of clinical psychology. 

PSY 776: Intervention VI: Group Approaches to Treatment

This course focuses on theoretical and evidence-based models of group therapy.

• Forensic Psychology Elective Track
• Organizational Psychology Elective Track 
• Sport and Performance Psychology Elective Track

The CBU PsyD program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), on contingency through the following date:  September 28th, 2026.

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

• Developing General Knowledge in the Discipline of Psychology: Students will be academically prepared to work within health service psychology, developing the necessary knowledge base to competently, ethically, and effectively function as a clinical psychologist in a wide variety of settings with diverse populations. Students will understand and apply a knowledge of the history and systems of psychology, theories of psychotherapy, affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, sociological, and abnormal bases of behavior, integrative knowledge within multiple domains of psychology, research approaches, and psychometrics to health service psychology. In total, 13 areas of knowledge (made up of 13 Student Learning Objectives) will be emphasized within this Student Learning Outcome so as to build a solid scientific foundation that informs clinical practice.
• Developing Specific Competencies in the Profession of Clinical Psychology: Students will be globally minded and equipped to serve within the profession of clinical psychology, developing the necessary foundational and functional skills to competently, ethically, and effectively function as a clinical psychologist in a wide variety of settings with diverse populations. Specifically, students will understand the role that several key competencies play in health service psychology, developing these skills incrementally as they move from practicum placement to internship, followed by graduation and independent practice. The six competency domains within the CBU PsyD Program focus on (a) professionalism, (b) relationships, (c) science, (d) the application of evidence-based practice, assessment, intervention, and consultation, (e) supervision, and (f) systems, all of which emphasize the value of individual and cultural diversity and the empirical literature within clinical psychology. Among these competency domains within this Student Learning Outcome, 13 specific competencies will be tracked via both formative and summative assessment methods, captured in 13 Student Learning Objectives.
• Developing General Knowledge of Both Psychological Science and a Christian Worldview and the Specific Competency of Integrating Science and Faith in the Profession of Clinical Psychology :   Students will be biblically rooted within the profession of clinical psychology, developing the ability to integrate a Christian worldview into previously developed and well-established theories and empirical models, starting with psychological science as the foundation and exploring ways the Christian tradition aligns with clinical psychology. Students will also learn how to begin with a Christian worldview, using several biblical traditions to build, test, and evaluate theory, starting with the Bible as the foundation and exploring ways the scientific method can help to enrich, deepen, and empirically validate a biblical view of suffering and healing in the 21 st   century by focusing on assessment and intervention for Christian clients. In total, 4 Student Learning Objectives are captured within this particular Student Learning Outcome, which leads to the development of faith integration as a specialty area in clinical psychology. ( Eric Johnson at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary offered helpful feedback in the development of these four SLO Objectives.)

Read All Learning Outcomes

Joshua Knabb, PsyD, ABPP

Professor of Psychology Associate Dean, Division of Psychology, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Director, PsyD Program

Office Phone: 951-343-4405 E-mail: [email protected] Office Location: W. E. James Building, Room J116

Robert Pate, PsyD

Professor of Psychology Director of Clinical Training, PsyD Program

Office Phone: 951-343-4588 E-mail: [email protected] Office Location: James 125B

Veola Vazquez, PhD

Professor of Psychology Diversity Coordinator, PsyD Program Psychological Services of Riverside - Licensed Psychologist

Office Phone: 951-552-8627 E-mail: [email protected] Office Location: James 125A

Within the Program, students complete three years of practicum placement, along with a full-time internship. To start, students will complete foundational coursework in the first year of the Program, which helps them to begin to develop foundational knowledge and professional competencies in order to transition to supervised training in the second year of the Program.

In the second year of the Program, students complete their first year of practicum training, which consists of a 12-month placement at CBU’s community mental health center. As students’ first practicum experience, supervised training at CBU’s clinic prepares students for an external practicum placement in the third year of the Program.

In the third year, students obtain an intervention-focused training placement, working with clients in a psychotherapeutic capacity. In the fourth year of the Program, which is the final year of practicum training, students gain important experience conducting psychological assessments, learning how to administer a battery of tests and write up the results in an assessment report.

These three years of practicum prepare students for the next step, which involves a full-time internship placement in the fifth year of the Program. Along the way, students work with the Director of Clinical Training (DCT) to ensure their training needs are being met, and that they are developing the necessary professional competencies to move towards independent practice upon graduation from the Program.

Students will begin working on their dissertation in the first year of the Program by identifying a faculty member to serve as the dissertation chair. In addition, students will begin the three-course series on statistics, research methods, and psychometrics in the first year so as to build a knowledge base for subsequent dissertation work.

In the second year, students will join a research team, wherein they will be mentored by a faculty member so as to develop an original research project (this project may lead to a dissertation topic or be focused on another area of research). 

In the third and fourth years of the Program, students will work formally with their dissertation chair in order to develop, propose, and defend their dissertation.

Dissertation types include a quantitative, qualitative, literature review, theoretical, or program development and evaluation dissertation. Students must successfully pass the dissertation proposal phase before formally submitting applications for internship, and students must successfully defend the dissertation by the end of the fourth year (prior to actually starting internship).

Given the competitive nature of the internship process, students are advised to select a topic that allows them to market themselves in the internship interview process, building on their professional development within coursework and the practicum process. In other words, selecting an applied clinical area of focus that draws out students’ strengths; cultivating expertise in an area of passion within the field is paramount so as to intelligently and confidently discuss this experience with internship sites (should they ask about the dissertation experience).

The CBU PsyD degree curriculum meets the education requirements in California for licensure as a psychologist. Information regarding licensure requirements can be obtained by contacting the California Board of Psychology:

Board of Psychology 1422 Howe Avenue, Suite 22 Sacramento, CA 95825-3200 (916) 263-2699 psychology.ca.gov

Students who wish to pursue licensure outside of California should contact that state’s licensing board for further information on state licensure requirements, including curriculum and supervised professional experience.

As you make decisions about graduate school, keep in mind the full social, spiritual and educational experience awaiting you at CBU. Here, you will be supported by professors, staff and fellow students who will help you discover your strengths and challenge you to do more than you ever thought you could. Let us equip you with the education, training and opportunities you'll need to start making a unique difference doing what you love.

Read Application Requirements

Career Possibilities

Upon completing CBU’s PsyD in Clinical Psychology program, candidates will be well prepared for various careers in psychology.

• Clinical Psychologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Clinical Director
• Neuropsychologist
• Correctional Facility Psychologist
• Military Psychologist

Related Programs

Counseling Psychology, MS

Forensic Psychology, MA

Doctor of Social Work

Request more information.

Join our community. At CBU, you’ll be challenged to become an individual whose skills, integrity, and sense of purpose glorify God and distinguish you in the world.

Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

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Clinical Psychology PsyD

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Equip People to Thrive in a Complex World

Make a positive impact on the lives of individuals, families, and communities with a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific. You’ll learn from professionals with extensive experience in the field. Develop the knowledge to serve clients in a range of settings as you apply new therapeutic skills in your practicums and clinical training.

Program Benefits

• Integrate diversity, systems science, and Christian values into your practice
• Meet the education requirements to pursue licensure in California
• Graduate in 5 to 6 years

God First Since 1899

Azusa Pacific University is a comprehensive Christian university located 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California, that offers more than 150 degree options from bachelor’s to doctorate.

Roosevelt University

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Master’s in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Practice, MA

Pursue clinical practice at the master's level. In Illinois and many other states, completing this program qualifies you to apply for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC and, later, LCPC). 

In this 60 credit-hour program, you’ll gain broad-based training in psychological assessment and intervention and the theory and research that support these practices. 

Admission Requirements

Sample courses, career opportunities, admission info.

Location: Chicago and Schaumburg Spring Priority Deadline (Schaumburg): November 1 Final Spring Deadline (Schaumburg): December 15

• Applications can be completed entirely online.
• Bachelor's degree in psychology or related course work.  Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities in the United States. Recommended 3.0 GPA in general psychology, abnormal psychology and research methods.
• Letter of intent outlining your personal and professional goals, why you are interested in this program, and how it will help you achieve your goals. Please address how you became interested in a counseling career and what you hope to accomplish as a counselor.
• One letter of recommendation.
• $40 application fee.

Apply now  or contact an admissions counselor . 

Sample Clinical Psychology Courses

• Career and Lifestyle Counseling
• Psychopathology
• Chemical Dependence
• Multicultural Counseling
• Couples and Family Counseling

View the course catalog for the MA in clinical psychology, counseling practice .

Clinical Psychology Careers

Clinical psychology graduates support clients from children to the elderly. LPCs work in settings such as:

• Private practice
• Community mental health centers
• Substance abuse centers
• Forensic settings
• Psychiatric facilities
• Social service agencies
• Hospital systems

More clinical experience will help you earn licensure as a clinical professional counselor (LCPC). After graduation, you can also apply to PsyD and PhD programs in clinical psychology.

Those planning to apply to PhD programs should ensure they secure research experience within the program while pursuing their MA degree.

Why Roosevelt for your Master's

Fast track your career

In the master’s program, you’ll pair two years of course work with a year of supervised clinical experience (practicum). The program has no thesis requirement, but you’re encouraged to seek research assistantships with faculty.

This program will also prepare you to apply to PsyD and PhD programs in clinical or counseling psychology.

Qualify for licensure as an LPC

In Illinois (and most other states), this program qualifies graduates for licensure as professional counselors (LPC) and clinical professional counselors (LCPC). LPCs can work as guidance counselors, family therapists, substance abuse counselors and couples therapists, among other specialties.

Interested in working with children? Learn more about the master’s in school counseling.

Practical training

Through course work and internships, you’ll have firsthand exposure to client advocacy and mental health. Choose from more than 200 partner sites that provide mental health services in the Chicago area.

“I chose this program to gain clinical skills and to be able to carry out therapeutic work with confidence. From the moment I started until the end, I have received support from my professors, peers and the program. I enjoyed learning from my diverse cohort and professors, most of whom are practicing clinicians established in the community. The program emphasizes social justice and issues of diversity. I am hopeful and optimistic that I, as a future clinician and a Muslim woman of color, will make a difference thanks to my professors and the program. ”

Ayesha Zubedi, MA ’22

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