25 Best PsyD & PhD Clinical Psych Programs – 2025
February 19, 2025
Clinical psychology is a growing field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for psychologists in general is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033. When you focus solely on the demand for clinical and counseling psychologists, however, the BLS projects that the number of jobs will increase by about 13 percent. That’s much faster than the average compared to other occupations. There will be an estimated average of 13,000 new jobs for all psychologists each year until 2033, and the median salary for psychologists was about $93,000 in 2023. Hoping to become a clinical psychologist? In this blog, we’ll cover how to make those dreams a reality via one of the best PsyD or PhD programs for clinical psychology.
How do I find the best PsyD and PhD programs for clinical psychology?
When evaluating the best PsyD or PhD programs in clinical psychology, you’ll want to take several factors into account. Firstly, you’ll only want to consider schools that have been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA “assures the public, licensing boards and potential employers that you have a sound educational and scientific foundation on which to build a successful career in psychology,” and the school accreditation process guarantees that you’ll be receiving an education that will solidify your career and create credibility for you and your future clients.
It’s important to note that there is another accrediting body in addition to APA: the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). Currently, PCSAS accreditation does not hold as much weight as APA accreditation, and fewer states recognize solely PCSAS-accredited programs. Depending on where you live and what your goals are, though, a PCSAS-accredited institution may be a solid choice. The list of PCSAS-accredited schools can be found here, with most schools on that list also accredited by the APA.
Cross any schools off your list that are not APA-accredited? Let’s move on…
Additional Factors to Consider
- Cost of the program, and whether funding is available (either full or partial). Fully funded PhD programs are much more common than fully funded PsyD programs, which is an important consideration for many students.
- Examination for Professional Placement in Psychology (EPPP) pass rates. In order to practice as a psychologist in the United States, you must pass this exam. Ideally, the school you attend should have pass rates above the national average (~70%). If a program does not publicize its pass rates, consider requesting that information.
- Internship placement rates. You must complete an accredited internship to become a licensed clinical psychologist, so you’ll want to prioritize schools that have strong placement rates and excellent reputations. The best PsyD and PhD programs tend to publicize this information.
- Program selectivity. While program selectivity is not necessarily an indicator of program strength, it’s important to take into account as you apply to programs.
- Available specialties. If you want to study a particular subspecialty of clinical psychology, such as forensic psychology, child & adolescent psychology, or school psychology, you’ll want to consider that as you apply to schools.
- College type. In general, PhD and PsyD programs housed within established, non-profit universities provide the highest caliber of education. You’ll want to avoid for-profit schools, as they are primarily vested in turning a profit for their own benefit. As a result, you are less likely to receive a quality education. Since for-profit schools are also less reputable, you may have a difficult time securing an internship, even if you graduate from an APA-accredited program.
Okay, what’s the difference between a PsyD and a PhD?
The best clinical psychology programs will lead to either a PsyD or a PhD, which likely has you wondering which one you should pursue. A PsyD and a PhD are similar in that both degrees will provide the necessary training for a career in clinical psychology. However, there are several key differences to consider:
- Research vs. clinical training: PhD programs in clinical psychology tend to have a heavier emphasis on research output than PsyD programs. However, this does not mean that your PsyD program will offer a research reprieve. In fact, the best PsyD programs will still have strong research expectations and engagement.
- Educational model: Most PhD programs for clinical psychology adhere to the “scientist-practitioner” model, meaning that graduates should be equally stellar researchers and clinicians. Alternatively, PsyDs tend to operate under a “practitioner-scholar” model, meaning that a greater emphasis is placed on clinical experience and skills. Although PsyDs are still expected to become scholarly experts in clinical psychology, there is slightly less expectation to contribute to ongoing research.
- Time: Given their additional research emphasis, PhD programs typically take longer to complete than PsyD programs.
- Cost. PhD programs are more likely to be fully funded than PsyD programs. Accordingly, pursuing a PsyD may be more expensive, even if you complete it faster than a PhD.
Bottom line? You’ll want to look closely at the structure, cost, length, and outcomes of PhD and PsyD programs before making a final decision, as both types of programs can lead you to an equally fulfilling career in clinical psychology.
Best PsyD & PhD Programs in Clinical Psychology
To compile our list of the best PsyD and PhD programs in clinical psychology, we’ve looked closely at program strength, outcomes, reputation, cost, and APA accreditation. The following schools will send you well on your way to serving the mental and emotional health of others while ensuring that you have ample opportunity to work closely with faculty, get real-world exposure, and enter the workforce competitively.
1) UCLA
- Degree type: PhD
The University of California, Los Angeles is so universally renowned in psychology that it tops the list.
In addition to a dedicated Clinical Psychology concentration, the doctoral program also offers specializations in Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive, Developmental, Health Psychology, Quantitative, Social, and Social and Affective Neuroscience Psychology.
The program is competitive; in 2024, there were 28 incoming students out of 1,317 applicants. Funding is available through fellowships, training, and teaching or research assistantships. The department strives to match students with funding upon admission, according to UCLA. However, they also recommend that students apply for external funding, as well. This means that full funding may not be guaranteed for everyone.
2) Rutgers University
- Degree Type: PsyD
Rutgers’ PsyD program is one of the strongest in the country. It places strong emphasis on clinical practice as well as “evolving scientific psychology,” striving to integrate the latest research developments. As a result, students emerge from the program with expertise in cognitive and behavioral, psychodynamic, and systems theories, which they can then apply to multiple environments. Faculty-student mentorship is also a core element of Rutger’s program.
Last year, Rutgers received about 1200 applications and invited 60 to interview. Partial funding is also available, both need-based and merit-based.
Additionally, Rutgers students are routinely accepted to excellent internship programs. In 2023-24, placements included Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School, Baylor College of Medicine, Albert Einstein College, Mount Sinai Behavioral Health Center, and the Bellevue Hospital Center at NYU.
3) University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Degree Type: PhD
UNC-Chapel Hill’s PhD program boasts a long-running accreditation with the APA—they’ve held the status since 1949. The program is also accredited by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). The program emphasizes “training in clinically-informed research and evidence-based clinical work,” and they recognize that your needs, desires, and goals may change over the course of your time in the program.
UNC is highly selective. Out of 686 applicants in 2023-24, just 10 students were offered admission. The school also provides full tuition remission, health insurance, and a nine-month stipend for all incoming Clinical Psychology students for the first five years in the program. Chapel Hill proudly states that they have offered this package for the last 50 years. The stipend for the 2023-2024 academic year was $20,000. The full funding package is one of the many reasons that Chapel Hill is a competitive, highly-ranked option for aspiring clinicians, along with the fact that 100% of students obtained an APA-accredited internship after graduating.
4) Baylor University
- Degree Type: PsyD
Within Baylor’s PsyD program, which emphasizes a Cognitive-Behavioral approach, students can expect to receive a robust level of research and clinical experience—approximately 4,000 hours worth, to be exact. During their first three years, students complete three clinical practicums. In their fourth year, they’ll then complete a fully funded research practicum. This program also boasts excellent internship match rates; 100% of recent students obtained APA-accredited internships post-graduation. Moreover, 100% of graduates who applied for licensure between 2013-2023 were successful.
Funding-wise, Baylor’s PsyD program is one of the very best available. In addition to complete tuition remission, students in good standing also receive a yearly salary of $16k-$25k. Teaching or research assistantships as well as supplemental scholarships are also available.
5) PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium
- Degree Type: PsyD
Palo Alto University and the Stanford University School of Medicine have joined forces to offer this highly respected PsyD program, which has been accredited by the APA since 2006. To complete the program, students must spend four full-time years completing coursework and research/clinical practicums before completing a 2,000-hour APA-accredited internship in their fifth year. According to the Consortium, the strongest candidates will have research and clinical experience, and also hold an undergraduate GPA above 3.3. 100% of Consortium students were successful in finding internship placements, and 96% were successful in obtaining licensure.
Tuition is close to $60k per year, but there are some fellowships and teaching/research assistantships available that can help defray costs.
6) University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- Degree Type: PhD
An incredibly sought-after program, the University of Minnesota is both APA and PCSAS accredited. However, the school is considering letting go of its APA accreditation in the future, provided that graduates from PCSAS-accredited programs are licensure-eligible in more states.
The program offers students the options of an “adult” or “developmental” track, with the former focusing more heavily on adults and the latter focusing on pediatric populations. Students receive nearly 500 hours of clinical training, and obtain APA-accredited internships at a 100% rate.
The University of Minnesota offers a wealth of funding options for students. All admitted students receive full tuition remission, health care, and a nine-month stipend, good for all five years of the program. They also receive a new laptop computer to support their research. Finally, there are a number of teaching and research assistantship opportunities available. Having a healthy funding package can make a huge difference in the life of a graduate student, and Minnesota does not disappoint.
7) University of Washington, Seattle
- Degree Type: PhD
UW Seattle offers two types of PhDs in clinical psychology: Adult Clinical and Child Clinical. Both are highly respected and accredited by both the APA and the PCSAS. Moreover, specializations are available in diversity science, quantitative psychology, data science, and even astrobiology. All students are admitted on an apprenticeship model, meaning that you have to apply to work and study in a lab run by a specific faculty member. Accordingly, the program does not accept new students during certain years. Across child and adult specialties, ten students are typically selected from close to 1,000. The most successful candidates will have previous research experience at the undergraduate or graduate level.
According to the University of Washington, “We do not make offers to U.S. or International applicants unless we can fund them with either a Teaching or a Research Assistantship for half time (expected workload of 20 hrs/wk).” Sometimes, the program can also offer fellowships, which do not entail an expected workload. This financial security undoubtedly keeps UW performing well and attracting excellent students.
8) Loyola University Maryland
- Degree Type: PsyD
Over their five years in the program, PsyD students at Loyola University Maryland will complete over 1,500 field experience hours through Loyola Clinical Centers (first and second year) or one of 100 local externship sites (third and fourth year). During their fifth and final year, students will complete a dissertation and a clinical internship placement, for which Loyola boasts placement rates of 100%. Recent internship sites included the University of Virginia – Student Health, UC Davis Health, Tulane University School of Medicine, the University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry, and the Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Additionally, licensure rates are a sky-high 88%. The program is also very competitive, with a 5.4% acceptance rate in 2024. Funded fellowships are available, and students also have the option to apply for graduate assistantships.
9) University of Michigan
- Degree Type: PhD
University of Michigan’s top-ranked PhD program requires approximately five to six years of study. During their first two years, students will take a broad range of courses while balancing teaching responsibilities, a master’s level research project, and weekly practicum training. From there, they’ll progress to a more individualized program of study along with their dissertation and clinical internship. Currently, U of M faculty strengths include “cognitive and affective neuroscience, behavioral endocrinology, developmental psychopathology, risk and resilience, violence and trauma, and cross-cultural investigations of clinical problems,” so take those into account when considering this program.
The program is highly competitive, but funding packages are offered to all accepted students. These packages typically require research fellowship and graduate instructor responsibilities.
10) University of Denver
- Degree Type: PsyD
One of the oldest and best PsyD programs in the United States, the University of Denver may be particularly appealing to PsyD students with niche interests. For example, current specializations include Military Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Neuropsychology, and Health Psychology, among others.
Clinical practicums start during a student’s very first quarter, and they are required to work at least eight hours a week at a community practicum throughout the program. DU maintains over 130 externship sites. As for internships, the school has a 100% placement rate; past sites include UCLA Counseling and Psychology Services, New York University Medical Center, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and Harvard Medical School, among dozens of others. Moreover, DU’s accredited Internship Consortium Program gives preference to its own students.
More of the Best PsyD and PhD Programs
In addition to the programs reviewed above, the following programs—and many others—certainly merit investigation and application, should you find yourself intrigued by the faculty, the opportunities, and, of course, the stipend.
Best PsyD Programs in Clinical Psychology
12) Nova Southeastern University
13) Georgia Southern University
Best PhD Programs in Clinical Psychology
15) University of Pennsylvania
18) University of Wisconsin-Madison
19) Yale University
20) Indiana University, Bloomington
21) Penn State University, University Park
23) University of Colorado, Boulder
24) University of Texas, Austin
25) Washington University in St. Louis
A Note About Online Clinical Psych Programs
Because clinical psychology programs place a heavy emphasis on mentored research as well as clinical experience, there are currently no fully online APA-accredited PsyD or PhD programs, though some may be hybrid in nature.
The world is changing and many people are pursuing telehealth therapy options online. This may change the educational landscape in the future. For now, though, finding the program that works for you means choosing a school that will set you up for the most success. An accredited degree should always be the first step in the licensure and employment process.
Best PsyD Programs and PhD Programs in Clinical Psychology – Additional Resources
High school or undergraduate student? Consider checking out the following:
