Situated on the West Coast of the United States alongside the sparkling Pacific Ocean, California is the third largest and most populous state being home to one out of every eight Americans. As the “Golden State,” California is well-known for its pristine sandy beaches, world-class surfing, earthquakes, and famous movie stars in Hollywood.
Home to many of the nation’s top-notch universities, it is no surprise that the state is packed full of graduate psychology programs. We’ve assembled a list of Psychology PhD Programs in California on another page, and the following are the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) programs that have been fully accredited by the APA in California.
Alliant International University – Fresno
California School of Professional Psychology
Within a close proximity to Yosemite National Park, which offers splendid opportunities for hiking, kayaking, skiing, and other outdoor recreational activities to offset an intensive pace of doctoral training, the Fresno campus of Alliant International University is located in the San Joaquin Valley. The California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University – Fresno has a strong emphasis on serving diverse client populations for social justice.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Designed primarily for students who are interested in pursuing clinical practice in the application of research knowledge with diverse populations, the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program takes on a systematic approach to train students for becoming advocates in the treatment of individual and social problems. With campus-based practicum experiences conveniently offered at the Psychological Services Center, fourth year students are responsible for completing a full-time one-year internship up to 2,080 hours. Students must select one or more concentration areas of Ecosystemic Child Psychology, Clinical Forensic Psychology, and Health Psychology.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA)
- Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
5130 E. Clinton Way
Fresno, CA 93727
(559) 253-2200
rharris@alliant.edu
https://www.alliant.edu/psychology/clinical-psychology/phd/fresno
Alliant International University – Los Angeles
California School of Professional Psychology
Alliant International University – Los Angeles is located in the western San Gabriel region of Los Angeles County on a 38-acre campus in Alhambra within the famous “Sixty Mile Circle.” As a private non-profit accredited institution, Alliant International has been consistently recognized by Military Edge magazine as one of the top military-friendly schools. With over 600 students enrolled annually in a number of the campus’ graduate schools and programs, the California School of Professional Psychology at the LA campus is well-known in the region for providing an integrated focus on hands-on training, multiculturalism, and mentoring.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Recent recipient of the Suinn Award from the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2010 for its exceptional training and education from multicultural perspectives, the Los Angeles PsyD in Clinical Psychology program prepares professionals who can provide psychological services across diverse populations. Students are required to emphasize their studies in Multicultural Community-Clinical Psychology, Clinical Health Psychology, Family/Child and Couple Psychology, or choose the Multi-Interest option. The final year of the four-year program is spent engaged in a full-time internship in a clinical mental health setting.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA)
- Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
1000 South Fremont St. Unit 5
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 270-3300
bhouskamp@alliant.edu
https://www.alliant.edu/psychology/clinical-psychology/phd/los-angeles
Alliant International University – Sacramento
California School of Professional Psychology
Located in the capital city of California where policies are discussed and debated, Alliant International University – Sacramento is easily accessible for all major thoroughfares in the large metropolitan area. Home to a diverse student population of 200 students annually ranging in age from 21 to 62, Alliant International formed in 2001 from combination of the California School of Professional Psychology and the United States International University. It is estimated that the Alliant CSPP has trained more than 50 percent of the licensed psychologists who are currently practicing professionally in California.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
With a strong emphasis on the clinical skills needed to apply research knowledge to practice with diverse populations across various health settings, the Sacramento Clinical PsyD program follows a practitioner-scholar model reflecting theory, assessment, and intervention across cultural systems. The program requires students to complete a minimum of 90 academic units for three years full-time or four years part-time, along with 30 internship units for one year full-time during the fourth or fifth year.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA)
- Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
2030 West El Camino Ave. Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 565-2955
blimberg@alliant.edu
https://www.alliant.edu/psychology/clinical-psychology/phd
Alliant International University – San Diego
California School of Professional Psychology
Just ten miles east of the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean, the San Diego campus of Alliant International University is located in the northeast corner of the city in a suburban setting known as Scripps Ranch. As the original home-base for the expanding university, the San Diego campus is home to more enrolled students than any other in California at 1,200 students annually. The Alliant California School of Professional Psychology offers intimate class sizes that enable students to work side by side with world-class faculty mentors.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
With a distinctive dual emphasis on clinical expertise and clinical scholarship, the San Diego PsyD program in Clinical Psychology aims to develop competent professional clinical psychologists skilled in delivering advocacy services to diverse communities. Students in the program are required to complete a total of 120 units, with a rigorous curriculum covering statistics, personality theories, psychpathology, assessment/evaluation, integrative psychology, and multiculturalism. Students engage in a clinical pre-dissertation group, intensive dissertation seminar, and clinical internship.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA)
- Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
10455 Pomerado Rd.
San Diego, CA 92131
(866) 825-5426
nribner@alliant.edu
https://www.alliant.edu/psychology/clinical-psychology/phd/san-diego
Alliant International University – San Francisco
California School of Professional Psychology
Situated on Beach Street directly across from Pier 39 on the waterfront of the San Francisco Bay, Alliant International University – San Francisco occupies two floors of a beautifully renovated 30,000-square-foot building that was originally built in 1924 and is listed on the National Historic Register. Offering special advantages to psychology students who are interested in gaining practice experience in a culturally diverse environment, the California School of Professional Psychology emphasizes field placement programs to ensure students are comprehensively prepared to deliver relevant services to tackle today’s pressing concerns.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
The APA-accredited PsyD in Clinical Psychology program at the San Francisco campus trains students to utilize multiple methods of assessment and intervention strategies to work with multicultural populations in a wide variety of settings. Perfectly integrating classroom learning with clinical training, professional training placements begin in the first year and culminate in the fourth year with a one-year full-time internship. In the second year, students also begin working on a clinical dissertation to demonstrate their ability to think critically about social issues with appropriate use of psychological research.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA)
- Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
One Beach St. Suite 100
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 955-2100
rolkin@alliant.edu
http://www.alliant.edu/cspp/programs-degrees/clinical-psychology/psyd-sanfrancisco.php
Azusa Pacific University
School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences
Azusa Pacific University is a comprehensive private institution with an evangelical Christian community of disciples and scholars who seek to advance the work of God in the world through service. As a leader in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities committed to academic excellence in higher education, Azusa Pacific is currently recognized as the 173rd best college in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Located just 26 miles to the northeast of Los Angeles, the APU School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences equips leaders through accredited doctoral programs to lead in the helping professions.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
With an emphasis in Family Psychology, the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program is committed to a practitioner-scholars model to apply the science of psychological theory to clinical practice in a wide range of healthcare settings. Designed to meet the requirements for licensure in the state of California as a clinical psychologist, students are required to complete 133 semester units within five to six years. The program has two entry pathways, including one for students who already have a master’s degree in psychology and another for those entering directly from a bachelor’s degree.
Accreditations
American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA)
Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
568 E. Foothill Blvd.
P.O. Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702
(626) 815-4570
graduatecenter@apu.edu
https://www.apu.edu/bas/programs/psyd/
Biola University
Rosemead School of Psychology
Considered one of the leading Christian universities in the nation, Biola University is a premier private institution located near Los Angeles in the sunny Southern California town of Biola. Home to more than 5,500 students, Biola University is currently ranked as the 177th best college in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report and the 90th best college in the West by Forbes magazine. The Biola Rosemead School of Psychology is also well-known for seamlessly integrating a Christian worldview with a research-drive study of human nature and behavior.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Designed to prepare students to nurture the whole person spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and professionally within clinical settings or fulfill leadership positions in research, the PsyD Clinical Psychology program requires students to complete a total of 133 semester hours usually within four or five years. In order to fulfill the five unit research component of the program, students can choose to complete a dissertation or engage in a year-long doctoral research seminar with a proficiency examination on clinical research.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA)
- Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
13800 Biola Ave.
La Mirada, CA 90639
(562) 903-4867
graduate.admissions@biola.edu
http://www.rosemead.edu/programs/psyd/
Fuller Theological Seminary
School of Psychology
Based in Pasadena, the Fuller Theological Seminary is a diverse community with seven campuses across the nation that are solidly founded in traditional Christian intellectual values. The Fuller School of Psychology is the oldest seminary-based clinical psychology program and the first program outside of a university to receive full accreditation by the APA. Not only is the school recognized as the 214th best graduate psychology school, it is distinguished as offering students the 164th best graduate clinical psychology programs in the entire nation by the U.S. News and World Report.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Utilizing a practitioner-evaluator model, the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program aims to train professionals to provide clinical services and implement innovative treatment plans. Normally accomplished within five years, the program requires the completion of a minimum of 258 units. Students are awarded a Master of Arts in Psychology after finishing 88 selected units and can earn a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership after 76 units of theology. With a high emphasis on field training, students gain clinical experience at the eight local community programs operated by the campus Psychological Center and placements in the Greater LA area.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA)
- Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
135 N. Oakland Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91182
(626) 584-5200
admissions@fuller.edu
https://www.fuller.edu/psyd-clinical-psychology/
John F. Kennedy University
Department of Clinical Psychology
Providing working adults with quality higher education in the San Francisco Bay area since 1964, the John F. Kennedy University is a fully accredited private institution with nationally recognized programs at affordable tuition rates. As a member of the National University System, UFKU offers flexible programs with evening and weekend classes at its San Jose, Pleasant Hill, and Berkeley locations. The JFKU Department of Clinical Psychology has a mission to train practitioner-scholars to provide comprehensive and culturally sensitive services.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Boasting a small student-faculty ratio of 13:1 for one-on-one mentoring opportunities, the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program prepares practitioners to serve multicultural communities as a clinician, evaluator, assessment expert, and critical consumer of psychological research. All students in the program are required to complete a dissertation research project, 144 semester units of coursework, and 36 units of internship either over one year full-time or two years part-time. Completion from the program ensures students are eligible for licensure by the California Board of Psychology.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA)
- Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
100 Ellinwood Way
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(408) 236-1120
proginfo@jfku.edu
http://www.jfku.edu/Programs-and-Courses/College-of-Graduate-Professional-Studies/Department-of-Clinical-Psychology/Programs/Doctor-of-Psychology-PsyD-Program.html
Loma Linda University
School of Behavioral Health
As a Seventh-day Adventist private educational institution devoted exclusively to health sciences with more than 4,000 students, Loma Linda University is located in the newly thriving unique community of Loma Linda in Southern California. Of the eight schools that encompass LLU, the School of Behavioral Health is nationally recognized for being home to the 164th best graduate clinical psychology program according to the U.S. News and World Report.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Designed to prepare students who seek specialized training in professional clinical practices of psychology, the PsyD program encompasses a solid foundation in scientific research methodology, training in the application of research to cases, and preparation for clinical proficiency. Students enrolled in the program begin working in supervised clinical settings at the conclusion of the first year, work with clients in the on-campus psychology clinic through the second and third year, and complete a culminating internship at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in the fourth year.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA)
- Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
11139 Anderson St.
Loma Linda, CA 92350
(909) 558-1000
admissions.sst@llu.edu
http://www.llu.edu/behavioral-health/psychology/programs/psyd.page
University of La Verne
Psychology Department
Home to more than 8,600 diverse students from all areas of the country, the University of La Verne is a private comprehensive institution located in La Verne. Dedicated to the belief that a quality values-based education enriches the human condition, the University of La Verne has been ranked as the 161st best college and 35th best college for veterans in the nation. Furthermore, the university’s Psychology Department is nationally recognized for being home to the 164th best graduate clinical psychology program in the entire United States.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Built on the university’s established traditions in community service, the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program delivers the knowledge and skills needed to prepare competent clinical psychologists that will promote the mental health and welfare of individuals, families, groups, communities, and the public at large. Structured for completion in five years of full-time study, students are required to conduct an empirical dissertation, 1,500 hours of clinical practicum, and 1,500 clinical hours of internship to meet all pre-doctoral licensure requirements in California.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA)
- Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
1950 Third St.
La Verne, CA 91750
(909) 448-4179
gradadmission@laverne.edu
http://sites.laverne.edu/psychology/psyd-program/
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