Illinois is a national center of psychology. Home to many of the nation’s top institutions with leading professors and researchers on staff, Illinois offers prospective doctoral students a tremendous amount of choice when it comes to selecting a PhD or practice-focused PsyD program. The world-renown psychology programs found in Illinois attract some of the most lucrative grants, donations, and other sources of funding, making it possible for many of the state’s schools to offer generous tuition assistance, scholarship programs, grant opportunities, and additional financial assistance to promising potential doctoral candidates.
Adler University
Alfred Adler, who would go on to become the namesake for Adler University, first pioneered Adlerian psychology, also referred to as individual psychology. As an individual who cherished the values of democracy, mutual respect, civil rights, and equality as core values, the beliefs of Alfred Adler continue to be core principles of Adler University. Today the university is the oldest independent psychology school in all of North America.
Clinical Psychology PsyD
This program has a national reputation for producing clinical psychologists who are culturally competent, providing a unique emphasis in socially-aware psychology practice. Over the course of five years (114 credits), an internship, practicum, and dissertation, students will complete their advanced education to become leaders in their field.
Accreditation
- The clinical psychology PsyD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 1998, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1993.
Contact
Adler School of Professional Psychology
17 North Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 662-4100
admission@adler.edu
Program Website
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
As one of the largest psychology-focused graduate programs in the Chicago area, the faculty of this program dedicate themselves to the mentoring and success of their students. This school offers specializations that include behavior analysis, forensic psychology, clinical counseling, business psychology, educational/school psychology, and even international psychology.
Clinical Psychology PsyD
This psychology program prepares students to be leaders in assessment venues, treatment venues, non-profit agencies, and government agencies. Graduates of this program are trained to approach psychological intervention from four different philosophical frameworks: cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic existential, and systems. Students can complete this program in five years, which includes a practicum and minimum 2,000-hour internship.
Accreditation
- The clinical psychology PsyD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 1987, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1985.
Contact
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
325 North Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 329-6600
info@csopp.edu
Program Website
DePaul University
College of Science and Health
Created recently in 2011, the College of Science and Health benefits from the latest developments and research in the fields for which it offers advanced degrees. Included in all programs is a strong Vincentian commitment to civic engagement and social justice.
Clinical Psychology PHD
This program instructs students according to the scientist-practitioner model. Students can choose a child clinical psychology track or a community clinical psychology track. Education includes contextually and culturally relevant research and treatment methods, with DePaul being nationally recognized for its diverse training programs. Graduates of this program are qualified to conduct psychology research, practice in a clinical environment, and teach in academic settings. Students complete at least 94 quarter credits, including training at DePaul Family and Community Services, and advanced practica at sites located throughout the Chicago area.
Accreditation
- The clinical psychology PhD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 1976, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1981.
Contact
College of Health and Science
1 E. Jackson
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 362-8000
admission@depaul.edu
Program Website
Illinois Institute of Technology
Lewis College of Human Sciences, Department of Psychology
The Department of Psychology trains and educates students from a perspective that integrates practice and science. The distinguished faculty who are part of this department maintain active research labs, serve on the editorial boards of respected scientific journals, and maintain active speaking and presenting schedules at locations throughout the world. Graduates of its psychology program have gone on to achieve notoriety as leaders in the local and national business, scientific, and clinical fields.
Clinical Psychology PHD
This program integrates clinical practice and clinical research to produce students who are prepared for state licensure and to become distinguished professionals in their career field. Students complete 107 semester credits that include clinical courses, a clinical practicum, research, and a dissertation. Students can also participate in testing and supervision positions, teaching assistantships, and other opportunities to gain experience and funding for their doctoral education.
Accreditation
- The clinical psychology PhD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 1985, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1981.
Contact
Michael Young
Professor and Director
Clinical Psychology Program
Life Sciences Building, Room 246B
(312) 567-3503
youngm@iit.edu
Program Website
Illinois State University
Department of Psychology
With 35 full-time faculty members, the Department of Psychology is proud of the fact that students work closely with professors – not teaching assistants – in close and informative collaborations.
Faculty at in this department hold achievements such as President of the Midwest Psychological Association, as well as doctoral degrees from the nation’s leading universities.
School Psychology PHD
Students are engaged in this program in the scientist-practitioner model as they are trained to become competent school psychologists who will have a positive and constructive impact on the lives of children, adolescents, and their families. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the exam to gain accreditation as a Nationally Licensed School Psychologist. Students complete a minimum of 113 semester credits over five years, which includes a doctoral research dissertation, internship, and practicum.
Accreditation
- The school psychology PhD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 1998, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1999. It is also approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
Contact
Illinois State University
Department of Psychology
Campus Box 4620
Normal, IL 61790-4620
(309) 438-8651
jccutti@ilstu.edu
Program Website
University of Illinois at Chicago
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology
The Department of Psychology offers students classes taught by 30 tenured professors, four visiting assistant professors, two research professors, and six lecturers. As one of the most respected departments of its kind in Illinois, doctoral degrees are offered in a range of subjects designed to prepare students to be experts in fields that relate to cognitive processes, affective processes, individual emotional patterns, individual attitudinal patterns, groups, and communities.
Clinical Psychology PHD
This program prepares research-oriented scholars in clinical psychology, integrating research and clinical work to develop well-rounded and competent graduates. Students are instructed based on a mentorship model of training that emphasizes individual attention. As part of their studies students complete advanced research, internships, and practicum training. Clinical research opportunities include opportunities for psychophysiological assessments, ecological momentary assessments, fMRIs, PET scans, eye movement studies, and longitudinal designs. Students complete training at the university’s outpatient clinic, Office of Applied Psychological Services (OAPS). Most students become licensed clinical psychologists after completing this program, and most students take six years to earn their PhD.
Accreditation
- The clinical psychology PhD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 1972, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1981.
Contact
Department of Psychology
University of Illinois at Chicago
1007 West Harrison Street (M/C 285)
Chicago, IL 60607-7137
(312) 996-3036
pschinfo@uic.edu
Program Website
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Psychology Department
The first psychology professor arrived on campus in 1890, and two years later the school had its first psychological laboratory. By 1893 the Psychology Department was established. Since then the department has grown to include over 100 distinguished instructors, including 60 permanent full-time faculty members. Today the department has numerous facilities at its disposal, including laboratories that specialize in human and animal behavior. Students have access to an extensive research laboratory and a well-equipped psychological instrument shop.
Clinical/Community Psychology PHD
This program provides education to achieve several main goals: prepare students to be independent scholars in the field of clinical/community psychology, prepare students to integrate scientific knowledge with clinical practice, prepare students to conduct effective research, and prepare students to be university professors if they choose. As part of their education students complete two year-long practica, one semester of teaching, and graduate theses (MA and PhD). Students have ample opportunity to gain experience and conduct research at the university’s Psychological Services Center, and also work with the school’s counseling center and the health center’s mental health unit.
College of Education
More than 100 years after its founding in 1905, today the College of Education is known throughout the nation as being a leader in groundbreaking research and is home to the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment. USA Today reports that graduates from the College of Education are in the top-10 nationwide for earning the highest salaries.
Counseling Psychology PHD
The College of Education is proud to report that its counseling psychology PhD program is ranked fourth in the nation by CounselingPsychology.org. Students approach this subject through the scientist-practitioner orientation that holds research and practice as two interdependent, complimentary sets of skills. For their first two years students learn closely with faculty as they complete core-courses and research. This is followed by research, practica, and an internship. Most students complete this program in six to seven years, and choose to become licensed upon graduation. After their studies, students have a 97 percent success rate in obtaining internship placements.
Accreditation
- The clinical psychology PhD program is accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), and is a member of the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology (CUDCP), and the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science
- The counseling psychology PhD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 1985, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1982.
Contact
Psychology Department
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Frances Wang, Associate Head for Graduate Affairs
533 Psychology Building, MC-716
(217) 244-3664
gradstdy@illinois.edu
Program Website
Educational Psychology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
210 Education Building, 1310 S. Sixth Street
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-2245
edpsy@illinois.edu
Program Website
Loyola University
Department of Psychology
Striving to foster research in many areas of applied and theoretical psychology, this department’s faculty are nationally nationally renown in their fields of expertise. Through the study of the human experience and behavior, the goal of the Department of Psychology is to apply psychological principles to find solutions for social as well as individual problems.
Clinical Psychology PHD
Students complete at least 800 hours of a practicum experience or an internship, followed by an advanced-level externship with one of the school’s many partners, which include local hospitals, mental health facilities, clinics, and medical centers. This is followed by another internship that lasts one year, and may be completed at any APA-approved site in the nation. Throughout their studies students will also be completing a master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation. The program takes around five years to complete for a total of 72 semester credits.
School of Education
This school offers tomorrow’s leading school professionals a full range of options when it comes to completing an education for teachers, psychologists, counselors, researchers, and administrators. This includes options for many doctoral degrees, including four EdD programs and five PhD programs. Two of these latter programs are structured for counseling psychology and school psychologists.
School Psychology PHD
Doctoral students enrolled in this program use a scientific problem-solving approach to become experts in their field. Students learn to make response-to-treatment interventions and decisions based on data. The program instills a teamwork ethic as students learn to solve problems collaboratively in groups. Studies total 99 semester credits including four years of coursework and two additional years allocated for thesis research and writing.
Counseling Psychology PHD
Using the scientist-practitioner model, this program covers the essentials of counseling psychology for prospective professional practitioners, researchers, and teachers. Graduates of this program fulfill the education requirements to sit for Illinois’ clinical psychologist licensure examination. Requiring a master’s degree in a related field for admission, this program is comprised of 66 semester credits which include a doctoral dissertation and a 2,000-hour internship.
Accreditation
- The clinical psychology PhD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 1959, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1981.
- The school psychology PhD is accredited by APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA), the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB), and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
- The counseling psychology PhD is accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) and the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB).
Contact
Department of Psychology
Loyola University Chicago
1032 W. Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, IL 60626
jfiebig@luc.edu
Program Website
School of Education
Lewis Towers 11th Floor
Loyola University Chicago
820 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 915-6800
SchlEduc@luc.edu
Program Website (school psychology)
Midwestern University
College of Health Sciences
Since 1992 this college has been producing graduate degree-prepared professionals in fields as diverse as biomedical sciences, speech language pathology, physical therapy, and clinical psychology. Graduates have gone on to serve as leaders in their fields and gain national renown.
Clinical Psychology PsyD
Education in this program is based on the understanding that graduates need strong foundational knowledge in psychological theories, awareness of evidence-based clinical practice, knowledge regarding the scientific bases of behavior, and the ability to apply this knowledge in a diverse range of clinical situations. Taking an average of five years to complete, upon graduation most students decide to become professionally licensed as well. Graduates can pursue careers like outpatient mental health or substance abuse clinics, counseling in school systems, contracting with management consulting firms, or employment with social service agencies.
Accreditation
- The clinical psychology PsyD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 2012, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 2009.
Contact
Midwestern University
Office of Admissions
555 31st St.
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(800) 458-6253
admissil@midwestern.edu
Program Website
Northern Illinois University
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology
This department relies on its more than 30 full-time faculty with doctoral degrees to prepare graduate students for their master’s and PhD terminal degrees. Recently Department of Psychology faculty have received accolades that include being named the Presidential Engagement Professor, the APA’s Distinguished Early Career Scientific Contribution award, and a National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Health. Two particularly relevant doctoral degrees offered by this department include a PhD in school psychology and a PhD in clinical psychology
School Psychology PHD
This program strives to prepare students to excel in careers in schools, state agencies, clinical practices, and university settings. Students’ coursework and practica experience theoretical and applied approaches to respond cognitive, behavioral, developmental, and social issues. The program is 90 semester credits in length, usually taking students five years to complete. In this time students complete at least 1,125 hours of practica experience, an internship, and a doctoral dissertation.
Clinical Psychology PHD
Students graduating from this program are well prepared for careers in teaching, research, and clinical practice. Didactic and clinical studies focus on topics that include psychological assessments, abnormal behavior, and methods of therapeutic intervention. Students have the additional option to focus in either developmental psychopathology or trauma psychology. Most students complete their studies in seven years, which includes a one-year internship, for a total of 90 semester credits.
Accreditation
- The school psychology PhD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 2009, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1993. It has also been approved by the National Association of School Psychologists since 1992.
- The clinical psychology PhD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 1972, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1981.
Contact
Department of Psychology
Psychology-Computer Science Building, Rm. 400
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 753-0372
lmatusze@niu.edu
Program Website (school psychology)
Program Website (clinical psychology)
Northwestern University
Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology
In 1909 the Department of Psychology became its own entity, separating from the Philosophy Department, and relying on two faculty members who taught eight courses. Since then it has come a long way, and today over 41 faculty members teach more than 80 courses. Important names in the field of psychology have called this department home, including Carl Duncan and Walter Dill Scott.
Clinical Psychology PHD
As part of the PhD program in clinical psychology, students must complete at least 27 graduate courses. As students reach their second year of studies they complete their practica, usually at one of the school’s participating institutes. Throughout the rest of their studies students will be involved in practica. During their fourth year of studies students should submit a doctoral dissertation proposal, which is then completed during the fifth year of studies. Once the doctoral dissertation has been defended, students may apply for an internship.
Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Offering its students advanced research initiatives, excellent clinical affiliates, and an appealing curriculum; this school has been attracting the top minds in a range of fields since 1859. Standing out among the country’s leading medical research-medical schools, Feinberg is regularly praised in reviews from US News and World Report surveys.
Clinical Psychology PHD
Working from the scientists-practitioner model, this program prepares graduates to be competent researchers, clinicians, and academicians in the field of psychology. Over the course of six years students complete research labs, clinical practica, doctoral dissertation, advanced practica, and a full-time clinical internship.
Accreditation
- The clinical psychology PhD program is accredited by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA), and the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB). It is also a member of the Academy for Psychological Clinical Science.
- The clinical psychology PhD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 1972, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1981.
Contact
Department of Psychology
Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
Swift Hall 102, 2029 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
(847) 491-5190
psychology@northwestern.edu
Program Website
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Feinberg School of Medicine
446 East Ontario #7-200
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 926-2323
mineka@northwestern.edu
Program Website
Roosevelt University
College of Arts and Sciences, Psychology Department
Part of the university’s largest college, the Psychology Department offers students several programs designed to meet the needs of modern complex society. Relying on a faculty staff that includes some of the sharpest minds in the field of psychology, this department considers its students as its greatest hope in making an important impact in this field – both practically and scientifically.
Clinical Psychology PsyD
Using the practitioner-scholar model, this program focuses on training students to become competent clinical psychologists who are able to treat and diagnose psychological problems. Most students earn their doctoral degree in five to six years, completing at least 105 semester credits, and go on to earn their Illinois state license after graduation. The doctoral program includes at least four practica at different locations in the local community, a pre-doctoral internship, and a doctoral project.
Accreditation
- The clinical psychology PsyD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 2002, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 2003.
Contact
Roosevelt University
Department of Psychology
430 South Michigan Avenue, Suite GB400
Chicago, IL 60605-1394
kdienes@roosevelt.edu
Program Website
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
College of Health Professions
This school got its start in 1912 as the Chicago Medical School, where persons with day jobs could come at night to study medicine. Specializing in a wide range of medical areas, students completing their degree within this college can find a program that is right for them. One of these is a doctoral program in psychology.
Clinical Psychology PHD
Students enrolled in this program receive an integrated education that combines a strong theoretical framework in psychology with a broad experience in the practice of psychology. Core curriculum is organized into theory-research-practice lessons, and students have the option of choosing a specialty track in health psychology or neuropsychology. Most students complete their degree in six to seven years, including a one-year post-dissertation internship, and move on to become licensed to practice psychology in Illinois.
Accreditation
- The clinical psychology PhD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 1983, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1981.
Contact
College of Health Professions
Rosalinda Franklin University
3333 Green Bay Road
North Chicago, IL 60064-3095
(847) 578-3000
rfucas_info@liaisoncas.com
Program Website
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Department of Psychology
Students are at the center of curriculum design in this department, which offers doctoral degrees in subjects like clinical psychology and counseling psychology. Along the way to a PhD students earn their master’s degree, however the department does not offer a terminal master’s. Students can apply once each year for fall admission.
Clinical Psychology PHD
The goal of this program is to develop tomorrow’s clinical psychologists who are prepared to apply their skills in a field with ever-changing opportunities. Students can choose to specialize in adult or child clinical psychology. Throughout the program students complete clinical practica, specialty practice, summer field placements, and clinical training assignments. Students also participate in research training and have opportunities to develop teaching and presentation skills. Most students earn their degree in five to six years and go on to become professionally licensed in Illinois.
Counseling Psychology PHD
The counseling psychology PhD curriculum approaches student learning from the traditional Boulder model, emphasizing both the science and practice of psychology. Students complete their program in approximately five to six years, with opportunities for four practica, including an advanced and specialty practica, group counseling experience, dissertation research, pre-professional training, and a final internship that lasts one year. Upon graduation most students become professionally licensed as counseling psychologists.
Accreditation
- Both of these PhD programs through the Department of Psychology are accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) and the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1981.
Contact
Graduate Admissions
Psychology Department, Mail Code 6502
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL 62901-6502
(618) 453-3564
gradpsyc@siu.edu
Program Website (clinical psychology)
Program Website (counseling psychology)
Wheaton College
Wheaton’s graduate school has been offering advanced degrees since 1937. Emphasizing the Christian elements of justice, service, and holistic development, the school combines these with professional education to prepare students to work as adept professionals in their chosen field. Wheaton offers two doctoral programs: a PhD in theology and a PsyD in clinical psychology, the latter of which is one of only six such Christian programs in the nation.
Clinical Psychology PsyD
The full PsyD program is comprised of 120 semester credits. Studies include core courses designed to prepare students to become practitioner-scholars. As such, students complete practicum training, practicum seminars, core didactic courses, applied research, clinical training, a clinical dissertation, and advanced practica and clerkships. Students have the opportunity to perform their research in 13 active research labs.
Accreditation
- The clinical psychology PsyD program has been accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) since 1998, and by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (NR/ASPPB) since 1999.
Contact
Graduate School Admissions
Wheaton College
501 College Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630)752-5933
Kim.Matsumoto@wheaton.edu
Program Website
Illinois offers its in-state residents tremendous opportunities for choosing renown doctoral program in psychology that is a perfect fit. In addition to having many options, prospective students can also find many helpful resources when it comes to funding their education, from teaching assistant positions to grants and scholarships.