Are you searching for doctoral programs in psychology in Massachusetts to prepare for a rewarding professional career in academic, research, community, school, or clinical practice settings? You have certainly come to the right place!
Situated in the New England region of the northeastern United States as the 14th most populous and 3rd most densely populated state, it is no surprise that Massachusetts is packed full of some of the best universities in the nation offering accredited psychology graduate programs for aspiring licensed psychologists. Whether you are born and raised or considering moving to the “Bay State,” the following are the psychology doctoral programs that have been approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) in Massachusetts.
Boston College
Lynch School of Education
Founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus with a strong Roman Catholic and Jesuit religious affiliation, Boston College is a comprehensive private research institution situated on a 338-acre campus in the suburban setting of Chestnut Hill just six miles west of downtown Boston. Known for having one of the highest graduation rates for student-athletes in the nation, BC is currently ranked as the 31st best college and 36th top value school in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. As the 19th best education school in the United States, the Lynch School of Education is also acclaimed for having the 67th best psychology graduate programs.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology
Focused on providing outstanding training in a scientist-practitioner approach to deliver a breadth of top-notch practical opportunities in diverse mental health settings under close supervision of an internationally recognized counseling faculty, the Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program aims to advance knowledge and engage in practices that help students build relationships beyond the classroom with meaningful community involvement. With an emphasis on cutting-edge and purposeful research, students are able to explore the complex challenges of our society, including trauma resiliency, domestic violence, bias-based bullying, gender issues, culture, and immigration. Requiring advanced practicum, a year of full-time internship, and successful defense of a dissertation, the program typically requires five years of full-time study for students who already graduated from one of the APA-accredited psychology master’s programs.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
Campion Hall Room 101
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 552-4214
gsoe@bc.edu
http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/schools/lsoe/academics/departments/cdep/counseling-psychology/doctoral-program.html
Boston University
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Highly regarded as one of the largest independent non-profit universities in the nation with a diverse community of more than 33,000 students, Boston University is a leading elite private research institution standing proudly along the shores of the Charles River in the heart of the global city of Boston. According to the U.S. News and World Report, BU is currently ranked as the 41st best college and 14th top up-and-coming school in the entire nation. Even more importantly, the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is recognized for delivering the 46th best psychology graduate programs in the United States.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
As one of the first twelve psychology doctoral programs approved by the APA in 1948, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program has a long-lasting dedication to the scientist-practitioner Boulder model of doctoral training to produce competent graduates with essential clinical assessment, intervention, and research skills. With the mission of helping students develop strengths in research and clinical practice along with the critical thinking skills to integrate the two domains, the program involves early involvement in faculty research, numerous clinical training at sites with licensed psychologists, and coursework developed from up-to-date research findings. After completing an intensive practicum experience on-campus in the Psychological Services Center and finishing the independent research dissertation, students conclude their training with an APA-approved clinical internship in the final fifth year.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
Cummington Hall Room 149A
1 Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-3820
mlyons@bu.edu
http://www.bu.edu/psych/graduate/clinical/
Clark University
School of Psychology
As a small private liberal arts research institution with a close-knit atmosphere of just over 2,500 students, Clark University is in the midst of 12 other universities within the Worcester College consortium situated in the heart of Worcester overlooking the ski spot of Wachusett Mountain. According to the U.S. News and World Report survey, Clark is currently ranked as the 75th best college and 29th top value school in the United States. Furthermore, the School of Psychology is nationally recognized for having the 101st best psychology and 70th best clinical psychology graduate programs.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
Designed to train students in the scientist-practitioner model with practical experiences that will develop proficiency in theory, empirical research work, and clinical practice, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program provides a strong foundation in general psychology, theory, and research as well as specialized education in clinical psychology through an integrated series of intensive practicum in clinical settings. With an emphasis on assessment and therapy with adults and children or marital and family intervention, students are encouraged to acquire clinical skills and knowledge suited to a broad range of conceptual approaches. Throughout the five-year program, students are actively engaged in advanced coursework, clinical workshops, practicum experiences, supervised research, a dissertation, and a full-time year-long internship that has been approved by the APA for licensure.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
Jonas Clark Hall 3rd Floor
950 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610
(508) 793-7274
ecardemil@clarku.edu
https://www.clarku.edu/departments/psychology/phd-programs/phd-in-clinical-psychology/
Harvard University
Department of Psychology
Located on a vast 5,076-acre urban campus in the historic town of Cambridge just outside of Boston, Harvard University is a major elite private research institution in the prestigious Ivy League with a community of over 20,000 degree candidates. Known for being the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, established in 1636, today Harvard is ranked as the 2nd best college and 1st top value school in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Not only is the Department of Psychology recognized for having the 4th best psychology graduate programs, but it is also acclaimed for the 14th best clinical psychology doctoral program in the nation.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
As a leading member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program strong adheres to the clinical science model of training to produce competent clinical psychologists whose research advances the scientific knowledge of psychopathology and its treatment. With an emphasis on research on severe psychopathology, the program also aims to train graduate students for applying evidence-based methods of assessment and intervention to clinical settings. Usually taking five years to complete for those with a master’s degree, the program includes research, advanced coursework, clinical practicum, general comprehensive examination, dissertation project, and a one-year full-time clinical internship to fulfill all requirements for licensure in the state of Massachusetts.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
William James Hall Room 1230
33 Kirkland Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-3810
cir@wjh.harvard.edu
https://psychology.fas.harvard.edu/clinical-psychology
Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology
Division of Clinical Psychology
Founded in 1974 as a graduate college devoted exclusively to the several branches of the field of psychology, the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology is located in the town of Newton within minutes of downtown Boston on an intimate campus of just over 600 students. As one of the four departments offering eleven graduate academic degree programs, the Division of Clinical Psychology is committed to preparing competent clinical psychologists for treating individuals, families, groups, and systems in professional clinical practice settings.
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology
Ideal for graduate students who wish to become treating clinicians, supervisors, program directors, administrators, or consultants in major mental health agencies throughout New England, the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program is focused on the practical application of existing psychosocial knowledge with respect for diversity and cultural competence to ameliorate human psychological problems. As one of the few hybrid online doctoral programs in the nation, the four-year program consists of a seamless blend of online coursework with applied clinical field placement and internship experiences. Designed to provide broad and rigorous training in clinical knowledge to engage the development of the “professional self,” the PsyD degree places a strong emphasis on the science of psychology strictly for the service of applied practice with clients across the lifespan in diverse settings.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
One Wells Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
(617) 327-6777
stacey_lambert@mspp.edu
https://www.williamjames.edu/academics/clinical/psyd/index.cfm
Suffolk University
Department of Psychology
Situated in the historic neighborhood of Beacon Hill just blocks from the Massachusetts State House and Faneuil Hall in downtown Boston, Suffolk University is a comprehensive private institution that stands as the third largest university in Boston with over 8,900 students. Recognized as one of the “Best 376 Colleges” by the prestigious Princeton Review and one of Barron’s “Best Buys in College Education,” Suffolk is ranked as the 60th best college in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the Department of Psychology is distinguished for offering the 145th best clinical psychology and 191st best psychology doctoral programs in the entire nation.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
Established in accordance with the scientist-practitioner Boulder model grounded in science informed by the dynamic character of the discipline, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program involves systematic and cumulative training in both psychological research and applied clinical practice to prepare graduate students for careers in practice, research, community, or academic settings. With the mission of preparing competent clinical psychologists who can function with high levels of ethical and cultural awareness, the program addresses the developmental, psychodynamic, systemic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, and integrative perspectives for intervention in psychotherapy. For completion, students must accomplish 72 credits of advanced coursework, two years of practicum experience, a teaching assistantship, early research project, comprehensive examination, doctoral dissertation, and full-time internship.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
41 Temple Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 573-8293
psychdepartment@suffolk.edu
https://www.suffolk.edu/cas/degrees-programs/psychology
University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Department of Psychology
Known for being the central location of the state school system on an immense 1,463-acre campus in the famous college town with New England charm just 90 miles away from Boston, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst is a large comprehensive public research institution with a community of more than 23,000 students. Consistently recognized as one of the most sustainable campuses in the country, UMass Amherst is currently ranked as the 91st best college and 40th top public school in the entire United States. The Department of Psychology is also distinguished for having the 46th best psychology and 47th best clinical psychology graduate programs in the nation.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
Following a clinical science model of training to prepare graduate students for careers in clinical research and empirically supported clinical practice, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program provides plentiful opportunities to engage in psychotherapy and neuropsychological assessments with clients from across the lifespan and diverse backgrounds in a wide range of clinical settings. Home to the renowned Rudd Adoption Research Program with a strong relationship with the Center for Research of Families, the program also offers a unique concentration in Child, Adolescent, and Family (CAF) Psychology. Throughout the five-year program, students are assigned a faculty mentor to gain training in effective research methodologies for engaging in the applied studies of psychopathology, development, emotion, psychotherapy, cognition, family systems, and neuropsychology.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in School Psychology
As the only APA-accredited psychology doctoral program in the state focused on preparing graduate students for leadership in K-12 school settings, the Ph.D. in School Psychology program is based on an ecological-oriented scientist-practitioner model of training to immerse students in quality pre-professional activities. With the mission of preparing professionals who practice school psychology with sensitivity to the individual case and careful attention to relevant features of education, social, behavioral, or emotional needs, the program admits applicants with backgrounds in psychology, education, and/or special education. As a 109-semester hour program with a one-year full-time internship in a school-based setting, the program typically requires at least five years to complete the Ph.D. degree for licensure.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
Tobin Hall Room 441
37 Mather Drive
Amherst, MA 01003
(413) 545-2383
psychology@psych.umass.edu
http://psych.umass.edu/research_and_training/
University of Massachusetts – Boston
Psychology Department
Nationally recognized as a model of excellence for urban universities, the University of Massachusetts at Boston is a comprehensive public research doctoral-granting institution of the state school system on a 186-acre campus along scenic waterfront in the hub of downtown Boston. Home to more than 16,000 students, UMass Boston is known for combining a small college experience with low student-to-faculty ratios and the vast resources of a major research institution. According to the U.S. News and World Report, the Psychology Department is currently ranked as having the 117th best psychology and 70th best clinical psychology doctoral programs in the United States.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
With an emphasis on the theoretical issues in normal and abnormal development from infancy through adolescence to adulthood, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program adheres to the scientist-practitioner model to provide students with a balance of research and clinical practice training. Designed to prepare academics, researchers, and clinicians who have a strong theoretical background in scientific psychology with essential skills for clinical intervention, the program aims to train students for serving under-served populations to meet the needs of individuals across the lifespan from diverse economic, racial, and socio-cultural groups. Involving five to six years of full-time graduate study, the doctoral degree program consists of advanced academic coursework, two year-long practicum, a Master’s thesis, a qualifying paper, a dissertation, teaching experience, and a one-year full-time APA-approved internship.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
McCormack Hall 4th Floor
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125
(617) 287-6350
michelle.browning@umb.edu
http://www.umb.edu/academics/cla/psychology/grad/cp
As one of the most important areas of study and service to better understand the human experience for meeting the diverse mental health needs of today’s society, the field of psychology is consistently growing faster than average in response to greater demand for psychological services in schools, social service agencies, hospitals, clinics, and other community-based mental health facilities. Therefore, if you have a strong drive to work intimately with people at the core of their personal challenges or advance the profession through conducting research studies, it is recommended that you check out these top-notch doctoral programs in psychology in Massachusetts.
Looking for an online degree program?
Check out these recommendations.
Top 10 Online Bachelors in Psychology Degree Programs
Top 10 Online Master’s in Psychology Degree Programs
Top 10 Online Forensic Psychology Degree Programs
Top 10 Online Child Psychology Degree Programs
Top 10 Online Sports Psychology Degree Programs
Top 15 Most Affordable School Psychology Degree Programs