Illinois has numerous APA-accredited doctoral programs in psychology, spanning practice-focused PsyD and research-focused PhD degrees in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. Most take five to seven years and include a year-long internship. Many are designed to meet Illinois education requirements for psychologist licensure, though applicants should confirm current standards with the state board.
Illinois is one of the country’s deepest markets for doctoral training in psychology, with programs at large public research universities, private institutions, and specialized health sciences schools. The first decision most applicants face is PhD versus PsyD, so start there before the school-by-school breakdown below.
PhD vs. PsyD in Psychology — Which Fits Your Goals?
Both degrees lead to licensure as a psychologist in Illinois, and both require passing the EPPP. The difference is emphasis. A PhD follows the scientist-practitioner or clinical-science model and weights research, dissertations, and academic or research careers; it’s often funded through assistantships. A PsyD follows the practitioner-scholar model and emphasizes clinical training for direct patient care, which is often funded through tuition. Either way, expect five to seven years and a year-long internship. For a deeper breakdown, see how the two degrees compare in cost, training, and career paths.
Illinois Psychology Doctoral Programs at a Glance
All programs listed below are accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation. Select a school to jump to its details.
| School | Degree | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adler University | PsyD | Clinical | Chicago |
| The Chicago School | PsyD | Clinical | Chicago |
| DePaul University | PhD | Clinical | Chicago |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | PhD | Clinical | Chicago |
| Illinois State University | PhD | School | Normal |
| Loyola University Chicago | PhD | Clinical / School / Counseling | Chicago |
| Midwestern University | PsyD | Clinical | Downers Grove |
| National Louis University | PsyD | Clinical | Chicago |
| Northern Illinois University | PhD | School / Clinical | DeKalb |
| Northwestern University | PhD | Clinical | Evanston & Chicago |
| Roosevelt University | PsyD | Clinical | Chicago |
| Rosalind Franklin University | PhD | Clinical | North Chicago |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | PhD | Clinical / Counseling | Carbondale |
| University of Illinois Chicago | PhD | Clinical | Chicago |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | PhD | Clinical/Community / Counseling | Champaign |
| Wheaton College | PsyD | Clinical | Wheaton |
Adler University — Chicago, IL
Adler University is a private institution rooted in Alfred Adler’s individual psychology, with its main campus in the Chicago Loop.
Clinical Psychology PsyD
A practitioner-scholar program (114 credits, about five years) covering assessment, theory, research, and practice, with an emphasis on socially responsible practice. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation. Program website
The Chicago School — Chicago, IL
One of the largest psychology-focused graduate schools in the Chicago area, with specializations spanning behavior analysis, forensic, clinical counseling, business, school, and international psychology.
Clinical Psychology PsyD
Trains across four frameworks (cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic existential, and systems); about five years, including practicum and a minimum 2,000-hour internship. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation. Program website
DePaul University — Chicago, IL
DePaul’s College of Science and Health carries a Vincentian commitment to civic engagement and social justice.
Clinical Psychology PhD
Scientist-practitioner model with child-clinical and community-clinical tracks, emphasizing culturally relevant research and treatment for underserved populations. Practicum training runs through DePaul Family and Community Services. At least 94 quarter credits. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation. Program website
Illinois Institute of Technology — Chicago, IL
The Lewis College of Human Sciences Department of Psychology trains from a perspective integrating practice and science.
Clinical Psychology PhD
Integrates clinical practice and research; 107 semester credits including clinical coursework, a practicum, research, and a dissertation, with teaching, testing, and supervision opportunities for funding. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation. Program website
Illinois State University — Normal, IL
The Department of Psychology emphasizes direct student-professor collaboration in its doctoral training.
School Psychology PhD
Scientist-practitioner training for school psychologists; graduates are eligible for the Nationally Certified School Psychologist exam. Minimum 113 semester credits over five years,s including dissertation, internship, and practicum. APA-accredited; NASP-approved.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation; NASP. Program website
Loyola University Chicago — Chicago, IL
Doctoral psychology training across the Department of Psychology and the School of Education.
Clinical Psychology PhD
Scientist-practitioner; at least 800 practicum hours followed by a 12-month internship, plus a master’s thesis and dissertation; about five years, 72 credits. APA-accredited.
School Psychology PhD
Data-based, collaborative problem-solving model; 99 credits across four years of coursework plus two years of thesis work. APA-accredited; NASP-approved.
Counseling Psychology PhD
Requires a related master’s; 69 credits including a dissertation and a 2,000-hour internship; meets the education requirement to sit for Illinois clinical psychologist licensure. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation; NASP (school psychology). Program website
Midwestern University — Downers Grove, IL
Midwestern University’s College of Health Sciences offers a clinical psychology doctorate alongside other graduate health programs.
Clinical Psychology PsyD
Evidence-based clinical training for about 5 years prepares graduates for outpatient mental health and substance-abuse settings, school systems, consulting, and social-service agencies. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation. Program website
National Louis University — Chicago, IL
The Illinois School of Professional Psychology (ISPP) at NLU continues the practitioner-scholar tradition of the former ISPP program.
Clinical Psychology PsyD
Practitioner-scholar model with optional concentrations in Client-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies, Health Psychology, Trauma Psychology, and Child and Adolescent Psychology. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation. Program website
Northern Illinois University — DeKalb, IL
The Department of Psychology offers doctorates in both school and clinical psychology.
School Psychology PhD
90 semester credits over about five years, with at least 1,125 practica hours, an internship, and a dissertation. APA-accredited; NASP-approved.
Clinical Psychology PhD
Optional focus in developmental psychopathology or trauma psychology; about seven years, 90 credits, including a one-year internship. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation; NASP (school psychology). Program website
Northwestern University — Evanston & Chicago, IL
Northwestern offers two separate APA-accredited clinical psychology PhD programs to which applicants apply independently: one in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences (Evanston) and one in the Feinberg School of Medicine (Chicago).
Clinical Psychology PhD — Weinberg College
Clinical-science model emphasizing research and academic careers; coursework, ongoing practica, a dissertation, and a year-long internship. APA-accredited and PCSAS-accredited.
Clinical Psychology PhD — Feinberg School of Medicine
Scientist-practitioner model housed in an academic medical center, balancing research and clinical training, with areas of study including adult, child, and adolescent health, neuropsychology, and forensic psychology. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation; PCSAS (Weinberg). Program website
Roosevelt University — Chicago, IL
The Psychology Department is part of the university’s largest college.
Clinical Psychology PsyD
Practitioner-scholar model; five to six years, four community practica, a pre-doctoral internship, and a doctoral project; graduates pursue Illinois licensure. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation. Program website
Rosalind Franklin University — North Chicago, IL
Rosalind Franklin University’s College of Health Professions offers a clinical psychology doctorate within its health sciences focus.
Clinical Psychology PhD
Theory-research-practice curriculum with specialty tracks in health psychology or neuropsychology; six to seven years, including a one-year post-dissertation internship; graduates pursue Illinois licensure. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation. Program website
Southern Illinois University Carbondale — Carbondale, IL
The Department of Psychology offers clinical and counseling doctorates with fall-only admission and no terminal master’s.
Clinical Psychology PhD
Adult or child clinical specialization; clinical practica, summer field placements, research, and teaching opportunities; five to six years; graduates pursue Illinois licensure. APA-accredited.
Counseling Psychology PhD
Boulder mode: five to six years with four practica, group counseling experience, dissertation research, and a one-year internship. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation. Program website
University of Illinois Chicago — Chicago, IL
The Department of Psychology sits in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Clinical Psychology PhD
Research-oriented, mentorship model integrating research and clinical work; advanced research, internships, and practica, with clinical training at the Office of Applied Psychological Services; about six years, with most graduates becoming licensed. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation. Program website
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, IL
Doctoral training spans the Psychology Department and the College of Education.
Clinical/Community Psychology PhD
Trains independent scholars integrating science and practice; two-year-long practica, one semester of teaching, and MA and PhD theses, with work at the Psychological Services Center. APA-accredited and PCSAS-accredited.
Counseling Psychology PhD
Scientist-practitioner orientation; six to seven years. APA-accredited.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation; PCSAS (clinical/community). Program website
Wheaton College — Wheaton, IL
Wheaton’s graduate school combines a Christian framework of justice, service, and holistic development with professional training; its clinical psychology doctorate emphasizes service to underserved populations.
Clinical Psychology PsyD
120 semester credits on a practitioner-scholar model; practicum and clerkship training, applied research in faculty-led labs, a clinical dissertation, and a year-long internship. APA-accredited. Wheaton is adding a PhD in Clinical Psychology and will offer both degrees during the transition. Confirm which degree is admitting new students before applying.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation. Program website
Frequently Asked Questions
How many APA-accredited psychology doctoral programs are in Illinois?
Illinois has numerous APA-accredited doctoral programs across clinical, counseling, and school psychology at public universities, private institutions, and health sciences schools. The list above covers the currently accredited programs.
What’s the difference between a PhD and a PsyD in psychology?
Both qualify you for Illinois licensure and require the EPPP. A PhD emphasizes research and academic or research careers and is often funded through assistantships; a PsyD emphasizes clinical practice and is more often tuition-funded. Both take roughly five to seven years.
Does an Illinois doctoral program qualify me for licensure?
Many APA-accredited doctoral programs are designed to satisfy Illinois’s education requirements, but accreditation alone doesn’t guarantee eligibility. Illinois also requires supervised professional experience and a passing score on the EPPP, so confirm current standards with the Illinois licensing board before you apply. You can also review what each state requires for psychologist licensure.
Are any of these programs offered online?
Most Illinois doctoral psychology programs are campus-based because of their clinical and practicum requirements. A few offer hybrid or flexible elements, so confirm the current delivery format with each program.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.