Iowa’s psychology doctoral offerings are APA-accredited PhD programs only, with no PsyD options, split between Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. Programs cover counseling, clinical, and school psychology, typically running five to seven years with a required one-year internship. Applicants should confirm current licensure requirements with the Iowa Board of Psychology.
Two public universities carry all of Iowa’s APA-accredited doctoral training in psychology: Iowa State University in Ames and the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Between them they offer four accredited PhD tracks across counseling, clinical, and school psychology, though no Iowa program currently holds APA accreditation at the PsyD level. Before comparing programs, it helps to understand how a PhD and a PsyD differ in training model and funding.
PhD vs. PsyD: Which Doctoral Track Fits Your Goals?
Both a PhD and a PsyD in psychology lead toward licensure and require passing the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP). A PhD follows a scientist-practitioner or clinical-science model, weighs research training heavily, and is more often funded through assistantships or fellowships that offset tuition. A PsyD follows a practitioner-scholar model, weighs clinical training more heavily than original research, and is more often funded through tuition rather than full assistantships.
Iowa’s current APA-accredited doctoral programs are all PhDs, so applicants set on a PsyD track will need to look outside the state. For a full breakdown of the two paths, see how a PsyD compares to a PhD in psychology.
Iowa Psychology Doctoral Programs at a Glance
Every program listed below is accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation. Select a school name to jump to its full program details.
| School | Degree | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University | PhD | Counseling Psychology | Ames, IA |
| University of Iowa | PhD | Clinical Psychology | Iowa City, IA |
| University of Iowa | PhD | Counseling Psychology | Iowa City, IA |
| University of Iowa | PhD | School Psychology (accredited on contingency) | Iowa City, IA |
Iowa State University
The Department of Psychology in Iowa State’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences houses the school’s only APA-accredited doctoral program, alongside undergraduate and master’s options in the same department.
Counseling Psychology PhD
Students complete the program in an average of six years, a timeline that has held steady since 2013. Training follows a progressive practicum sequence: first-year students see clients on campus under close faculty supervision, second-year students move to the Iowa State Student Counseling Service, third-year students train at community mental health agencies in the Ames area, and fourth- and fifth-year students complete off-campus practica at hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practice settings. A 12-month predoctoral internship, typically completed in the fifth or sixth year, is required before graduation.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation.
Location: Ames, IA. Program website.
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa offers three APA-accredited doctoral programs in psychology, split across two departments: the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations in the College of Education.
Clinical Psychology PhD
Housed in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, this program follows a clinical-science model that emphasizes empirically supported research on psychopathology, human health, and behavior. Students complete core coursework, clinical training, and a full calendar-year internship, typically finishing in six to seven years.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS).
Location: Iowa City, IA. Program website.
Counseling Psychology PhD
Based in the Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, this full-time-only program requires a minimum of 103 semester hours, including 12 dissertation hours. Students complete a practicum sequence totaling at least 450 hours of direct clinical service, typically across four to five semesters of advanced practicum, before moving into a full calendar-year predoctoral internship that usually requires relocation.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation.
Location: Iowa City, IA. Program website.
School Psychology PhD
Also based in the Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, this program requires a minimum of 950 clock hours of practicum across on- and off-campus placements, with at least 600 of those hours in accredited school settings. Students complete a portfolio review by the end of their fourth year, followed by a full calendar-year internship.
Accreditation: Accredited, on contingency, by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation, with the current review cycle running through 2030. Programs on contingency status are still working toward full accreditation, so applicants should confirm the current status directly with the department.
Location: Iowa City, IA. Program website.
Enrollment in Iowa’s doctoral psychology programs has stayed steady, and graduates go on to work in academia, school systems, clinical practice, government, and private research. Comparing each program’s practicum structure and funding model side by side is the clearest way to see which track fits your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs does Iowa have?
Iowa has four APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs across two universities: one at Iowa State University (Counseling Psychology PhD) and three at the University of Iowa (Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology PhDs).
Does Iowa have any APA-accredited PsyD programs?
No. Every currently accredited doctoral psychology program in Iowa is a PhD. Applicants who want a PsyD will need to look at programs in neighboring states.
Do I need an APA-accredited degree to get licensed as a psychologist in Iowa?
Many APA-accredited programs are designed to meet Iowa’s education requirements for psychologist licensure, but accreditation alone doesn’t guarantee eligibility. Licensure also depends on supervised experience and passing the EPPP. Confirm current requirements with the Iowa psychology licensing requirements before enrolling.
How long does it take to finish a psychology doctoral program in Iowa?
Most Iowa programs run five to seven years, including a required predoctoral internship that spans a full calendar year.
What’s the difference between a PhD and a PsyD in psychology?
A PhD emphasizes research training and is more often funded through assistantships, while a PsyD emphasizes clinical training and is more often funded through tuition. Both lead toward licensure and require passing the EPPP, though Iowa currently offers only the PhD track.
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