New Hampshire has two APA-accredited psychology doctoral programs, both PsyD degrees. Antioch University New England in Keene trains clinical psychologists, and Rivier University in Nashua offers a combined counseling and school psychology doctorate. Both run about five years plus a year-long internship. Confirm current licensure standards with the New Hampshire Board of Psychology.
If you’re comparing psychology doctoral programs in New Hampshire, your in-state choices come down to two practice-focused PsyD degrees at opposite ends of the state. Antioch University New England covers clinical psychology, and Rivier University combines counseling and school psychology. The first decision most applicants face isn’t which school, but which kind of doctorate. Understanding how a PsyD differs from a PhD helps when comparing programs.
PsyD vs. PhD: What New Hampshire Offers
A PsyD and a PhD in psychology lead to the same license, and both require passing the EPPP, the national exam recognized by state psychology boards. The difference is emphasis. A PhD follows the scientist-practitioner or clinical-science model, emphasizes research, and is more often funded through teaching or research assistantships. A PsyD follows the practitioner-scholar model, emphasizes hands-on clinical training, and is often paid through tuition.
That distinction matters in New Hampshire because both in-state doctoral options are PsyD programs. If you’re set on a research-weighted PhD, you’ll likely be looking at programs in neighboring states or online. For a fuller breakdown, see our guide on choosing between a PsyD and a PhD.
New Hampshire Doctoral Programs at a Glance
Both of New Hampshire’s doctoral psychology programs are accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation. Here’s how they compare.
| School | Degree | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antioch University New England | PsyD | Clinical Psychology | Keene, NH |
| Rivier University | PsyD | Counseling and School Psychology | Nashua, NH |
Antioch University New England
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Antioch’s doctorate is the only APA-accredited clinical psychology program in New Hampshire. It follows the practitioner-scholar model and the NCSPP competency framework, with a stated emphasis on social justice and community engagement. Most students finish in about 5 years: 4 years of coursework followed by a 1-year predoctoral internship.
Doctoral students train in the on-campus Psychological Services Center, a university clinic where they provide supervised assessment, counseling, and treatment to the Keene community. The degree prepares graduates for therapy and assessment work as clinical psychologists, as well as for supervision, applied research, hospital, and public-sector roles.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Location: Keene, NH. Program website.
Rivier University
PsyD in Counseling and School Psychology
Rivier University in Nashua offers New Hampshire’s other APA-accredited doctorate, a combined PsyD in Counseling and School Psychology. It’s one of a small number of programs nationwide that deliberately integrate the two practice areas into a single degree. The program runs for a minimum of 5 years, including a 3-year academic residency and a 2,000-hour internship, and follows the practitioner-scholar model.
Coursework is delivered primarily face-to-face to meet the New Hampshire Board of Psychology’s licensing requirements, with a limited set of online foundation courses. The curriculum is built to meet New Hampshire’s education requirements for psychologist licensure and prepares graduates for assessment, intervention, and consultation across school, community, and clinical settings.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Location: Nashua, NH. Program website.
Psychologist Salary and Job Outlook in New Hampshire
A doctorate is the entry point to licensed practice, and the pay reflects that. According to BLS state data, clinical and counseling psychologists in New Hampshire earned a median annual wage of $98,030 as of May 2025, and school psychologists earned $69,880. Projections Central estimates 20% growth in the state for clinical and counseling psychologists between 2022 and 2032, with about 10 openings per year. These figures describe licensed roles, not graduate-student earnings.
| Occupation | New Hampshire Median Annual Wage (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $98,030 |
| School Psychologists | $69,880 |
Whether you choose Antioch’s clinical focus or Rivier’s combined counseling and school track, both point toward the same goal: licensure as a psychologist in New Hampshire. The doctorate is one piece of that. Licensure also requires supervised experience and passing the EPPP, and the New Hampshire Board of Psychology sets the final requirements. Weigh each program’s training model and internship structure against the kind of work you want to do after graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs does New Hampshire have?
Two. Antioch University New England offers a PsyD in Clinical Psychology in Keene, and Rivier University offers a PsyD in Counseling and School Psychology in Nashua. Both are accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Does New Hampshire have a PhD program in psychology?
Not among its APA-accredited doctoral options. Both in-state programs are PsyD degrees built around clinical practice. If you want a research-weighted PhD, you’ll likely need to consider programs in neighboring states or online.
How long does a psychology doctorate take in New Hampshire?
Plan on about five years. Antioch’s PsyD program runs roughly 4 years of coursework plus a year-long internship, and Rivier’s requires a minimum of 5 years, including a 3-year residency and a 2,000-hour internship.
What does it take to become a licensed psychologist in New Hampshire?
Beyond the doctorate, licensure requires supervised experience and passing the EPPP. The New Hampshire Board of Psychology sets the specific education and supervision rules, so confirm current state licensing requirements with the board before you apply.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Psychologists (including Clinical & Counseling, Industrial-Organizational, and School Psychologists) and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.