Alabama has five APA-accredited doctoral programs across four universities, all at the PhD level. Programs cover clinical, counseling, and combined clinical-counseling training. Most take five to seven years and include a one-year APA-accredited internship. Many are designed to meet Alabama’s education requirements for psychologist licensure, though applicants should confirm current standards with the state board.
Alabama offers no PsyD programs. All five APA-accredited doctoral programs in the state lead to the PhD. The degree paths differ in focus and training model, so understanding the difference between a clinical PhD, a counseling PhD, and a combined program is the right place to start.
PhD vs. PsyD in Psychology
Both the PhD and PsyD lead to licensure as a psychologist and require passing the EPPP, the national exam recognized by state psychology boards. The real difference is in training emphasis. PhD vs. PsyD programs break down like this: PhD programs follow the scientist-practitioner or clinical-science model, weighting research alongside clinical work, and are typically funded through assistantships. PsyD programs use the practitioner-scholar model, leaning toward clinical training over research, and more often require tuition payment. Since Alabama has no PsyD programs, every path to in-state doctoral training leads to the PhD.
Alabama Programs at a Glance
All programs below are accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
| School | Degree | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | Clinical PhD | Scientist-practitioner, research, and clinical integration | Auburn, AL |
| Auburn University | Counseling PhD | Scientist-practitioner, social justice | Auburn, AL |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Medical/Clinical PhD | Health and medical psychology, neuropsychology, behavioral medicine | Birmingham, AL |
| University of Alabama | Clinical PhD | Geropsychology, child, health, and forensic psychology tracks | Tuscaloosa, AL |
| University of South Alabama | Combined Clinical-Counseling PhD | Combined-integrated model | Mobile, AL |
Auburn University
Auburn operates two separate APA-accredited doctoral programs in psychology through different colleges. The Clinical PhD sits in the Department of Psychological Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts. The Counseling PhD is housed in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling in the College of Education. Both programs use the scientist-practitioner model but differ in emphasis and admissions process. Students apply to each independently.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Auburn’s clinical program integrates research and clinical training under a scientist-practitioner framework. Students complete approximately five years of coursework, practicum, and independent research at Auburn, then a one-year full-time APA-approved internship. The program requires both a thesis and a dissertation. An empirical master’s thesis is defended in the intermediate years, and doctoral candidacy requires passing a general doctoral examination. Applicants are matched with faculty based on research fit and may be admitted without a prior master’s degree.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation (accredited; next site visit 2029).
Program website
PhD in Counseling Psychology
Auburn’s counseling program applies the scientist-practitioner model through a social justice lens. All students receive training in psychotherapy, assessment, research, and advocacy. The on-campus component takes a minimum of four years, though most students spend five to six years before starting the one-year full-time predoctoral internship. Courses are on campus only; part-time enrollment is not available.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation (accredited; next site visit 2027).
Program website
University of Alabama at Birmingham
PhD in Medical/Clinical Psychology
UAB’s program combines clinical psychology training with a medical orientation. Students work across the UAB Health System, the VA Medical Center, and Children’s of Alabama Hospital, with clinical and research training spanning neuropsychology, health psychology, behavioral medicine, pediatric psychology, and gerontology. Most students complete the program in five to six years. The final year includes an APA-accredited internship, typically placed in a medical facility. The program admits six to ten students annually.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation (accredited).
Program website
University of Alabama
PhD in Clinical Psychology
The University of Alabama’s clinical program offers four areas of specialization: Clinical Geropsychology, Clinical Child Psychology, Psychology and Law, and Clinical Health Psychology. Students train through the department’s on-site psychology clinic, which serves as the primary practicum facility under the supervision of licensed clinicians. A joint PhD in Clinical Psychology and Master of Public Health, offered in collaboration with UAB, is also available for students interested in population-level health integration.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation (accredited; next site visit 2034).
Program website
University of South Alabama
PhD in Clinical and Counseling Psychology
USA’s program uses a combined-integrated (CI) training model that draws on both clinical and counseling psychology. It’s jointly administered by the Department of Psychology and the Department of Counseling and Instructional Sciences, giving students exposure to both traditions and a broad base in evidence-based practice. The program was founded to address mental health workforce shortages in lower Alabama and the upper Gulf Coast. Students who enter with a bachelor’s degree complete a master’s degree in the first two years before advancing to doctoral coursework. Those with a prior master’s may enter the doctoral program directly. APA accreditation was reaffirmed in 2023 following a site visit that year.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation (accredited; next site visit 2033).
Program website
All five programs train students to meet Alabama’s core education requirements for psychologist licensure, and each requires an APA-accredited internship as part of the degree. For specifics on licensure requirements, exams, and timelines, see the state licensing requirements for psychologists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any PsyD programs in Alabama?
No. Alabama has no APA-accredited PsyD programs. All five doctoral programs accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation in the state award the PhD. Applicants looking for a practice-focused PsyD will need to consider out-of-state or accredited online options from programs outside Alabama.
Do Alabama doctoral programs lead to psychologist licensure?
Completing an APA-accredited doctoral program and internship in Alabama satisfies the education and training requirements for psychologist licensure in the state. Licensure also requires passing two exams — the EPPP and Alabama’s Professional Standards Examination — and submitting an application to the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology. See state licensing requirements for psychologists for a full breakdown.
How long do doctoral psychology programs in Alabama typically take?
Most programs take five to seven years from start to completion. This includes four to five years of on-campus coursework, research, and practicum training, followed by a one-year full-time APA-accredited predoctoral internship. Students who enter with a prior master’s degree may complete the program in fewer years, depending on how many requirements can be waived.
Do Alabama doctoral psychology programs offer assistantships?
Most programs offer graduate assistantships that cover tuition and provide a stipend. Funding is competitive and tied to research fit with faculty mentors. Applicants should review each program’s financial support page and ask about current assistantship availability during the admissions process.
What exams are required to become a licensed psychologist in Alabama?
Alabama requires two exams: the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), with a minimum passing score of 500, and the Alabama Professional Standards Examination, which requires an 80% score. Both are taken after completing the doctoral degree and internship. Alabama does not require postdoctoral supervised hours before applying for licensure, which shortens the path to licensure compared to many other states.
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