Arkansas has two APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs: a Clinical PhD at the University of Arkansas and a Counseling PhD at the University of Central Arkansas. Both use a scientist-practitioner model and include a full-time internship. Neither is a PsyD, so applicants set on that practice-focused track will need an out-of-state program. Confirm licensure standards with the Arkansas Board of Psychology.
Arkansas keeps its doctoral psychology options concentrated at two public universities: the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Both programs lead to licensure eligibility with the Arkansas Board of Psychology, but they train for different specialties. Before comparing the schools directly, it’s worth understanding how the PhD track they both use stacks up against the PsyD path neither one offers.
PhD vs. PsyD: What Arkansas Applicants Are Choosing Between
Every APA-accredited doctoral program, PhD or PsyD, leads to licensure eligibility and requires passing the EPPP. The difference is in training emphasis. A PhD follows a scientist-practitioner or clinical-science model, weights research training more heavily, and more often comes with assistantship funding that offsets tuition. A PsyD follows a practitioner-scholar model, weights clinical training more heavily, and is more often tuition-funded. For a closer look at how PhD and PsyD training models differ, see our full comparison.
Arkansas’s two doctoral programs are both PhDs, a Clinical PhD at the University of Arkansas and a Counseling PhD at the University of Central Arkansas. Neither school offers a PsyD in psychology. Applicants who specifically want the practitioner-scholar model will need to look at programs in neighboring states or a hybrid PsyD program that combines online coursework with in-person residencies.
Arkansas Doctoral Psychology Programs at a Glance
Both programs below are accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation. Select a school name to jump to its full write-up.
| School | Degree | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | PhD | Clinical Psychology | Fayetteville, AR |
| University of Central Arkansas | PhD | Counseling Psychology | Conway, AR |
University of Arkansas
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Housed in the Department of Psychological Science within the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, this program follows a generalist scientist-practitioner model. Students begin clinical practicum work and faculty-mentored research in their first year and continue both in parallel, and most complete four to five years of on-campus training before a required one-year predoctoral internship.
Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Fayetteville, AR. Program website.
University of Central Arkansas
PhD in Counseling Psychology
Housed in the Department of Psychology and Counseling, this program began in 2008. It runs for five years and totals 120 credit hours, with four years of full-time coursework followed by a full-time predoctoral internship. Training follows a scientist-practitioner model with an emphasis on evidence-based assessment and treatment, and the curriculum is built to meet Arkansas’s education requirements for psychologist licensure.
Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Conway, AR. Program website.
Admission timelines, funding structures, and prerequisite coursework differ between these two programs, so confirm current details directly with each department before applying. Both are small, cohort-based programs with a limited number of new admits each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs does Arkansas have?
Arkansas has two: a Clinical PhD at the University of Arkansas and a Counseling PhD at the University of Central Arkansas. Both hold current accreditation from the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Does Arkansas have an APA-accredited PsyD program?
No. Both of Arkansas’s doctoral psychology programs are PhDs. Applicants who want a PsyD’s practitioner-scholar training model will need to look at programs in neighboring states or a hybrid PsyD program that combines online coursework with in-person residencies.
What’s the difference between the Clinical and Counseling PhD tracks offered in Arkansas?
The Clinical PhD at the University of Arkansas trains students to apply psychological theory and clinical skill to complex clinical problems across diverse populations. The Counseling PhD at the University of Central Arkansas emphasizes evidence-based assessment and treatment with a focus on community mental health needs. Both use a scientist-practitioner model and lead to licensure eligibility.
Can I complete a psychology doctorate online while living in Arkansas?
Arkansas’s two in-state programs are both campus-based. Arkansas residents who want an online or hybrid option typically look at APA-accredited programs based in other states that combine remote coursework with in-person residencies or local clinical placements.
Do I have to attend an in-state doctoral program to get licensed as a psychologist in Arkansas?
No. Licensure in Arkansas depends on meeting the state’s education, supervised experience, and EPPP requirements, not on where you attended school. The Arkansas Board of Psychology evaluates each application individually rather than pre-approving specific programs, so applicants using an out-of-state or online program should confirm eligibility directly with the Board before enrolling. See the psychologist licensing requirements by state page for a broader overview.
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