Michigan has eight schools with APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs, offering PhD degrees in clinical, counseling, and school psychology at public research universities and private institutions. Most programs take five to seven years and include a supervised predoctoral internship. Many are designed to meet Michigan education requirements for psychologist licensure, though applicants should confirm current standards with the state board.
Michigan’s APA-accredited doctoral programs span public research universities and private institutions, covering clinical, counseling psychology, and school psychology at the PhD level. All programs follow a scientist-practitioner, clinical science, or scholar-practitioner training model and require a supervised predoctoral internship. If you’re still deciding between a PhD and a PsyD, the section below breaks down both.
PhD vs. PsyD: Which Doctoral Degree Is Right for You?
Both the PhD and PsyD lead to psychologist licensure and require passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). The difference is in how you get there. PhD programs follow a scientist-practitioner or clinical science model. They’re research-weighted, often include a funded assistantship, and typically culminate in a doctoral dissertation. PsyD programs are practitioner-scholar focused, more clinically intensive, and more often tuition-funded. If cost is a key factor, our list of affordable clinical psychology graduate programs covers national options worth comparing. Neither is the “lesser” degree. The right choice depends on whether your goal is research and academic work or full-time clinical practice. Learn more in our PsyD vs. PhD guide.
Michigan’s current APA-accredited roster consists entirely of PhD programs. If a PsyD is your goal, you’ll need to look at programs in neighboring states or nationally available options.
Michigan Programs at a Glance
All programs listed below hold current accreditation from the APA Commission on Accreditation. School names link to each program’s section below.
| School | Degree | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrews University | PhD | Counseling Psychology | Berrien Springs, MI |
| Central Michigan University | PhD | School Psychology | Mount Pleasant, MI |
| Eastern Michigan University | PhD | Clinical Psychology | Ypsilanti, MI |
| Michigan State University | PhD | Clinical Science, School Psychology | East Lansing, MI |
| University of Detroit Mercy | PhD | Clinical Psychology | Detroit, MI |
| University of Michigan | PhD | Clinical Science | Ann Arbor, MI |
| Wayne State University | PhD | Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology | Detroit, MI |
| Western Michigan University | PhD | Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology | Kalamazoo, MI |
Andrews University
Andrews University is a private Seventh-day Adventist institution in Berrien Springs, about two hours from Chicago. The School of Graduate Psychology and Counseling offers one APA-accredited doctoral program. Students specifically researching faith-based accredited psychology programs will find Andrews a distinctive option in Michigan.
PhD in Counseling Psychology
The program follows a scholar-practitioner model with emphasis on holistic development across psychological, relational, and multicultural dimensions. Training covers foundational therapy skills, traditional and contemporary psychotherapy approaches, and research methodology. Students specialize in one of four areas: Adult, Child/Family, Cultural Diversity, or Health Psychology. Most applicants enter with a master’s degree in counseling or a related field; students entering with a bachelor’s must satisfy additional requirements. Completion typically takes five to seven years and includes doctoral coursework, a dissertation, and a 2,000-hour predoctoral internship.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA)
Location: Berrien Springs, MI
Program website
Central Michigan University
CMU is a large public research university in Mount Pleasant, about 150 miles northwest of Detroit. The Department of Psychology offers one currently active APA-accredited doctoral program. Note that admissions to the School Psychology PhD were paused for 2026-2027; check the program website for current admissions status before applying.
PhD in School Psychology
Built on a scientist-practitioner approach applied to K-12 educational settings, this program prepares students for leadership roles in developing educational programs and delivering school psychological services. Students entering with a bachelor’s degree complete 106 credit hours. Those entering with a master’s from an APA-accredited program complete 70 hours, including a one-year internship. Training covers consultation, intervention, diagnostic services, and support for students with disabilities.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA)
Location: Mount Pleasant, MI
Program website
Eastern Michigan University
EMU is a public institution in Ypsilanti, about 40 miles west of Detroit. The Psychology Department offers one APA-accredited doctoral program.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
This full-time, five-year program trains graduates for licensure-eligible practice with competencies in assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, treatment planning, evaluation, and program development. It emphasizes preparation for multi-disciplinary mental healthcare settings in a culturally diverse context. Requirements include at least 1,000 hours of internal practicum, 500 hours of external practicum, a master’s thesis, a qualifying paper, undergraduate teaching experience, a doctoral dissertation, and a 2,000-hour predoctoral internship. Students looking for more information on psychology internship options can find a broader overview on the site.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA)
Location: Ypsilanti, MI
Program website
Michigan State University
MSU is a major public research university in East Lansing. The university offers two APA-accredited doctoral programs in psychology, housed in separate colleges.
PhD in Clinical Science
MSU’s Clinical Science program follows a clinical science training model, drawing on molecular genetics, family influences, and cognitive neuroscience to build models of behavior across the lifespan. All doctoral students are paired with a primary faculty advisor under a mentorship model. Requirements include advanced clinical science coursework, a master’s thesis, a doctoral dissertation, a comprehensive exam, a practicum, and a one-year full-time internship. The master’s portion takes approximately two years. The full doctoral program is at least six years total. Note: faculty did not admit a new cohort for Fall 2026; check the program website for current admissions status.
PhD in School Psychology
Housed in the College of Education and informed by NASP standards, this 95-credit program blends practice, advanced coursework, and original scholarship. Training focuses on children, youth, and families across educational settings, with emphasis on K-12 learning, development, and academic and career decision-making. Graduates are eligible to pursue the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) designation upon program completion.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA) for both programs; Clinical Science is also accredited by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS); School Psychology also meets NASP standards
Location: East Lansing, MI
Clinical Science program website | School Psychology program website
University of Detroit Mercy
UDM is a private Catholic university in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions, located in Detroit. The Department of Psychology offers one APA-accredited doctoral program.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
The program follows a scientist-practitioner model with significant emphasis on the psychoanalytic viewpoint alongside a broad theoretical base. Training addresses conscious and unconscious processes, personality factors, and relational dynamics. Students complete advanced coursework, practicum, comprehensive exams, a doctoral dissertation, and a full-time one-year predoctoral internship. Total credit hours are approximately 96, with completion in five to seven years.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA)
Location: Detroit, MI
Program website
University of Michigan
U of M is a large public research university in Ann Arbor, about 45 miles west of Detroit. The Graduate Department of Psychology offers one APA-accredited doctoral program.
PhD in Clinical Science
The program follows a clinical science training model, preparing students for research careers focused on mental health promotion and psychopathology treatment. Core training areas include neuroscience, cultural processes, resilience, psychopathology, interdisciplinary research methods, statistics, research ethics, evidence-based assessment, treatment interventions, and cross-cultural clinical research. Requirements include clinical practicum, undergraduate teaching experience, a master’s thesis, a doctoral dissertation, and a one-year full-time internship, typically completed in the fifth or sixth year.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA)
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Program website
Wayne State University
Wayne State is a public research university with a metropolitan campus in Midtown Detroit. The university offers two APA-accredited doctoral programs in psychology, housed in separate colleges.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, this program provides broad clinical training across general psychology, psychopathology, psychological assessment, personality factors, and therapeutic interventions. Doctoral students can concentrate in Health Psychology, Child Clinical Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, or Community Psychology. Students complete at least 20 hours per week in on-campus or external practicum beginning in the second year, plus a culminating one-year internship at an APA-approved site.
PhD in Counseling Psychology
Housed in the College of Education, this program prepares students for licensure as psychologists using a scholar-practitioner model. Training emphasizes evidence-based practice, multicultural competency, and reflective clinical work across individual, family, and community contexts. Practicum placements span diverse settings. The program is accredited on contingency through June 21, 2029; applicants should confirm the current status with the program directly.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA) for both programs (Counseling Psychology on contingent accreditation status)
Location: Detroit, MI
Clinical Psychology program website | Counseling Psychology program website
Western Michigan University
WMU is a public university in Kalamazoo, roughly halfway between Detroit and Chicago. The university offers two APA-accredited doctoral programs in psychology, housed in separate departments.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Housed in the Department of Psychology, this program follows a scientist-practitioner approach with a behavioral orientation, balancing research involvement with clinical experience in community mental health settings. Research areas include ADHD, autism, family therapy, geriatrics, health psychology, interpersonal violence, anxiety disorders, and PTSD. Completion requires 96 credit hours, a comprehensive exam, a master’s thesis, a doctoral dissertation, a 750-hour pre-master’s practicum, a 500-hour post-master’s practicum, and a 2,000-hour predoctoral internship.
PhD in Counseling Psychology
Housed in the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology, this program prepares graduates for leadership roles in academic departments, university counseling centers, community mental health agencies, hospitals, or private practice. The curriculum covers counseling theory, consultation, personality assessment, vocational psychology, and multicultural counseling psychology, with supervised practicum and a 2,000-hour predoctoral internship. The program is designed to meet the curriculum requirements for Michigan psychologist licensure and those of many other states. Typical completion is five to seven years.
Accreditation: APA Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA) for both programs
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Clinical Psychology program website | Counseling Psychology program website
Michigan’s APA-accredited programs cover the range of doctoral training models, from pure clinical science at U of M and MSU to scientist-practitioner approaches at EMU and WMU. Confirm each program’s current accreditation status at the APA’s official site and verify Michigan psychologist licensure requirements with the state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs are in Michigan?
Michigan has eight schools with APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs. Several offer two programs each, covering clinical, counseling, and school psychology at the PhD level. Program admissions statuses change, so verify directly with the APA Commission on Accreditation’s program search and each school’s program page before applying.
Does an APA-accredited degree guarantee eligibility for Michigan psychologist licensure?
No. Michigan requires a doctoral degree, supervised experience hours, and passing the EPPP for licensure as a psychologist. Many APA-accredited programs are designed to meet Michigan’s education requirements, but the state licensing board makes the final determination on eligibility. Confirm current requirements directly with the Michigan Board of Psychology.
Are all Michigan psychology doctoral programs PhD programs?
Yes, based on the current APA-accredited roster. Michigan doesn’t have any APA-accredited PsyD programs at this time. If a PsyD is your goal, you’ll need to look at programs in other states. Both degrees require the EPPP for licensure and lead to the same licensed psychologist credential.
How long do Michigan psychology doctoral programs take to complete?
Most programs take five to seven years, depending on whether you enter with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree and how quickly you complete your dissertation. All programs require a year-long predoctoral internship, typically completed off-site at an APPIC-member training site in the final stages of the program.
What specializations are available in Michigan psychology doctoral programs?
Clinical psychology is the most common focus. Wayne State’s Clinical program offers concentrations in health psychology, child clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology, and community psychology. School psychology programs are available at CMU and MSU. Counseling psychology PhDs are offered at Andrews University, Wayne State, and WMU. Andrews students specialize in Adult, Child/Family, Cultural Diversity, or Health Psychology. MSU’s Clinical Science program also holds PCSAS accreditation, which is relevant for applicants interested in research-focused careers. Specialization options vary by program and faculty research areas.
Browse accredited doctoral and graduate psychology programs and connect with schools offering training in Michigan and nationwide.