Mississippi has four APA-accredited doctoral programs in psychology, covering clinical, counseling, and school psychology at the PhD level. Programs typically run five to seven years and require a year-long predoctoral internship. Many are designed to meet Mississippi’s education requirements for psychologist licensure, though applicants should confirm current requirements with the state licensing board.
If you’re comparing doctoral programs in Mississippi, you’re facing the same question every applicant faces first: PhD or PsyD? The answer matters here because all four of Mississippi’s APA-accredited programs are PhDs. Here’s what that means for your decision and what to expect from each program.
PhD vs. PsyD: Which Doctoral Path Is Right for You?
Both degrees lead to licensure and require passing the EPPP, the national exam for psychologist licensure administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. The difference is in how you spend your time getting there.
A PhD vs. PsyD comparison comes down to this: PhD programs follow the scientist-practitioner model, meaning research and clinical training get roughly equal weight. You’ll produce original research, complete a dissertation, and funding will often come through assistantships. PsyD programs are practitioner-focused — the clinical training load is heavier, and research requirements are lighter, but you’re more likely to pay tuition rather than receive a stipend. Mississippi’s four APA-accredited doctoral programs are all PhDs, so if your priority is a practice-focused PsyD, you’d need to look at programs in other states.
Mississippi Programs at a Glance
All programs listed below are accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
| School | Degree | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson State University | PhD | Clinical | Jackson, MS |
| Mississippi State University | PhD | Clinical | Starkville, MS |
| University of Mississippi | PhD | Clinical | Oxford, MS |
| University of Southern Mississippi | PhD (Clinical, Counseling, School) | Clinical / Counseling / School | Hattiesburg, MS |
Jackson State University
Clinical Psychology PhD
Jackson State University’s clinical psychology doctoral program emphasizes training psychologists to serve diverse and underserved populations, with multicultural competency built into the curriculum alongside the core clinical, research, and theoretical foundations you’d find in any APA-accredited program. JSU is a historically Black university in Mississippi’s capital, which shapes the program’s focus on health disparities and minority mental health.
The program trains students as scientist-practitioners, covering assessment, psychopathology, and psychological theory during the academic phase, with increasing clinical hours through practicum placements. All students complete a full predoctoral internship at an APA-approved site before earning their doctorate. JSU’s Clinical Psychology PhD is accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Jackson, MS | Program website
Mississippi State University
Clinical Psychology PhD
Mississippi State University’s Clinical Psychology PhD sits in the Department of Psychology and follows the scientist-practitioner model. The curriculum covers research methods, psychopathology, assessment, psychological interventions, and statistics, with a master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation as research requirements. Students build clinical experience through the MSU Psychology Clinic and external practicum placements before completing a predoctoral internship.
The program was reaccredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation for the maximum 10-year period following its Fall 2023 site visit, with the next review scheduled for 2033. Funding through graduate assistantships is available and covers most or all tuition for PhD students. MSU’s rural Mississippi setting creates distinct opportunities to train with underserved rural populations, which is useful context if that’s the population you want to work with.
Starkville, MS | Program website
University of Mississippi
Clinical Psychology PhD
The University of Mississippi’s clinical psychology program is APA-accredited and follows a scientist-practitioner training model. The first two years focus on academic coursework in assessment, psychometrics, psychopathology, behavior modification, and related areas. Years three and four shift toward practica, research, and elective coursework. The fifth year is a full-time predoctoral internship completed at an APA-approved site.
Many students in the program receive partial or full tuition waivers. Ole Miss is a research-intensive institution, and the clinical program reflects that emphasis — students are expected to be producing research from early in their training.
Oxford, MS | Program website
University of Southern Mississippi
Clinical Psychology PhD
USM’s Clinical Psychology PhD follows the Boulder Model scientist-practitioner approach, with an emphasis on evidence-based assessment and treatment from a cognitive-behavioral theoretical orientation. Students spend the first four years on campus in academic coursework and research, followed by a full-time predoctoral internship at an off-campus site. The program is APA-accredited.
Counseling Psychology PhD
USM’s Counseling Psychology PhD is APA-accredited and has been continuously accredited since 1979, most recently reaccredited through 2033. The program takes a wellness and prevention orientation and maintains an on-site faculty-supervised community clinic for supervised hours during the training years. USM’s Gulf Coast location provides access to a wide range of externship settings, including VA facilities, community mental health centers, and hospital placements in Hattiesburg, Jackson, Biloxi, and New Orleans.
School Psychology PhD
The School Psychology PhD at USM trains behavioral scientists to work within school and community settings. The program is APA-accredited and includes a one-year internship in the final year. School psychology students may also pursue NASP approval, which is recognized by many state education agencies for school-based credentialing separate from the state psychology license. USM is the only school in the country with accredited doctoral programs in all three areas — clinical, counseling, and school psychology.
Hattiesburg, MS | Program website
Mississippi’s four APA-accredited doctoral programs cover a range of specializations within the scientist-practitioner model. Whether you’re drawn to clinical, counseling, or school psychology, or deciding between Jackson, Starkville, Oxford, and Hattiesburg, each program has a distinct research culture and clinical training emphasis worth investigating directly. Application deadlines vary, and most cohorts are small, so reaching out to faculty early makes a real difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an APA-accredited degree to become a licensed psychologist in Mississippi?
Mississippi’s licensing board requires applicants to hold a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution, and the program is expected to be APA-accredited. Graduating from an APA-accredited program is the most reliable way to meet those requirements, but applicants should confirm current standards directly with the Mississippi Board of Psychology, as requirements can change.
How long does it take to finish a doctoral psychology program in Mississippi?
Most PhD programs in Mississippi run five to six years of coursework, research, and practica, followed by a full-time predoctoral internship year — so plan on roughly six to seven years from start to degree completion. Funding, research timelines, and dissertation completion can all affect how long you’re actually in the program.
Is funding available for psychology doctoral programs in Mississippi?
All four PhD programs in Mississippi typically offer graduate assistantships that cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend, usually in exchange for teaching or research responsibilities. Funding availability varies by cohort, so it’s worth asking each program directly about its typical funding rate and how many students receive full support.
Can I complete a psychology doctorate online in Mississippi?
None of Mississippi’s four APA-accredited doctoral programs are fully online. All require substantial on-campus time for coursework, clinical supervision, and research, plus a full-time in-person predoctoral internship. Some programs may offer individual courses via distance education, but a fully online doctoral format isn’t available from any APA-accredited program in the state.
What are the job prospects for psychology doctorate holders in Mississippi?
Licensed psychologists in Mississippi work across state psychiatric facilities, VA medical centers, university medical centers, community mental health centers, and private practice. The state’s mental health workforce needs — particularly in rural areas — remain high relative to the number of practicing psychologists, which is worth factoring into your decision about where to train and where to practice.
Use the tool below to compare accredited psychology programs by degree level, specialization, and location.