Psychology doctoral programs in Oregon are offered through three APA-accredited universities: George Fox University, Pacific University, and the University of Oregon. Together they offer six programs spanning practitioner-focused PsyD and research-focused PhD tracks in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. Most take four to seven years, including a required internship. Applicants should confirm current licensure standards with the Oregon Board of Psychology.
Oregon’s doctoral options run through three schools, each accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation: George Fox University in Newberg, Pacific University in Forest Grove, and the University of Oregon in Eugene. Between them, you’ll find six distinct programs covering clinical, counseling, and school psychology. Before comparing schools, it helps to understand the choice most applicants face first: a PsyD or a PhD.
PsyD or PhD? Choosing the Right Doctoral Track
Both the PsyD and the PhD lead to licensure as a psychologist in Oregon, and both require passing the EPPP, the national licensing exam recognized by the Oregon Board of Psychology. The difference comes down to training emphasis, not career ceiling.
A PhD follows a scientist-practitioner or clinical-science model weighted toward original research, and it’s more often funded through teaching or research assistantships. A PsyD follows a practitioner-scholar model weighted toward clinical training, and it more often relies on tuition rather than funding. For a full breakdown, see our guide to choosing between a PsyD and a PhD.
Oregon Psychology Doctoral Programs at a Glance
All three schools below are accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation, the credential Oregon’s licensing board looks for in doctoral applicants. Select a school name to jump to its program details.
| School | Degree | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Fox University | PsyD | Clinical Psychology | Newberg, OR |
| Pacific University | PsyD, PhD | Clinical Psychology | Forest Grove, OR |
| University of Oregon | PhD | Clinical, Counseling & School Psychology | Eugene, OR |
George Fox University
George Fox University is a Christian institution in Newberg, Oregon, offering a PsyD in Clinical Psychology built on a practitioner-scholar model that pairs clinical training with a faith-integrated framework.
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology
The program requires a minimum of 125 semester hours, typically completed in five years. Core coursework covers theories of personality and psychotherapy, psychopathology, social psychology, ethics for psychologists, personality assessment, multicultural issues in therapy, and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. Students complete practicum sequences in clinical settings, defend a doctoral dissertation, and finish a full-time internship of 50 weeks and 2,000 hours (or a two-year half-time schedule).
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Location: Newberg, OR
Pacific University
Pacific University’s School of Graduate Psychology in Forest Grove, Oregon, offers two APA-accredited doctoral tracks in clinical psychology: a PsyD and a PhD.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
The PsyD is a five-year, in-person program that includes an integrated, non-terminal master’s degree along the way: four years in residence in Hillsboro for coursework, research, and practicum, followed by a fifth year on internship. Students complete three year-long practicum placements, Practicum I, Practicum II, and Advanced Practicum, each requiring a minimum of 500 training hours split between direct client service and supervision. Four emphasis areas let students focus their training in Adult, Child, Health Psychology, or Neuropsychology, and coursework covers areas such as psychometrics, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, and psychopharmacology. The GRE isn’t required, though scores are considered if submitted. Students complete a doctoral research project and a full-time (or two-year half-time) internship at an APA-accredited or APPIC-recognized site.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Pacific’s PhD follows an integrated scientist-practitioner model, weighted toward original research alongside clinical training. All students receive a $5,000 research assistantship stipend during their first two years, with additional research and teaching assistantships available. As with the PsyD, the GRE isn’t required, though scores are considered if submitted. The program culminates in a year-long, full-time on-site internship that puts coursework and practicum training into practice.
Accreditation: Both programs are accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Location: Forest Grove, OR
PsyD program website
PhD program website
University of Oregon
The University of Oregon in Eugene offers three APA-accredited PhD programs in psychology: a Clinical Psychology track within the Department of Psychology, and separate Counseling Psychology and School Psychology programs housed in the College of Education. For more on the university itself, see our full University of Oregon profile.
Clinical Psychology PhD
This is a research-focused PhD within the Department of Psychology, with a specialized track for students pursuing clinical training. The department expects most students to complete the degree in five to seven years, built around a data analysis sequence, a first-year research sequence, a core course sequence, a supporting area requirement, a major preliminary examination, and a doctoral dissertation. Clinical-track students take on additional coursework and practicum requirements beyond the general PhD.
Counseling Psychology PhD
This program, housed in the Department of Counseling Psychology and Human Services, trains health service psychologists with an emphasis on prevention and intervention for children, families, and communities. Students can enter with or without a master’s degree and generally need five to six years to complete the doctorate. Clinical training takes place through the on-site HEDCO Clinic, which serves the greater Eugene-Springfield area.
School Psychology PhD
This is a five-year doctoral program that also offers a shorter Education Specialist (EdS) track for students who don’t need the PhD. Doctoral students complete an observational field placement in year one, a practicum of more than 360 hours in year two, advanced practicum placements in years three and four, and a full-time internship of at least 1,200 hours in year five. All doctoral students receive funding through research or teaching assistantships.
Accreditation: All three programs are accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation. The School Psychology program is also accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists and approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission for state licensure.
Location: Eugene, OR
Clinical Psychology PhD website
Counseling Psychology PhD website
School Psychology PhD website
That’s the full picture of psychology doctoral programs in Oregon today: three schools, six programs, and one shared requirement, APA accreditation, as the foundation the state licensing board looks for in every applicant. From there, the right fit comes down to research versus practice focus, funding structure, and the population you want to work with.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs does Oregon have?
Oregon has six APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs across three universities. George Fox University and Pacific University each offer a PsyD in Clinical Psychology; Pacific also offers a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and the University of Oregon offers PhD programs in Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology.
How long does it take to become a licensed psychologist in Oregon?
Completing a doctoral program, whether a PsyD or PhD, typically takes four to seven years, including an internship. After the doctorate, Oregon requires one year (a minimum of 1,500 hours) of post-doctoral supervised work experience under a Board-approved Resident Supervision Contract before full licensure. Applicants also need to pass the EPPP and the Oregon Jurisprudence Examination. For a full breakdown of state-by-state requirements, see our psychology licensure requirements by state guide.
Do Oregon’s doctoral programs require a master’s degree to apply?
No. All three schools accept applicants directly from a bachelor’s degree, though a background in psychology coursework such as statistics and abnormal psychology is expected. A master’s degree isn’t required, though some applicants enter with one.
Are there online PsyD or PhD programs in Oregon?
Not currently. Every APA-accredited doctoral psychology program in Oregon requires in-person, campus-based attendance, though some clinical training happens through community placements and partner clinics.
What is the job outlook for psychologists in Oregon?
Employment of clinical and counseling psychologists in Oregon is projected to grow 23.4% between 2022 and 2032, according to Projections Central, well ahead of the national average, with about 70 average annual openings each year. The median annual wage for clinical and counseling psychologists in Oregon was $134,350 as of May 2025, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics state wage data.
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.