# APA-Accredited Psy.D. Programs

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**Featured Image:**

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**Author:** Psych Degree Starter Editorial Team
**Published:** March 12, 2024
**Updated:** October 8, 2025

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If you’re considering a career in psychology, it’s essential to choose a program that meets the highest educational and ethical standards. This is where APA-accredited PsyD programs come into the picture. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into what APA accreditation means, why it’s crucial for your career, and what you can expect from APA PsyD programs. 
  
  
 **What Is APA Accreditation?**  
  
 The American Psychological Association (APA) sets the benchmark for educational and ethical standards in psychology. When a PsyD program is APA-accredited, it signifies that the curriculum, faculty, and research components meet or exceed these rigorous standards. 
  
 **APA Accreditation Standards**  
  
 APA accreditation ensures that PsyD programs adhere to quality benchmarks like appropriate student-to-faculty ratios, comprehensive coursework, and adequate research opportunities. These standards ensure that you receive an education that prepares you for a successful career in psychology. 
  
 ### **The Relevance of APA Accreditation in Online PsyD Programs**  
  
 While online programs offer the flexibility many students need, it’s crucial to note that as of now, the APA does not currently accredit any online-only PsyD programs. Therefore, if you’re considering an online program, make sure it is at least affiliated with an APA-accredited institution. 
  
 ## **The Road to APA Accreditation**  
  
 ### **Steps for a School to Achieve APA Accreditation**  
  
 For a PsyD program to receive APA accreditation, the institution must undergo a rigorous review process. This process includes an in-depth examination of the curriculum, faculty qualifications, and research facilities. 
  
 ### **Overview of the Accreditation Process**  
  
 Once a program applies for APA accreditation, a committee of experts conducts a thorough review. They evaluate everything from the admissions process to graduation requirements, ensuring that the program adheres to the APA’s high standards. 
  
 ### **Distinguishing APA-Accredited Online PsyD Programs**  
  
 Given that the APA does not accredit fully online programs, you’ll want to be cautious when evaluating your options. Look for programs that are affiliated with APA-accredited institutions, and always check the program’s specific accreditation status. 
  
  
  
 ## **Curriculum and Requirements**  
  
 ### **What Can You Expect from an APA-Accredited PsyD Program’s Curriculum?**  
  
 APA-accredited PsyD programs offer a balanced curriculum that combines academic coursework with practical experience. You will typically find a blend of theoretical learning, research opportunities, and hands-on clinical practice. Courses often cover a broad spectrum of psychology’s sub-disciplines and practical applications. 
  
 #### Common Courses in APA-Accredited PsyD Programs 
    
- Behavioral Psychology: This course dives into the study of observable actions, offering insight into the behavioral patterns people exhibit.    
- Cognitive Psychology: Focuses on mental processes like “attention, language use, memory, perception, problem-solving, creativity, and thinking.”    
- Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis: Teaches the skills required to diagnose and assess mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.    
- Research Methods: Offers an overview of qualitative and quantitative research methods in psychology.    
- Ethics in Psychology: A course aimed at educating students about the ethical considerations and guidelines in both research and practice.    
- Psychotherapy Techniques: This course focuses on various therapeutic techniques used in the treatment of mental health disorders.    
- Multicultural Psychology: An exploration of how cultural factors impact psychological function.    
 ### **The Role of APA Accreditation in the Professional World**  
  
 In most states, having a degree from an APA-accredited program is not just a strong recommendation but a requirement for licensure. By choosing an APA-accredited program, you’re setting yourself up for a smoother path toward your career in psychology. 
  
 #### Requirements for Completing an APA-Accredited PsyD Program 
  **Coursework**   
 You must successfully complete all required courses. This often includes both foundational and specialized psychology courses, research components, and electives that allow you to delve into areas of particular interest. 
  **Clinical Training**   
 APA-accredited PsyD programs often require a specific number of supervised clinical hours. These hours offer practical experience and the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. 
  **Research Project or Dissertation**   
 Students are usually required to complete a significant research project or dissertation. This project is meant to contribute to the field of psychology and demonstrate the student’s understanding and expertise on a chosen topic. 
  **Internship**   
 An APA-accredited internship is generally required for graduation. The internship serves as an additional layer of practical experience, often carried out in a specialized field of psychology. 
  **Licensure Preparation**   
 While the program itself will provide the academic and practical preparation for licensure, you will still need to pass a state licensure exam after graduating. 
  
 By comprehensively understanding the curriculum and requirements of APA-accredited PsyD programs, you can better prepare for a fulfilling and meaningful career in psychology. 
  
  
 ## **100+ APA-Accredited PsyD Programs**  
  
 
 Adler University - Chicago     Department of Psychology, Psy.D. Program     Chicago, IL     
 
 Alfred University     Division of Counseling and School Psychology (School-PsyD)     Alfred, NY     
 
 Alliant International University, Fresno     CSPP Psy.D. Program     Fresno, CA     
 
 Alliant International University, Los Angeles     Clinical PsyD Program     Alhambra, CA     
 
 Alliant International University, Sacramento     California School of Professional Psychology     Sacramento, CA     
 
 Alliant International University, San Diego     Clinical PsyD Program     San Diego, CA     
 
 Alliant International University, San Francisco Bay     Clinical PsyD. program     Emeryville, CA     
 
 Antioch University New England     Department of Clinical Psychology, Psy.D. Program     Keene, NH     
 
 Antioch University Seattle     School of Applied Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy     Seattle, WA     
 
 Augsburg University     Clinical Psychology     Minneapolis, MN     
 
 Azusa Pacific University     Department of Graduate Psychology     Azusa, CA     
 
 Baylor University     Department of Psychology     Waco, TX     
 
 Biola University     Rosemead School of Psychology     La Mirada, CA     
 
 California Baptist University     College of Behavioral and Social Sciences     Riverside, CA     
 
 California Lutheran University     PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology     Oxnard, CA     
 
 California Northstate University     College of Psychology Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology     Rancho Cordova, CA     
 
 Carlos Albizu University, Miami Campus     Psy.D. Program     Miami, FL     
 
 Carlos Albizu University, San Juan Campus     Psy.D. Program, San Juan Campus     San Juan, PR     
 
 Carlow University     Department of Psychology, Counseling, & Criminology     Pittsburgh, PA     
 
 Chatham University     Graduate Psychology     Pittsburgh, PA     
 
 Chestnut Hill College     Department of Professional Psychology     Philadelphia, PA     
 
 Divine Mercy University     The Institute for the Psychological Sciences     Sterling, VA     
 
 Duquesne University     Counselor Education and School Psychology     Pittsburgh, PA     
 
 Eastern Kentucky University     Psychology     Richmond, KY     
 
 Felician University     Counseling Psychology Psy.D.     Lodi, NJ     
 
 Florida Institute of Technology     School of Psychology     Melbourne, FL     
 
 Florida School of Professional Psychology at National Louis University, Tampa     Florida School of Professional Psychology at National Louis University     Tampa, FL     
 
 Fuller Theological Seminary     Graduate School of Psychology     Pasadena, CA     
 
 George Fox University     Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology     Newberg, OR     
 
 George Washington University     Professional Psychology Program     Washington, DC     
 
 Georgia Southern University     Department of Psychology     Statesboro, GA     
 
 Hawaii School of Professional Psychology (HSPP) at Chaminade University of Honolulu     Hawaii School of Professional Psychology (HSPP)     Honolulu, HI     
 
 Hofstra University     Department of Psychology, Psy.D. Program in School-Community Psychology     Hempstead, NY     
 
 Holy Family University     Doctorate of Psychology in Counseling Psychology     Newtown, PA     
 
 Immaculata University     Department of Psychology and Counseling     Immaculata, PA     
 
 Indiana State University     Department of Psychology, Psy.D. Program     Terre Haute, IN     
 
 Indiana University of Pennsylvania     Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology Doctoral Studies     Indiana, PA     
 
 James Madison University     Department of Graduate Psychology     Harrisonburg, VA     
 
 Kansas City University     Health Service Psychology Program     Kansas City, MO     
 
 Kean University     Psy.D. Program in Combined School and Clinical Psychology     Union, NJ     
 
 La Salle University     Department of Psychology     Philadelphia, PA     
 
 Loma Linda University     Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program, Department of Psychology     Loma Linda, CA     
 
 Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus     Graduate Psychology     Brookville, NY     
 
 Loyola University Maryland     Department of Psychology     Baltimore, MD     
 
 Marshall University     Department of Psychology     Huntington, WV     
 
 Marywood University     Department of Psychology and Counseling     Scranton, PA     
 
 Medaille College     Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology/Division of Applied and Social Sciences     Buffalo, NY     
 
 Mercer University     Clinical Psychology     Atlanta, GA     
 
 Michigan School of Psychology     Clinical Psychology     Farmington Hills, MI     
 
 Midwestern University     Clinical Psychology     Glendale, AZ     
 
 Midwestern University     College of Health Sciences     Downers Grove, IL     
 
 National Louis University     Illinois School of Professional Psychology     Chicago, IL     
 
 Northern Arizona University     Frederick Wechsler     Phoenix, AZ     
 
 Northwest University     College of Social and Behavioral Sciences     Kirkland, WA     
 
 Nova Southeastern University     College of Psychology/Department of Clinical and School Psychology     Ft. Lauderdale, FL     
 
 Nova Southeastern University     College of Psychology     Fort Lauderdale, FL     
 
 Our Lady of the Lake University     PsyD in Counseling Psychology / Department of Psychology /School of Professional Studies     San Antonio, TX     
 
 Pace University     Department of Psychology     New York, NY     
 
 Pacific University, Oregon     School of Graduate Psychology     Hillsboro, OR     
 
 Palo Alto University     PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium     Palo Alto, CA     
 
 Pepperdine University     Psychology Division     Los Angeles, CA     
 
 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine     Psychology Department     Philadelphia, PA     
 
 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine     Department of School Psychology     Philadelphia, PA     
 
 Point Park University     PsyD in Clinical-Community Psychology/Psychology Department     Pittsburgh, PA     
 
 Ponce Health Sciences University     Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program     Ponce, PR     
 
 Regent University     School of Psychology and Counseling     Virginia Beach, VA     
 
 Rivier University     Combined Program in Counseling and School Psychology     Nashua, NH     
 
 Roberts Wesleyan College     Psy.D. in Clinical/School Psychology     Rochester, NY     
 
 Roosevelt University     Department of Psychology     Chicago, IL     
 
 Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey     Department of Clinical Psychology     Piscataway, NJ     
 
 Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey     Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology     Piscataway, NJ     
 
 Saint Elizabeth University     Psychology     Morristown, NJ     
 
 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota     Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology     Minneapolis, MN     
 
 Spalding University     College of Health and Natural Sciences     Louisville, KY     
 
 Springfield College     Counseling Psychology Psy.D. Program     Springfield, MA     
 
 St. John's University     School Psychology/Department of Psychology     Queens, NY     
 
 The Chicago School     Psy.D. in School Psychology     Chicago, IL     
 
 The Chicago School     TCSPP Clinical PsyD @ Xavier University     New Orleans, LA     
 
 The Chicago School of Professional Psychology - Washington, D.C. Campus     Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program     Washington, DC     
 
 The Chicago School, Anaheim     Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology     Anaheim, CA     
 
 The Chicago School, Chicago Campus     Clinical Psychology (Clinical PsyD)     Chicago, IL     
 
 The Chicago School, Los Angeles     Clinical Psychology     Los Angeles, CA     
 
 The Wright Institute     Psy.D. Program     Berkeley, CA     
 
 Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Gurabo Campus     School of Social Sciences     Gurabo, PR     
 
 University at Albany     Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology     Albany, NY     
 
 University of Colorado Denver     School Psychology     Denver, CO     
 
 University of Denver     Graduate School of Professional Psychology, Psy.D. Program     Denver, CO     
 
 University of Hartford     Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology/Department of Psychology     West Hartford, CT     
 
 University of Houston- Clear Lake     Health Services Psychology     Houston, TX     
 
 University of Indianapolis     Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology/Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology     Indianapolis, IN     
 
 University of La Verne     Department of Psychology     La Verne, CA     
 
 University of San Francisco     PsyD Program/Department of Integrated Healthcare     San Francisco, CA     
 
 University of St. Thomas     Graduate School of Professional Psychology     Minneapolis, MN     
 
 West Chester University of Pennsylvania     Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program     West Chester, PA     
 
 Western Carolina University     Department of Psychology     Cullowhee, NC     
 
 Wheaton College     Psychology Department     Wheaton, IL     
 
 Widener University     Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology/College of Health & Human Services     Chester, PA     
 
 William James College     Department of Psychology     Newton, MA     
 
 William Paterson University     Psychology Department, Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology     Wayne, NJ     
 
 Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology     Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology     Milwaukee, WI     
 
 Wright State University     Wright State University School of Professional Psychology     Dayton, OH     
 
 Xavier University     School of Psychology     Cincinnati, OH     
 
 Yeshiva University     Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology     Bronx, NY     
 
 Yeshiva University     Department of School-Clinical Psychology, Psy.D. Program     Bronx, NY     
 
  
 ## **Professional Roles for Graduates of APA-Accredited PsyD Programs**  
  
 Upon completing an APA-accredited PsyD program, graduates are equipped to take on a variety of roles in the field of psychology. Below, we outline some of the most common career paths, along with salary and job outlook data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 
  
 ### **Clinical Psychologist**  
  
  
  
 #### Description: 
  
 Clinical Psychologists assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They typically use psychological tests and psychotherapy to aid in their diagnostics and treatment plans. 
  
 #### Salary and Job Outlook: 
  
  [According to the BLS] (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-5)  , the median annual salary for psychologists, which includes clinical psychologists, exceeds $80,000. The job outlook for psychologists is expected to grow  [6% from 2021 to 2031] (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm)  , about as fast as the average for all occupations. 
  
 ### **Counseling Psychologist**  
  
  
  
 #### Description: 
  
 Counseling Psychologists help people recognize their strengths and resources to cope with everyday problems and serious adversity. They work in various settings, including educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and private practice. 
  
 #### Salary and Job Outlook: 
  
 Counseling Psychologists can expect a median annual salary similar to that of clinical psychologists, averaging more than $80,000. The job growth rate is also similar. 
  
 ### **Forensic Psychologist**  
  
  
  
 #### Description: 
  
 Forensic Psychologists apply psychological principles to the legal system. They often evaluate individuals involved in criminal cases to determine their mental state or credibility, and may also provide expert testimony in court. 
  
 #### Salary and Job Outlook: 
  
 The salary for forensic psychologists can vary widely based on experience and location, but they often earn similar salaries to clinical psychologists. Based on the overall job growth projections for psychologists, the outlook is generally positive, with expectations of modest growth. 
  
 ### **School Psychologist**  
  
  
  
 #### Description: 
  
 School Psychologists work within educational settings to help children with emotional, social, and academic issues. They collaborate with teachers, parents, and school administrators to find constructive solutions. 
  
 #### Salary and Job Outlook: 
  
 The median annual salary for school psychologists is approximately $80,000,  [according to the BLS] (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-5)  . The job outlook is favorable, with a projected growth rate of 6% from 2021 to 2031,  [according to the BLS] (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-6)  . 
  
 ### **Health Psychologist**  
  
  
  
 #### Description: 
  
 Health Psychologists are concerned with understanding how biological, psychological, and social factors affect health and illness. They often work in healthcare settings and may work on teams with other healthcare professionals. 
  
 #### Salary and Job Outlook: 
  
 The median annual salary for health psychologists is generally consistent with other psychology roles. Assuming the job outlook is comparable to other roles in psychology, with moderate growth expected. 
  
 By exploring these roles and their potential salary and job outlook, you can make a more informed decision about your career path after completing an APA-accredited PsyD program. 
  
 ## **Frequently Asked Questions about APA Accreditation**  
  
 ### **Duration and Renewal of APA Accreditation**  
  
 APA accreditation generally lasts for seven years. After this period, the program undergoes a reaccreditation process to ensure that it still meets APA’s high standards. 
  
 ### **Why Opt for an APA-Accredited Institution?**  
  
 Choosing an APA-accredited institution guarantees that you’re getting a quality education that’s respected and recognized within the psychology community. 
  
 ### **Time Frame for Obtaining an APA-Accredited Online PsyD Degree**  
  
 Although the APA does not accredit online-only programs, many APA-accredited institutions offer blended programs that take approximately 4-6 years to complete. 
  
 ### **APA Accreditation in the Context of Entirely Online Programs**  
  
 As mentioned, the APA does not accredit fully online programs. Be vigilant and make sure your program of choice either has APA accreditation or is affiliated with an APA-accredited institution. 
  
 ### **Are There Other Accrediting Bodies for PsyD Programs?**  
  
 Yes, but the APA is the most respected and widely-recognized accrediting body for psychology programs in the United States. 
  
 ### **Cost Implications of APA-Accredited Programs**  
  
 While APA-accredited programs may sometimes be more expensive, the additional cost is often justified by the higher educational and ethical standards they meet. 
  
 By understanding the importance and implications of APA accreditation, you can make an informed decision about your educational path in psychology. APA-accredited PsyD programs offer an unparalleled education that prepares you for a rewarding career in the field.