Complete Guide to APA-Accredited PsyD Programs

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 American Psychological Association (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

APA accreditation applies to individual psychology programs rather than institutions as a whole. The APA Commission on Accreditation now identifies accredited doctoral programs that offer at least one course through distance education, including synchronous or asynchronous online instruction. However, the presence of distance education does not necessarily mean that a PsyD program can be completed entirely online. Prospective students should verify the program’s status through the APA’s accredited-program database and consult the program directly about its online coursework, campus requirements, practica, and internship expectations.

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

When evaluating online or hybrid PsyD options, verify the accreditation status of the specific doctoral program rather than relying on the institution’s accreditation. The APA maintains a list of accredited programs that use distance education, but inclusion means that a program offers at least one component through a distance education method—not necessarily that the entire degree is available online. Use the APA-accredited program search and review each program’s website to confirm its delivery format and in-person requirements.

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

APA accreditation can strengthen a graduate’s path toward licensure by demonstrating that the program meets established standards for health service psychology training. However, education and accreditation requirements vary by jurisdiction. Prospective students should review the rules of the state in which they plan to practice before selecting a program.

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

Students must complete an internship as part of an APA-accredited PsyD program. Because doctoral programs and internships are accredited separately, students should review their program’s internship requirements and determine whether their intended licensing jurisdiction requires an APA-accredited internship.

Licensure Preparation

Although the program provides academic and clinical preparation for licensure, graduates must still satisfy the requirements of their intended jurisdiction. These commonly include supervised experience and passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, with some jurisdictions requiring additional examinations or other steps.

100+ APA-Accredited PsyD Programs

The table below lists PsyD programs using information gathered from the APA Commission on Accreditation as of 2026. It includes each program’s location, focus, accreditation status, initial accreditation date, next scheduled site visit and identified online component.

In the “Online Component” column, “Y” does not mean that a program is online or can be completed entirely online. It indicates that the program appeared on the APA’s Distance Education Programs list, which includes doctoral programs that offer any course through distance education. Because this definition is broad, the amount and type of online instruction may vary substantially. A blank entry means the program was not identified on that APA list; it does not necessarily confirm that the program offers no online coursework.

Institution	City	State	Program Focus	Accreditation	Initial Accreditation Date	Next Site Visit	Online Component
Midwestern University	Glendale	AZ	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	March 9, 2011	2036
Northern Arizona University	Phoenix	AZ	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	February 24, 2022	2036	Y
Alliant University, Fresno	Fresno	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	June 2, 1994	2036	Y
Alliant University, Los Angeles	Alhambra	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 22, 1991	2033	Y
Alliant University, Sacramento	Sacramento	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	June 2, 1994	2028	Y
Alliant University, San Diego	San Diego	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	May 25, 1994	2035	Y
Alliant University, San Francisco Bay	Emeryville	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	February 27, 1995	2033	Y
Azusa Pacific University	Azusa	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	October 30, 2000	–
Biola University	La Mirada	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	May 22, 1980	2029
California Baptist University	Riverside	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	September 27, 2021	2035
California Lutheran University	Oxnard	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 20, 2015	2034	Y
California Northstate University	Rancho Cordova	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 10, 2021	2034
Fuller Theological Seminary	Pasadena	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	December 4, 1972	2028	Y
Loma Linda University	Loma Linda	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	November 12, 1998	2029
Mount Saint Mary’s University	Los Angeles	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	April 30, 2024	–
National University	Pleasant Hill	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	February 29, 2024	2034	Y
Palo Alto University	Palo Alto	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	November 13, 2006	2029
Pepperdine University	Los Angeles	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	June 20, 1990	2027
The Chicago School, Anaheim	Anaheim	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 10, 2021	2030
The Chicago School, Los Angeles	Los Angeles	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	July 21, 2018	2028	Y
The Wright Institute	Berkeley	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	March 9, 1998	2027
University of La Verne	La Verne	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 28, 2003	2028
University of San Francisco	San Francisco	CA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited – Inactive	July 21, 2018	2033	Y
University of Colorado Denver	Denver	CO	School Psychology	Accredited	April 14, 2018	2032	Y
University of Denver	Denver	CO	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	May 14, 1979	2028
University of Hartford	West Hartford	CT	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	March 4, 1991	2028
George Washington University	Washington	DC	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	February 15, 2001	2034	Y
The Chicago School – Washington, D.C. Campus	Washington	DC	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	December 2, 2015	2034	Y
Carlos Albizu University, Miami Campus	Miami	FL	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	November 20, 1991	2035	Y
Florida Institute of Technology	Melbourne	FL	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 25, 1983	2035
Florida School of Professional Psychology at National Louis University, Tampa	Tampa	FL	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	October 28, 2020	2030
Nova Southeastern University	Ft. Lauderdale	FL	School Psychology	Accredited	June 16, 2015	2031	Y
Nova Southeastern University	Fort Lauderdale	FL	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	March 14, 1983	2029
Brenau University	Gainesville	GA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	February 9, 2026	2029
Georgia Southern University	Statesboro	GA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	March 3, 2014	2029
Mercer University	Atlanta	GA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	July 21, 2018	2032
Hawaii Pacific University	Honolulu	HI	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	April 25, 2024	–	Y
Hawaii School of Professional Psychology (HSPP) at Chaminade University of Honolulu	Honolulu	HI	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 10, 2021	2030
Northwest Nazarene University	Nampa	ID	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	February 17, 2026	–
Adler University – Chicago	Chicago	IL	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	November 12, 1998	2028
Midwestern University	Downers Grove	IL	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	September 17, 2012	2027
National Louis University	Chicago	IL	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	May 4, 2021	2031
Roosevelt University	Chicago	IL	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	October 24, 2002	2029	Y
The Chicago School	Chicago	IL	School Psychology	Accredited	July 18, 2020	2033	Y
The Chicago School, Chicago Campus	Chicago	IL	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	October 5, 1987	2035	Y
Wheaton College	Wheaton	IL	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 30, 1998	2036	Y
Indiana State University	Terre Haute	IN	School Psychology	Accredited	June 19, 1980	2034	Y
Indiana State University	Terre Haute	IN	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	June 20, 1985	2035	Y
University of Evansville	Evansville	IN	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	March 9, 2026	2029
University of Indianapolis	Indianapolis	IN	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	June 14, 2000	–	Y
Eastern Kentucky University	Richmond	KY	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 14, 2018	2029	Y
Spalding University	Louisville	KY	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	June 19, 1989	2027	Y
Western Kentucky University	Bowling Green	KY	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	November 7, 2024	–	Y
The Chicago School	New Orleans	LA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited – Inactive	July 20, 2019	2033	Y
Springfield College	Springfield	MA	Counseling Psychology	Accredited	February 25, 2016	2035
William James College	Newton	MA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	November 9, 1987	2031	Y
Loyola University Maryland	Baltimore	MD	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	May 10, 2000	2028
Stevenson University	Stevenson	MD	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	October 23, 2025	–
Michigan School of Psychology	Farmington Hills	MI	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	March 10, 2016	2036	Y
Augsburg University	Minneapolis	MN	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	December 7, 2021	2035
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota	Minneapolis	MN	Counseling Psychology	Accredited	November 5, 2015	2031
University of St. Thomas	Minneapolis	MN	Counseling Psychology	Accredited	October 2, 2000	2036	Y
Kansas City University	Kansas City	MO	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 10, 2021	2034	Y
Ponce Health Sciences St. Louis	St. Louis	MO	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	June 19, 2025	–	Y
Appalachian State University	Boone	NC	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	February 1, 2024	–	Y
Western Carolina University	Cullowhee	NC	Combined, Clinical-School Psychology	Accredited	February 28, 2022	2036	Y
Antioch University New England	Keene	NH	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	July 14, 1986	2027
Rivier University	Nashua	NH	Combined Program in Counseling and School Psychology	Accredited	April 6, 2019	2028	Y
Felician University	Lodi	NJ	Counseling Psychology	Accredited	April 10, 2021	2034	Y
Kean University	Union	NJ	Combined, Clinical-School Psychology	Accredited	March 3, 2016	2035
Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey	Piscataway	NJ	School Psychology	Accredited	March 31, 1977	2033	Y
Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey	Piscataway	NJ	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	March 31, 1977	–	Y
Saint Elizabeth University	Morristown	NJ	Counseling Psychology	Accredited	April 4, 2020	2033	Y
William Paterson University	Wayne	NJ	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 14, 2018	2031
Alfred University	Alfred	NY	School Psychology	Accredited	October 12, 2000	2032
D’Youville University/Medaille University Teach-out	Buffalo	NY	Clinical Psychology	Accredited – Inactive	August 31, 2022	–	Y
Hofstra University	Hempstead	NY	School Psychology	Accredited	March 17, 2003	2035
Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus	Brookville	NY	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on probation	May 9, 1994	–	Y
Pace University	New York	NY	Combined, Clinical-School Psychology	Accredited	November 3, 1988	2033	Y
Roberts Wesleyan University	Rochester	NY	Combined, Clinical-School Psychology	Accredited	October 27, 2018	2033
St. John’s University	Queens	NY	School Psychology	Accredited	April 22, 2007	2027	Y
Touro University	New York	NY	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	December 1, 2025	–
University at Albany	Albany	NY	School Psychology	Accredited	September 17, 1992	2029	Y
Yeshiva University	Bronx	NY	Combined, Clinical-School Psychology	Accredited	October 22, 1998	2027	Y
Yeshiva University	Bronx	NY	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	November 6, 1985	2035	Y
Wright State University	Dayton	OH	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	March 15, 1982	2029	Y
Xavier University	Cincinnati	OH	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	May 3, 2001	2032	Y
Oklahoma City University	Oklahoma City	OK	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	February 27, 2023	2036	Y
George Fox University	Newberg	OR	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	August 20, 1998	2027	Y
Pacific University, Oregon	Hillsboro	OR	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 2, 1990	2027	Y
Carlow University	Pittsburgh	PA	Counseling Psychology	Accredited	April 19, 2011	2028	Y
Chatham University	Pittsburgh	PA	Counseling Psychology	Accredited	September 9, 2013	2031	Y
Chestnut Hill College	Philadelphia	PA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	June 14, 2004	2033	Y
Duquesne University	Pittsburgh	PA	School Psychology	Accredited	April 23, 2015	2032	Y
Holy Family University	Newtown	PA	Counseling Psychology	Accredited	March 17, 2022	2036	Y
Immaculata University	Immaculata	PA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 28, 1999	2033
Indiana University of Pennsylvania	Indiana	PA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	November 2, 1987	2032	Y
La Salle University	Philadelphia	PA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	March 17, 2003	2028
Marywood University	Scranton	PA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 20, 2006	2033
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine	Philadelphia	PA	School Psychology	Accredited	October 19, 2019	2033	Y
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine	Philadelphia	PA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	May 12, 2003	2035	Y
Point Park University	Pittsburgh	PA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	July 20, 2019	2033	Y
West Chester University of Pennsylvania	West Chester	PA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	July 20, 2019	2033	Y
Widener University	Chester	PA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	June 30, 1989	2029	Y
Austin Peay State University	Clarksville	TN	Counseling Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	September 24, 2024	–	Y
Angelo State University	San Angelo	TX	Counseling Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	February 16, 2026	2029
Baylor University	Waco	TX	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 25, 1976	2035
Our Lady of the Lake University	San Antonio	TX	Counseling Psychology	Accredited	May 11, 1995	2027	Y
The Chicago School, Dallas Campus	Plano	TX	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	November 7, 2024	–	Y
University of Houston- Clear Lake	Houston	TX	Combined, Clinical-School Psychology	Accredited	April 6, 2019	2033
Southern Utah University	Cedar City	UT	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	November 11, 2025	–
Divine Mercy University	Sterling	VA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	April 21, 2016	2036
James Madison University	Harrisonburg	VA	Combined, Clinical-School Psychology	Accredited	October 28, 1996	2027
Liberty University	Lynchburg	VA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited, on contingency	October 21, 2025	–
Radford University	Radford	VA	Counseling Psychology	Accredited – Inactive	June 20, 2012	–
Regent University	Virginia Beach	VA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	March 13, 2002	2029	Y
Antioch University Seattle	Seattle	WA	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	December 1, 2016	2033	Y
Northwest University	Kirkland	WA	Counseling Psychology	Accredited	October 27, 2018	2034	Y
Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology	Milwaukee	WI	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	November 29, 2007	2031
Marshall University	Huntington	WV	Clinical Psychology	Accredited	March 13, 2006	2028	Y

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 BLS does not publish separate salary or employment projections for health psychologists. The broader “psychologists, all other” category had a median annual wage of $110,840 as of May 2025 and projected employment growth of 2% from 2025 to 2035, according to the BLS. These figures are not specific to health psychologists.

By exploring these roles and the available salary and job outlook information, 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 does not automatically expire on a program’s next review or site visit date. Accredited programs undergo periodic reviews, and the timing of those reviews can vary. A program generally retains its accreditation unless the APA Commission on Accreditation changes its status or the program voluntarily withdraws.

Why Opt for an APA-Accredited Institution?

APA accreditation indicates that a specific psychology program meets established standards for education and training in health service psychology. Because the APA accredits programs rather than entire institutions, prospective students should confirm the accreditation status of the particular PsyD program they are considering. Accreditation may also affect eligibility for licensure, internships, employment, and other professional opportunities.

Time Frame for Obtaining an APA-Accredited Online PsyD Degree

Program length varies according to the curriculum, enrollment status, clinical training requirements, internship schedule, and delivery format. Online coursework does not eliminate required clinical experiences or necessarily shorten the time needed to complete a PsyD program. Prospective students should consult individual programs for current completion-time data.

APA Accreditation in the Context of Entirely Online Programs

The APA identifies accredited doctoral programs that offer at least one course through distance education, but this does not mean those programs can be completed entirely online. Students should verify each program’s accreditation status and review its requirements for campus attendance, practica, clinical training, and internships.

Are There Other Accrediting Bodies for PsyD Programs?

The APA Commission on Accreditation provides specialized accreditation for doctoral programs in health service psychology. Colleges and universities also hold institutional accreditation, but institutional accreditation does not replace APA programmatic accreditation. Prospective students should verify both the institution’s accreditation and the accreditation status of the specific PsyD program.

Cost Implications of APA-Accredited Programs

Program costs vary significantly among APA-accredited PsyD programs. Accreditation alone does not determine whether a program will be more or less expensive. When comparing options, consider tuition, fees, travel or residency expenses, living costs, available financial aid, and the potential income students may forgo while completing clinical training and internships.

By understanding the importance and implications of APA accreditation, you can make a more informed decision about your educational path in psychology. APA-accredited PsyD programs provide education and training designed to meet established standards for health service psychology.