California is by far the most populous and third largest state in the United States, being home to eight of the 50 most heavily populated cities in the nation. Situated on the stunning West Coast along the Pacific Ocean, California is well-known for its pristine beaches, warm sunny climate, Hollywood movie stars, grape vineyards along Napa Valley, the Golden Gate Bridge, Disneyland, and the largest agricultural valley in the world. Since California is also the location of many of the top universities, it is no surprise that the state is packed with exceptional universities offering doctoral programs in psychology. The following are the PhD in Psychology programs that have been fully accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation (CoA) in California. For further reading, be sure not to miss the second part of our list of Psychology Doctoral programs, Psychology PsyD Programs in California.
PhD Programs in Psychology
Alliant International University – Fresno
California School of Professional Psychology
Alliant International University is a private, non-profit university that is strongly committed to preparing students for professional careers where they can make positive contributions to their community. Alliant has been named the Top Producer of Graduate Degrees for Minorities by Diverse Issues in Higher Education. The Alliant California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) has also been recognized as awarding the most doctoral degrees in psychology to Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. In fact, the school has trained almost half of all the practicing psychologists in the state.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
At the Fresno campus, the Clinical Psychology PhD program focuses on clinical training and research with a strong emphasis on preparing students to teach psychology in academia. In the third year of training, students are required to complete a minimum of 1,600 hours at the on-campus Psychological Services Center, which provides numerous diagnostic and therapeutic training opportunities. Students in the program have the option to choose an emphasis area of Clinical Forensic Psychology, Ecosystemic Child Psychology, and Health Psychology to develop a focused subject of expertise.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
5130 East Clinton Way
Fresno, CA 93727
559-252-2200
[email protected]
https://www.alliant.edu/psychology/clinical-psychology/phd
Alliant International University – Los Angeles
California School of Professional Psychology
Selected as the “Best for Vets” college in the nation for the third consecutive year by Military Times Edge magazine, Alliant International University is well-known for offering students high-quality financial assistance, academic flexibility, and support services to help all succeed. The California School of Professional Psychology on the Los Angeles campus is highly regarded in the profession and attracts some of the leading field experts to the faculty. With a small student-teacher ratio, graduate students in the programs are able to thrive with hands-on training, academic mentoring, and innovative curriculum based on multiculturalism.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Situated in the unique global hub of Los Angeles, the PhD in Clinical Psychology program offers plentiful opportunities for research, practice, and community service learning outside the classroom. Students in the program are required to select one of the four available emphasis areas to focus their studies on, including Clinical Health Psychology, Family and Couple Therapy, Multicultural-Community Psychology, and Multi-Interest Option. Although it is not required, the CSPP strongly encourages students to participate in a full-time internship experience in an accredited clinical setting for the fifth year to gain valuable real-world application before graduation.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
1000 South Fremont Avenue Unit 5
Alhambra, CA 91803
626-270-3300
[email protected]
https://www.alliant.edu/psychology/clinical-psychology/phd
Alliant International University – San Diego
California School of Professional Psychology
First formed in 2001, Alliant International University is comprised of the combination of two highly regarded institutions, the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) and the United States International University (USIU). Founded by the president of the American Psychological Association, CSPP is strongly focused on seamlessly integrating academic excellence, multiculturalism, mentoring by experts in the field, and hands-on training in a variety of clinical settings. For a competitive edge, the school requires all students to specialize in a certain professional niche of interest to give their career a jumpstart.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
The Clinical Psychology PhD program at the San Diego campus has developed a unique integrated blend of both research and clinical practice for well-rounded professionals. As students progress through the program, they are able to work closely with established applied researchers to discover increased understanding on principles, such as traumatic brain injuries, autism, mind-body disorders, pediatric psychology, and mindfulness. Each student enrolled in the program is assigned a faculty advisor to help them formulate a customized plan for practicum and internship training that aligns with their schedule and future career goals. Students are required to complete 800 hours in the second year and 1,000 years in the third year in one of the 80 different partnering agencies in the San Diego area.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
10455 Pomerado Rd.
San Diego, CA 92131
866-825-5426
[email protected]
https://www.alliant.edu/psychology/clinical-psychology/phd
Alliant International University – San Francisco Bay
California School of Professional Psychology
The California School of Professional Psychology on the Alliant International University at San Francisco Bay campus is committed to preparing students for professional careers in the rewarding field of psychology. Since real-world practicum is so vital to the school’s goals, students are given placements in mental health clinics, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, day care programs, correctional facilities, governmental agencies, and many more clinical settings. All of the doctoral programs offered by CSPP exceed all of the state and national accreditation requirements in California, so graduates are automatically eligible to sit for the examination to become licensed as a professional psychologist.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
As the perfect blend of psychological theory and research with a heavy dose of fieldwork, the Clinical Psychology PhD program at the San Francisco Bay campus emphasizes training in cutting-edge strength areas. Depending on their individual interests, students can elect to specialize in LGBT Psychology/Gender Studies, Multicultural Community Psychology, Health Psychology, or Child and Adolescent Psychology. Over the course of the five-year program, students will be able to participate in student-led research projects to apply their skills in collaboration with other institutions, including the University of California at San Francisco, Stanford University, and the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
2030 West El Camino Avenue, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95833
916-565-2955
[email protected]
https://www.alliant.edu/psychology/clinical-psychology/phd
Biola University
Rosemead School of Psychology
Located in sunny Southern California, Biola University is a private Christian university dedicated to delivering exceptional biblical-centered education and spiritual development to fulfill students’ vocations. As one of the leading Christian universities, it is no surprise that Biola has been recognized as the 177th best college in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. The Rosemead School of Psychology offers reputable, accredited programs that have had a proven track record of preparing graduates for success in the highly competitive field. Through a biblical understanding of human nature and truths from God’s written Word, the programs seek to produce balanced psychologists who will make a difference in areas of teaching, counseling, research, or clinical practice.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Within the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Biola University, students are required to complete a minimum of 133 semester hours in four years of residency. In addition to the major course requirements, students must complete a minor in theology and a minimum of 17 semester hours in biblical coursework. Enrolled students in the program need to satisfactorily complete a full-time clinical internship for one year, as well as compose a dissertation with an oral defense before the doctoral committee before graduation.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
- Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)
Contact Information
13800 Biola Ave.
La Mirada, CA 90639
562-903-4867
[email protected]
https://www.biola.edu/degrees/g/clinical-psychology-phd
Fielding Graduate University
School of Psychology
As one of the top 100 graduate degree producers in the country for minority groups by Diverse Issues in Higher Education, the Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara is committed to programs in psychology, educational leadership, and organizational development. The School of Psychology offers the only accredited doctoral programs in the nation that utilize the innovative distributed delivery method to support students’ other daily obligations. Although some master’s degrees are offered entirely online, the doctoral programs are blended with in-person class sessions, independent studies, online seminars, and meetings with colleagues or faculty. Since being founded in 1974, the school has developed the core values of lifelong learning, social justice, and research innovation.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Fielding Graduate University offers a high-quality Clinical Psychology PhD program within a diverse, challenging, and dynamic community of professionals in psychology. Although all of the faculty instructors are active scholars and practitioners in the field, many have even been nationally recognized in their area of specialization. Students in the program have the option to concentrate in Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Neuropsychology, Violence Prevention and Control, or Parent-Infant Mental Health. If students follow the curriculum sequence that is recommended, the 175.5 semester units can be completed within six years.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Contact Information
2020 De La Vina St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
805-687-1099
[email protected]
https://www.fielding.edu/our-programs/school-of-psychology/phd-clinical-psychology/
Fuller Theological Seminary
School of Psychology
With more than 4,300 students hailing from 67 international countries and 108 denominations, the Fuller Theological Seminary has been described as one of the most influential seminaries in the nation and the largest multi-denominational seminary on the globe. After it first opened its doors in 1965, the Fuller School of Psychology became the first seminary-based program in psychology to receive full accreditation from the APA. Today, the School is home to the 164th best graduate clinical psychology program and the 214th best graduate psychology program in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. In the Lee Edward Travis Institute, students and faculty members of the School of Psychology are consistently involved in research across the full spectrum of behavioral sciences.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Within the six-year Clinical Psychology PhD program, students are required to complete a minimum of 300 semester units with a seamless integration of clinical practice and innovative research experience. Students are awarded a Master of Arts in Psychology after finishing 88 units in major courses, and then a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership when the required 76 units of theology courses are completed. The program also involves more than 1,000 hours engaging in clinical training through a variety of field placements scattered across the diverse greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
Contact Information
135 North Oakland Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91182
626-584-5200
[email protected]
https://www.fuller.edu/phd-clinical-psychology/
Loma Linda University
School of Behavioral Health
Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist institution with more than 4,000 students completing studies in health and science majors. Previously called the School of Science and Technology, the School of Behavioral Health has undergone a recent transformation to specify its goal of delivering high-quality graduate level education for professionals in behavioral health practices. It now consists of three distinct departments that have matured for the past decades, including Social Work, Psychology, and Counseling and Family Services. The School is currently home to the 164th best graduate clinical psychology program in the nation, according to the U.S. News and World Report.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
The LLU Clinical Psychology PhD program strongly adheres to the guidelines and regulations that have been established by the APA. With the largest medical facility in the Inland Empire at Loma Linda University Medical Center, students enrolled in the program receive significant training in behavioral health across diverse populations. Students are encouraged to select one area of professional emphasis, such as neuroscience, health psychology, child and adolescent psychology, or social-cultural behavioral health. Before receiving the degree, students must complete a minimum of 204 semester units, typically within five years.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
Griggs Hall
11065 Campus St.
Loma Linda, CA 92350
909-558-8722
[email protected]
https://behavioralhealth.llu.edu/academics/psychology/clinical-psychology-phd
University of California – Berkeley
Department of Psychology
Overlooking the beautiful San Francisco Bay stands the 20th best college in the nation, the University of California at Berkeley. As one of the premier public universities in the world, the faculty of UC Berkeley is comprised of 22 Nobel Prize winners, 32 MacArthur fellows, and 4 Pulitzer Prize winners. Over the past ten years, the National Science Foundation has awarded more Graduate Research Fellowships to this university’s students than any other in the nation. The Department of Psychology aims to produce high-achieving scholar research students with a significant understanding of psychology and ability to conduct independent research for further knowledge in the field.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
The UC Berkeley Clinical Psychology PhD program is currently ranked as the 11th best graduate psychology program in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Students in the program are expected to complete the degree within five or six years, after successfully finishing the required full-time clinical internship and dissertation. At the beginning of day one, students are matched with a faculty advisor who will supervise the student’s research and provide assistance in scheduling their clinical training.
PhD in Social Psychology
Currently ranked as the 8th best Social Psychology PhD program in the entire nation, the program endeavors to prepare students for professional careers in research and teaching at the university level. Through the rigorous curriculum, students gain expertise in the six core areas of social psychology, which are self identity, social cognition, emotion/motivation, personality development, interpersonal relations, and organizational behavior.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
3210 Tolman Hall #1650
Berkeley, CA 94720
510-642-5292
[email protected]
https://psychology.berkeley.edu/research/clinical-science
University of California – Los Angeles
Department of Psychology
Commonly referred to as UCLA, the University of California at Los Angeles is situated in the Westwood neighborhood of downtown LA, just five short miles from the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Renowned for its legacy of academic excellence in Southern California and beyond, it is currently ranked as the 23rd best university and 2nd top public school in the nation. At the UCLA Psychology Clinic, students enrolled in the Department of Psychology gain valuable experience by providing low-fee therapy and assessment services to diverse populations. Students can also conduct individual or supervised research at the Fernald Child Study Center, which is intended to bolster the department’s commitment to childhood learning and behavior disorders.
Doctoral in Psychology Training Program
PhD in Clinical Psychology – The UCLA Clinical Psychology PhD program has been recognized as the best in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. The doctoral training program enables students to choose from a variety of distinct areas of concentration, including Behavioral Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Learning and Behavior, and Social Psychology. Although the program must be completed within seven years, it provides flexibility for individual variation spanning from four to seven years.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
1285 Franz Hall
Box 951563
Los Angeles, CA 90095
310-825-2961
[email protected]
https://www.psych.ucla.edu/grads
University of California – Riverside
Graduate School of Education
The University of California at Riverside is currently ranked as the 112th best college and 55th top public school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. It has also been named as the 5th best college in the United States for contributing to the public good by Washington Monthly magazine. Widely recognized among the most ethnically diverse research campuses in the country, the university has more than 21,000 students pursuing more than 65 different degree programs. Since opening in 1969, the UCR Graduate School of Education (GSOE) has prepared researchers, teachers, school psychologists, and administrators for success in education.
PhD in School Psychology
Leading to a state of California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential, the PhD in School Psychology is a five-year, full-time degree program that includes a one-year internship opportunity in a school or university setting. Using the innovative eco-behavioral theoretical model, the program is designed to help students develop skills for reform and implementation of the Response to Intervention (RTI) approach.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
1207 Sproul Hall
900 University Ave.
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-5225
[email protected]
http://education.ucr.edu/schoolpsych/schpsychmain.html
University of California – Santa Barbara
Gevirtz Graduate School of Education
One of only 61 institutions elected to be members of the prestigious Association of American Universities, the University of California at Santa Barbara is ranked as the 41st best college and 11th top public school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. In addition, the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education is ranked as the 40th best school of education in the nation. The school is committed to educating scholar researchers and practitioners for excellence and equality in education.
Combined PhD in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology
Designed to prepare well-rounded psychological service providers to provide direct service to their clients, the PhD in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology program blends the three different service areas and employment settings. In order to develop research-oriented and academic psychologists, the UC Santa Barbara department helps students develop knowledge unique to counseling, clinical practice, and school psychology. After completing the program, graduates will meet the California PPS School Psychology credentials and be able to sit for the examination to become licensed.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
552 University Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
805-893-3375
[email protected]
https://education.ucsb.edu/ccsp/combined-doctoral-program
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