Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Courses, Requirements, and Careers
Want to become a licensed clinical psychologist? Learn about the cost, admission requirements, and career options with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
At Psychology.org we believe in providing trustworthy and actionable information about degree programs, careers, professional issues, and regional laws concerning the psychology, counseling, and social work professions. Our writers and editors leverage the latest data from primary sources across the site.
We also rely on our freelance Integrity Network, which is comprised of experienced professionals who pull from their first-hand industry experience and expertise to review content for accuracy and completeness. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.
Key Takeaways
- A Ph.D. in clinical psychology meets the requirements to become licensed as a psychologist
- You can also work in research or academic roles with a Ph.D.
- Clinical psychology Ph.D. programs typically take 5-7 years
What Is a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology?
Clinical psychologists assess and diagnose behavioral, mental, and emotional disorders. They develop evidence-based treatment plans, conduct research into psychological conditions, and can specialize in a subspeciality, such as child psychology.
You’ll need a Ph.D. in clinical psychology to earn your psychologist license and work as a clinical psychologist. During a clinical psychology Ph.D. program, you’ll complete coursework and meet clinical and research requirements. Most programs include clinical internships to gain supervised experience. Depending on the program and your prior education, you can expect to spend 5-7 years earning your Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
A Ph.D. can also lead to opportunities in research and academia. For example, psychology professors typically need a doctorate, and the research-focused Ph.D. typically offers stronger preparation for academic roles than the practice-focused doctor of psychology (Psy.D.).
What Can You Do With a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology?
A Ph.D. in clinical psychology can prepare you for clinical and non-clinical careers, including roles in academia and research. With this degree, you’ll meet the licensing requirements for careers as a clinical or counseling psychologist. You can also pursue tenure-track academic roles such as a psychology professor.
Professionals with a doctorate in psychology work with diverse populations, including children. They also specialize in particular psychological conditions or settings, such as schools or workplaces. Your doctorate can also lead to roles in psychology that do not require a clinical license, including as an industrial-organizational psychologist or researcher.
Your earning potential depends on factors such as your job title, experience, work setting, and location. For example, New Jersey, California, and Oregon report above-average salaries for clinical and counseling psychologists, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Urban areas also report higher salaries than rural areas.
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat mental health disorders. They conduct assessments to develop treatment plans and work with individuals or groups.
Median Annual Salary: $96,100 (BLS, May 2023)
Psychology Professor
Psychology professors teach classes in child psychology, human development, and other areas. They also conduct research in their specialty area.
Median Annual Salary: $82,140 (BLS, May 2023)
Counseling Psychologist
Counseling psychologists use psychotherapy to treat mental and emotional disorders. They conduct assessments, diagnose conditions, and design behavior modification plans.
Median Annual Salary: $96,100 (BLS, May 2023)
Child Psychologist
Child psychologists work with children to treat and manage mental health conditions. In addition to psychotherapy, they may also specialize in research.
Median Annual Salary: $117,750 (BLS, May 2023)
School Psychologist
School psychologists develop programs to support students and schools, specifically around issues that impact learning and education. They work closely with students, families, and educators to address psychological issues.
Median Annual Salary: $78,780 (BLS, May 2023)
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Industrial-organizational psychologists use psychology to improve workforces. They help businesses with employee selection, development programs, and productivity.
Median Annual Salary: $147,420 (BLS, May 2023)
How Much Does a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Cost?
Earning your Ph.D. in clinical psychology requires a significant investment. Most programs require 5-7 years, and you’ll pay graduate tuition rates, which are typically higher than undergraduate tuition.
You can expect to spend around $12,600 per year in tuition at public universities or around $28,000 per year at private universities, according to 2021-22 data from the National Center for Education Statistics. In addition, you’ll need to budget for textbooks, living expenses, and other costs. You can use financial aid, including scholarships, grants, assistantships, and loans, to pay for your doctorate.
Admission Requirements for a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology doctoral programs admit candidates who have the academic, research, or clinical preparation to earn a Ph.D. While each program sets its own admission requirements, many expect prior experience in a psychology-related area.
As part of your graduate application, you’ll submit materials that demonstrate your preparation. Common admission materials include:
- A bachelor’s in psychology or a related field
- GRE scores
- Letters of recommendation
- A research statement and writing samples
- A resume outlining relevant experience f
Clinical psychology programs do admit non-psychology majors. However, they often require or recommend prerequisite coursework in psychology and the social sciences. Some programs may also recommend earning a master’s in psychology to prepare for doctoral study.
Programs may prefer candidates with clinical experience. This can include an undergraduate psychology internship, volunteer experience, or paid work in a mental health setting.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology?
Earning a Ph.D. is a terminal degree in psychology that requires several years. Most Ph.D. programs take 5-7 years for full-time students. During that time, doctoral students complete coursework and pass a clinical qualifying exam. Degree-seekers also complete research and clinical requirements, including a full-time internship.
Entering doctoral students with a master’s degree may complete their doctoral requirements in less time. However, this depends on the program’s course requirements. Students who choose a part-time schedule require additional time.
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Accreditation
Psychology doctoral students should always choose an accredited university to earn their Ph.D. Accredited institutions meet high standards for academic quality. They complete rigorous reviews of their faculty qualifications, graduation requirements, and student learning outcomes to maintain their accreditation status.
In addition, choosing a clinical psychology program with programmatic accreditation can simplify the licensure process. The American Psychology Association (APA) accredits doctoral programs in psychology. Some states require APA accreditation or its equivalent to become a licensed psychologist. The Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System also accredits programs that emphasize clinical science approaches.
APA currently does not accredit fully online doctoral programs. However, depending on your state, these programs may still meet licensure requirements. It’s important to check with your state board to determine specific requirements.
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Curriculum
Common Coursework
- Psychological Assessment: Explore assessment theory and develop behavioral and cognitive assessment techniques. Course topics include assessment problem-solving, psychological tests, and clinical interpretation of procedures. After completing pre-clinical requirements, doctoral students apply their assessment skills in hands-on clinical experiences.
- Behavior Disorders: Learn about major behavior disorders, including their clinical manifestations, the biological basis for behavior disorders, and practical applications of psychophysiology. The course introduces current research on diagnosing and treating behavior disorders, including those that affect specific demographics.
- Child Clinical Psychology: Develop practical skills in child psychotherapy by exploring child development, social and emotional processes, and developmental psychopathology. This course covers cognitive restructuring and behavioral skills training, preparing graduate students for careers in child psychology or school psychology.
- Social Psychology: Examine the relationship between behavior and social environments, including social psychology theories and clinical applications of social psychology. Doctoral students examine social determinants, individual perception, and social dynamics, emphasizing their application to clinical treatment.
- Psychopharmacology: Doctoral students study psychotropic medications and their use in treating emotional or behavioral issues. Coursework examines clinical applications of medications, collaborative approaches with healthcare providers, and scientific evidence on the effects and limitations of these medications.
Specializations
- Counseling Psychology: Develop psychotherapy skills, with an emphasis on using psychological methods to provide counseling to clients.
- Child Psychology: Learn how to work with children in clinical and non-clinical settings, including providing psychotherapy services or developing psychology-based programs.
- Health Psychology: Examine links between mental and physical health, including psychological approaches to improve health and wellness.
- Geriatric Psychology: Specialize in working with older clients, including treating clients managing common mental health conditions in older adults.
- Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Apply clinical techniques in workplace settings, using psychology to improve the workplace.
Clinical Components or Internships
Clinical psychology Ph.D. students complete extensive clinical components as part of their degree. Programs may include psychotherapy practicums to develop hands-on skills working with clients, clinical internships in diverse mental health settings, or research activities.
These clinical requirements incorporate supervised training to meet the requirements for a license in clinical psychology. Doctoral students pursuing academic or research careers typically customize their clinical training based on their career interests and goals.
Is a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Worth It?
A Ph.D. in clinical psychology can be worth the investment if you want to become a licensed clinical psychologist. However, you have options. You can also consider a Psy.D. in clinical psychology, which emphasizes clinical applications more heavily than the research-focused Ph.D. option.
Ultimately, deciding whether to earn your Ph.D. in clinical psychology is personal. It depends on your professional goals and how much you want to invest in your education. Earning a clinical psychology Ph.D. requires about five years or more to complete, so you’ll need to consider the time you’ll spend out of the workforce along with the total cost of your degree.
As you research Ph.D. programs in psychology, consider whether another focus, such as counseling psychology or a Psy.D., is a better fit for your career goals. Look for programs with strong placement records and licensure success to increase the return on your investment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Doctoral Programs in Clinical Psychology
A Ph.D. in clinical psychology prepares you for licensure as a clinical psychologist. Clinical and counseling psychologists report a median annual pay of $96,100.
