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Pennsylvania Psychology Doctorate Programs

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If you are interested in a doctoral degree in psychology, you have plenty of options in Pennsylvania. The state has several programs that offer the Psy.D. degree, as well as a Ph.D. in psychology. You also will learn how to earn your license in Pennsylvania to practice in psychology.

What’s On This Page

  • Quick Facts
  • Pennsylvania PsyD Programs
  • Pennsylvania Psychologist Requirements
  • Pennsylvania Doctorate Salary Outlook

Quick Facts

  • Pennsylvania State boasts a 60% licensure rating for students who graduate from their clinical psychology program.
  • Bryn Mawr has an annual tuition of $47,640 including room and board.
  • Duquesne University reports that nearly 80% of all first-time students will end up graduating.
  • In-state annual tuition for Pennsylvania State is $17,514.
  • The graduation rate at Bryn Mawr is almost 82% for first-time, full-time students.

List of PsyD Programs In Pennsylvania

Below are programs in Pennsylvania where you can earn your Psy.D. This degree is a good option for students who want to work as clinicians in their psychology careers.

SEE ALSO: 5+ Online PsyD Programs

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana University of Pennsylvania offers a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology that stresses the professional application of psychology based on a foundation in the scientific knowledge base of psychology. This four-year, APA-accredited program follows a practitioner model of training psychologists. There is an emphasis on professional application of psychology to a variety of human conditions and problems. Students are extensively supervised so that they develop robust skills in interpersonal relations, psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and community outreach.

  • Institution type: Private
  • Main campus: Indiana
  • Annual tuition: $516 per quarter in-state, $774 out-of-state
  • Degrees offered: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
  • Accreditation: APA
  • Visit School: Click here

Widener University

Widener University offers an APA-accredited Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology that will provide you with the skills and knowledge to become a scholar-practitioner psychologist. Students delve into the science behind psychology, and will apply their new knowledge in intervention, assessment, consultation, and supervision. Each student will have a practicum placement, paid internships, and tough dissertation research. All aspects of the program will provide you with on-the-job-training so you can eventually excel as a clinical psychologist. Most students graduate within five years and work as licensed clinical psychologists.

  • Institution type: Private
  • Main campus: Chester
  • Annual tuition: $35,629
  • Degrees offered: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
  • Accreditation: APA
  • Visit School: Click here

West Chester University

West Chester University offers a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology that is accredited by the APA. It follows a practitioner-scholar model that prepares each student for leadership roles in psychology. Graduates of this four-year program will be ready to implement evidence-based practice to treat, assess, and prevent mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, especially among those at greatest risk. Students also will be critical consumers of research and will be equipped to develop and evaluate interventions for the purpose of quality improvement and clinical decision making.

  • Institution type: Public
  • Main campus: West Chester
  • Annual tuition: $12,340 in-state, $16,900 out-of-state
  • Degrees offered: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
  • Accreditation: APA
  • Visit School: Click here

La Salle University

La Salle University’s Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology works to educate and train students in the practice and science of clinical psychology so they can work effectively in many professional psychology jobs, such as clinical research, psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and clinical research. The five-year program is based on the practitioner-scholar model of professional psychological training and stresses a cognitive-behavioral theoretical orientation. Embedded in the APA-approved curriculum are evidence-based practice, psychological science, psychological theory, ethics and professional standards, and awareness of and sensitivity to diversity.

  • Institution type: Private
  • Main campus: Philadelphia
  • Annual tuition: $1,005 per credit hour
  • Degrees offered: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
  • Accreditation: APA
  • Visit School: Click here

Chestnut Hill College

Chestnut Hill College offers a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with optional concentrations in Couple, Family, and Child Therapy or Psychological Assessment. This doctoral program is accredited by the APA and prepares the doctoral student with skills in psychotherapy, psychological assessment, consultation, and supervision. Students learn clinical skills and also develop a broad base of academic knowledge that allows them to evaluate and contribute to the field of clinical psychology

  • Institution type: Private
  • Main campus: Philadelphia
  • Annual tuition: $1,025 per credit hour
  • Degrees offered: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
  • Accreditation: APA
  • Visit School: Click here

Immaculata University

Immaculata University offers a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology that instructs students intensively in psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and other critical areas relevant to clinical psychology practice. The program is four years in length, APA-accredited, and encourages the development of your research skills through intensive coursework, independent research projects overseen by faculty, and dissertation. After graduation, students are ready to make scholarly contributions to the psychology field and take leadership roles in the field of mental health.

  • Institution type: Private
  • Main campus: Immaculata
  • Annual tuition: $990 per credit hour
  • Degrees offered: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
  • Accreditation: APA
  • Visit School: Click here

Chatham University

Chatham University offers a Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology that is distinguished by the practice of psychological counseling grounded in psychological science; focus on the client’s assets and strengths; and a strong commitment to inclusion, social justice, and diversity. The program requires 106 credits to graduate and is accredited by the APA.

  • Institution type: Private
  • Main campus: Pittsburgh
  • Annual tuition: $1,017 per credit hour
  • Degrees offered: Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology
  • Accreditation: APA
  • Visit School: Click here

How To Become A Practicing Psychologist In Pennsylvania

Becoming a board-certified psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania requires a rigorous amount of work both inside and outside of the classroom. To become a practicing psychologist in Pennsylvania, you will have to complete your education at an approved university. You will require both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in the field of psychology. In order to attain both of those degrees, you’ll need to acquire nearly 200 total credit hours spanning up to six years.

After you’ve completed your Master’s degree the next logical step toward your license will be obtaining your Doctorate Degree. There are different doctorates available to you and you can reference them by reading the American Psychological Association (APA) standards for Pennsylvania. No matter what doctoral program you choose to pursue, you must also complete at least 1,500 hours of supervised experience with an APA approved internship. Once you’ve accomplished this task, you are ready to pursue your license officially.

  1. First, you will need to approach the Pennsylvania Board of Psychology in order to submit your first application. This application will cost you a non-refundable fee of $105. Along with your application, you will need to provide your transcripts and official degree status. You’ll also need to supply a National Practitioner Data Bank Self Query Report as well as a Letter of Good Standing.
  2. Once your documents are in order, you will also submit a criminal background check that is dated within the prior 90 days. You can acquire this documentation from your local state police department. You will also have to submit a child abuse clearance form provided by the Department of Public Welfare. In rare instances, the Board will demand further documentation.
  3. Along with your documentation, you will also have to provide proof of one year or 1,750 supervised hours of work experience from an approved internship. Half of those hours must be spent in supervised, face-to-face contact with clients.
  4. Once all of your internships and documents are filed, you’ll have to pass a pair of licensing exams. These exams are incredibly difficult and many aspiring psychologists will spend up to six months preparing for them. You will need to pass the following tests:
    1. Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology
    2. Pennsylvania Psychology-Law Examination
  5. With your tests completed, you can submit your final application to the Pennsylvania Board of Psychology.  If you meet or exceed all requirements, you will be granted your license.

Despite the rigorous process required to attain your license, psychologists in Pennsylvania are in a great position now and in the future. There are more than 7,500 practicing and certified psychologists in Pennsylvania and more are being added every single day.

Pennsylvania Clinical Psychologist Salary and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in the United States for clinical psychologists is expected to improve by 14.2% over the next decade.

SEE ALSO: Pennsylvania Psychologist Salary Outlook

While Pennsylvania has an active market for licensed and certified psychologists, the annual wage of the median professional sits at an average of $79,280 per year. Pennsylvania is one of the most prosperous locations in the country to pursue a career as a highly paid clinical psychologist.