Best Clinical Psychology Grad Programs in California
Finding the right online or on-campus clinical psychology degree program at the graduate level in California can feel overwhelming. But, we’re here to help. This STEPS guide provides a comprehensive overview of graduate-level clinical psychology certificate and degree programs offered by public and private schools throughout California.
You’ll gain insight into how these programs work, the importance of proper accreditation, sources for funding your education, and more. This guide can help get you started on a journey toward obtaining a high-quality clinical psychology certificate or degree in California. You might find a fulfilling top-tier career in the mental and behavioral health profession.
CA’s Clinical Psych Master’s Degree Programs
Earning a master’s degree in clinical psychology from a regionally accredited college or university and completing required clinical training hours qualifies graduates to take certain state exams. Passing these exams allows graduates to become Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs). Along with private practice, graduates with a clinical psychology master’s degree are prepared to work as therapists and counselors in a wide range of settings, including schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, substance abuse programs, and more.
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University’s online Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology degree program prepares students for licensure and careers as LPCCs and LMFTs. The curriculum includes online academic coursework and four terms of clinical practicums. Students receive supervised clinical training at an approved site in or near their local community.
Admission requires a previously earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, two letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. GRE scores are not required. U.S. residence is required throughout the duration of the program.
Duration: 27 months
Mode: Hybrid (online coursework with in-person clinical practicums)
Cost: $1,945 per unit (tuition only)
Sample Curriculum:
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Health Disorders
- Assessment of Individuals, Couples, and Families
- Interpersonal Skills and Group Therapy
- Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
- Psychopathology
- Multicultural Counseling
- Ethics and Law for Mental Health Professionals
- Individual and Family Treatment of Substance Abuse
- Research and Evaluation Methods for Mental Health Professionals
- Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals
- Human Sexuality and Intimacy
- Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy
- Couple and Family Therapy I and II
- Mental Health Systems, Practice, and Advocacy
- Individual, Couple, and Family Development: A Lifecycle Approach
- Behavioral Principles and Theories of Learning
- Preparation for Practicum
- Clinical Practicum (four sessions)
- Clinical Interventions with Children and Adolescents
- Trauma in Diverse Populations
- Career Development Theory and Techniques
Clinical Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Degrees in CA
A Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree program provides a practice-oriented alternative to the more research-focused PhD in psychology. So, PsyD curricula are built around coursework in evidence-based applied psychology and clinical training that is designed to prepare graduates for direct practice with patients.
PsyD degree programs culminate with a dissertation or a doctoral project. Most clinical psychology PsyD students complete a program in four to five years.
Meridian University
Meridian University offers a PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program. Its curriculum is designed to meet educational requirements for California psychologist, LMFT, and LPCC licenses, plus similar licensure across multiple states. Admission is open to students with either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree.
Students who enter the program with a bachelor’s degree must complete 133 course credits, and those who enter with a master’s degree must complete 117 course credits. Both fully online and hybrid formats are available; students can attend in-person courses at the school’s Los Angeles campus. Regardless of the chosen format, students must also complete 750 hours of in-person fieldwork.
Duration: 33 to 48 months Eight years maximum.
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $676 per credit
Curriculum:
- Research Methods and Program Evaluation
- Writing Literature Reviews
- Research Design
- Psychopathology
- Human Development
- Group Process
- Culture and the Law
- Career Development
- Ecstatic States and Culture
- Psychotherapy Integration with Couples
- History of Psychology
- Neuroscience of Human Experience
- Clinical Case Study Development
- Psychotherapy Integration with Families
- Principles of Psychopharmacology
- Human Sexuality in Relational and Cultural Contexts
- Psychological Assessment: Principles and Practices
- Psychological Assessment: Cognitive Testing
PhD in Clinical Psychology: California Programs
Clinical Psychology Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree programs offer research-focused curricula that integrate scientific and psychological theory, experimentation and data analysis, coursework in applied psychology, and clinical training practice. A PhD degree in clinical psychology is the ideal choice for graduates who seek top-level careers in research and academia. However, PhD graduates can also establish successful careers as clinical practitioners. These programs generally take five to seven years to complete.
California Institute for Human Science
The California Institute for Human Science (CIHS) offers a PhD in Psychology – Clinical Psychology degree program. It emphasizes mind/body spirituality and trains professionals to provide mental health services in a variety of communities.
The curriculum for this four-year, full-time program consists of 114 units of clinical psychology, core, concentration, and dissertation coursework. All didactic coursework can be completed either fully online (including synchronous components) or in-person at CIHS’s Encinitas campus.
Students must also complete a 500-hour practicum and a 1,500-hour internship. Graduates are eligible for licensure as a psychologist in California and potentially in other states.
Duration: Four years
Mode: Hybrid or in-person (online coursework with in-person practicum and internship)
Cost: $470 per unit (tuition only)
Curriculum:
Core Curriculum:
- Academic Writing Within the Human Sciences
- Foundations in Integral Studies
- Consciousness Studies
- Counseling and Communications Skills
- Spiritual Education
- Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
- Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
Concentration Electives:
- Human Sexuality: Clinical Considerations
- Ethics and Law in Psychology
- Family Violence, Partner Abuse, and Child Abuse: Assess and Intervention
- Aging, Long-term Care, Grief, and Suicide Risk Assessment
- Psychopharmacology
- Substance Abuse: Assessment, Intervention, and Treatment
- Diagnosis in Clinical Psychology
- Multiculturalism and Diversity in Counseling
- Objective Personality Testing and Assessment
- Intellectual Testing and Assessment
- Projective Testing and Integrative Assessment
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
- Existential Humanistic Psychotherapy
- Evidence-Based Psychotherapy
- Dynamic Group Therapy: Theory and Practice
- Family Therapy: Assessment and Intervention
Dissertation Sequence:
- Dissertation Topic Research
- Dissertation Methodology Review
- Dissertation I and II
CA’s Clinical Psych Graduate Certificates
Currently, only a few clinical psychology graduate-level certificate programs are available online in California. The most common type is a doctoral respecialization certificate; it’s designed to provide an efficient means for obtaining necessary education and clinical training. So, graduates meet the requirements for state licensure and can become licensed psychologists.
Others certificate programs are designed to provide a foundation in clinical psychology. These programs are intended for students who want to continue on to a full clinical psychology doctoral degree program.
Fielding Graduate Institute
The Fielding Graduate Institute, located in Santa Barbara, offers a Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Psychology program. It prepares graduates for successful admission into and progression through a doctoral degree program in clinical psychology and is designed for working professionals.
All coursework is delivered fully online, which allows students to remain in their local communities throughout their studies. Admissions requirements include a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must submit a current resume or CV and a statement of purpose. GRE scores are not required.
Duration: One year
Mode: Online
Cost: $740 per credit (tuition only)
Curriculum:
- Introduction to Clinical Psychology
- Critical Thinking in Clinical Psychology
- Scholarly Writing in Clinical Psychology
- Clinical Psychology Research Lab (two semesters)
- Research Methods I
- Psychopathology
- Statistical Methods
FAQs from California’s Clinical Psych Grad Students
How are clinical psychology graduate degree programs in California accredited?
Students should look for two types of accreditation when searching for a clinical psychology degree program: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation refers to the vetting of a school’s academic quality as a whole. Institutional accreditation of California colleges and universities is administered primarily by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Programmatic accreditation refers to the vetting of specific degree programs. The American Psychological Association (APA) is the primary accreditor of clinical psychology master’s and doctoral degree programs in the U.S.
A small but growing number of clinical psychology PhD degree programs are also accredited by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). However, not all clinical psychology graduate degree programs are programmatically accredited. Regardless, students should confirm that any program they consider meets the requirements for licensure in the state in which they intend to practice.
Is financial aid available for online graduate degree programs in clinical psychology in California?
Paying for any clinical psychology certificate or degree program can be a major issue for many students. Fortunately, most clinical psychology graduate students in California have access to several potential financial aid resources. The most common forms are scholarships and grants, assistantships and fellowships, and student loans.
Additionally, clinical psychology degree programs and the psychology departments that offer them often provide dedicated funding opportunities that are designed exclusively for their students.
Where can I find an internship or practicum for an online clinical psychology degree program in California?
The best place to start a search for a great internship or practicum site is with the degree or certificate program itself. Most online clinical psychology graduate degree programs have well-established relationships with approved practice sites in local areas and, often, throughout the state. Major resources include:
- Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC)
- California Department of State Hospitals (DSH), including the Napa, Patton, and Metropolitan Los Angeles areas
- Kaiser Permanente of Southern California and Northern California
- Pacific Clinics
What are the requirements for initial psychologist licensure in California?
General requirements for an initial California psychologist license are:
- A psychology doctoral degree (PsyD or PhD) in any of several named psychology or education fields (including clinical psychology) earned from a properly-accredited college or university
- Completion of a total of 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience (1,500 hours must be post-doctoral)
- Completion of six stated types of pre-licensure coursework
- Applicants must pass both the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and the California Psychology Laws and Ethics Examination.
- Submission of fingerprints (for a criminal background check)
Details on these requirements, along with information on the application process, can be found on the California Board of Psychology website.
Will earning a clinical psychology graduate certificate or degree from a California college or university provide the academic requirements that are needed for professional licensure in other states?
That depends on the specific program and state. So, students should have a clear and detailed understanding of all licensure requirements for psychologists in the state in which they intend to practice before they enroll in an online clinical psychology degree program in California.
California Clinical Psychology Resources
As you begin to pursue an online graduate certificate or degree in clinical psychology in California, it’s important to know that lots of support is available online and elsewhere, including the following resources. These resources can be valuable after you complete your education, as well.
- California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors(CALPCC): This professional organization is for California-based LPCCs and students. Student memberships are available and include benefits like the Pathways to Licensure Program, which provides information on finding a private practice plus information on exams, supervision, accrual of hours, and licensure application support.
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists(CAMFT): This organization consists of nearly 40,000 members and 26 local chapters. It is dedicated to representing the interests of licensed marriage and family therapists and pre-license members throughout the state. Graduate student memberships are available.
- California Board of Psychology: This agency oversees the licensing and practice of psychology professionals in the state, including licensed psychologists, registered psychological associates, psychological testing technicians, and research and student research psychoanalysts.
- California Psychological Association(CPA): The CPA is the self-proclaimed “voice of psychology in California.” It’s the pre-eminent professional association of licensed psychologists and others who provide the delivery of psychological services in the state. Memberships are available to students who are enrolled in doctoral psychology degree programs or engaged in post-doctoral training programs.
- Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology: This honor society has chapters on over 60 college campuses in California. It recognizes excellence in scholarship in the psychology field. Graduate student memberships are available; benefits include financial support, networking opportunities, research and publication opportunities, and more.
Best Online/Hybrid Clinical Psych Graduate Degrees in California
We surveyed online graduate clinical psychology certificate and degree programs available in California today and ranked the best programs, which are listed below. We considered several important program elements, including institutional reputation, academic quality, affordability, study convenience and flexibility, access to instructors and staff, availability of useful student academic and career support resources, and more.
Click on the “About the Ranking” button to learn more about our methodology.
College Ranking Methodology
Generate List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
Assign Weightings
After generating the list of eligible schools, the STEPS data team then assigned weights and ranked schools based on their performance in a variety of key categories. Affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Learning
- Number of online programs in subject area self-reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Percentage of graduate students at the school taking at least one class online
Affordability
- Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on in-state tuition for undergraduates per academic year.
Academic Quality
- Student-to-faculty ratio: Schools with lower ratios ranked higher.
- Percentage of students admitted. More selective schools ranked higher.
About Our Data
All STEPS rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: August 2023
Accreditation Glossary
ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
ABHES: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
ACCJC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
ACCSC: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
DEAC: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
HLC: Higher Learning Commission
MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education
NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SACSCOC: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission
WSCUC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
1
Santa Barbara, California
Fielding Graduate University offers a fully online PhD program in Clinical Psychology, so students can remain connected to their communities. In addition to the core course requirements, you will be completing over 600 residency hours under the supervision of the Fieldling faculty. Conveniently, you will be working in a facility local to you. You will also complete a doctoral dissertation and have the option to further specialize in forensic psychology, neuropsychology, social justice and diversity, or health psychology. However, keep in mind that students who choose to specialize will have additional original research requirements. Prospective students should have at least an undergraduate GPA of 3.0, and applications must be accompanied by three recommendation letters.
Program Highlights:
PhD in Clinical Psychology
- Credits: 179
- Length: 5-6 Years
- Cost: $9,890/term
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: American Psychological Association (APA)
2
Pasadena, California
At Saybrook University, the fully online (with a residential experience at their California campus) PhD program in Clinical Psychology can be completed in as few as five years of full-time study. Once you are enrolled, you will be studying foundational graduate-level psychology in preparation for a career in clinical settings. Students may declare a specialization in the offered concentrations like Jungian Studies, Creativity Studies, and Complex Trauma the Healing Process. There are additional courses required for those entering the program without a prior master's degree, and students in the process of writing their dissertations will pay a different tuition rate than those enrolled in the coursework portion of their degree.
Program Highlights:
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
- Credits: 100-109
- Length: 5 Years
- Cost: Varies
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
3
Petaluma, California
Meridian University offers a doctorate in psychology through their graduate clinical psychology program. You can complete the 108-credit program in 3-4 year, either in person or through online learning. However, the online degree may still require some travel to their California campus. This program is designed to prepare you for a patient-focused career in psychology, whether as a licensed psychologist working with patients one-on-one, a marriage and family therapist, or any other form of practice. This program meets the education credentials required of all psychology and counseling licensure programs by The State of California's psychology and counseling licensure programs have an education requirement which this program fulfills, although it does not include the clinical hours which may be needed for licensure. Prospective students have the opportunity to apply every quarter, and financial aid may be available.
Program Highlights:
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
- Credits: 108
- Length: 3-4 Years
- Cost: $676/credit
- Mode: Online, Hybrid
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
4
Los Angeles, California
5
Malibu, California
