Exploring the Best PsyD Programs in Texas: Traditional & Online
Are you ready to transform lives as a clinical psychologist in Texas? Whether you’re a psychology graduate seeking the next step or a professional dreaming of deeper clinical practice, doctorate in psychology (PsyD) programs in Texas offer a direct path to becoming a licensed psychologist.
With Texas and the nation facing a growing mental health crisis, your skills are desperately needed. STEPS will walk you through online and hybrid PsyD programs, admission requirements, and career prospects—including salary averages for Texas psychologists. Discover how you can join this rewarding field while benefiting from Texas’s robust healthcare job market and diverse training opportunities.
Spotlight on Texas’ PsyD Programs
The American Psychological Association (APA) is the primary accreditation body for PsyD degree programs in the United States. APA-accredited PsyD programs in Texas are highly respected, indicating that the programs have met important association-established standards for academic quality. That said, only three programs in Texas are APA-accredited.
While all these programs provide the necessary skills to work as a licensed psychologist, they’re all in-person programs. No APA-accredited online PsyD degrees exist in Texas. That may be due to the state’s licensure requirements, which include supervised clinical hours as part of the degree. To demonstrate the hands-on nature of PsyD programs in Texas, we spotlighted one of those in-person programs below.
Baylor University
Students in Baylor University’s PsyD in clinical psychology develop the clinical competencies necessary to deliver effective psychological services that are responsive to both individual patients and society at large. The program employs a practitioner-scientist training model combining coursework with extensive supervised clinical experience (1,000 to 1,200 clinical practicum hours) plus additional clinical research in both academic and professional psychology. The program culminates in the writing and defense of a dissertation. The course of study is presented in a “lock-step” cohort model in which all students start their degree at the same place regardless of their previously earned degrees and experience.
Students in this clinical psychology program receive exceptional financial support, with full tuition coverage for up to 5 years (excluding student fees of $3,000-$4,000 annually) and guaranteed funding throughout their four campus years. Additionally, students earn between $16,000-$25,000 yearly through practicum work payments, distributed monthly.
Duration: Five years
Mode: In-person
Cost: $3,000-4,000/ year for student fees
Curriculum:
- Clinical and Research Practicum I, II, & III
- Ethics and Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology
- Psychological Assessment I, II, & III
- Psychotherapy I, II, & III
- Research Methods I, II, & III
- Clinical Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Group and Systems Approaches to Psychotherapy
- Psychotherapy Assessment of Children
- Clinical Intervention with Children
- Neuropharmacology
- Memory and Cognition
- Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Clinical Health Psychology
- Multicultural Issues
- Administration and Supervision
- Social-Organizational Psychology
- Individualized Professional Development and Research
- Clinical Internship
- Dissertation
FAQs from Texas PsyD Students
Do I need a master’s degree to get into a PsyD program in Texas?
It depends on the specific program. For example, the counseling psychology PsyD program from Our Lady of the Lake University requires applicants to have previously earned a master’s degree for admission. Most Texas PsyD programs, however, require a bachelor’s or graduate-level degree in psychology or a closely related field for admission. Many individuals, however, opt to obtain a masters, particularly if they’re looking for specialization. Check out Steps guides to masters degree programs in clinical psychology, forensic psychology, school psychology, and more.
Do PsyD programs in Texas require the GRE?
Again, it depends on the program. The three APA-accredited PsyD programs in Texas all require GRE test scores. Minimum acceptable scores vary by program. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Dallas-based PsyD in Clinical Psychology program does not require GRE test scores to be considered for admission.
How long do PsyD programs in Texas take to finish?
All of the currently available PsyD clinical psychology programs in Texas are full-time and designed to be completed with a minimum of five years of study, academic coursework and practicum/internship hours included. Most programs, though, allow students additional time (an extra one to two years, typically) to complete their degree requirements. Conversely, in some cases (such as the University of Houston Clear Lake’s Health Service Psychology PsyD program), students may be able to complete their degrees in less time if they have completed foundational coursework as part of their previous master’s or specialist degree programs.
Can I get my PsyD online in Texas?
Distance learning offers tremendous convenience and flexibility to students in practically any degree program, including PsyD programs. At the moment, however, Texas students seeking an online PsyD may have to look out-of-state. Online PsyD programs like the ones at Meridian University and the University of Arizona Global Campus, often qualify students to apply for state licensure in Texas. In fact, it’s critical to verify that an online program will qualify you for Texas licensure before enrolling. To explore additional options, check out Steps guide to online doctorate in psychology degree programs.
How do I become a licensed psychologist in Texas?
Earning your PsyD degree is a major step in becoming a professional psychologist, but to practice as a professional psychologist in Texas you’ll need to get a state license through the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (TBHEC). After getting your degree, you must pass two exams: the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), a standardized knowledge-based exam, and the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists’ Jurisprudence Examination. You must also complete 3,500 hours of supervised practice and submit an official licensure application with the state.
Salary & Career Comparison: Clinical Psychologists in Texas
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $48,820 | $168,870 | $96,100 |
| Texas | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $32,490 | $135,010 | $75,140 |
| Amarillo, TX | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $39,590 | $141,330 | $65,610 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $37,320 | $145,360 | $79,090 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $39,900 | $129,180 | $79,130 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $40,610 | $123,160 | $66,220 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $31,140 | $133,130 | $75,140 |
| El Paso, TX | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $36,040 | $141,750 | $71,910 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $32,490 | $135,190 | $58,020 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $53,780 | $155,460 | $85,540 |
| Lubbock, TX | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $37,370 | $122,620 | $53,940 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $36,120 | $169,670 | $108,590 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $59,360 | $133,860 | $87,080 |
| Tyler, TX | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $31,820 | $160,760 | $67,600 |
| Waco, TX | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | $37,280 | $136,090 | $76,820 |
Source: Clinical & Counseling Psychologists, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Occupation | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | 67,500 | 75,200 | 7,700 | 11.40% |
| Texas | Clinical & Counseling Psychologists | 3,470 | 4,150 | 680 | 19.60% |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Texas Resources for PsyD Students & Professionals
Getting a PsyD can be overwhelming and isolating at times, but that doesn’t mean you’re alone. There are plenty of state-specific resources and scholarships that can address any stress you feel about finances, academics, your professional future, and more.
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (TBHEC): This government organization is responsible for licensing psychologists in Texas and overseeing regulations and standards for delivering psychological care. They also offer professional development resources for psychologists in the state.
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Paying for College: Each year, the government provides state-funded scholarships and loans for students at all levels, including PsyD students. This page outlines how to access state-funded financial aid.
Texas Jurisprudence Exam: To become a licensed psychologist in Texas, you must take the state’s jurisprudence exam. This information sheet details how to register for the exam and study strategies to help you pass with flying colors.
Texas Licensure Requirements: After getting a PsyD degree, most students apply to become licensed psychologists in Texas. This guide details different license types and requirements for each.
Texas Psychological Association: Members of this association can access networking events, professional development resources, and webinars on changes or emerging themes within the field. There’s even a discounted doctoral membership for PsyD students.
