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PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Doctor of Psychology
Reach the pinnacle of your career while helping others develop their potential. The online PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Capella deepens your understanding of human behavior and helps you prepare for state licensure eligibility.
The program includes coursework, face-to-face residencies, clinical practicum, internships, and research to help you put theory into practice. A support team of licensure experts, advisors, and teaching assistants will help you stay on track for graduation.*
*It is important to understand all education and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. Not all programs are offered to residents of every state due to regulatory requirements. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.
At a glance
- Online and in-person
- 14 Core courses
- 30 Max transfer credits
- 2 Elective courses
- 6 Residency courses
- 3 Practicum courses
- 4 Internship courses
- 1 Dissertation Preparation course
- Clinical dissertation
Explore clinical psychology courses
- This program requires a total of 145 quarter credits
- You'll need to complete 14 core courses, 2 elective courses, 6 residency courses, 3 practicum courses, 4 internship courses, one dissertation preparation course and one clinical dissertation
Show all descriptions
PSY-R8203
Psychological Assessment 1: Cognitive, Achievement, and Adaptive Behavior
5 quarter credits
In this residency, learners practice assessment administration for cognitive, achievement, and adaptive behavior through coursework and a face-to-face residency. During the face-to-face residency, learners assess client behavior through the administration, scoring, and interpretation of standardized tests, including current versions of intelligence, achievement, adaptive behavior, and executive functioning assessments. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite(s): PSY-R8200, PSY7610, concurrent registration in PSY-R8206
5 quarter credits
PSY-R8206
Psychological Assessment 2: Personality and Mental Health
5 quarter credits
PSY-R8206 Psychological Assessment 2: Personality and Mental Health In this residency, learners develop diagnostic interviewing skills as well as personality and mental health assessment skills through coursework and a face-to-face residency. During the face-to-face residency, learners apply diagnostic interviewing strategy in personality and clinical assessment to assess client behavior through the administration, scoring, and interpretation of standardized tests, including current versions of personality assessments. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite(s): PSY-R8200, PSY7610, concurrent registration in PSY-R8203
5 quarter credits
PSY8371
Strategies of Clinical Supervision and Consultation
5 quarter credits
This course provides an overview of the theories, functions, and methods of clinical supervision, consultation, and advocacy. In particular, learners examine various styles of supervision, consultation, and advocacy; supervisory, consultative, and advocacy relationships; contractual issues; and ethical and legal issues associated with providing these services. Learners also review supervision, consultation, and advocacy research; apply their findings to relevant service delivery topics; and develop their own theories and approaches to clinical supervision. For PsyD in Clinical Psychology and PsyD in School Psychology learners only.
5 quarter credits
What you'll learn
Our PsyD in Clinical Psychology equips you with comprehensive clinical skills based on the theoretical and scientific foundations of psychology, from assessment to intervention. It is designed to help you pursue licensure, subject to the requirements in your state.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate the attitudes, behaviors, and foundational knowledge required for the practice of psychology
- Act consistently with the ethics and laws pertaining to clinical practice
- Integrate science and theory into the practice of psychology
- Understand, respect and respond to issues of human differences in the practice of psychology
- Provide effective and appropriate psychological intervention to clients
- Accurately select, administer, score, and interpret psychological tests
- Employ research as a means to advance the science and practice of psychology
How much does the Doctor of Psychology cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.
GuidedPath
A more structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–2 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$555 per credit, 131 coursework credits, 30 max transfer credits
Tuition breakdown
Program Phases
Coursework
$555 Per quarter credit
131 coursework credits
Coursework
What is coursework?$555
Practicum and Internship
—
Included in coursework costs; additional expenses such as site-required expenses not included. Minimum of 1,000 supervised practicum hours; minimum of 2,000 supervised internship hours
Practicum and Internship
What is practicum?—
Included in coursework costs; additional expenses such as site-required expenses not included. Minimum of 1,000 supervised practicum hours; minimum of 2,000 supervised internship hours
Residency
—
Included in coursework costs, 6 required. 4 one-week sessions and 2 two-week sessions. Travel, lodging, meals and other expenses not included.
Residency
—
Included in coursework costs, 6 required. 4 one-week sessions and 2 two-week sessions. Travel, lodging, meals and other expenses not included.
Dissertation Preparation
$2,780 Per quarter
Dissertation Preparation
$2,780
Per quarter
Clinical Dissertation
$2,780 Per quarter
Clinical Dissertation
$2,780
Per quarter
Other Costs
Resource kit
$175
Per quarter, coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Resource kit
$175
Per quarter, coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Application fee
$0 no application fee
Application fee
$0
no application fee
Tuition and program length are unique to you
Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:
- The program specialization you choose
- Scholarships and finances
- Prior coursework
- Transfer credits
- Employer and/or military benefits
- Amount of time spent working on practicum
- Number of quarters spent working on dissertation
- Complexity of your dissertation
- Academic performance
- School/work/life balance
- Unexpected life events
About cost scenarios
The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2025–26 Capella tuition rates and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing and pricing information is current as of Jan. 6, 2025. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price. You are responsible for paying your own travel costs related to residencies, including plane, hotel and food expenses.
To discuss whether the specialization you’re interested in has additional factors that may affect program cost and length, contact a Capella enrollment counselor.
Cost scenarios
Completes dissertation in 5 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the fastest 25% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $555/credit 16 quarters |
$70,198.00 |
| Dissertation Preparation 1 quarter |
$2,780.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,780/quarter 5 quarters |
$13,900.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$86,878.00 |
| Resource kit: $175 16 quarters |
$2,800.00 |
| Application fee: $0 no application fee |
$0 |
|
Est. Total 22 quarters |
$89,678.00 |
Completes dissertation in 6 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the median 50% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $555/credit 16 quarters |
$70,198.00 |
| Dissertation Preparation 1 quarter |
$2,780.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,780/quarter 6 quarters |
$16,680.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$89,658.00 |
| Resource kit: $175 16 quarters |
$2,800.00 |
| Application fee: $0 no application fee |
$0 |
|
Est. Total 23 quarters |
$92,458.00 |
Completes dissertation in 9 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the slowest 75% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $555/credit 16 quarters |
$70,198.00 |
| Dissertation Preparation 1 quarter |
$2,780.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,780/quarter 9 quarters |
$25,020.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$97,998.00 |
| Resource kit: $175 16 quarters |
$2,800.00 |
| Application fee: $0 no application fee |
$0 |
|
Est. Total 26 quarters |
$100,798.00 |
Get the details
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Are there scholarships available for doctoral degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future that’s within your reach. There are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
It is important to understand all education and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. Not all programs are offered to residents of every state due to regulatory requirements. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.
Capella University is not accepting applications into the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program from residents of the states and/or territories listed below who intend to seek professional license or certification in the restricted state.
Current students who relocate to the following states or territories may not be able to complete site-based learning or other program requirements, fulfill residency requirements, or obtain professional licensure or certification in the state or territory: AK, AL, AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MP, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VI, WA, WY.
Get licensure details or contact an enrollment counselor for more information.
What are the PsyD admission requirements?
Applicants must provide the following information for admission to Capella programs and specializations:
- A master’s degree in psychology or a related field from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution.
- Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
Additional requirements for Doctor of Psychology programs are:
- 3 letters of recommendation completed by professionals who can assess your aptitude for doctoral education in psychology
- An extended goal statement and writing sample.
- Your résumé or curriculum vitae (CV)
- After submitting admission materials, applicants may be required to take part in a faculty interview for assessment of professionalism and academic fit to the program
International Student Requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
State enrollment restrictions
Capella University is not accepting applications into the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program from residents of the states and/or territories listed below who intend to seek professional license or certification in the restricted state.
Current students who relocate to the following states or territories may not be able to complete site-based learning or other program requirements, fulfill residency requirements, or obtain professional licensure or certification in the state or territory: AK, AL, AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MP, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VI, WA, WY.
Get licensure details or contact an enrollment counselor for more information.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of doctoral students. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces that build on one another to help you earn your doctorate. You’ll have support from faculty, staff, and online resources along the way.
Articles and resources
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Helping Professions Program Guide
Wondering about the differences between PhDs and professional doctorates? What are the unique features of online and traditional doctoral programs? Read on to learn more and find the right program for you.
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Which psychology career path is best for me?
What does it take to earn a doctoral degree? Learn more about the experience and explore each step of the journey.
What can you do with a PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree?
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to consider with a PsyD in Clinical Psychology.
Related job titles to explore*
- Clinical health psychologist
- Clinical psychologist
- Counseling psychologist
- Inpatient psychologist
- Licensed psychologist
- Pediatric psychologist
- Psychologist
- Psychology professor
Employment settings to explore*
- Colleges, universities and professional schools
- General medical and surgical hospitals
- Offices of mental health practitioners (except physicians)
- Offices of physicians, mental health specialists
- Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers
- Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals
- Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications and/or other designations along with a degree. Educational and professional requirements for faculty positions vary widely by employer. Understanding your target employers’ particular requirements is key in deciding on a program. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.