PsyD in Clinical Psychology

Develop your expertise and leadership in clinical psychology.

Next program start date: June 1, 2026

Program Offered In:

Los Angeles
Sacramento
San Diego

Clinical Psychology PsyD Overview

A degree that advances your career and amplifies your impact.

A PsyD is your pathway to professional leadership, clinical autonomy, and a specialization that creates profound impact for your patients and your career. The California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant University offers three APA-accredited doctor of psychology programs in California, designed for clinicians ready to lead.

Whether you’re deepening your expertise or stepping into advanced practice, our PsyD programs prepare you for diverse specializations across the field. At Alliant, you’ll learn alongside experienced faculty, engage with rigorous coursework, and build real-world skills through hands-on clinical training and evidence-based practice—everything you need to succeed as a health service psychologist in California and beyond.

Our PsyD programs will help you gain the skills you need for a rewarding career in clinical psychology.

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50+

Years of Professional Psychology Training

#1

Clinical Psychology Program in the US

Program Highlights

Setting the standard for professional psychology training.

APA-Accredited Excellence

Alliant’s APA-accredited PsyD programs deliver the gold standard in psychological education, training, and clinical skill—everything you need to thrive as a health service psychologist.

Training for Multicultural Competence

Our comprehensive multicultural curriculum prepares you for the real world—equipping you to work confidently with diverse populations, age groups, and a wide range of evidence-based treatment approaches.

Hands-On, Targeted Clinical Practice

Through hundreds of top-tier practicum partnership options across diverse settings, you’ll build real-world clinical skills that align with your goals—culminating in a year-long, full-time internship in a health service setting.

Research That Moves the Field Forward

Alliant PsyD students go beyond the classroom to engage cutting-edge research,contribute to meaningful discoveries,and may have the opportunity to publish or present their work at national conferences.

Admissions and Financial Aid Info

You’ll be assigned a dedicated admissions counselor to guide you at every step. They’ll keep you on track with application deadlines and requirements, and upon acceptance, work with you and Alliant’s Student Finance Office to explore grants, scholarships, and other financial aid options. We’re your partners and your foundation of support from day one.

Alliant Clinical Psychology PsyD Admissions Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
Preparation in Psychology: One of the following three options must be completed prior to matriculation:
- Earned a BA/BS in Psychology (a master’s degree will not fulfill this requirement)
- 80th percentile scores or better on the GRE Psychology Test
- Completion of the following four courses with a grade of “C” or better:
  - Statistics
  - Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology
  - Experimental Psychology/Research Methods in Psychology
  - Physiological Psychology, Learning/Memory, Cognitive Psychology or Sensation/Perception
Complete online application at apply.alliant.edu
Essay (5-7 pages; contact an Admissions Counselor for details)
A brief autobiographical sketch. Discuss your life up to Resume
Two Letters of Recommendation
Faculty Interview
Official transcripts from all degree granting institutions
Transcripts that are relevant to the student’s qualifications for admission (i.e. pre-requisite courses)
Transcripts that document units of credit earned at other institutions that have been accepted and applied by Alliant as transfer credits toward the completion of an educational program
GPA Minimum 3.0 or GPA Exemption Petition

Alliant is committed to making your education accessible and affordable. Financing is available in the form of scholarships, grants, part-time employment, and loans funded through federal, state, Alliant, and private sources. Your Alliant admissions counselor can provide further guidance and information of the specific costs of this program.

Admissions

Financial Aid

Faculty

Alliant PsyD faculty are leading experts who are invested in your success both in the classroom and long after graduation. With an average of 11.8 years of appointed experience and over 2,290 contributions to peer-reviewed publications, our CSPP faculty bring deep expertise and mentorship to every stage of your journey—from coursework and research to practicums, dissertations, and licensure preparation.

Faculty

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the career options for clinical psychologists?

What are the workplaces that require psychological services?

What is the difference between a PsyD and a PhD program?

While both PsyD and PhD programs lead to licensure as a clinical psychologist, the difference lies in their focus:

A PsyD program emphasizes practical clinical skills and direct application of psychological principles for those interested in hands-on practice in a clinical setting.
A PhD program often places greater emphasis on research-based practices and theoretical knowledge for individuals interested in academia, research, or a combination of both.

Check out our blog post for more details.

How long will it take to complete this program?

Alliant’s PsyD in Clinical Psychology program is typically completed in four years of full-time study, which includes three years of residency and a one-year APA-accredited internship. Some students may take longer depending on their individual pace, dissertation progress, and clinical training choices. Students also have the option of following a modified curriculum plan that leads to completion of the program in five years.

What are the benefits of earning my degree in an APA-accredited program?

APA accreditation ensures that programs meet education and industry standards, follow best practices of licensed psychologists, and use industry experts to teach. For most psychologists, APA accreditation is also required for licensure by many states.

The CSPP clinical psychology PsyD programs offered on the Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego campuses are individually accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA).

Please direct program accredited status inquiries to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979
Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: https://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

As an international student, may I apply for the graduate program?

Built Different. By Design.

“It’s time for us to really use our experiences as therapists, as psychologists, as professionals and say we have a responsibility to fix the world. We need to use our voice to be able to effect change.”
Mohamed Abdallah Elnakib | Doctor of Psychology, Alliant Class of 2022

Our “why” has always been about meeting the moment and transforming it into something better. CSPP has grown into the largest provider of licensed clinical psychologists in the U.S., educating just over 10% of the country’s clinical psychology practitioners annually. Alliant provides a strong foundation in psychology training while evolving to offer specializations that go beyond the traditional to meet today’s societal challenges. And our history of promoting multicultural practice and making quality mental health care accessible to diverse communities remains a pillar of CSPP that is needed now more than ever. Watch our “Legacy of Light” documentary to learn more.