Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.)
Program Details
Why Earn Your Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at Xavier University?
Xavier University’s Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) program facilitates your professional development and empowers you to become a health services clinical psychologist. Rooted in a science-based approach and a commitment to cultivating human health and well-being, our Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program offers an immersive experience that elevates your education and positions you to excel in your efforts to help individuals and communities.
Throughout your time in the doctoral program, you acquire a deep knowledge of theoretical concepts and clinical practices and a broad range of skills necessary to provide psychological services in today's changing professional climate. Our five-year degree program requires full-time study, including four years of academic study and one internship year.
Trustworthy APA Accreditation
In 2022, Xavier's Clinical Psychology Doctoral program received a 10-year reaccreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA), the maximum length given by the association. The program has been continuously accredited by the APA since 2001, engaging in ongoing review and quality improvement.
Our dedication to continually refining our doctoral program ensures that you receive the most comprehensive and up-to-date training to prepare you for your future as a health care professional.
Read more about the reaccreditation of Xavier University's Doctor of Clinical Psychology program.
Acquire Professional Experience
For the last seven consecutive years, 100% of our Doctor of Clinical Psychology students successfully obtained paid internships.
While traditional coursework and classroom learning build the foundation of your expertise, participating in hands-on learning experiences vastly accelerates your professional development. Working in real-world settings translates theory into practice, allowing you to strengthen your clinical skills, work with patients, connect with veteran practitioners and develop your own approach to providing quality care.
In the fifth and final year of your Psy.D. program, you embark on a yearlong internship to gain invaluable professional experience and jump-start your career trajectory.
Earn Your Certificate in the Foundations of Health Sciences Administration
To diversify your credentials and give you a broader understanding of the health care field, you may choose to use elective credit hours to earn a Certificate in the Foundations of Health Sciences Administration. This coursework enhances your understanding of the economic forces in the health services sector and offers training in the attitudes, beliefs and skills that are becoming increasingly important in the changing delivery of health care in the United States.
Admission
Due to its rigorous nature, admission to Xavier’s Doctor of Clinical Psychology program is intensive and highly selective.- Your entire set of credentials. A low standing on one criterion (e.g., GPA) does not automatically mean rejection, nor does one very high standing on one criterion mean automatic acceptance.
- Previous work experience is also assessed, including internships and/or work experiences relevant to clinical psychology.
- Three letters from academic/research sources. We strongly recommend that at least two recommendations come from academic resources.
- The compatibility of your professional interests with those of the faculty.
Your ability to write.This is reflected in your two personal statements, published research and your response to a writing prompt given on the interview day.
Above all, the Admissions Committee looks for you to clearly demonstrate why you want to earn your doctorate in clinical psychology and why Xavier is best suited for your graduate journey
Our Admissions Committee processes and reviews your application immediately upon receiving all the necessary materials and considers all the information in your application, including prior grades, test scores and evidence of potential for success in graduate study. Xavier’s School of Psychology has decided to waive the GRE test indefinitely for those applicants seeking admission.
For acceptance into the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a bachelor's or master's degree or an equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. (The prior academic record must indicate your ability and preparation necessary for pursuing graduate studies.)
- A minimum prerequisite for the program is 18 semester hours of undergraduate courses in psychology, including general (intro) psychology, introductory statistics, psychological research methods and nine semester hours in other upper-division undergraduate courses.We also require you to have taken an undergraduate course in psychological testing, but this can be taken after acceptance.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA is required in undergraduate and/or graduate coursework. (GPA in a degree program and GPA in the psychology courses are both assessed.)
Xavier waives required test scores if you are:
- A state-licensed teacher.
- Pursuing an M.Ed. or MSEd without licensure (if undergrad GPA is 3.0 or higher).
- Pursuing a principal or administration license.
- Pursuing a second license or endorsement.
- Pursuing a Montessori teaching credential only.
International students may have additional application requirements. Review Xavier’s International Graduate Admissions for more information.
For questions regarding the application process, please email the Office of Graduate Services at xugrad@xavier.edu.
When applying to the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program, please ensure the School of Psychology receives the following items by December 1:
- An online application and a non-refundable $35.00 application fee.
- One copy of official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended. These include colleges and universities that involve transfer credits.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Written statements (Personal Statement and Diversity Statement) reflecting a commitment to clinical psychology.
- A completed application for financial assistance (optional).
- Any other information that might aid in the selection process (for example, relevant research and/or work experience).
If you are applying as an international student or have completed your degree overseas, you must submit:
- Transcripts evaluated by World Educational Services
- A financial statement
- A sponsorship letter
- Official TOEFL scores
Curriculum
The primary goal of Xavier’s Psy.D. program and our holistic curriculum is to educate new generations of trained clinical psychologists who practice with an ethical and culturally competent approach. We designed our program to utilize a practitioner-scientist model, which achieves a balance between developing your knowledge of the basic science of psychology and elevating your practical proficiencies.
You enroll in a variety of courses to build a scientific foundation and explore topics like how biology impacts behavior, lifespan psychology, clinical psychopathology and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Additionally, you receive comprehensive training in performing assessments for children and adolescents, those who have experienced trauma, those who face alcohol and substance abuse, and in forensic psychology settings.
To refine your practical skills, you take part in clinical practicums, learn about intervention techniques to implement in your practice and undergo interprofessional education. All of these learning experiences aid in the development of your applied skills and make meaningful contributions to the field of clinical psychology and to the lives of the individuals and communities you serve.
Review Xavier’s Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology curriculum outline to learn more..
Fall/Spring
- Assessment I: Psychometrics and Intelligence Testing
- Assessment II: Personality
- Clinical Psychopathology
- Cognitive Aspects of Behavior
- Diversity
- Advanced Statistics I and II
- Computer Statistical Language I and II
- Introduction to Clinical Interactions
- Social Aspects of Behavior
Summer
- History & Philosophical Issues
- Professional Problems & Ethics in Psychology
Fall/Spring
- Assessment III: Cognitive Functioning
- Advanced Research Design Analysis I and II
- Biological and Affective Aspects of Behavior
- Intervention Techniques: Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- Integrative Life Span Psychology I and II
- Professional Development and Practicum I and II
Summer:
- Area of Interest Elective
- Elective
Fall/Spring
- Intervention Techniques: Dialectical Behavior Therapy and/or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Intervention Techniques: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
- Major Research I & II
- Clinical Practicum III & IV
- 2 Area of Interest Electives
Fall/Spring
- Consulting
- Interprofessional Education
- Major Research III
- Clinical Practicum V and VI
- Area of Interest Elective
- 2 Electives
Fall/Spring
- Internship
Interests
During your time in the Psy.D. program, you specialize your expertise by selecting one of the three following areas of interest:
- Child and adolescent psychology
- Health care psychology across the lifespan (HCPALS)
- Individuals with severe and chronic psychopathology problems (ISCPP)
We have designed these areas of interest to provide an elevated introduction to commonly faced issues and methodologies in working with these underserved populations.
In your program, you must take eight elective courses. Four of these eight are specified as the student's "Area of Interest."
Program Outcomes
At Xavier, our Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree program follows the model of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology and equips you with the seven competencies categorized below:
- Overarching competencies, important throughout training and beyond, in the application of all other competencies: Relationship and Diversity.
- Competencies of practice, combining knowledge, attitudes, and skills, utilized before and after graduation: Assessment, Intervention, Research and Evaluation, and Consultation and Education.
- Competencies of later development, taught with an emphasis on knowledge to set the stage for further development later in your career: Management and Supervision.
Tuition and Fees
Earning your Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree is within reach, and Xavier University wants to help you achieve your goal. We offer a range of financial aid offerings to fund your doctoral journey.
Additionally, the School of Psychology works hard to fully fund all first-year students through graduate assistantships. These positions offer partial tuition coverage and an hourly position. Find out more about funding your clinical psychology doctoral degree.
If you have questions along the way, we encourage you to reach out to our dedicated financial aid staff. They can provide you with valuable information and resources to guide you through financing your degree.
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Request InformationTrain With Our Expert Faculty
At Xavier, you learn from the best. Our faculty members are leaders in the mental health field and equipped with years of expertise and broad-ranging academic and research interests. During your time in the program, you foster collaborative relationships with your professors and receive person
Professional Development Opportunities
During your second, third and fourth years in the doctoral program, you participate in transformative clinical practicums. These immersive experiences give you the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to clients while also partnering with a licensed clinical psychologist in numerous community settings.
Learn About Our Practicum, Clinical Competency Exam, and Internship
Committed to Diversity
At Xavier, we believe clinical psychologists should be as diverse as the populations they serve. That’s why we seek students of varying backgrounds for our Psy.D. program and cultivate an appreciation of differences among people. Our doctoral program highlights cultural competency and how to work with a broad array of individuals and communities with differing needs.
Explore Our Diversity Mission and Inclusive Approach in the Psy.D. Program
Career Outlook for Psychologists
With the destigmatization and a growing awareness of mental health, the career outlook for psychologists shows great promise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the employment of psychologists to grow by 6% annually in the next decade, translating to almost 13,000 job openings.
Additionally, psychologists earn a steady median salary of $85,330, which is nearly double the national median wage of all occupations. However, psychologists’ earning potential varies depending on numerous factors, including level of education, years of experience, industry and state of employment. Some psychologists can earn more than $139,280 annually if they serve as industrial-organizational psychologists.
With the intensive training and clinical experience acquired in our Psy.D. program, you can pursue rewarding careers in mental health centers, forensic or correctional agencies, medical centers, college counseling centers and private practices.
Discover the career paths of Xavier's Clinical Psy.D. alumni.
Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) Program at Xavier University
Launch Your Career in Clinical Psychology — Earn Your Psy.D. at Xavier. Xavier University’s Doctor of Clinical Psychology program enriches your graduate education and supports you along the path to success. With specialized areas of interest tracks, hands-on training opportunities and mentorship from dedicated faculty, you receive the instruction and training necessary to excel in the health care field. Develop your practical skills and scientific expertise in Xavier’s Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program and establish yourself as a mental health professional. Begin the application process today!
Xavier University's College of Professional Sciences prepares undergraduate and graduate students intellectually, morally and spiritually for careers and professions of service. CPS challenges students to strive for academic excellence and life-long learning through promoting collaboration and community partnerships, and incorporating research, scholarship and innovation.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."