Degree Requirements: Bachelor’s or master's degree
Completion Time: 5 years (full-time status)
Earned Credits: Entering with a bachelor’s degree: 103–109 credits. Entering with a master’s degree in psychology or related field: 100–106 credits
Preparing students to sit for licensure in many states, Saybrook University's online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program is specifically focused on the knowledge and practical skills needed to enter professional practice. Students enrolled in this program develop the ability to conduct ethical and effective psychotherapy based on psychological research rooted in multicultural and humanistic-existential psychology. Though not required, students can focus their studies further by using electives to declare certain specializations. There are other specializations from other degree programs that are also open to clinical psychology students. The specializations students can declare include:
- Advanced Psychological Assessment* (APA) (*open to CP students only)
- Applied Psychophysiology (APH)
- Complex Trauma and the Healing Process (CTHP)
- Consciousness Spirituality Integrative Health (CSIH)
- Creativity Studies (CS)
- Existential and Humanistic Psychology (EHP)
- Jungian Studies (JS)
Going beyond the mechanics of the body and brain, this program focuses on a holistic view of clients in a broader social and system context—directing students toward the person-centered and interpersonal dimensions of psychotherapy that are at the heart of therapeutic effectiveness.
Like the M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology degree programs, the clinical psychology degree program is grounded in existential, humanistic, and transpersonal psychology, seeking to apply such principles in all areas for clinical practice and research. More specifically, Saybrook’s clinical program is rooted in humanistic psychology and studies human experience in deeply subjective, historical, contextual, cross-cultural, and spiritual contexts. Each program is designed for graduates to promote health and wholeness as practitioners who are positioned to effect positive change through service and leadership in their chosen clinical field.
Saybrook University’s Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) but does not have programmatic accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA). The hybrid online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program may not meet year-in-residence requirements of some state professional licensing boards or agencies. To be eligible, graduates should consult their individual state licensing boards for any additional state-specific requirements.
Saybrook University’s Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology aligns with program requirements for professional licensure in several states. You will find more information on licensure on the professional licensure and certification disclosures page.
More program information can be found in our academic catalog.
“Grounded in humanistic principles, we are interested in fostering the ‘fullness’ of the clinician, aligning who they are with how they practice, in the healing process of populations being served.”
—Dr. Theopia Jackson, chair, clinical psychology degree program
Find Your Community at Saybrook
Saybrook University embodies distance learning, but nothing can substitute for the joy of sharing an in-person experience with your community. Our Residential Conferences bring students, faculty, and impactful speakers together for a week of safe and supportive academic, professional, and personal exploration that can change your life.
Residential Orientation (RO)
All new students in the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program begin their studies with our one-time, two-day Residential Orientation (RO). ROs are held two days ahead of the Residential Learning Experience (RLE) at the start of the fall and spring semesters in California.
Residential Learning Experience (RLE)
Clinical psychology students participate in two five-day required Saybrook Residential Learning Experiences (RLEs) per year for the duration of the program (one at the beginning of the fall semester and one at the beginning of the spring semester). Students are required to attend the RLEs throughout their degree matriculation to ensure that they acquire ample residential hours required by states for eligibility for licensure.
If a student must miss an RLE due to a documented medical emergency or other approved reason, the student must notify the department chair or associate chair in advance. Students will be expected to make up a missed RLE, which is to be preapproved by the department chair. Failure to meet the residential requirement may delay graduation.
Students intending to earn their license in Washington State are required to attend an additional mid-term RLE held in Washington each term of enrollment. This requirement is due to Washington State expecting more in-person hours than the fall/spring RLEs afford.
Licensure
To become a licensed psychologist, candidates must complete the degree program, and coursework required by their chosen state. States also have licensing requirements beyond a program’s graduation requirements that may, depending on the state, include: postdoctoral supervised experience, continuing education credits, examination(s), background check, and application for license.
At the time of publication, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology hybrid online program meets degree and coursework requirements in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology hybrid online program is aligned with the degree and predoctoral supervised professional experience requirements of the California Board of Psychology for registration and examination eligibility as a Licensed Psychologist (sections 1386 and 1387 of the California Code of Regulations). The program also offers students the opportunity to complete California Board of Psychology licensure-required coursework as specified in sections 1382, 1382.3, 1382.4, 1382.5, and 1382.6 of the California Code of Regulations.
Candidates for licensure in California must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) examination and the California Psychology Law and Ethics examination (CPLEE), and complete any remaining licensure-required coursework specified in sections 1382, 1382.3, 1382.4, 1382.5, and 1382.6 of the California Code of Regulations. Additional postdoctoral supervised experience is required in adherence with section 1387 of the California Code of Regulations. All candidates are also required to complete the application process, which includes fees and a background check. For further information about licensure in California, please visit the Board of Psychology.
*Saybrook University’s Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) but does not have programmatic accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA). The hybrid online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program may not meet year-in-residence requirements of some state professional licensing boards or agencies. To be eligible, graduates should consult their individual state licensing boards for any additional state specific requirements.
PSY3045: Supervision in Clinical Psychology
Clinical supervision is a necessary aspect of training for clinicians. Through supervision, a clinician-in-training gains necessary clinical competencies in order to ensure that trainees’ clients receive effective and ethical service. This course critically examines methods, relationships, ethics, multiculturalism, and evaluative processes of clinical supervision. Special focus is given to establishing a meaningful supervisor-supervisee relationship. While students will learn about different theoretical orientations that may inform their supervisory experience, they will be encouraged to consider their role in these relationships from a humanistic standpoint that will foster growth in the supervisor, supervisee, and their clients. They will be asked to explore ways of navigating and growing from supervisory relationships that may be challenging or uncomfortable. In addition, students will be encouraged to reflect on their current progress, as well as goals in their own development as clinicians. Though open to all students, this course satisfies the Clinical Interventions III/IV requirement in the Clinical Psychology degree program, with Clinical Interventions I & II as prerequisites. Note: This course is open to CP students only. (3 credits)
PSY6070: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Applied within a Humanistic and Integrative Approach
This cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) course will offer a review of key foundational theories and concepts, as well as methods of assessing, conceptualizing, and treating patients using CBT approaches. Students will also learn about the efficacy and limitation evidence for utilizing CBT in treating symptoms of several disorders. In addition to learning the key concepts of CBT and practicing core skills, students will examine how CBT can be integrated with humanistic and other integrative therapy approaches. Though open to all students, this course satisfies the Clinical Interventions III/IV requirement in the Clinical Psychology degree program, with Clinical Interventions I & II as prerequisites. (3 credits)
PSY6050: Mindfulness and Spirituality in Clinical Practice
Mindfulness-based therapies are now accepted as “empirically supported” treatments and are often treatments of choice in mainstream clinical and medical settings. In addition, the prior mainstream taboo regarding spiritual and religious dimensions of life in psychotherapy has been supplanted by the publication of a plethora of texts published by the APA and others regarding the integration of these dimensions in clinical practice. This clinical course explores these recent trends that mirror aspects of the long-standing traditions of humanistic, transpersonal, and existential psychology in the integration of mindfulness-based meditation practices, spirituality, and religion and prayer in clinical practice. Through reflective inquiry, students will gain understanding regarding their own experience and views regarding these factors in therapy and how they might locate themselves in relationship to them professionally. Though open to all students, this course also satisfies the Clinical Interventions III and IV requirement in the Clinical Psychology degree program, with Clinical Interventions I & II as prerequisites. (3 credits)
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Program
Q: What is an Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology?
- A: An Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology trains students in the practice of presenting psychological research, preparing them for clinical psychology practices in the professional world. The Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology offers an education with a wide range of career options, including teaching, clinical patient care practice, clinical psychology research, and more.
Q: Is the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology 100% online?
- A: Yes! The Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology curriculum is offered completely online. However, there are both Residential Orientations and Residential Learning Experiences that students must attend as an academic requirement.
Q: What are the requirements for completion of the Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology?
- A: Students in the Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program must complete the degree program and coursework required by their chosen state. States also have licensing requirements beyond a program’s graduation requirements that may, depending on the state, include postdoctoral supervised experience, continuing education credits, examination(s), background check, and application for license.
Q: How long does it take to complete the Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology?
- A: The Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology degree can be completed in five years with full-time student status.
Q: What specializations are offered for the Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology?
A: Specializations within the Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology include Advanced Psychological Assessment* (APA) (*open to CP students only), Applied Psychophysiology (APH), Complex Trauma and the Healing Process (CTHP), Consciousness Spirituality Integrative Health (CSIH), Creativity Studies (CS), Existential and Humanistic Psychology (EHP), and Jungian Studies (JS).