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Clinical Psychology, PsyD

Frequently Asked Questions

Clinical Psychology, PsyD

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  • Applicants who do not have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Psychology within seven years of application are still eligible to apply to the USF PsyD program with a Bachelor's degree in any field and completion of three, 3-unit pre-requisite courses (listed below) with a B- or higher in the last seven years:

    • Research methods (required)

    — and at least two (2) of the following courses: —

    • Abnormal Psychology/Psychopathology
    • Lifespan Development (this course must cover the entire lifespan, or multiple courses may be considered to satisfy this requirement)
    • Theories of Personality/Theories of Psychotherapy

    Pre-requisite courses can be in progress upon application, however they must be completed before the start of the program if an applicant is admitted.

  • In order to be eligible for admission, students must satisfy one of the following:

    Completion of a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology from an accredited institution, within the last seven (7) years.

    — or —

    Completion of a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited institution, and completion of at least three (3) of the following undergraduate or graduate courses with a grade of B or better, within the last seven (7) years:

    • Research methods (required),

    — and at least two (2) of the following courses: —

    • Abnormal Psychology/Psychopathology
    • Lifespan Development (this course must cover the entire lifespan, or multiple courses may be considered to satisfy this requirement)
    • Theories of Personality/Theories of Psychotherapy

    Note: Prerequisite courses may be taken at a variety of institutions. We strongly recommend that you contact graduate admissions in advance of submitting your application to ensure that the courses you have taken, or in which you are planning to enroll, will satisfy the prerequisite coursework requirements for your application.

  • The PsyD Program is a full-time program comprised of academic coursework and practicum training for the first four years. Students needs to be available for practicum training in the San Francisco Bay Area during this time period. The fifth year is a full-time internship. There are APPIC and APA internship sites across the country, so it is possible to complete an internship in another state than California. The internship process is competitive, so it is difficult to predict where you will be placed.

  • We have eight, full-time core faculty who teach, mentor students, and serve as faculty advisors and dissertation mentors. We have many adjunct faculty who also teach and can serve on dissertation committees. With an approximate cohort size of 24 students annually, our student to faculty ratio is approximately 12:1.

  • The program is an intensive full-time course of study that includes in-person courses and practicum placements. Students are required to be available for program activities (courses, meetings, advising, dissertation work, and clinical training) Monday through Friday. Some program activities may occur or last through the evening hours.

  • No, it is not possible to work a traditional 40 hours per week job and complete this program.

  • There are a limited amount of scholarship opportunities available to graduate students. The majority of graduate students take out some form of loan to cover their education. The U.S. Federal Direct Student Loan Program and Supplemental Loans are available ONLY to U.S. citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents. U.S. students are eligible to apply for up to $20,500 in federal direct loans each year, as well as additional funding from the federal Grad PLUS Loan. The USF school code for FAFSA is 001325. Visit FAFSA for additional information.

    USF's Financial Aid Office office offers resources to help graduate students meet the cost of education at the University of San Francisco. Find information on financial aid, loans and payment plans to aid in paying for tuition, fees, books, and personal expenses. Please visit our financial aid page for more information.

    Finally, please make sure to visit the School of Nursing and Health Professions' Financing your Education page for scholarship details.

  • Please note that tuition rates and fees are subject to change and more information can be found about tuition and graduate student fees on the University Tuition and Fees Schedule. In addition to tuition there are fees for graduate students including mandatory health insurance (Fall/Spring), Associate Graduate Students of USF (AGSUSF), and an applicable fieldwork fee per practicum course and required malpractice insurance fee per practicum course.

  • No, there is no plan to expand the PsyD program to additional locations at this time.

  • The number of students that apply to the program varies by year. Each year, we receive between 200-300 applications and accept up to 24 students.

  • Although the program provides the training necessary for a graduate to go into private practice, it is not the focus of our program. The USF PsyD Program is focused on training clinicians who want to work in integrated behavioral health with underserved populations.

  • People with a PsyD are eligible to do many types of careers. Our graduates will be prepared to work in community mental health, hospitals, clinics, independent practice, teaching, and scholarship.

  • Successful completion of the PsyD Program at USF requires engagement in research activities, particularly for the clinical dissertation project. While prior experience in conducting research is beneficial, applicants with a strong understanding of research methodologies and who can effectively interpret and apply research findings are also competitive candidates. Most importantly, students must complete a clinical dissertation project aligned with the research expertise or interest of one of the PsyD core faculty members.

  • The reason a student would choose USF over other qualified PsyD programs would be based on interest in the focus of our program. The USF PsyD program is focused on training clinicians who want to work in integrated behavioral health with underserved populations.

  • In 1000 words or less, please write a self-reflective essay describing your ultimate goals as a licensed psychologist, including how your personal and professional experiences have contributed to your decision to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology. In addition, please specifically address how your background, interests, and goals align with the University of San Francisco's PsyD program and its overall mission.

  • Selected applicants will be invited to the PsyD Interview Day. The interview day includes individual and group interviews, a program presentation, opportunities to hear about faculty research and clinical expertise and meet with current students, as well as a question and answer session. All aspects of the interview day will help the faculty determine an applicant's fit with the program. Students will also be able to gain more information about the program to help make their decision.

  • The only requirement for admission is a bachelor's degree. Any graduate level work will be taken into consideration as part of the individual's application package.

  • Our admissions policies allow students to enter with credit for prior graduate work and this is described in the transfer credit policy. You are able to transfer in up to twelve credits. Courses must be substantially equivalent and will be reviewed by faculty to determine transferability. The time needed to complete your degree will depend on your total number of credits and their distribution toward the program's graduation requirements.