Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) - Clinical Psychology

justin low teaching a class

Develop Advanced Clinical Skills 


Clinical psychologists play a vital role in addressing complex mental health needs across diverse settings. The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program at University of the Pacific prepares students for professional practice through intensive training in psychological assessment, intervention, ethics and research-informed clinical decision-making.

The PsyD in Clinical Psychology is designed for students seeking advanced preparation as health service psychologists. The program emphasizes the integration of theory, research and supervised clinical practice to support professional competence and lifelong learning.

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Program Format & Location

Program Structure

The PsyD in Clinical Psychology is delivered through an in-person instructional model designed to support the development of clinical knowledge, skills, and professional competencies.


Online components may include:

  • Lectures
  • Readings
  • Discussions

In-person components emphasize:

  • Clinical skill development
  • Assessment and intervention practice
  • Case conceptualization
  • Professional identity development
  • Seminars
  • Class discussions

Students are typically on campus two days per week.

Location: Stockton Campus
Format: In Person 
In-person requirement: 2 days per week

Why Choose Our Clinical Psychology Program?

Emphasis on Clinical Training

Students complete multiple supervised practicum experiences prior to the doctoral internship. Practicum placements provide opportunities to develop and refine assessment, intervention, and professional skills in applied clinical settings.

Structured Progression and Cohort Model

The program follows a predetermined course sequence. Students advance through the program as part of a cohort, promoting continuity, peer support, and professional socialization.

In-Person Training

The program prioritizes face-to-face instruction and supervision to support doctoral-level training in clinical psychology. In-person learning provides opportunities for active engagement, clinical skills development, collaboration with peers and faculty, and the integration of academic knowledge with professional practice.

 

Faculty Expertise and Mentorship

Faculty members are experienced clinicians and scholars who provide close supervision, mentoring, and instruction. Students benefit from faculty engagement in teaching, supervision, and professional practice.

Counseling Psychology and Clinical Psychology: What’s the Difference?

Counseling psychology and clinical psychology are both health service psychology specialties that prepare graduates for professional practice and licensure. While the fields share many core competencies, they differ in emphasis and training focus.

Counseling Psychology emphasizes:

  • Counseling relationships and therapeutic processes
  • Strengths-based and developmental perspectives
  • Career, vocational, and life adjustment concerns
  • Wellness, resilience, and prevention
  • Work with individuals across the lifespan and in diverse contexts

Clinical Psychology emphasizes:

  • Assessment and treatment of severe psychopathology
  • Diagnosis and intervention for complex mental health conditions
  • Training in medical, hospital, and intensive clinical settings

Both specialties involve rigorous training in assessment, intervention, ethics, research, and supervision. Students considering either path are encouraged to reflect on their professional interests, values, and preferred practice settings.

Department Chair
Justin Low

“At University of the Pacific, we value and teach students to be reflective practitioners, collaborative professionals, and lifelong learners. Students benefit from close working relationships with dedicated faculty who are deeply engaged in training, supervision, and service to the community.”

-Justin Low, Department Chair, University of the Pacific

justin low

Careers in Clinical Psychology

Graduates of the PsyD in Clinical Psychology pursue professional roles in a variety of settings, including:

  • Hospitals and medical centers
  • Community mental health agencies
  • Private practice
  • Schools and universities
  • Integrated healthcare systems

The program prepares students for professional practice serving diverse populations across the lifespan.

Career Outlook

Clinical psychology is a growing field with sustained demand for trained professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities in mental health-related professions are projected to grow faster than the national average over the coming decade.

Doctoral training in clinical psychology positions graduates to pursue advanced clinical roles and professional licensure, subject to state requirements.

psyd
Clinical Training & Internship

Clinical training is a core component of the PsyD in Clinical Psychology.

Students complete:

  • Sequential practicum placements in approved clinical settings
  • A full-time, year-long doctoral internship consistent with professional training standards

Practicum and internship experiences are designed to support the development of competencies required for entry-level practice in clinical psychology.

Admission Requirements
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Tuition and Fees
Graduate Events

Curriculum & Coursework

The PsyD curriculum integrates academic coursework with applied clinical training.

Areas of study include:

  • Clinical assessment and intervention
  • Diversity and cultural considerations in clinical practice
  • Ethical and legal standards
  • Supervision and consultation
  • Professional values and interpersonal skills
  • Psychopathology
  • Research methods

Experiential learning is emphasized through practicum-based courses and supervised clinical training throughout the program.

Take the Next Step

We take a personalized approach to doctoral education and admissions. Prospective students are encouraged to connect with us to learn more about the PsyD in Clinical Psychology and the application process.

Take the next step toward doctoral training in clinical psychology at University of the Pacific.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology at University of the Pacific is a doctoral program that prepares students for professional practice as health service psychologists. The program emphasizes advanced clinical preparation in psychological assessment, intervention, ethics and research-informed clinical decision-making.

Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioral health concerns. They may provide psychotherapy, conduct psychological assessments, collaborate with health-care and educational professionals, support prevention and wellness initiatives, and use research to inform their work with individuals, families, groups and communities.

The PsyD in Clinical Psychology is intended for students seeking advanced preparation for professional work in clinical psychology and behavioral health. It may be a strong fit for applicants who want intensive education in clinical assessment, intervention, ethical practice, supervised training and evidence-informed decision-making.

A PsyD, or Doctor of Psychology, is generally a practice-focused doctoral degree that emphasizes preparation for clinical service delivery, including assessment, intervention and supervised professional training. A PhD in Clinical Psychology generally places greater emphasis on research training and the preparation of academic researchers, although both degree types may include clinical and research components.

At University of the Pacific, the PsyD in Clinical Psychology integrates theory, research and supervised clinical practice to help students develop professional competence as health service psychologists.pacific

 

Students in the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program develop advanced knowledge and applied skills in areas such as:

  • Psychological assessment and evaluation
  • Clinical intervention and therapeutic practice
  • Professional ethics and responsible decision-making
  • Research-informed clinical practice
  • Integration of psychological theory and applied practice
  • Supervised clinical training
  • Lifelong professional learning and development

Yes. The PsyD in Clinical Psychology program emphasizes the integration of theory, research and supervised clinical practice. This training model helps students apply what they learn in coursework to professional clinical settings while developing the competence expected of health service psychologists.

 

Yes. The program incorporates research-informed clinical decision-making, meaning students learn to use research and evidence as part of ethical, effective professional practice. The program is designed to integrate psychological theory, research and supervised clinical experience rather than treating them as separate areas of learning.

Psychological assessment is the process of gathering and interpreting information about a person’s cognitive, emotional, behavioral and psychological functioning. Clinical psychologists may use interviews, observations, standardized measures and other evidence-based methods to help understand concerns, inform diagnoses, guide treatment planning and monitor progress.

A PsyD in Clinical Psychology can support career pathways involving clinical mental-health services, psychological assessment, behavioral-health intervention, consultation and leadership in settings where psychological services are provided. Potential employment settings can include hospitals, community mental-health organizations, outpatient clinics, integrated health-care systems, schools, behavioral-health agencies, private practices and other clinical environments.

Professional licensure requirements vary by state and may include specific doctoral coursework, supervised clinical experience, examinations and other requirements. Students should verify licensure requirements with the appropriate licensing board in the state where they intend to practice.

No. Both programs are doctoral-level psychology programs and may share important areas of training, such as clinical skills, ethics, assessment and research. However, the PsyD in Clinical Psychology focuses specifically on advanced clinical psychology preparation, including psychological assessment, intervention and research-informed clinical decision-making.

Prospective students who are considering either option should compare curriculum, field-training opportunities, career goals and licensure planning with program faculty or admissions staff.

Prospective students should contact Benerd College directly to confirm the current program format, required campus-based experiences, course schedule and clinical-training expectations. Doctoral psychology programs commonly include supervised training components that may require in-person participation, even when some instruction is delivered online or in a hybrid format.

The program is designed to prepare students for professional practice as health service psychologists. However, eligibility for psychologist licensure depends on state-specific requirements, which can include degree accreditation, coursework, supervised clinical experience, postdoctoral requirements and licensing examinations.

Before enrolling, prospective students should review the California Board of Psychology requirements and the requirements of any other state where they expect to seek licensure. They should also ask the program directly how its curriculum and training structure align with licensure pathways.

Admission is generally a holistic review of an applicant’s academic background, professional and relevant life experience, readiness for doctoral study, and fit with the program’s standards and mission. University of the Pacific lists a 3.0 GPA or higher for the final 60 units of college or post-baccalaureate study, a relevant bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, transcripts, an application essay, résumé, three letters of recommendation and a departmental interview for its PsyD admissions process.

Because requirements, deadlines and program-specific materials can change, applicants should confirm the current Clinical Psychology PsyD requirements with Benerd College before applying.

For the related University of the Pacific PsyD admissions process, applicants are encouraged to submit materials by the January 15 priority deadline, with applications accepted through May 1. Confirm the applicable deadline for the Clinical Psychology PsyD directly with the program because dates and admission cycles may change.

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