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Pepperdine | Graduate School of Education and Psychology
PhD Clinical Psychology

PsyD in Clinical Psychology

The Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology program will prepare students for careers as licensed psychologists, serving their communities through applied clinical practice. This program is accredited by the American Psychological Association through 2027*.

Pepperdine University employs the practitioner-scholar model of doctoral training in which academics, clinical training, and research are conjoined. This rigorous program consists of three years of clinically relevant coursework and supervised clinical training, followed by one year of internship, and completion of a clinical dissertation. After completion of postdoctoral clinical training, graduates will be eligible to be examined for licensure as psychologists throughout the United States and in Canada.

*For further information about the accreditation status of this or any other psychology doctoral program, please contact the APA Office of Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, Phone: 202.336.5979.

Program Benefits

Reputable Program

The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology program and Pepperdine University as an institution are among the highest-ranked in the United States.

Values Centered

Students are empowered to make a lasting impact through GSEP's core values of academic excellence, social purpose, and meaningful service.

Quick Facts

Format: In Person
Term: Fall
Location: West Los Angeles
Length: 4 years / 82 units
Tuition: $1,970 per unit

 

 

University-Based Doctoral Program

Our program provides access to major-university resources at the #55-ranked institution in the US*

 

World-Class Clinical Training Opportunities

Practical training sites include four university-based clinics and external training rotations throughout southern California.

 

Outstanding Faculty

Our students learn from recognized experts, scholars, and clinicians.

 

Unique Emphasis

The GSEP doctorate in clinical psychology is founded on science-informed, evidence-based practice with an appreciation for multicultural context and cultural adaptation.

 

Dedicated Support and Resources

Our professional staff help find and secure practicum and internship placements.

 

Outstanding Placement Rates

We successfully provide career opportunities, with a 97% overall internship placement rate and 91% placed at APA-accredited internships.

 

Prepare for Licensure

100% of alumni (five years post-graduation) are licensed psychologists in the most recent alumni survey.

 

#6

PsyD Program

U.S. News & World Report**

100%

Alumni Licensure Rate

97%

Internship Placement

APA

Accredited through 2027

*U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges Rankings, National Universities
**Compared to Psy.D. programs listed in U.S. News & World Report, Best Grad School Rankings, Clinical Psychology

 

Take the Next Step

Reach out to us to learn more about Pepperdine's PsyD in Clinical Psychology program.

Get in Touch

Fill out the Request Information form to learn more and get in contact with an enrollment officer.

Attend an Info Session

Experience an in-depth overview and meet program leaders.

Start Your Application

Submit the application form early to meet scholarship and enrollment deadlines. It takes fewer than 15 minutes.

 

Deadlines

NOV
15

Fall 2025: Priority Deadline - Submit the application form. Supplemental materials are required.

Information Sessions

Coming soon

 

 

 

partnership

Antiracism and Antidiscrimination Statement

The PsyD program and GSEP Psychology Division stand in solidarity against racial inequities and injustice and other forms of discrimination and oppression. We are committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment that is enriched and strengthened by diversity including but not limited to race, ethnicity and national origin, gender and gender identity, sexuality, class, age, ability status, and religion. GSEP also encourages all community members to engage in critical learning and reflection to strengthen our capacity for being effective, active, and outspoken against all forms of racism and intersectional oppression.

african american businesswoman

Program Learning Outcomes

  • PLO 1 : Competency in applying psychological theory and scientific knowledge to an understanding of psychological dysfunction, maladaptation, and psychopathology;
  • PLO 2 : Competency in psychological assessment and diagnosis;
  • PLO 3 : Competency in psychological intervention, treatment, and consultation;
  • PLO 4 : Competency in research methods appropriate to the applied clinical practitioner; and
  • PLO 5 : Competency in understanding and applying ethics, law, and professional standards to conduct.

therapist

Career Outcomes

Psychologists are needed in many clinical, academic, and professional settings, including medical centers, community mental health agencies, children's hospitals, forensic settings, Veterans Administration Healthcare Systems, universities, and private practice. After earning your doctoral degree and post-doctoral fellowship, you may pursue licensure and employment in a variety of roles.

 

financial aid form

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office is available to answer questions and help you navigate funding your education at GSEP through numerous scholarship, grant, loan, and other opportunities. 

To help determine your total cost of tuition and living expenses for this specific program, please refer to our GSEP tuition calculator.

Alumni and Faculty Spotlight

"Our faculty members bring richness and depth to both their research and their teaching. Many of our faculty have private practices or work in practice actively, making a huge difference for our students." — Dr. Thema Bryant, Professor and 2023 President, American Psychological Association.

What Our Alumni Are Saying

 

Pamela Anderson headshot

 

"I thought it was awesome to find a place that has as part of their mantra, 'we are preparing people for leadership.' What I did not count on is that I would have this total self-awareness/self-discovery process that would happen. That changed my life! It was very comforting to be taught by professionals who are actually out there. So you are learning the theories, but you are also getting all this priceless knowledge."

-Pamela Anderson, MA '14

Why Pepperdine

Passion and Purpose Driven

Since our founding in 1937, Pepperdine University has had one mission: to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership in a learning environment where academic excellence is rooted in a Christian faith and values.

Our graduate programs empower students to transform into the best possible expression of themselves for meaningful work and purposeful lives. That legacy is alive today more than ever, as we help students all over the world gain the skills they need to achieve personal fulfillment, lead with purpose, and make a lasting impact in the lives and communities they serve.

Reputable University

GSEP offers prestigious programs at one of the top universities in the US, committed to the highest standards of academic excellence. Consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful places to study, Pepperdine is where you're inspired to learn as you learn to inspire.

#29

Best-Value Schools

U.S. News & Report

#9

Best College Value in the West/SW

Kiplinger

#10

Most Entrepreneurial Universities

Forbes

 

Distinguished Faculty

  • GSEP faculty are nationally-recognized scholar-practitioners with exemplary academic achievements, industry expertise, educational experience, and scholarly credentials.
  • Professors are accomplished professionals who balance theory and real-world application in a practitioner-based curriculum informed by their desire to prepare students to make a difference.
  • Average class size of 14 students and a 12:1 faculty-student ratio provides a supportive educational setting, meaningful interactions, and long-term professional and personal connections.

Alumni Network

  • Extensive Pepperdine alumni network creates influential business connections with more than 110,000 professionals. Our alumni network has 32 chapters and affinity programs in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Pepperdine alumni, faculty, staff, and parents make themselves available to offer the resources you need and help graduates build professional, personal, and purposeful relationships with Pepperdine people all over the world.
  • As a Pepperdine alumnus, you have exclusive access to the PeppConnect Mentoring Program, a global network of alumni who are willing to mentor and offer career or industry advice.

Student and Career Support

  • GSEP Student Services supports our rigorous curricula through academic advising, records, writing support, library, student groups, and much more.
  • Students are further supported through our Office of Student Accessibility, world-class facilities, and highly competitive programs, all of which contribute to our exceptional programs and rankings.
  • GSEP Career Services operates from an innovative model of career education and holistic career counseling for today's rapidly changing job market helping students and alumni construct their career narrative, build lifelong employability skills, and connect with alumni and industry leaders.
  • The Office of International Students Services (OISS) values our international students for what they bring to our campus—diversity, global perspective, cultural respect, determination, and a wonderful sense of adventure. We welcome students from all nationalities, faiths, and education systems, as they provide a diverse perspective in our classrooms.

Veteran and Military Support

Pepperdine has served veterans and their family members for over 75 years and is proud to support nearly 500 enrolled veterans, service members, and dependents. 

As an active participant in the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program, we proudly offer tuition support to Yellow Ribbon-eligible students. Pepperdine invests almost $3M annually to help cover 100% of tuition costs for eligible students.

Under the Yellow Ribbon program, Pepperdine in the VA matches all remaining tuition costs. Pepperdine also does not limit the number of eligible students who can utilize the Yellow Ribbon program. 

  Passion and Purpose Driven

Passion and Purpose Driven

Since our founding in 1937, Pepperdine University has had one mission: to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership in a learning environment where academic excellence is rooted in a Christian faith and values.

Our graduate programs empower students to transform into the best possible expression of themselves for meaningful work and purposeful lives. That legacy is alive today more than ever, as we help students all over the world gain the skills they need to achieve personal fulfillment, lead with purpose, and make a lasting impact in the lives and communities they serve.

  Reputable University

Reputable University

GSEP offers prestigious programs at one of the top universities in the US, committed to the highest standards of academic excellence. Consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful places to study, Pepperdine is where you're inspired to learn as you learn to inspire.

#29

Best-Value Schools

U.S. News & Report

#9

Best College Value in the West/SW

Kiplinger

#10

Most Entrepreneurial Universities

Forbes

 

  Distinguished Faculty

Distinguished Faculty

  • GSEP faculty are nationally-recognized scholar-practitioners with exemplary academic achievements, industry expertise, educational experience, and scholarly credentials.
  • Professors are accomplished professionals who balance theory and real-world application in a practitioner-based curriculum informed by their desire to prepare students to make a difference.
  • Average class size of 14 students and a 12:1 faculty-student ratio provides a supportive educational setting, meaningful interactions, and long-term professional and personal connections.
  Alumni Network

Alumni Network

  • Extensive Pepperdine alumni network creates influential business connections with more than 110,000 professionals. Our alumni network has 32 chapters and affinity programs in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Pepperdine alumni, faculty, staff, and parents make themselves available to offer the resources you need and help graduates build professional, personal, and purposeful relationships with Pepperdine people all over the world.
  • As a Pepperdine alumnus, you have exclusive access to the PeppConnect Mentoring Program, a global network of alumni who are willing to mentor and offer career or industry advice.
  Student and Career Support

Student and Career Support

  • GSEP Student Services supports our rigorous curricula through academic advising, records, writing support, library, student groups, and much more.
  • Students are further supported through our Office of Student Accessibility, world-class facilities, and highly competitive programs, all of which contribute to our exceptional programs and rankings.
  • GSEP Career Services operates from an innovative model of career education and holistic career counseling for today's rapidly changing job market helping students and alumni construct their career narrative, build lifelong employability skills, and connect with alumni and industry leaders.
  • The Office of International Students Services (OISS) values our international students for what they bring to our campus—diversity, global perspective, cultural respect, determination, and a wonderful sense of adventure. We welcome students from all nationalities, faiths, and education systems, as they provide a diverse perspective in our classrooms.
  Veteran and Military Support

Veteran and Military Support

Pepperdine has served veterans and their family members for over 75 years and is proud to support nearly 500 enrolled veterans, service members, and dependents. 

As an active participant in the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program, we proudly offer tuition support to Yellow Ribbon-eligible students. Pepperdine invests almost $3M annually to help cover 100% of tuition costs for eligible students.

Under the Yellow Ribbon program, Pepperdine in the VA matches all remaining tuition costs. Pepperdine also does not limit the number of eligible students who can utilize the Yellow Ribbon program. 

 

Accreditations and Recognitions

WASC logo

AICCU logo

US News National Universities 2024

US News Best Collages Veterans 2024

Yellow Ribbon Program logo

Contact Us

Gary Younger headshot

Gary Younger
Enrollment Officer
Pepperdine GSEP

310.568.2334
Email 
Schedule a Phone Appointment

Take the Next Step

Learn more about Pepperdine's PsyD in Clinical Psychology program.