PSYD FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the PsyD in Clinical Psychology, answered

Deciding to pursue a PsyD is a life-changing decision. We want you to have all the answers before and during applying to PHSU St. Louis. Below are a few of the common questions we hear from PsyD applicants.

PsyD Program Overview

PROGRAM LENGTH:

5 years

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

07jan12:00 am11:59 pmSpring 2025 - First Day of Classes

15junAll DayPsyD Application Deadline for Fall 2025

CREDITS:

86 credit hours

CLINICAL HOURS:

3,000+

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Each PsyD course lays a foundation of psychological theory and science, but focuses on practicing clinical skills for the real-world.

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Questions about the PsyD

What does PsyD stand for?

PsyD stands for Doctor of Psychology. The PsyD in Clinical Psychology focuses on the clinical aspects of psychology to prepare graduates for careers to directly apply their knowledge to helping people with culturally-competent care.

How long does the PsyD take to complete?

The PsyD at PHSU St. Louis takes 5 years to complete from start to completion of clinical experience. Graduation requires a minimum of three full-time academic years of graduate study and 2,000 hours of clinical hours, in addition to other practicum hours.

The five years of the PsyD includes a total of 86 credit hours, 11 elective credits, completion of a doctoral dissertation, over 1,000 hours of practicum, and 2,000 predoctoral internship hours in a clinical setting. Learn about the full PsyD curriculum on our course descriptions page.

Is the PsyD program APA-accredited?

The PsyD program at PHSU St. Louis uses the same curriculum as the PsyD program approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) at the Ponce Health Sciences University main campus in Ponce, Puerto Rico. PHSU St. Louis notified APA that it will be seeking intent to apply for accreditation status in 2019, the first step in the multi-year accreditation process. In 2023, PHSU St. Louis submitted their self-study and began the official application for accreditation. While we are confident in our program, we make no guarantees about the outcome of this process.

How much does the PsyD cost?

As of 2023, the PsyD at PHSU St. Louis costs $1,042 per credit hour. You can learn more about the cost of all of our programs here.

Is the PsyD a terminal degree?

Yes, it is a terminal degree in psychology. With a PsyD, graduates reach the highest level of education available in psychology. A PsyD can help graduates obtain leadership or executive-level positions in psychology, as well as some of the highest salaries in psychology.

How many hours of clinical experience do students get throughout the PsyD?

PsyD students are required to obtain 2,000 hours of clinical internship before graduating. However, students will start their clinical practicum for course credit in the second semester. In total, PsyD graduates will accrue around 3000+ hours of clinical experience through the duration of the program.

PsyD Admissions Questions

What does PHSU St. Louis look for in competitive PsyD applicants?

PHSU St. Louis takes a holistic approach to reviewing the entire application of each applicant. However, we specifically seek students who show promise with their completed academics and recommendation letters for the PsyD program. In addition, we seek students from historically underrepresented backgrounds who match the values of our program and are passionate about clinical psychology.

What are the PsyD Program prerequisites?

Applicants to the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program should meet the following requirements:

Prefered 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited university (Note: Applicants with master’s degrees in Psychology, Psychiatric Nursing, Social Work, Counseling, or other mental health-related fields, are accepted, pending the other requirements.)
Minimum of 15 credits in psychology, including the following prerequisites.

Course	Credits
General Psychology	3
Developmental Psychology	3
Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology	3
Experimental Psychology or Scientific Research	3
Statistics	3

Do I need a bachelor’s degree in Psychology to be accepted to the PsyD?

No, students are not required to have a bachelor’s degree specifically in psychology. However, students must have earned their bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college and 15 credits in psychology.

Will PHSU St. Louis accept graduate-level transfer credits for the PsyD? How many credits can transfer?

Up to 24 credits may be transferred from other graduate programs or a master’s degree. The following requirements will guide (but not restrict) the evaluation process of those courses submitted for approval:

Courses need to be relevant to the field of Clinical Psychology
The student must have approved the course with a minimum of a “B” grade.

The student’s responsible for providing the course description and syllabus from the official catalog of the institution where the courses were taken.

PHSU St. Louis has several courses and practicums not substituted with courses or practicums transferred from other institutions unless the student demonstrates specific competencies in such areas.

What is the deadline to apply to the PsyD?

June 30, 2024

The PsyD program begins every fall. You can view the application and apply to the PsyD program here. Or learn more about applying to PHSU St. Louis before filling out your application.

General Questions

Can I tour the PHSU St. Louis campus?

Yes! We’d be happy to schedule a tour for you. Our campus is at 2351 Market St., St. Louis, MO 63103. Tours are regularly scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

We may be able to schedule outside of these times, but you will have to contact our admissions office. You can call 314-499-6540 or email stl-admissions@psm.edu to set up your campus visit.

How do I apply for financial aid?

Visit our financial aid page for all the information about financial aid at PHSU St. Louis. In short, you should complete the FAFSA and complete the PHSU Application Request for Aids and Loans, then read and sign the PHSU Student Authorization.

Does PHSU St. Louis have clinical opportunities for PsyD students?

Yes, PHSU St. Louis has partnerships with local mental health facilities in the St. Louis area to place students in clinical settings to complete their hours. PHSU St. Louis has a wide range of opportunities to place students in clinical settings best suited to their long-term career goals and areas of interest in clinical psychology.

Is there an online option for the PsyD?

No, PHSU St. Louis does not currently offer any online options for the PsyD program. All students must attend full-time classes at our campus in downtown St. Louis.

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