Best Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Alabama, Ranked (2026)
The 5 APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral programs in Alabama for 2026, with cohort sizes, the 11-month internship without post-doctoral hours, EPPP plus the Alabama Professional Standards Examination, and Alabama's PSYPACT status (effective June 2021).
Key Takeaways
- Alabama has 5 APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs at 4 institutions. University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Clinical Psychology PhD (continuously APA-accredited since 1959). University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Medical/Clinical Psychology PhD (since 1985). Auburn University Clinical Psychology PhD (since 1981; reaccredited 2019 through ~2029). Auburn University Counseling Psychology PhD (since 1988; reaccredited 2017 through ~2027). University of South Alabama Clinical and Counseling Psychology PhD (Combined-Integrated; initial 2014; reaccredited March 2023 for 10 years through ~2033).
- Alabama has zero APA-accredited PsyD programs. All 5 APA programs are PhDs. Spring Hill College, Alabama A&M, Troy, Jacksonville State, and Auburn at Montgomery do NOT offer APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs. University of South Alabama's Combined-Integrated PhD is one of only a handful of APA-dually-accredited Clinical + Counseling programs in the United States.
- Alabama licenses psychologists through the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology (ABEIP) under Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 750-X-2.
- Alabama uniquely requires NO post-doctoral supervised hours for licensure (per Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 750-X-2). Candidates may apply for full licensure immediately after the doctoral degree plus an approved internship (clinical and counseling specializations require internship at least 11 months; school psychology at least 10 months). This is a major Alabama distinction vs. most US states.
- Exam sequence is the EPPP (passing scaled score 500; fee paid directly to ASPPB) plus the Alabama Professional Standards Examination (PSE): 42 multiple-choice questions on APA Ethical Principles plus Alabama psychology law; passing score 80%; $50 fee; administered at Board Office 8:30-10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
- Fees: Initial license application fee $400 (due upon submission); annual renewal $280 (Alabama renews ANNUALLY, not biennially). 2026 renewal due October 15, 2025.
- Alabama is a PSYPACT operational state since June 1, 2021. SB 102 enacted March 18, 2021. Alabama is fully participating in PSYPACT, enabling licensed AL psychologists to practice telepsychology and provide temporary in-person services across the compact states.
- UAB Medicine is the largest academic medical center in Alabama; UAB Health System plus Birmingham VA jointly sponsor two APA-accredited internships; deep training pipeline for medical/clinical, neuropsychology, pediatric, rehabilitation, and geropsychology.
Alabama runs a deep APA-accredited doctoral psychology training landscape with 5 programs at 4 institutions. University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Clinical Psychology PhD has been continuously APA-accredited since 1959, making it one of the longest-accredited Clinical PhDs in the US Southeast. Scientist-practitioner / Boulder model with cohorts of 8 to 14 students per year. UA graduate per-credit-hour 2025-26 is $650 in-state and $1,710 out-of-state; full-time annual $11,100 in-state / $32,400 out-of-state. Funded doctoral students typically receive GTA/GRA tuition waivers plus stipend. GRE not required. Concentrations include clinical child, clinical health, clinical geropsychology, and psychology-law. UA Psychology Clinic on-campus plus Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center plus Bryce Hospital/Taylor Hardin/Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatry Center proximity. Note: UA Tuscaloosa's School Psychology PhD (College of Education) is NASP-approved but NOT APA-accredited; UA does NOT offer an APA-accredited Counseling Psychology PhD.
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Medical/Clinical Psychology PhD has been APA-accredited since 1985. All PhD students receive at least $30,000 stipend plus full tuition plus lab fees plus health insurance. 5 to 7 years to completion including 1-year APA-accredited internship. Cohort of 6 to 10 new students per year. Concentrations (areas of emphasis): health psychology and behavioral medicine, pediatric psychology, neuropsychology, rehabilitation psychology, geropsychology, substance abuse, health disparities, neurodevelopmental disorders. Affiliations include UAB Health System, Birmingham VA Medical Center, and Children's of Alabama. UAB and Birmingham VA jointly sponsor two APA-accredited internships. Note: UAB's Behavioral Neuroscience PhD and Applied Developmental Psychology PhD are NOT APA-accredited (APA only accredits clinical/counseling/school/combined; these are basic-science PhDs).
Auburn University Clinical Psychology PhD was first APA-accredited 1981; last site visit 2019; awarded the maximum 10-year period (next visit ~2029). Scientist-practitioner model with 83 credit hours total. 5 years on-campus + 1-year APA-accredited internship. GRE optional for Fall 2026 admission (applicants not penalized for omitting; ETS code 1005 if submitted by December 1). Auburn graduate per-credit-hour 2025-26 is $612 resident / $1,836 out-of-state. First-year clinical doctoral students typically funded via GTA covering tuition for up to 15 credit hours per semester. 100% internship match rate (2011-2019) per APPIC. Auburn University Counseling Psychology PhD (Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation and Counseling) has been continuously APA-accredited since 1988; last site visit 2017; awarded maximum 10 years (next visit ~2027). 5 students per year from 60 to 110 applications and 14 to 16 interviews. 4+ years on-campus coursework (97 credit hours) + 1-year full-time pre-doctoral internship. 91% of alumni (3-10 years out) licensed.
University of South Alabama (Mobile) Clinical and Counseling Psychology (CCP) PhD is one of only a handful of APA-dually-accredited Combined-Integrated Clinical + Counseling Psychology programs in the United States. Initial site visit June 6-7, 2013; accreditation approved April 2014. Most recent site visit March 22-23, 2023; affirmed by APA CoA summer 2023 for 10 years (next review ~2033). Holds dual APA accreditation in BOTH clinical and counseling psychology. Scientist-practitioner / Boulder model jointly administered across the Department of Psychology (College of Arts and Sciences) and the Department of Counseling and Instructional Sciences (College of Education and Professional Studies). USA graduate per-credit-hour ~$480 in-state / $960 out-of-state. Bachelor's-entry students complete MS-Applied Concentration en route (~77-92 total credits); master's-entry students need a minimum of 48 doctoral-level credits at USA. GRE optional.
The Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology (ABEIP) licensure path under Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 750-X-2 requires a doctorate from an APA-accredited program, an internship of at least 11 months (clinical and counseling specializations; 10 months for school psychology), the EPPP (passing scaled score 500), and the Alabama Professional Standards Examination (PSE) (42 multiple-choice questions on APA Ethical Principles plus Alabama psychology law; 80% passing; $50 fee). Alabama uniquely requires NO post-doctoral supervised hours for licensure. Initial application $400; annual renewal $280 (Alabama renews ANNUALLY, not biennially). Board reviews applications every other month with materials due by 1st of odd-numbered months for review at next meeting.
Alabama has been a PSYPACT operational state since June 1, 2021 (SB 102 enacted March 18, 2021). AL psychologists holding the E.Passport plus APIT/TAP can practice telepsychology and temporary in-person services across the 40+ PSYPACT-participating jurisdictions. Alabama State Hospital infrastructure includes Bryce Hospital (Tuscaloosa, historic state psychiatric hospital), Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatry Center (1996, on Bryce campus), and Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility (1981, Tuscaloosa, the only maximum-security forensic facility operated by ADMH; comprehensive psychiatric evaluation/treatment to criminally committed; forensic evaluations for Alabama Criminal Courts).
APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Alabama
All 5 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) | ~$650/credit-hour (in-state, 2025-26); $11,100/year full-time; funded doctoral students receive GTA/GRA tuition waivers + stipend | On-campus | |
| 2 | University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) | All PhD students receive ≥$30,000 stipend + full tuition + lab fees + health insurance (general UAB graduate tuition reference: ~$8,640/year in-state) | On-campus | |
| 3 | Auburn University (Clinical PhD) | ~$612/credit-hour (resident, 2025-26); first-year clinical doctoral students typically funded via GTA covering tuition for up to 15 credit hours/semester | On-campus | |
| 4 | Auburn University (Counseling Psychology PhD) | ~$612/credit-hour (resident); students typically funded | On-campus | |
| 5 | University of South Alabama (Combined Clinical and Counseling PhD) | ~$480/credit-hour (AL resident); ~$9,360/year full-time | On-campus |
University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
In-State
~$650/credit-hour (in-state, 2025-26); $11,100/year full-time; funded doctoral students receive GTA/GRA tuition waivers + stipend
Out-of-State
~$1,710/credit-hour (out-of-state); $32,400/year full-time; same with funding
Length
~5 years coursework + 1-year APA-accredited internship
Field Hours
11+ months on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum at UA Psychology Clinic (on-campus) and Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center
Concentrations
- Continuously APA-accredited since 1959 (one of the longest-accredited Clinical PhDs in the US Southeast)
- Cohort of 8 to 14 students per year
- GRE no longer required
- Four concentrations: clinical child, clinical health, clinical geropsychology, psychology-law
- Affiliations with UA Psychology Clinic, Tuscaloosa VA, and Bryce Hospital/Taylor Hardin/Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatry Center proximity
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
In-State
All PhD students receive ≥$30,000 stipend + full tuition + lab fees + health insurance (general UAB graduate tuition reference: ~$8,640/year in-state)
Out-of-State
~$21,168/year (out-of-state); same with funding
Length
5 to 7 years including 1-year APA-accredited internship
Field Hours
11+ months on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum at UAB Health System, Birmingham VA, Children's of Alabama
Concentrations
- APA-accredited since 1985
- All PhD students receive ≥$30,000 stipend + full tuition + lab fees + health insurance
- 6 to 10 new students per year
- Eight areas of emphasis: health/behavioral medicine, pediatric, neuropsychology, rehabilitation, geropsychology, substance abuse, health disparities, neurodevelopmental disorders
- UAB Health System + Birmingham VA jointly sponsor two APA-accredited internships
Auburn University (Clinical PhD)
In-State
~$612/credit-hour (resident, 2025-26); first-year clinical doctoral students typically funded via GTA covering tuition for up to 15 credit hours/semester
Out-of-State
~$1,836/credit-hour (out-of-state); same with funding
Length
~5 years on-campus + 1-year APA-accredited internship; 83 credit hours total
Field Hours
11+ months on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum at Auburn Psychological Services clinic (1122 Haley Center)
Concentrations
- First APA-accredited 1981; last site visit 2019; awarded the maximum 10-year period; next visit ~2029
- 100% internship match rate (2011-2019) per APPIC
- GRE optional for Fall 2026 admission (applicants not penalized for omitting)
- 83 credit hours total; scientist-practitioner core
- First-year clinical doctoral students typically funded via GTA
Auburn University (Counseling Psychology PhD)
In-State
~$612/credit-hour (resident); students typically funded
Out-of-State
~$1,836/credit-hour (out-of-state); same with funding
Length
4+ years on-campus coursework (97 credit hours) + 1-year full-time pre-doctoral internship
Field Hours
11+ months on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- Continuously APA-accredited since 1988; last site visit 2017; awarded the maximum 10 years; next visit ~2027
- 5 students per year from 60-110 applications, 14-16 interviews
- 91% of alumni (3-10 years out) licensed
- 97 credit hours coursework + 1-year full-time pre-doctoral internship
- Scientist-practitioner with social justice lens; psychotherapy, assessment, research, advocacy training
University of South Alabama (Combined Clinical and Counseling PhD)
In-State
~$480/credit-hour (AL resident); ~$9,360/year full-time
Out-of-State
~$960/credit-hour (out-of-state); ~$18,000/year full-time
Length
Bachelor's-entry: ~77-92 total credits including MS-Applied Concentration; master's-entry: minimum 48 doctoral-level credits at USA
Field Hours
11+ months on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- One of only a handful of APA-dually-accredited Combined-Integrated (Clinical + Counseling) programs in the United States
- Dual APA accreditation in BOTH clinical and counseling psychology
- Most recent site visit March 2023; affirmed by APA CoA summer 2023 for 10 years (next review ~2033)
- Jointly administered across the Department of Psychology (College of Arts and Sciences) and the Department of Counseling and Instructional Sciences (College of Education and Professional Studies)
- GRE optional; affordable $480/credit in-state
How to Become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Alabama
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology (ABEIP)
(334) 242-4127
Alabama regulates psychologists through the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology (ABEIP) under Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 750-X-2.
Education requirement is a doctorate from an APA-accredited program (or equivalent).
Required pre-doctoral internship: Clinical and counseling specializations require internship at least 11 months; school psychology at least 10 months. Alabama uniquely requires NO post-doctoral supervised hours for licensure (per Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 750-X-2). Candidates may apply for full licensure immediately after the doctoral degree plus approved internship. This is a major Alabama distinction vs. most US states.
Exam sequence is the EPPP (passing scaled score 500; fee paid directly to ASPPB) plus the Alabama Professional Standards Examination (PSE): 42 multiple-choice questions on APA Ethical Principles plus Alabama psychology law; passing score 80%; $50 fee; administered at Board Office 8:30-10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Fees: Initial license application $400 (due upon submission); annual renewal $280 (Alabama renews ANNUALLY, not biennially). Board reviews applications every other month with materials due by 1st of odd-numbered months for review at next meeting. Total timeline runs 8 to 12 years post-bachelor's (Alabama's no-post-doc-hours rule shortens the path vs. most states).
Supervised pre-doctoral internship (at least 11 months for clinical/counseling; at least 10 months for school)
Supervised practice during the doctoral program under faculty and site supervision; not a separate Board credential
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: Not applicable
Licensed Psychologist
Independent practice, mental health diagnosis and treatment, psychological testing and assessment, supervision of trainees, expert testimony, telepsychology under PSYPACT for AL LPs holding APIT/TAP
Hours
1,760
Duration
At least 11 months pre-doctoral internship (clinical/counseling) or 10 months (school); <strong>NO post-doctoral hours required</strong>
Exam: EPPP (passing scaled score 500) + Alabama Professional Standards Examination / PSE (42 MC, 80% passing, $50 fee)
Alabama does not offer automatic reciprocity. Out-of-state applicants must complete the Alabama Professional Standards Examination (PSE).
Alabama is a PSYPACT operational state since June 1, 2021. SB 102 enacted March 18, 2021. Alabama is fully participating in PSYPACT (Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact), enabling licensed AL psychologists to practice telepsychology and provide temporary in-person services across the 40+ compact states via E.Passport and APIT/TAP credentials.
Clinical Psychologist Salary in Alabama
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Alabama psychologist wages run below national medians. Alabama is among the lowest-paying states for psychologists per BLS data, with mean wages in the $70,000-$80,000 range. The BLS Alabama OEWS should be verified for SOC 19-3033 (state median + Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery metros). National median for SOC 19-3033 is $96,100 (May 2024). National School Psychologist median is $86,930. Alabama cost of living runs well below national average.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033)
National median: $96,100
Top metro: Verify with BLS MSA pages (Birmingham-Hoover, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery)
School Psychologists (SOC 19-3034)
National median: $86,930
Top metro: Verify with BLS (Jefferson County Schools, Birmingham City Schools, Mobile County Public Schools)
Psychologists, All Other (SOC 19-3039)
National median: National mean ~$120,000
Top metro: Verify with BLS (Birmingham (UAB Medicine))
Alabama Clinical Psychology Job Market and Top Employers
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Alabama has a deep psychology employment market concentrated in Birmingham (UAB Medicine hub), Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa. Major employers fall into five buckets.
Academic medical centers and health systems: UAB Medicine (Birmingham; the largest academic medical center in Alabama), Children's of Alabama (Birmingham; major pediatric psychology employer; Behavioral Health Outpatient and Ireland Center; trains UAB pre-doctoral interns; requires PhD/PsyD from APA-accredited program + APA internship + AL licensure or eligibility), USA Health (Mobile; University of South Alabama health system; psychiatry/psychology services at Mobile Diagnostic Center), Huntsville Hospital (Huntsville; Adult and Senior Behavioral Health Services at 101 Sivley SW Road), Mobile Infirmary (Mobile), Baptist Health System (Montgomery), DCH Health System (Tuscaloosa), and East Alabama Health (Opelika).
State psychiatric facilities (Alabama Department of Mental Health): Bryce Hospital (Tuscaloosa; historic state psychiatric hospital), Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatry Center (established 1996 on Bryce Hospital campus), and Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility (Tuscaloosa; established 1981 at Bryce complex; the ONLY maximum-security forensic facility operated by ADMH; comprehensive psychiatric evaluation/treatment to criminally committed; forensic evaluations for Alabama Criminal Courts). Office of Forensic Mental Health Services directed by Virginia Scott-Adams, PsyD.
Veterans Affairs (all APA-accredited internship sites): Birmingham VA Health Care System / BVAHCS (4 internship positions for 2026-27: 3 general, 1 neuropsychology), Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center / TVAMC (general mental health, SUD, homelessness, PTSD, assessment, neuropsychology, integrated primary care, geriatrics, research), and Central Alabama VA Health Care System / CAVHCS (East Campus in Tuskegee, West Campus in Montgomery).
K-12 school districts (employers of school psychologists): Birmingham City Schools, Jefferson County Schools, Mobile County Public Schools, Madison City Schools, and Huntsville City Schools.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Federal program. Health service psychologists eligible. Up to $50,000 for 2 years full-time service at NHSC-approved site in HPSA. 2026 cycle open through March 31, 2026, 6:30 p.m. CT.
NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce LRP: Up to $75,000 for 3 years full-time service at NHSC-approved SUD treatment facility in Mental Health or primary medical care HPSA. Administered in AL via Alabama Department of Public Health Office of Primary Care and Rural Health.
STAR LRP (Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program): Up to $250,000 for 6 years full-time service at approved SUD site.
VA Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Birmingham VA, Tuscaloosa VA, and Central Alabama VA employed psychologists can qualify for EDRP awards up to $200,000 over 5 years.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): AL psychologists at qualifying nonprofit/government/VA/public university employers (UAB, UA, Auburn, University of South Alabama, ADMH state hospitals, Children's of Alabama, public school districts) qualify for PSLF after 120 qualifying payments. Note: Alabama does NOT have an active HRSA State Loan Repayment Grant. No standalone state-funded LRP for psychologists.
How to Choose a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in Alabama
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Choosing an Alabama clinical psychology doctoral program comes down to four levers: the UA Tuscaloosa vs UAB vs Auburn vs USA institution choice, training model (Clinical Science PhD vs Medical/Clinical PhD vs scientist-practitioner PhD vs Combined-Integrated dual PhD), specialization, and Alabama's nationally distinctive licensure (NO post-doctoral hours required). Here is how to actually narrow it down.
If you want a Clinical PhD with deep Southern roots: UA Tuscaloosa Clinical PhD (continuously APA-accredited since 1959, one of the longest-accredited Clinical PhDs in the US Southeast, 4 concentrations: child/health/gero/psy-law, GRE not required).
If you want academic medical center training with full funding: UAB Medical/Clinical PhD (since 1985, ALL PhD students receive ≥$30,000 stipend + full tuition + lab fees + health insurance; UAB Medicine is the largest academic medical center in Alabama; 8 areas of emphasis including health, peds, neuropsych, rehab, gero).
If you want a Clinical PhD with strong internship match: Auburn Clinical PhD (since 1981, 100% internship match rate 2011-2019, last site visit 2019 awarded maximum 10-year period, GRE optional for Fall 2026, 83 credit hours).
If you want a Counseling Psychology PhD: Auburn Counseling Psych PhD (since 1988, 5 students/year, 91% of alumni licensed, scientist-practitioner with social justice lens, last site visit 2017 next ~2027).
If you want a Combined Clinical + Counseling Psychology PhD (rare nationally): University of South Alabama Combined-Integrated PhD. One of only a handful of APA-DUALLY-accredited Combined Clinical + Counseling programs in the United States. Most recent site visit March 2023; affirmed by APA CoA summer 2023 for 10 years (next ~2033). $480/credit in-state. GRE optional.
If you want Alabama's no-post-doc licensure path: Alabama uniquely requires NO post-doctoral supervised hours for licensure. Candidates can apply for full licensure immediately after doctoral degree + 11-month internship + EPPP + PSE. Shortest licensure path to full LP among US states.
If you want maximum PSYPACT leverage: Alabama has been PSYPACT operational since June 1, 2021. AL LPs holding APIT/TAP can practice telepsychology and temporary in-person services across 40+ PSYPACT jurisdictions.
Caveats worth knowing before applying: Alabama has zero APA-accredited PsyD programs. All 5 APA programs are PhDs. UA Tuscaloosa's School Psychology PhD is NASP-approved but NOT APA-accredited. UAB's Behavioral Neuroscience PhD and Applied Developmental Psychology PhD are NOT APA-accredited (basic-science PhDs). Alabama renews licenses ANNUALLY at $280/year, not biennially. Alabama is among the lowest-paying states for psychologists ($70-80K range per BLS) but cost of living runs well below national average. Alabama does NOT have a state-funded loan repayment program; rely on federal NHSC + PSLF.
Related Pages
Counseling Programs in Alabama
CACREP-accredited counseling programs and the Alabama LPC license, a master's alternative to the 7-year clinical psychology doctorate
MSW Programs in Alabama
CSWE-accredited social work programs and Alabama LCSW licensure
ABA Programs in Alabama
BACB-verified course sequences and Alabama BCBA practice for students considering applied behavior analysis
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs by State
Browse APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral programs (PhD and PsyD) in every state
Sources
- APA Commission on Accreditation, Accredited Programs Directory
- Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology (ABEIP)
- Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 750-X-2
- PSYPACT, Compact Map
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Alabama Estimates
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychologists
- Alabama NHSC (ADPH Rural Health)
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program
- UA Tuscaloosa Clinical PhD
- UAB Medical/Clinical PhD
- Auburn Clinical PhD
- Auburn Counseling Psychology PhD
- University of South Alabama Clinical and Counseling PhD