Best Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Arizona, Ranked (2026)
Top APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral programs (PhD and PsyD) in Arizona for 2026, with cohort sizes, the 3,000 supervised hours (postdoc NOT required), EPPP plus the Arizona Jurisprudence Examination, and Arizona's status as the founding PSYPACT state since May 2016.
Key Takeaways
- Arizona has roughly 7+ APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs across 4 institutions. R1 anchors include Arizona State University (Clinical PhD APA + PCSAS, Counseling PhD continuously APA-accredited since 1972 through 2030) and University of Arizona Tucson (Clinical PhD jointly APA + PCSAS-accredited since 1962; School Psychology PhD APA-accredited since 1979 and NASP-approved since 1991). Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff runs an APA-accredited Combined Counseling/School Psychology PhD (full APA accreditation March-April 2022, next visit 2031; the only APA-accredited combined program in Arizona and one of only 3 in the United States). Midwestern University in Glendale runs Arizona's only APA-accredited Clinical PsyD.
- Arizona licenses psychologists through the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners. Required Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) is 3,000 hours total: minimum 1,500 hours pre-doctoral internship plus 1,500 additional hours from pre-internship (practicum) and/or post-doctoral experience (combined maximum 1,500).
- Arizona does NOT require post-doctoral hours. Post-doc may be applied as part of the 1,500 additional hours but is not mandatory if practicum and internship hours already meet the 3,000-hour total. Arizona was historically a post-doc state but the current rule allows direct licensure after the doctoral internship if hours are sufficient.
- Exam sequence is the EPPP (passing scaled score 500/800, 225 multiple-choice questions) plus the Arizona Jurisprudence Examination ($150 fee). The Jurisprudence Education Tool (JET) adds a new 4-hour CE category for license renewals (first required for Feb 28, 2026 renewals).
- Fees: Application ~$350; EPPP $687.50; background check/fingerprinting ~$100; Jurisprudence exam $150; supervised temporary license $200; biennial active license renewal $500. Total initial path costs $600 to $1,200 in board/exam fees plus EPPP.
- Arizona is the founding PSYPACT state. Arizona HB 2503 was the FIRST state legislation to enact PSYPACT, signed by Governor Doug Ducey on May 17, 2016, codified at A.R.S. § 32-2087. PSYPACT became operational nationally once the 7th state enacted in 2020. As of 2026, 42+ PSYPACT states + DC participate. Arizona psychologists were the first cohort eligible for interjurisdictional telepsychology nationally.
- Bilingual Spanish demand is heavy in Arizona (~32% Hispanic/Latino population, border state). Spanish-language clinical, school, and counseling psychology services are in heavy demand in Tucson, Yuma, Nogales, and Phoenix. Tribal mental health partnerships with Navajo Nation, Tohono O'odham, Pascua Yaqui, and other tribes through IHS Navajo Area and IHS Phoenix/Tucson Areas create distinctive career pathways for psychologists interested in tribal/AI-AN behavioral health.
- Argosy University Phoenix (Arizona School of Professional Psychology, AzSPP) closed March 2019, removing Phoenix's primary APA-accredited PsyD pipeline. Midwestern University Glendale is now Arizona's only APA-accredited PsyD program. AzSPP had been recently awarded 10 years of APA accreditation before closure.
Arizona runs a smaller but distinctive psychology training market anchored by three institutions. Arizona State University Tempe runs APA-accredited Clinical PhD (also PCSAS-accredited; member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science) and Counseling Psychology PhD (continuously APA-accredited since 1972 through 2030). University of Arizona Tucson runs an APA + PCSAS dual-accredited Clinical PhD (continuously APA-accredited since 1962, one of the oldest in the country) plus an APA-accredited School Psychology PhD (APA since 1979, NASP since 1991). Northern Arizona University Flagstaff runs an APA-accredited Combined Counseling/School Psychology PhD (full APA approval at the March-April 2022 APA CoA meeting; next visit 2031); this is the only APA-accredited combined program in Arizona and one of only 3 in the United States. Midwestern University Glendale (Phoenix metro) runs Arizona's only APA-accredited Clinical PsyD.
The Arizona doctoral landscape became more constrained in March 2019 when Argosy University Phoenix (Arizona School of Professional Psychology) closed after the US Department of Education cut off federal student aid. AzSPP had been recently awarded 10 years of APA accreditation. Phoenix lost its primary PsyD pipeline; Midwestern Glendale is now Arizona's only APA-accredited PsyD program.
The Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners licensure path is favorable on hours and timeline. Required Supervised Professional Experience totals 3,000 hours: minimum 1,500 hours pre-doctoral internship plus 1,500 additional hours from a combination of pre-internship practicum and post-doctoral experience (combined max 1,500). Post-doctoral hours are NOT required; if practicum plus internship total 3,000 hours by graduation, licensure applications can be filed immediately. This is a material advantage versus traditional post-doc-required states. Exam sequence is the EPPP (passing scaled score 500, 225 multiple-choice questions) plus the Arizona Jurisprudence Examination ($150 fee). The Jurisprudence Education Tool (JET) adds a new 4-hour CE category for license renewals starting Feb 28, 2026 renewal cycle.
Arizona is the founding PSYPACT state. Arizona HB 2503 was the FIRST state legislation to enact PSYPACT, signed by Governor Doug Ducey on May 17, 2016. Codified at A.R.S. § 32-2087. PSYPACT became operational nationally once the 7th state enacted on July 1, 2020. Arizona psychologists were the first cohort eligible for interjurisdictional telepsychology nationally. Combined with no post-doc requirement, strong bilingual Spanish demand, tribal mental health employment opportunities through IHS Navajo Area and IHS Phoenix/Tucson Areas, and the Phoenix metro's expanding behavioral health investment (Banner Health, Phoenix Children's, HonorHealth, Dignity Health, Mayo Clinic Arizona), Arizona offers one of the most favorable licensure economics in the Southwest.
APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Arizona
All 6 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona State University (Clinical PhD) | Funded students typically receive tuition waivers + stipend; ASU minimum stipend for 50% AY RA/TA appointment 2025-26 is $26,544 | On-campus | |
| 2 | Arizona State University (Counseling PhD) | Funded students receive assistantship support | On-campus | |
| 3 | University of Arizona (Clinical PhD) | ~$14,856 per year (in-state) typically waived for funded PhDs | On-campus | |
| 4 | University of Arizona (School PhD) | ~$14,856 per year (in-state) with assistantship support typical | On-campus | |
| 5 | Northern Arizona University (NAU) | NAU graduate rates with assistantship support typical | On-campus | |
| 6 | Midwestern University | ~$43,165 per year (flat private rate, in-state and out-of-state) + $1,045 institution fees + ~$3,864 estimated additional costs | On-campus |
Arizona State University (Clinical PhD)
In-State
Funded students typically receive tuition waivers + stipend; ASU minimum stipend for 50% AY RA/TA appointment 2025-26 is $26,544
Out-of-State
Same with funding
Length
6 years (84 credit hours; including 1-year full-time internship)
Field Hours
1,500+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- APA-accredited AND PCSAS-accredited; member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science
- Cohort of 3 to 10 admitted yearly out of 200 to 300 applicants
- GRE policy decided each year by faculty; clinical area is the only ASU psych program accepting GRE General and Psychology Subject tests
- 84-credit, 6-year structure including 1-year full-time internship
- Tempe location with placements across Phoenix metro academic medical centers and Banner Health
Arizona State University (Counseling PhD)
In-State
Funded students receive assistantship support
Out-of-State
Same with funding
Length
5 to 6 years
Field Hours
1,500+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- Continuously APA-accredited since 1972; currently accredited through 2030
- Multicultural competence and social justice focus
- Scientist-practitioner training model
- Minimum cumulative GPA 3.00 (last 60 hours of bachelor's or master's)
- Housed within School of Counseling and Counseling Psychology in the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts
University of Arizona (Clinical PhD)
In-State
~$14,856 per year (in-state) typically waived for funded PhDs
Out-of-State
~$34,110 per year (out-of-state) typically waived
Length
5 to 6 years
Field Hours
1,500+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- Continuously APA-accredited since 1962, one of the oldest Clinical PhDs in the country, AND PCSAS-accredited
- Tuition typically waived for funded PhDs
- Strong faculty research in health psychology, behavioral medicine, neuropsychology
- Tucson location with placements at Banner University Medical Center Tucson, Southern Arizona VA, and Banner Diamond Children's Medical Center
- Department also offers Cognition and Neural Systems (CNS) and Social and Personality concentrations
University of Arizona (School PhD)
In-State
~$14,856 per year (in-state) with assistantship support typical
Out-of-State
~$34,110 per year (out-of-state)
Length
5 to 6 years
Field Hours
1,500+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- APA-accredited School Psychology PhD since 1979 AND NASP-approved since 1991
- Graduates qualify for NCSP credential and Arizona psychology licensure
- Scholar-practitioner training model
- Tucson location with placements across Tucson Unified School District and broader Southern Arizona K-12 network
- One of only two APA-accredited School Psychology doctoral programs in Arizona (alongside NAU's Combined)
Northern Arizona University (NAU)
In-State
NAU graduate rates with assistantship support typical
Out-of-State
NAU out-of-state graduate rates
Length
5 to 6 years (122-hour program)
Field Hours
1,500+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- Full APA accreditation approved March-April 2022; next site visit 2031
- The ONLY APA-accredited combined program in Arizona and one of just three in the country
- 122-hour combined Counseling + School Psychology structure
- Scientist-practitioner training model
- Flagstaff location near Navajo Nation with strong Indian Health Service placement opportunities
Midwestern University
In-State
~$43,165 per year (flat private rate, in-state and out-of-state) + $1,045 institution fees + ~$3,864 estimated additional costs
Out-of-State
~$43,165 per year (flat private rate)
Length
4 years full-time (5-year option with additional practicum)
Field Hours
1,500+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- Arizona's only APA-accredited PsyD program
- Practitioner-scholar training with small class sizes and student-mentor model
- 4-year full-time structure (5-year option with additional practicum)
- Glendale (Phoenix metro) location with placements across Banner Health, Phoenix Children's, HonorHealth, and Phoenix VA
- Fills the Phoenix-metro PsyD gap created by the 2019 Argosy/Arizona School of Professional Psychology closure
How to Become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Arizona
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners
(602) 542-8162
Arizona regulates psychologists through the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners.
Education requirement is a doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-accredited program (or equivalent).
Required Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) is 3,000 hours total: minimum 1,500 hours pre-doctoral internship meeting AZ requirements, plus 1,500 additional hours from a combination of pre-internship practicum and/or post-doctoral experience (combined maximum 1,500). Post-doctoral hours are NOT required; post-doc may be applied as part of the additional 1,500 hours but is not mandatory if practicum and internship hours already meet the 3,000-hour total.
Exam sequence is the EPPP (passing scaled score 500/800, 225 multiple-choice questions) plus the Arizona Jurisprudence Examination ($150 fee). The Jurisprudence Education Tool (JET) is a new 4-hour CE category that applies to license renewals; the first group required to complete JET were those with Feb 28, 2026 renewal deadlines.
Fees: Application ~$350; EPPP $687.50; background check/fingerprinting ~$100; Jurisprudence exam $150; supervised temporary license $200; biennial active license renewal $500. Total initial path costs roughly $600 to $1,200 in board and exam fees plus EPPP. Total timeline from start of doctorate to full license typically runs 6 to 8 years.
Supervised pre-doctoral internship (1,500+ hours)
Supervised practice during the doctoral program under faculty and site supervision; not a separate Board credential
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: Not applicable
Supervised Temporary License ($200 fee)
Authorizes supervised post-internship practice while accumulating remaining hours and preparing for examinations
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: Not required to hold the temporary license
Licensed Psychologist
Independent practice, mental health diagnosis and treatment, psychological testing and assessment, supervision of trainees, expert testimony, telepsychology under PSYPACT for AZ LPs holding APIT
Hours
3,000
Duration
1,500 pre-doctoral internship + 1,500 additional hours from practicum and/or post-doctoral (post-doc NOT required if hours met by graduation)
Exam: EPPP (passing scaled score 500) + Arizona Jurisprudence Examination ($150)
Arizona does not offer automatic reciprocity but allows licensure by endorsement for out-of-state psychologists who hold a current valid license earned through requirements substantially equivalent to Arizona. Out-of-state applicants must complete the Arizona Jurisprudence Examination.
Arizona is the founding PSYPACT state. Arizona HB 2503 was the FIRST state legislation to enact PSYPACT, signed by Governor Doug Ducey on May 17, 2016, codified at A.R.S. § 32-2087. PSYPACT became operational nationally once the 7th state enacted on July 1, 2020. Arizona LPs holding the E.Passport and APIT (Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology) plus TAP (Temporary Authorization to Practice, up to 30 days in-person) through the PSYPACT Commission can practice telepsychology and short-term in-person practice across all 40+ PSYPACT member states. Arizona psychologists were the first cohort eligible for interjurisdictional telepsychology nationally.
Clinical Psychologist Salary in Arizona
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Arizona psychologist wages run roughly at national median in nominal terms, with the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro running close to or slightly above national median given Banner Health, Phoenix Children's, HonorHealth, Dignity Health, and Mayo Clinic Arizona academic medical center concentration. The BLS Arizona OEWS places Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033) near the national median of $96,100. Arizona cost of living runs below national average in Tucson and rural areas, materially improving take-home math.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033)
National median: $96,100
Top metro: ~$100,000+ (Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler)
School Psychologists (SOC 19-3034)
National median: $84,940
Top metro: Senior steps reach ~$90,000+ (Mesa, Phoenix Union, Chandler USD)
Psychologists, All Other (SOC 19-3039)
National median: National mean ~$120,000
Top metro: Top consulting and I-O roles top $140,000+ (Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler)
Arizona Clinical Psychology Job Market and Top Employers
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Arizona has two major psychology employment hubs (Phoenix metro and Tucson) plus distinctive tribal mental health employment through Indian Health Service Navajo Area and IHS Phoenix/Tucson Areas. Major employers fall into five buckets.
Phoenix metro health systems: Banner Health (Arizona's largest healthcare employer with ~48,869 employees, HQ Phoenix, nonprofit; includes Banner University Medical Center Phoenix), HonorHealth (~16,000 employees, nonprofit, 9 acute-care hospitals across Phoenix/Scottsdale serving ~5M population), Dignity Health Arizona / CommonSpirit (~14,000 employees including Dignity Health St. Joseph's), Mayo Clinic Arizona, and Phoenix Children's Hospital (pediatric psychologists and neuropsychologists; active behavioral health hiring).
Tucson health systems: Banner University Medical Center Tucson (runs APA-accredited doctoral clinical psychology internship), Banner Diamond Children's Medical Center, Tucson Medical Center, and Carondelet Health Network.
State government: Arizona State Hospital (501 N 24th Street, Phoenix; 260-bed forensic/long-term psychiatric facility, highest restrictive level of MH care in AZ), Arizona Department of Health Services Behavioral Health Services, Arizona Department of Corrections (ADOC), and Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS, state Medicaid and major behavioral health contracting authority).
Federal and VA: Phoenix VA Health Care System (Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, 650 E Indian School Road, Phoenix), Southern Arizona VA Health Care System / SAVAHCS (Tucson, with APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship AND post-doctoral fellowship).
Indian Health Service and tribal: Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC), Navajo Area IHS / NAIHS (serves 244,000+ AI/AN across 5 federal service units), Sells Indian Hospital (Tohono O'odham Nation, IHS Tucson Area), Navajo Division of Behavioral and Mental Health Services (DBMHS), and Tohono O'odham Nation Division of Behavioral Health. This is a distinctive Arizona career pathway, with strong demand for psychologists interested in tribal/AI-AN behavioral health.
K-12 public school districts: Mesa Public Schools (largest district in AZ), Phoenix Union High School District, Tucson Unified School District, Chandler Unified School District, and Gilbert Public Schools.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Arizona State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): Administered by Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Women's and Children's Health. Psychologists explicitly eligible. Up to $50,000 for clinical psychologists in exchange for initial 2-year service commitment in federally designated HPSAs.
Arizona Behavioral Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program (A.R.S. § 36-2175): Covers psychologists, psychiatrists, behavioral health nurse practitioners, BH technicians, etc. Service in Arizona State Hospital, behavioral health residential facilities, or secure BH residential facilities. Eligibility requires employer contracted with AHCCCS to provide services.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Federal program. Health service psychologists eligible as mental/behavioral health providers. 2026 award: up to $55,000 full-time / $30,000 half-time for 2-year initial commitment at NHSC-approved site in a mental HPSA. Continuation contracts available.
NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce LRP: Psychologists eligible, separate award structure.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Available to psychologists employed full-time by 501(c)(3) nonprofits or government (VA, IHS, state, county, tribal, nonprofit hospitals) after 120 qualifying monthly payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
How to Choose a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in Arizona
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Choosing an Arizona doctoral psychology program comes down to four levers: institution (4 institutions total), training model (clinical-science PhD vs scientist-practitioner PhD vs practitioner-scholar PsyD), geography (Tempe/Phoenix vs Tucson vs Flagstaff vs Glendale), and the Argosy closure aftermath (Midwestern Glendale is now Arizona's only APA-accredited PsyD). Here is how to actually narrow it down.
If you want a fully funded research PhD: ASU Clinical PhD (typical tuition waivers + $26,544 minimum stipend), ASU Counseling PhD (assistantship support), UA Clinical PhD (tuition waivers typical for funded PhDs), UA School PhD (assistantship support typical). All four offer some level of funding for admitted students.
If you want both APA AND PCSAS accreditation: ASU Clinical PhD and UA Clinical PhD both hold dual APA + PCSAS accreditation. Arizona is one of relatively few states with two PCSAS-tier programs.
If you want a PsyD: Midwestern University Glendale is Arizona's ONLY APA-accredited PsyD program, filling the Phoenix-metro PsyD gap created by the March 2019 Argosy/AzSPP closure. Tuition runs ~$43,165 per year flat rate (in-state and out-of-state).
If you want a Combined Counseling/School Psychology program: NAU's Combined Counseling/School Psychology PhD in Flagstaff is the only APA-accredited combined program in Arizona and one of only 3 in the entire United States. Full APA accreditation granted March-April 2022, next site visit 2031.
If you want to skip the post-doctoral year: Arizona is one of a handful of states (alongside Washington, Utah, Oregon) where the post-doctoral year is NOT required for licensure. If practicum plus internship total 3,000 hours by graduation, licensure applications can be filed immediately. This saves roughly one year of career timeline compared to most states.
If you want maximum PSYPACT leverage: Arizona is the FOUNDING PSYPACT state (HB 2503 signed May 17, 2016). Arizona psychologists were the first cohort eligible for interjurisdictional telepsychology nationally. Combined with no post-doc requirement and the broader Southwest/Mountain West employer market, Arizona offers one of the most favorable licensure economics in the country.
If you want bilingual Spanish-language practice: Arizona has ~32% Hispanic/Latino population as a border state. Spanish-language clinical, school, and counseling psychology services are in heavy demand in Tucson, Yuma, Nogales, and Phoenix. UA Tucson and NAU Flagstaff serve markets with particularly strong bilingual demand.
If you want tribal mental health employment: Arizona's Indian Health Service partnerships (Phoenix Indian Medical Center, Navajo Area IHS serving 244,000+ AI/AN, Sells Indian Hospital with Tohono O'odham, plus Navajo DBMHS and Tohono O'odham Behavioral Health) create distinctive career pathways for psychologists interested in tribal/AI-AN behavioral health. NAU Flagstaff sits closest to the Navajo Nation; UA Tucson serves the Tohono O'odham, Pascua Yaqui, and other Southern AZ tribes.
Caveats worth knowing before applying: Argosy University Phoenix (Arizona School of Professional Psychology) closed March 2019; no replacement APA-accredited PsyD has emerged besides Midwestern Glendale. ASU School Psychology PhD currently states the program "is at maximum enrollment capacity and no new applications are being accepted"; verify APA-accredited active status before featuring as an open option. University of Arizona Tucson School PhD (1979) and NAU Combined (2022) are the active APA-accredited school psychology options in AZ. No fully online APA-accredited doctoral programs exist in Arizona.
Related Pages
Counseling Programs in Arizona
CACREP-accredited counseling programs and the Arizona LPC license, a master's alternative to the 7-year psychology doctorate
MSW Programs in Arizona
CSWE-accredited social work programs and Arizona LCSW licensure
ABA Programs in Arizona
BACB-verified course sequences and Arizona 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
- Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners
- AZ Board, Minimum Requirements
- AZ Board, Supervised Experience Requirements
- AZ Board, Telehealth and Temporary Practice (PSYPACT)
- PSYPACT, Compact Map
- ASPPB, Arizona Becomes the First State to Enact PSYPACT
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Arizona Estimates
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychologists
- Arizona State Loan Repayment Program (ADHS)
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program