Last updated: May 28, 2026

Best Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Florida, Ranked (2026)

Top APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral programs (PhD and PsyD) in Florida for 2026, with cohort sizes, the 4,000 supervised hours (2,000 pre-doctoral + 2,000 post-doctoral), EPPP and Florida Laws and Rules Exam, FRAME loan repayment up to $150,000, and Florida's PSYPACT membership since July 2023.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

B.A. in Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle

Key Takeaways

  • Florida has roughly 15+ APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs spanning Clinical, Counseling, and School psychology. State R1 anchors include University of Florida (3 APA programs), Florida State (Clinical PhD since 1954 plus Combined Counseling/School), UCF, USF (also PCSAS-accredited through 2031), University of Miami (also PCSAS-accredited since 2024), and FIU (Clinical Science Child and Adolescent). Private PsyD anchors include Nova Southeastern (the largest single APA-accredited psychology training enterprise in Florida), Albizu University Miami, Florida Tech (the first PsyD in the Southeast, 1984), and National Louis Tampa.
  • Florida licenses psychologists through the Florida Board of Psychology. The doctoral degree must come from an APA-accredited program. Required supervised experience is 4,000 hours total: 2,000 hours pre-doctoral during the APA-accredited doctoral internship plus 2,000 hours post-doctoral residency under a Florida-licensed psychologist.
  • Florida requires both the EPPP and the Florida Laws and Rules Examination. The Florida exam costs $85 to the state plus $48 to the testing vendor ($133 total). The Florida Board licensure costs roughly $590 total ($250 initial license + $250 nonrefundable application + $90 laws and rules exam fee).
  • Background check required since 2024. Per HB 975 (2024), all psychology license applicants must complete electronic fingerprinting through an FDLE-approved service provider. Application cannot be approved until the background check clears.
  • Florida is a PSYPACT state. Florida enacted PSYPACT through House Bill 33 (2023), effective July 1, 2023. Florida-licensed psychologists holding an APIT credential can practice telepsychology across all 40+ PSYPACT member states, a meaningful competitive advantage for serving snowbird populations and out-of-state retirees.
  • Florida psychologist wages run slightly below national averages but cost-of-living math is favorable. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033) earn a national median of $96,100, with the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA at ~$89,540. Florida has no state income tax, meaningfully increasing take-home pay compared to equivalent gross wages in California, New York, or Massachusetts.
  • Florida's Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) program awards licensed psychologists up to $150,000 over 4 years in exchange for maintaining a clear Florida license and completing 25 hours per year of volunteer primary-care services at a free clinic. 2026 application window is March 1 to April 30.
  • Nova Southeastern's outsized footprint: NSU runs the largest APA-accredited psychology training enterprise in Florida (PsyD Clinical with cohorts of 40 to 50, plus PsyD School Psychology, plus PhD Clinical), and is the most likely entry point to South Florida psychology if you want a practitioner-scholar PsyD. Argosy University Tampa closed in March 2019; ~800 students transferred to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and other receiving institutions.
Accredited Programs
10
Ranked in this guide
Florida, Ranked Median
~$90,000 to $95,000 (varies by metro)
vs national $96,100 (About par; tax-adjusted is favorable)
Independent License
Licensed Psychologist
Licensed Psychologist
Supervised Hours
4,000
over 2,000 hours pre-doctoral internship + 2,000 hours post-doctoral residency, typically completed over 1 to 2 years post-graduation min.
No state income tax. Take-home pay runs meaningfully higher than equivalent gross wages in California, New York, or Illinois.

APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Florida

All 10 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.

# School In-State Tuition Format
1 University of Florida ~$12,000 per year (in-state) for funded students; tuition waivers and stipends typical On-campus
2 Florida State University ~$11,000 per year (in-state) for funded students On-campus
3 University of Central Florida Full tuition waiver + stipend + health insurance for funded students On-campus
4 University of South Florida Tuition typically waived via TA/RA positions (100% tuition coverage; students pay fees only) On-campus
5 University of Miami Tuition remission + traineeships at $35,600+ per year for funded students (list ~$48,000 per year) On-campus
6 Florida International University ~$13,500 per year (in-state) for funded students On-campus
7 Nova Southeastern University ~$50,538 to $58,136 per year (private) On-campus
8 Albizu University (Carlos Albizu University) Miami Campus ~$1,050 per credit (private; ~$34,193 per year aggregated) On-campus
9 Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) ~$31,330 per year (private) On-campus
10 National Louis University Tampa Campus ~$41,832 per year (private) On-campus
1

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL On-campus APA-accredited PhD in Clinical and Health Psychology

In-State

~$12,000 per year (in-state) for funded students; tuition waivers and stipends typical

Out-of-State

~$20,000 per year (out-of-state) for funded students

Length

5 to 6 years + 1-year APA-accredited internship

Field Hours

1,750+ on the APA-accredited doctoral internship plus practicum

Concentrations

Clinical and Health Psychology PhD (housed in College of Public Health and Health Professions)Counseling Psychology PhD (housed in Department of Psychology)School Psychology PhD (housed in College of Education, 122 credit hours)
  • Three separate APA-accredited doctoral programs under one university, the only such structure in Florida
  • Clinical and Health Psychology PhD continuously APA-accredited since 1953, one of the oldest in the country
  • Funded students receive tuition waivers and stipends through research and teaching assistantships
  • Embedded in UF Health Shands academic medical center with placements across UF Health Jacksonville and Gainesville
  • Strong faculty research portfolio in health psychology, pediatric psychology, neuropsychology, and substance use
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.5
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2

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL On-campus APA-accredited PhD in Clinical Psychology

In-State

~$11,000 per year (in-state) for funded students

Out-of-State

~$24,000 per year (out-of-state)

Length

5 to 7 years + 1-year APA-accredited internship

Field Hours

1,750+ on the APA-accredited internship plus 2-year practicum in the department's clinic

Concentrations

Clinical Psychology PhD (Clinical Science model)Combined Counseling and School Psychology PhD
  • Clinical Psychology PhD continuously APA-accredited since 1954
  • Clinical Science training model with two-year practicum in the department's own clinic
  • Combined Counseling and School Psychology PhD is APA-accredited as a Combined Professional Program
  • Funded cohorts with tuition waivers and stipends through assistantships
  • Tallahassee location with placements at Tallahassee Memorial, Capital Regional Medical Center, and FSU PCS Clinic
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.5
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3

University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL On-campus APA-accredited PhD in Clinical Psychology

In-State

Full tuition waiver + stipend + health insurance for funded students

Out-of-State

Same full funding

Length

6 years (90 semester hours)

Field Hours

1,750+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum

Concentrations

Clinical Psychology PhD (Scientist-Practitioner)
  • EPPP first-time pass rate of 93% (January 2020 to December 2024)
  • Full tuition waiver plus stipend plus health insurance for the funded cohort
  • Most recent APA reaccreditation 2024, the strongest current accreditation cycle of any FL Clinical PhD
  • Located in the second-largest US college town (UCF enrolls ~70,000+ students) with strong access to AdventHealth, Orlando Health, and Nemours Children's
  • Cohort size held intentionally small for close faculty mentorship
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.5
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4

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL On-campus APA-accredited PhD in Clinical Psychology

In-State

Tuition typically waived via TA/RA positions (100% tuition coverage; students pay fees only)

Out-of-State

Same with waiver

Length

5 to 6 years + 1-year APA-accredited internship

Field Hours

1,750+ on the APA-accredited doctoral internship plus practicum

Concentrations

Clinical Psychology PhD concentrationsSchool Psychology PhD
  • Clinical PhD is BOTH APA-accredited (through 2027) AND PCSAS-accredited (through June 2031)
  • ~300 applications per year with 7 to 10 admitted, among the most selective psychology PhDs in the country
  • Four clinical concentrations: Adult, Child, Health, Neuropsychology
  • TA/RA positions typically cover 100% tuition; students pay fees only
  • Tampa metro placements at USF Health, Tampa General Hospital, James A. Haley VA, and Moffitt Cancer Center
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.5
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5

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL On-campus APA-accredited PhD in Clinical Psychology

In-State

Tuition remission + traineeships at $35,600+ per year for funded students (list ~$48,000 per year)

Out-of-State

Same with funding

Length

4 to 5 years + 1-year APA-accredited internship (72 credit hours minimum)

Field Hours

1,750+ on the APA-accredited doctoral internship plus practicum

Concentrations

Clinical Psychology PhDCounseling Psychology PhD
  • Clinical Psychology PhD has been APA-accredited since 1966 and added PCSAS accreditation in 2024
  • Counseling Psychology PhD continuously APA-accredited since 1989 with scientist-practitioner training
  • 10 to 15 admitted across divisions per year, fully funded
  • Embedded in UM Miller School of Medicine with placements at Jackson Memorial (Miami's public safety-net hospital), University of Miami Hospital, and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
  • Heavy bilingual and Latin American mental health focus given Miami-Dade demographics
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.5
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6

Florida International University

Miami, FL On-campus APA-accredited PhD in Clinical Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology

In-State

~$13,500 per year (in-state) for funded students

Out-of-State

~$26,000 per year (out-of-state)

Length

5 to 6 years

Field Hours

1,750+ on the APA-accredited doctoral internship plus practicum

Concentrations

Clinical Science PhD with specialization in Child and Adolescent Psychology
  • Only APA-accredited Clinical Science PhD in Florida focused exclusively on Child and Adolescent Psychology
  • GRE optional for Fall 2026 admission cycle
  • Faculty in pediatric anxiety, trauma, and external behavior disorders, including Daniel Bagner and Jonathan Comer
  • Miami location with placements at FIU Center for Children and Families, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, and the broader Miami-Dade child mental health network
  • Strong Hispanic-Serving Institution credentials with bilingual practice training
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.5
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7

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, FL On-campus APA-accredited PsyD in Clinical Psychology

In-State

~$50,538 to $58,136 per year (private)

Out-of-State

~$50,538 to $58,136 per year

Length

5 years (PsyD); 5 to 6 years (PhD)

Field Hours

1,750+ on the APA-accredited doctoral internship plus practicum

Concentrations

PsyD Clinical Psychology concentrationsPsyD School Psychology (NASP-approved)PhD Clinical Psychology
  • The largest APA-accredited psychology training enterprise in Florida, with cohorts of 40 to 50 in the Clinical PsyD
  • Three APA-accredited doctoral programs under one roof: PsyD Clinical, PsyD School, PhD Clinical
  • Licensure rate ~89% for the Clinical PsyD; acceptance rate ~8 to 12%
  • 7 specialization concentrations in the Clinical PsyD, the deepest specialization menu in Florida
  • Serves the South Florida tri-county metro (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) with placements across Memorial Healthcare, Jackson Health, and the broader South FL behavioral health network
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.3
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8

Albizu University (Carlos Albizu University) Miami Campus

Miami, FL On-campus APA-accredited PsyD in Clinical Psychology with full 10-year accreditation through 2035

In-State

~$1,050 per credit (private; ~$34,193 per year aggregated)

Out-of-State

~$1,050 per credit

Length

5 to 6 years

Field Hours

1,750+ on the APA-accredited doctoral internship plus practicum at Albizu's embedded clinics

Concentrations

Clinical Psychology PsyD with bilingual service delivery and cultural competence concentrations (5 areas)
  • Full 10-year APA accreditation through 2035, the longest current accreditation cycle of any Florida PsyD
  • Cohort of 25 to 30 students with mission focused on culturally competent psychologists serving multicultural populations
  • Bilingual Spanish-English service delivery is core to the curriculum and faculty practice
  • Embedded internship program APA-accredited since July 22, 2018
  • Located in Doral with strong placement pipeline across Miami-Dade community mental health
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.0
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9

Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech)

Melbourne, FL On-campus APA-accredited PsyD in Clinical Psychology

In-State

~$31,330 per year (private)

Out-of-State

~$31,330 per year

Length

5 years

Field Hours

1,750+ on the APA-accredited doctoral internship plus practicum

Concentrations

Clinical Psychology PsyD concentrations
  • APA-accredited since 1984, the first PsyD program in the Southeast
  • Licensure rate ~93%, among the highest of any Florida PsyD
  • Cohort of 15 to 20 with practitioner-scholar training model
  • Four concentrations including Neuropsychology and Integrated Behavioral Health
  • Space Coast location with placements at Health First, Parrish Medical Center, and the broader Brevard County mental health system
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.3
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10

National Louis University Tampa Campus

Tampa, FL On-campus APA-accredited PsyD in Clinical Psychology

In-State

~$41,832 per year (private)

Out-of-State

~$41,832 per year

Length

5 years

Field Hours

1,750+ on the APA-accredited doctoral internship plus practicum

Concentrations

Clinical Psychology PsyD concentrations
  • APA-accredited PsyD with 5 concentrations including bilingual assessment and geropsychology
  • Inherited part of the Argosy Tampa teach-out cohort after that program closed in 2019
  • Cohort of 10 to 15 students
  • Licensure rate ~72%
  • Tampa Bay location with placement access to Tampa General, James A. Haley VA, and the broader Tampa-St. Petersburg behavioral health system
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.0
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How to Become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Florida

The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.

Licensing Board

Florida Board of Psychology

(850) 245-4373

Provisional Licensed Psychologist

Provisional Licensed Psychologist (post-doctoral residency)

Supervised post-doctoral practice under a Florida-licensed psychologist while completing the 2,000 post-doctoral hours toward full licensure

Hours

N/A

Duration

Associate

Exam: Not required to hold the provisional credential

Licensed Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

Independent practice, mental health diagnosis and treatment, psychological testing and assessment, supervision of trainees and post-doctoral fellows, expert testimony

Hours

4,000

Duration

2,000 hours pre-doctoral internship + 2,000 hours post-doctoral residency, typically completed over 1 to 2 years post-graduation

Exam: EPPP (national) + Florida Laws and Rules Examination ($133 total in fees)

Clinical Psychologist Salary in Florida

BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033)

~$90,000 to $95,000 (varies by metro) About par; tax-adjusted is favorable
State
U.S.

National median: $96,100

Top metro: ~$95,000 to $100,000 (Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach)

School Psychologists (SOC 19-3034)

Florida ESE schedules vary by district; Miami-Dade and Broward are highest Varies
State
U.S.

National median: $86,930

Top metro: Senior district steps reach ~$95,000+ (Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach)

Psychologists, All Other (SOC 19-3039)

I-O and consulting roles concentrated in Miami and Tampa Varies widely
State
U.S.

National median: National mean ~$120,000

Top metro: Top consulting roles in Miami top $150,000+ (Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach)

Florida Clinical Psychology Job Market and Top Employers

Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.

Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs

How to Choose a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in Florida

Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.

Related Pages

Frequently Asked Questions