Best Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Georgia, Ranked (2026)
Top APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral programs (PhD and PsyD) in Georgia for 2026, with cohort sizes, the 3,000 supervised hours (1,500 pre-doctoral + 1,500 post-doctoral), EPPP plus the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination and Oral Examination, and Georgia's PSYPACT membership since July 2020.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia has roughly 9 APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs. R1 anchors include Emory University (Clinical Science PhD APA-accredited since 1963, also PCSAS-accredited), University of Georgia (Clinical PhD since 1966 also PCSAS, Counseling PhD since 1984, School PhD also NASP-approved), and Georgia State University (Clinical PhD since 1973 with three concentrations, Counseling PhD, School PhD as one of the nation's first). PsyD anchors include Mercer University (Atlanta, next review 2032) and Georgia Southern University (Statesboro, APA-accredited since 1985 with full funding for 8-student cohorts).
- Georgia licenses psychologists through the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists under the Secretary of State. Required supervised experience is 3,000 hours total: 1,500 hours pre-doctoral internship plus 1,500 hours post-doctoral supervised work experience.
- Georgia requires the EPPP plus the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination (computer-based, timed, closed-book multiple-choice; covers Georgia laws and rules and general provisions; $85 fee). Georgia also requires an oral examination before the Board, which is unusual nationally.
- Application fee at time of application is $100; testing fees assessed separately. Total initial fees approximately $800. Biennial renewal fee is $250.
- Georgia is a PSYPACT state. Georgia enacted PSYPACT through HB 26, signed April 23, 2019 and effective July 1, 2020, codified at O.C.G.A. § 43-39-22. Georgia LPs holding the APIT credential can practice telepsychology across all 40+ PSYPACT member states. (Note: Georgia is NOT a PSYPACT founder state; the original 7 founder states were AZ, CO, MO, NE, UT, TX, OK.)
- Emory and UGA Clinical PhDs are both APA + PCSAS dual-accredited, placing them among the most rigorous clinical-science training programs in the country. Atlanta's combination of Emory, GSU, Mercer, Atlanta VA, CHOA, and Grady creates one of the densest concentrations of APA-accredited internship and post-doctoral sites in the Southeast.
- Georgia's Behavioral Health Provider Loan Repayment Program (GBHPLRP) awards doctoral psychologists up to $80,000 over a 4-year contract (with the broader program ceiling referenced at $150,000). Next application cycle opens August 1, 2026.
- Argosy University Atlanta closed March 9, 2019 after the US Department of Education cut off federal funding, displacing many PsyD students. No replacement APA-accredited Atlanta PsyD program has emerged to fill the gap. Mercer's PsyD (next review 2032) is now the primary APA-accredited PsyD pathway in Atlanta; Georgia Southern's PsyD remains the other APA-accredited PsyD in the state but is in Statesboro, roughly 3.5 hours from Atlanta.
Georgia runs a deep psychology training landscape concentrated heavily in Atlanta. Emory University (Clinical Science PhD APA-accredited since 1963 with PCSAS), University of Georgia (Clinical PhD since 1966 with PCSAS, Counseling PhD since 1984, School PhD with NASP approval), Georgia State University (Clinical PhD since 1973 with three concentrations, Counseling PhD, School PhD as one of the nation's first APA-accredited School Psych programs), Mercer University PsyD, and Georgia Southern University PsyD form the program core. The Emory + UGA dual APA + PCSAS accreditation cluster makes Georgia one of the strongest Southeastern markets for clinical-science training, ranking alongside North Carolina (Duke, UNC) and Pennsylvania.
The Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists licensure pathway sits under the Secretary of State, governed by rules at GAC Chapter 510-2. You need a doctoral degree from an APA-accredited program (or substantially equivalent), including an APA-accredited internship, 3,000 hours of supervised experience structured as 1,500 hours pre-doctoral internship plus 1,500 hours post-doctoral supervised work experience, the EPPP, the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination (computer-based, $85), and an oral examination before the Board. The oral exam is distinctive nationally; most states have eliminated this step. Application fee is $100; total initial fees run approximately $800. Biennial renewal is $250. Total timeline from start of bachelor's through full licensure typically runs 9 to 11 years.
Georgia is a PSYPACT state effective July 1, 2020 (HB 26, signed April 23, 2019, codified at O.C.G.A. § 43-39-22). Although Georgia is sometimes incorrectly described as a PSYPACT founder state, the actual founder cohort was AZ, CO, MO, NE, UT, TX, and OK (the first 7 to enact, which triggered operational status). Georgia is a strong PSYPACT participant: Georgia LPs holding APIT can practice telepsychology across all 40+ PSYPACT member states.
Two important market notes for 2026 applicants. First, UGA Counseling Psychology PhD is NOT accepting applications for the 2026-2027 cycle; admissions resume for 2027-2028. Second, the Argosy University Atlanta closure (March 9, 2019) materially constrained APA-accredited PsyD seats in Atlanta. Mercer's PsyD (next review 2032) is now Atlanta's primary APA-accredited PsyD pathway. Georgia Southern's PsyD remains the other APA-accredited PsyD in the state but is in Statesboro, approximately 3.5 hours from Atlanta.
APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Georgia
All 8 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emory University | Full tuition scholarship + annual stipend + health insurance for all admitted PhD students (Laney Graduate School rate ~$24,400 per semester) | On-campus | |
| 2 | University of Georgia (UGA) - Clinical Psychology PhD | ~$11,002 per year (in-state); 100% of incoming clinical PhD students receive assistantship with full tuition waiver, minimum 4 years of guaranteed funding | On-campus | |
| 3 | University of Georgia (UGA) - Counseling Psychology PhD | ~$11,002 per year (in-state) with assistantship support typical | On-campus | |
| 4 | University of Georgia (UGA) - School Psychology PhD | ~$11,002 per year (in-state) with assistantship support typical | On-campus | |
| 5 | Georgia State University (GSU) - Clinical Psychology PhD | ~$8,664 per year (in-state); PhD students receive monthly stipend (~$20,000 per year) + tuition waiver during first 4 years in good standing | On-campus | |
| 6 | Georgia State University (GSU) - School Psychology PhD | ~$8,664 per year (in-state) | On-campus | |
| 7 | Mercer University | ~$1,123 per credit hour (private, flat rate) | On-campus | |
| 8 | Georgia Southern University | ~$284 per credit hour (in-state); recent cohorts of 8 students have received full tuition waivers + stipends via fellowships/assistantships | On-campus |
Emory University
In-State
Full tuition scholarship + annual stipend + health insurance for all admitted PhD students (Laney Graduate School rate ~$24,400 per semester)
Out-of-State
Same with funding
Length
5 to 6 years typical
Field Hours
1,500+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- APA-accredited continuously since 1963 AND PCSAS-accredited
- Full tuition scholarship + annual stipend + health insurance for all admitted PhD students
- GRE General WILL be required for the 2027 admission cycle (Emory program-specific)
- Embedded in the Atlanta VA + Emory partnership (six-decade collaboration), Emory Brain Health Center, Emory Healthcare, Marcus Autism Center, and Grady Health System
- Clinical Science training model with strong research orientation
University of Georgia (UGA) - Clinical Psychology PhD
In-State
~$11,002 per year (in-state); 100% of incoming clinical PhD students receive assistantship with full tuition waiver, minimum 4 years of guaranteed funding
Out-of-State
~$29,774 per year (out-of-state)
Length
At least 5 years on campus + 1-year APA-accredited internship
Field Hours
1,500+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum at the UGA Psychology Clinic
Concentrations
- APA-accredited continuously since 1966 AND PCSAS-accredited since 2014
- 100% of incoming clinical PhD students receive assistantship with full tuition waiver; minimum 4 years of guaranteed funding
- GRE required for Fall 2026 (median admitted: 162 V / 159 Q / 5.0 AW)
- Application deadline November 15; virtual interviews January 13, 2026
- Athens location with placements at UGA Psychology Clinic and Athens-area community mental health
University of Georgia (UGA) - Counseling Psychology PhD
In-State
~$11,002 per year (in-state) with assistantship support typical
Out-of-State
~$29,774 per year (out-of-state)
Length
~5 years + 1-year APA-accredited internship
Field Hours
1,500+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- APA-accredited continuously since 1984
- NOT accepting applications for the 2026-2027 cycle; admissions resume for 2027-2028
- Model Training Program aligned with Society of Counseling Psychology
- Housed within the Mary Frances Early College of Education
- Athens location with placements across the UGA campus counseling network and regional behavioral health
University of Georgia (UGA) - School Psychology PhD
In-State
~$11,002 per year (in-state) with assistantship support typical
Out-of-State
~$29,774 per year (out-of-state)
Length
~5 years from bachelor's; 4 years possible with prior master's
Field Hours
1,500+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- APA-accredited School Psychology PhD AND NASP-approved
- 4-year track possible with prior master's entry
- Strong concentrations including pediatric psychology and chronic disease psychology
- Athens location with placements across Georgia K-12 schools and regional pediatric specialty sites
- Embedded within the Mary Frances Early College of Education
Georgia State University (GSU) - Clinical Psychology PhD
In-State
~$8,664 per year (in-state); PhD students receive monthly stipend (~$20,000 per year) + tuition waiver during first 4 years in good standing
Out-of-State
~$25,116 per year (out-of-state)
Length
6 to 7 years typical
Field Hours
1,500+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum at the GSU Psychology Clinic
Concentrations
- APA-accredited since 1973 with three concentrations
- PhD students receive monthly stipend (~$20,000 per year) + tuition waiver for first 4 years
- Three concentrations: General Clinical, Clinical Neuropsychology, Clinical/Community
- Embedded GSU Psychology Clinic for in-house practicum
- Downtown Atlanta location with placements at Grady Health, CHOA, and the Atlanta VA
Georgia State University (GSU) - School Psychology PhD
In-State
~$8,664 per year (in-state)
Out-of-State
~$25,116 per year (out-of-state)
Length
5 to 6 years
Field Hours
1,500+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- One of the nation's first APA-accredited School Psychology programs
- Strong focus on children/adolescents, families, and educators in diverse settings
- Downtown Atlanta location with placements across Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County Schools, DeKalb County Schools, and the broader metro K-12 network
- Housed within GSU College of Education and Human Development
- GSU also offers an APA-accredited Counseling Psychology PhD as a third doctoral option
Mercer University
In-State
~$1,123 per credit hour (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
~$1,123 per credit hour
Length
5 years (including internship year)
Field Hours
3 full years of practicum (Years 2-4, 12 months each placement) plus 1-year APA-accredited internship
Concentrations
- APA-accredited PsyD with next site visit 2032
- Now Atlanta's primary APA-accredited PsyD pathway after the 2019 Argosy Atlanta closure
- Three full years of practicum (Years 2-4, 12 months each placement) plus internship year
- Health psychology and interdisciplinary healthcare emphasis
- Atlanta location with placements across healthcare centers, hospitals, community mental health, correctional facilities, and university counseling centers
Georgia Southern University
In-State
~$284 per credit hour (in-state); recent cohorts of 8 students have received full tuition waivers + stipends via fellowships/assistantships
Out-of-State
~$1,160 per credit hour (out-of-state)
Length
5 years (114 to 124 credit hours, full-time, Fall entry)
Field Hours
1,500+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- APA-accredited PsyD since 1985, one of the longest-running APA-accredited PsyDs in the Southeast
- Cohort of 8 students per year, recent years fully funded with tuition waivers + stipends (out-of-pocket fees ~$4,500 to $5,000 per year)
- 8 consecutive years of 100% internship match; 96%+ licensure pass rate
- Generalist training with assessment, psychotherapy, and multicultural competence emphasis
- Statesboro location (Southeast Georgia, ~3.5 hours from Atlanta), with placements at regional medical centers and community mental health
How to Become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Georgia
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
(844) 753-7825
Georgia regulates psychologists through the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists under the Secretary of State, governed by rules at GAC Chapter 510-2.
Education requirement is a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) from an APA-accredited program (or substantially equivalent), including an APA-accredited internship. Required supervised experience totals 3,000 hours: 1,500 hours pre-doctoral internship (typically embedded in the APA-accredited doctoral program) plus 1,500 hours post-doctoral supervised work experience (PDSWE) per Georgia Board rules.
Exam sequence is the EPPP (required after completing all doctoral requirements including internship) plus the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination (computer-based, timed, closed-book multiple-choice covering Georgia laws/rules/regulations and general provisions, $85 fee). Georgia also requires an oral examination before the Board, distinctive nationally; most states have eliminated this step.
Application fee at time of application is $100; testing fees assessed separately. Total initial fees approximately $800. Biennial renewal fee is $250. Total timeline from start of bachelor's through full licensure typically runs 9 to 11 years.
Supervised pre-doctoral internship under APA-accredited program
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 (LP)
Independent practice, mental health diagnosis and treatment, psychological testing and assessment, supervision of trainees, expert testimony, telepsychology under PSYPACT for GA LPs holding APIT
Hours
3,000
Duration
1,500 hours pre-doctoral internship + 1,500 hours post-doctoral supervised work experience
Exam: EPPP + Georgia Jurisprudence Examination + Oral Examination before the Board
Georgia 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 Georgia. Out-of-state applicants must still complete the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination and the oral examination before the Board.
Georgia is a PSYPACT member state. Georgia enacted PSYPACT through HB 26, signed April 23, 2019 and effective July 1, 2020, codified at O.C.G.A. § 43-39-22. Georgia LPs holding the E.Passport and APIT (Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology) through the PSYPACT Commission can practice telepsychology with clients in any of the 40+ PSYPACT member states. (Note: Georgia is NOT a PSYPACT founder state. The original 7 founder states whose enactment triggered PSYPACT operational status were Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah, Texas, and Oklahoma.)
Clinical Psychologist Salary in Georgia
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Georgia psychologist wages run roughly at or below national medians in nominal terms. The BLS Georgia OEWS shows Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033) at a state average near $73,000 (2023 data; verify current numbers directly), with the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro running higher given the cluster of academic medical centers (Emory, GSU, CHOA, Grady, Atlanta VA). Georgia's cost of living runs below national average, materially improving take-home math compared to coastal markets.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033)
National median: $96,100
Top metro: ~$95,000+ (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell)
School Psychologists (SOC 19-3034)
National median: $86,930
Top metro: Senior steps reach ~$90,000+ (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell)
Psychologists, All Other (SOC 19-3039)
National median: National mean ~$120,000
Top metro: Top consulting and I-O roles top $140,000+ (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell)
Georgia Clinical Psychology Job Market and Top Employers
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Georgia has one of the deepest psychology employment markets in the Southeast, concentrated heavily in the Atlanta metro with secondary hubs in Augusta, Columbus, Savannah, and Albany. Major employers fall into five buckets.
Atlanta academic medical centers and major health systems: Emory Healthcare (the largest health system in Georgia with 11 hospitals and 250 provider locations, 2,800+ physicians across 70 subspecialties, and the Emory Brain Health Center integrating neurology, psychiatry, and behavioral sciences), Piedmont Healthcare (Atlanta metro), Wellstar Health System (Atlanta metro nonprofit), Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA, major pediatric psychology employer), Northside Hospital (Atlanta metro), and Grady Health System (Atlanta safety-net hospital with the Grady Trauma Project on PTSD research).
Regional health systems: Augusta University Health (Augusta, affiliated with Medical College of Georgia), Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (Albany), Memorial Health (Savannah), and Columbus Regional Health.
VA system: Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center (Decatur, with APA-accredited doctoral internship continuously since 1985 plus post-doctoral residency in Health Service Psychology, partnered with Emory for over 6 decades), Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (Augusta), and Carl Vinson VA Medical Center (Dublin).
Georgia DBHDD state psychiatric hospitals: Five operational state hospitals including Georgia Regional Hospital - Atlanta (Decatur, 114 adult MH beds + 124 forensic beds), East Central Regional Hospital (Augusta and Gracewood, 310-acre campus with MH and forensic), Central State Hospital (Milledgeville, specialized forensic psychiatric hospital for court-referred competency restoration), West Central Georgia Regional Hospital (Columbus), and Georgia Regional Hospital - Savannah.
K-12 school districts: Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County Schools, DeKalb County Schools, Cobb County Schools, and Gwinnett County Schools (the largest district in Georgia) employ the largest concentration of school psychologists in the state.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Georgia Behavioral Health Provider Loan Repayment Program (GBHPLRP): Administered by the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce. Doctoral psychologists: up to $80,000 over 4-year contract (broader program ceiling referenced at $150,000). Master's-level LCSWs, LPCs, LMFTs, and LSSPs: $40,000. Service requirement: minimum 32 clinical hours per week in a HRSA-designated Mental Health HPSA in Georgia. Next application cycle opens August 1, 2026.
Behavioral Health Professions Service Cancelable Loan Program (BHP SCL): Administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Service-cancelable loan repaid through Georgia behavioral health service obligation.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Federal program. Health Service Psychologists eligible. NHSC Standard LRP: up to $50,000 for 2-year full-time HPSA service. NHSC SUD Workforce LRP: up to $75,000 for 3-year SUD-focused service. NHSC Rural Community LRP: up to $100,000 for 3-year rural SUD service.
VA Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): VA-employed psychologists at Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA, Charlie Norwood VA (Augusta), and Carl Vinson VA (Dublin) can qualify for EDRP awards up to $200,000 over 5 years.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Georgia LPs at qualifying nonprofit/government employers (Emory Healthcare, Grady Health, CHOA, Augusta University Health, Wellstar, VA medical centers, DBHDD state hospitals, public school districts depending on entity) qualify for PSLF after 120 qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
How to Choose a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in Georgia
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Choosing a Georgia doctoral psychology program comes down to four levers: funding, training model (clinical-science PhD vs scientist-practitioner PhD vs practitioner-scholar PsyD), geography (Atlanta vs Athens vs Statesboro), and the Atlanta-specific market dynamics following the Argosy Atlanta closure. Here is how to actually narrow it down.
If you want a fully funded research PhD: Emory Clinical Science PhD (APA + PCSAS, full tuition + stipend + health insurance for all admitted), UGA Clinical PhD (APA + PCSAS since 2014, 100% of clinical PhD students receive full tuition waiver via assistantship; minimum 4 years guaranteed funding), Georgia State Clinical PhD (full funding for first 4 years with monthly stipend + tuition waiver). UGA School Psychology PhD also funded.
If you want both APA AND PCSAS accreditation: Emory (APA since 1963 + PCSAS) and UGA (APA since 1966 + PCSAS since 2014) are the two Georgia Clinical PhDs with dual accreditation. Both are top-tier clinical-science training programs.
If you want a PsyD: Mercer University in Atlanta (next review 2032; now Atlanta's primary APA-accredited PsyD pathway) and Georgia Southern University in Statesboro (APA since 1985, full funding for 8-student cohorts; 8 consecutive years of 100% internship match) are the two APA-accredited PsyDs in Georgia. The Argosy Atlanta closure in March 2019 constrained Atlanta PsyD seats; Mercer is now the primary in-city option.
If you want Counseling Psychology: UGA Counseling Psychology PhD (since 1984) and Georgia State Counseling Psychology PhD are the APA-accredited options. Note: UGA Counseling PhD is NOT admitting for 2026-2027 cycle; resumes 2027-2028.
If you want School Psychology at the doctoral level: UGA School Psychology PhD (APA + NASP-approved) and Georgia State School Psychology PhD (one of the nation's first APA-accredited). Atlanta school district employment (APS, Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett) is one of the largest school psychology markets in the Southeast.
If you want maximum Atlanta employer pipeline: Emory, GSU, and Mercer all feed the Atlanta employer ecosystem (Emory Healthcare, Piedmont, Wellstar, CHOA, Grady, Atlanta VA, DBHDD Georgia Regional Atlanta). The combination is one of the densest APA-accredited internship and post-doc concentrations in the Southeast.
If you want maximum PSYPACT leverage: Georgia has been a PSYPACT state since July 1, 2020. Georgia LPs holding APIT can practice telepsychology across all 40+ PSYPACT member states. This is a meaningful competitive advantage for Southeast multi-state practice.
Caveats worth knowing before applying: Argosy University Atlanta closed March 9, 2019, with no replacement APA-accredited Atlanta PsyD program emerging to fill the gap (Mercer is the only in-city option). UGA Counseling PhD is NOT admitting for 2026-2027. Most Georgia Clinical/Counseling PhDs are reinstating or requiring the GRE for 2026/2027 cycles (UGA Clinical required Fall 2026; Emory Clinical Science required Fall 2027), a notable reversal of the COVID-era waiver trend. The Georgia oral examination requirement is distinctive nationally; build prep time for it into your post-EPPP licensure plan.
Related Pages
Counseling Programs in Georgia
CACREP-accredited counseling programs and the Georgia LPC license, a master's alternative to the 7-year psychology doctorate
MSW Programs in Georgia
CSWE-accredited social work programs and Georgia LCSW licensure
ABA Programs in Georgia
BACB-verified course sequences and Georgia 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
- Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
- Georgia Psychology Board FAQ
- Georgia Psychology Rules Chapter 510-2
- PSYPACT, Compact Map
- Georgia HB 26 (PSYPACT enactment)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Georgia Estimates
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychologists
- Georgia Behavioral Health Provider Loan Repayment Program
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program
- Atlanta VA Psychology Training