Best Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Nebraska, Ranked (2026)
The 3 APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral programs in Nebraska for 2026, with cohort sizes, the 3,000 supervised hours (1,500 internship + 1,500 post-doctoral), EPPP plus the Nebraska Jurisprudence Examination, and Nebraska's founding PSYPACT status (since April 2018).
Key Takeaways
- Nebraska has 3 APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs, ALL at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). UNL Clinical Psychology PhD continuously APA-accredited since 1948 (one of the oldest APA-accredited Clinical PhDs in the United States). UNL Counseling Psychology PhD (Department of Educational Psychology) APA-accredited since 1958 (one of the oldest Counseling Psych programs in the country). UNL School Psychology PhD (Educational Psychology) was the 11th school psychology program in the nation to receive full APA accreditation; also NASP-approved.
- UNL hosts ALL APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs in Nebraska. UNMC does not host an APA-accredited doctoral program; its Munroe-Meyer Institute runs the APA-accredited Nebraska Internship Consortium in Professional Psychology (NICPP) for predoctoral interns, NOT a degree program. UNO Psychology PhD (Developmental, I-O, Neuroscience and Behavior) is NOT APA-accredited (APA does not accredit I-O programs). Creighton University offers BS in Psychological Science only.
- Nebraska licenses psychologists through the Nebraska Board of Psychology within DHHS. Required supervised experience is 2 years totaling at least 3,000 hours: 1 year pre-doctoral internship (min 1,500 hours; completed within 24 months) + 1 year post-doctoral supervised experience (min 1,500 hours; completed within 24 months). At least 1,000 hours must be face-to-face with patients/clients. Supervision by a DHHS-qualified licensed psychologist.
- Exam sequence is the EPPP (225 multiple-choice questions; passing scaled score 500; $600 ASPPB) plus the Nebraska Jurisprudence Exam: open-book, 100 items, 80% passing threshold; tests Nebraska ethics, law, and psychology standards.
- Fees: Initial license fee $183 for full psychologist license (reduced to $45.75 if applying during the last 6 months of an even-numbered year per proration rule); $50 provisional license fee. Biennial renewal $183; licenses expire on the first day of every odd-numbered year. 24 CE hours per 24 months including at least 3 hours in psychology ethics.
- Nebraska is a founding PSYPACT state. LB 1034 passed the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature with no opposition during the 2018 session; signed April 23, 2018 by Governor Pete Ricketts. Nebraska was the 5th state to enact PSYPACT (behind Utah, Nevada, Missouri, and Colorado). Codified at Nebraska Revised Statute 38-3901 et seq. NE LPs holding APIT and/or TAP can practice telepsychology across all 40+ PSYPACT member states.
- UNL Educational Psychology department (Counseling + School PhDs) does NOT require the GRE for PhD admissions, a notable applicant-friendly differentiator.
- Lincoln Regional Center is among the oldest state psychiatric hospitals in the Midwest. Opened December 1870 as Nebraska Hospital for the Insane; renamed Lincoln State Hospital 1921, Lincoln Regional Center 1969. Forensic and civil commitment inpatient psychiatric care.
Nebraska runs a small but historically significant APA-accredited doctoral psychology training landscape with 3 programs all at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. UNL Clinical Psychology PhD (Department of Psychology, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308) has been continuously APA-accredited since 1948, making it one of the oldest APA-accredited Clinical PhDs in the United States. Scientist-Practitioner / Boulder Model. ~5 to 6 years to completion (master's awarded en route to PhD). UNL graduate tuition 2025-26: $365/credit Nebraska resident ($8,434/year full-time) and $1,066/credit non-resident ($20,944/year full-time). Students typically receive tuition remission + stipend via assistantships. ~6 to 8 students per year from 150 to 200 applications. GRE required per program admissions page (verify with department for 2026 cycle). Faculty research strengths: child clinical psychology, health psychology, forensic psychology. The department also offers a JD/PhD Law-Psychology Program (7 to 8 years). Affiliations: UNL Psychological Consultation Center (in-house training clinic), Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior, Nebraska Internship Consortium in Professional Psychology (NICPP, the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute-administered APA-accredited internship consortium).
UNL Counseling Psychology PhD (Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education and Human Sciences, Teachers College Hall) has been APA-accredited since 1958 (one of the oldest Counseling Psych programs in the country). 5 years entering with master's; 6 years entering with bachelor's, including 1-year APA-accredited internship. GRE NOT required; Department of Educational Psychology does not use GRE scores in PhD admissions. Multicultural counseling, social justice, diversity/equity/inclusion focus; supervision and consultation. Long-standing national reputation in counseling psychology; faculty actively publish in The Counseling Psychologist and Journal of Counseling Psychology.
UNL School Psychology PhD (Department of Educational Psychology) was the 11th school psychology program in the nation to receive full APA accreditation; also NASP-approved. 6-year doctoral training program. ~45 active students enrolled across the School Psychology program. GRE NOT required. Concentrations: school-based mental health, bullying/youth violence (Swearer's research), school-community partnerships. Ranked among top programs nationally for publication productivity in school psychology journals.
The Nebraska Board of Psychology licensure path requires a PhD, PsyD, or EdD from an APA-accredited program (or DHHS-approved equivalent), 2 years totaling at least 3,000 hours (1,500 pre-doctoral internship + 1,500 post-doctoral; at least 1,000 hours face-to-face with patients/clients), the EPPP (225 MC; scaled score 500), and the Nebraska Jurisprudence Exam (open-book, 100 items, 80% passing). Initial license $183 (reduced to $45.75 last 6 months of even-numbered years); provisional license $50; biennial renewal $183 expiring first day of every odd-numbered year; 24 CE hours per 24 months including 3 hours in psychology ethics. Total timeline from start of bachelor's through full licensure typically runs 7 to 9 years.
Nebraska is a founding PSYPACT state since April 23, 2018 (LB 1034 signed by Gov. Pete Ricketts; Nebraska was the 5th state to enact PSYPACT, after Utah, Nevada, Missouri, and Colorado). Codified at Nebraska Revised Statute 38-3901 et seq. NE LPs holding APIT and/or TAP can practice telepsychology and temporary in-person services across all 40+ PSYPACT member states. Lincoln Regional Center (1870) is among the oldest state psychiatric hospitals in the Midwest; Norfolk Regional Center (1885) and Hastings Regional Center (1888) round out the historic Nebraska DHHS regional center system.
APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Nebraska
All 3 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL Clinical PhD) | $365/credit (Nebraska resident); $8,434/year full-time. Students typically receive tuition remission + stipend via assistantships | On-campus | |
| 2 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL Counseling Psychology PhD) | $365/credit (Nebraska resident) | On-campus | |
| 3 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL School Psychology PhD) | $365/credit (Nebraska resident) | On-campus |
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL Clinical PhD)
In-State
$365/credit (Nebraska resident); $8,434/year full-time. Students typically receive tuition remission + stipend via assistantships
Out-of-State
$1,066/credit (non-resident); $20,944/year full-time; same with funding
Length
5 to 6 years (master's awarded en route to PhD)
Field Hours
1,500 on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum at UNL Psychological Consultation Center, Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior, NICPP (UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute consortium)
Concentrations
- Continuously APA-accredited since 1948 (one of the oldest APA-accredited Clinical PhDs in the United States)
- ~6 to 8 students per year from 150 to 200 applications
- Scientist-Practitioner / Boulder Model with concentrations in child clinical, health, forensic psychology
- Joint JD/PhD Law-Psychology Program (7-8 years) available
- Affiliations with UNL Psychological Consultation Center, Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior, NICPP (UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute)
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL Counseling Psychology PhD)
In-State
$365/credit (Nebraska resident)
Out-of-State
$1,066/credit (non-resident)
Length
5 years entering with master's; 6 years entering with bachelor's; includes 1-year APA-accredited internship
Field Hours
1,500 on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- Continuously APA-accredited since 1958 (one of the oldest Counseling Psych PhDs in the country)
- GRE NOT required; Department of Educational Psychology does not use GRE scores in PhD admissions
- Multicultural counseling, social justice, diversity/equity/inclusion focus
- Long-standing national reputation; faculty actively publish in The Counseling Psychologist and Journal of Counseling Psychology
- Variable cohort by year; Department of Educational Psychology admitted 21 students across all 4 programs in Fall 2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL School Psychology PhD)
In-State
$365/credit (Nebraska resident)
Out-of-State
$1,066/credit (non-resident)
Length
6-year doctoral training program
Field Hours
1,500 on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- The 11th school psychology program in the nation to receive full APA accreditation
- APA-accredited + NASP-approved
- ~45 active students enrolled across the School Psychology program
- GRE NOT required
- Ranked among top programs nationally for publication productivity in school psychology journals; concentrations include bullying/youth violence (Swearer)
How to Become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Nebraska
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Nebraska regulates psychologists through the Nebraska Board of Psychology within DHHS.
Education requirement is a PhD, PsyD, or EdD from an APA-accredited program (or DHHS-approved equivalent).
Required supervised experience is 2 years totaling at least 3,000 hours: 1 year pre-doctoral internship (min 1,500 hours; completed within 24 months) + 1 year post-doctoral supervised experience (min 1,500 hours; completed within 24 months). At least 1,000 hours must be face-to-face with patients/clients. Supervision by a DHHS-qualified licensed psychologist.
Exam sequence is the EPPP (225 multiple-choice questions; passing scaled score 500; $600 ASPPB; 60-day testing window) plus the Nebraska Jurisprudence Exam: open-book, 100 items, 80% passing threshold; tests Nebraska ethics, law, and psychology standards.
Fees: Initial license fee $183 for full psychologist license (reduced to $45.75 if applying during the last 6 months of an even-numbered year per proration rule); $50 provisional license fee. Biennial renewal $183, expiring on the first day of every odd-numbered year. 24 CE hours per 24 months including at least 3 hours in psychology ethics. Total timeline from start of bachelor's through full licensure typically runs 7 to 9 years.
Supervised pre-doctoral internship (min 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
Provisional Licensed Psychologist
Practice under supervision while completing post-doctoral hours, EPPP, or jurisprudence exam
Hours
1,500
Duration
Pre-doctoral internship completed
Exam: EPPP/jurisprudence may be pending; $50 provisional license fee
Licensed Psychologist
Independent practice, mental health diagnosis and treatment, psychological testing and assessment, supervision of trainees, expert testimony, telepsychology under PSYPACT for NE LPs holding APIT/TAP
Hours
3,000
Duration
2 years total: 1,500 hours pre-doctoral internship + 1,500 hours post-doctoral; each completed within 24 months; min 1,000 hours face-to-face
Exam: EPPP (225 MC; scaled score 500) + Nebraska Jurisprudence Exam (open-book; 100 items; 80% passing)
Nebraska does not offer automatic reciprocity. Out-of-state applicants must complete the Nebraska Jurisprudence Exam.
Nebraska is a founding PSYPACT state since April 23, 2018. LB 1034 passed the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature with no opposition during the 2018 session and was signed by Governor Pete Ricketts. Nebraska was the 5th state to enact PSYPACT (behind Utah, Nevada, Missouri, and Colorado). Codified at Nebraska Revised Statute 38-3901 et seq. NE LPs holding the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) and/or Temporary Authorization to Practice (TAP) can practice telepsychology and temporary in-person services across 40+ PSYPACT member states.
Clinical Psychologist Salary in Nebraska
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Nebraska psychologist wages run roughly at or above national medians. The BLS Nebraska OEWS data should be verified for SOC 19-3033 (state median + Omaha-Council Bluffs and Lincoln metros). Aggregator sources citing BLS report Nebraska Clinical and Counseling Psychologists median ~$106,610 (verify with BLS Nebraska table). National median for SOC 19-3033 is $96,100. School Psychologists Nebraska mean ~$83,950 (national mean $87,550). Nebraska cost of living runs below national average.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033)
National median: $96,100
Top metro: Verify with BLS MSA pages (Omaha-Council Bluffs and Lincoln)
School Psychologists (SOC 19-3034)
National median: $87,550 (mean)
Top metro: Verify with BLS (Omaha Public Schools (largest), Lincoln Public Schools, Millard)
Psychologists, All Other (SOC 19-3039)
National median: National mean ~$120,000
Top metro: Verify with BLS (Omaha (UNMC) and Lincoln (UNL))
Nebraska Clinical Psychology Job Market and Top Employers
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Nebraska has a moderate psychology employment market concentrated in Omaha (UNMC academic medical center hub) and Lincoln (capital + UNL hub), with significant rural HPSA designations across Western Nebraska. Major employers fall into five buckets.
Health systems (private): Nebraska Medicine (Omaha), the largest health system in Nebraska, academic partner of UNMC; dedicated Clinical Psychology team plus the NICPP-affiliated training internship; 4350 Dewey Avenue, Omaha. Methodist Health System (Omaha). CHI Health (statewide; flagship CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha). Bryan Health (Lincoln; Bryan Medical Center East + West campuses). Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals (Lincoln + Omaha; care team includes neuropsychologists; clinical affiliation with Children's Nebraska). Children's Hospital and Medical Center / Children's Nebraska (Omaha; 8200 Dodge Street).
State government / public psychiatric (Nebraska DHHS Regional Centers): Lincoln Regional Center (LRC), opened December 1870 as Nebraska Hospital for the Insane (one of the oldest state psychiatric hospitals in the Midwest); renamed Lincoln State Hospital 1921, Lincoln Regional Center 1969. Forensic and civil commitment inpatient psychiatric care. Norfolk Regional Center (NRC), established 1885 by Nebraska Legislature; serves adult males committed for psychiatric treatment; since 2006 includes Sex Offender Treatment Program. Hastings Regional Center, first building 1888; currently a residential juvenile chemical dependency treatment facility. Beatrice State Developmental Center (BSDC), for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Nebraska Department of Correctional Services hires psychologists at multiple correctional facilities statewide.
VA system: VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System (NWIHCS), 9 locations across NE + Western Iowa. Omaha VA Medical Center (4101 Woolworth Avenue), Lincoln CBOC (420 Victory Park Drive), Grand Island VA Medical Center (2201 N Broadwell Avenue). Unified APA-accredited psychology internship with 7 interns across 3 training sites; rotations in General Mental Health, PTSD, Primary Care Mental Health Integration.
K-12 school districts (school psychologists): Omaha Public Schools / OPS (largest K-12 district in Nebraska), Lincoln Public Schools / LPS, Millard Public Schools (suburban Omaha), Papillion-La Vista Community Schools, and Bellevue Public Schools.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Nebraska State Loan Repayment Program (Rural Health Professionals): Administered by Nebraska DHHS Office of Rural Health. Clinical psychologists explicitly listed as eligible profession. 2 to 4 years service commitment in a state-designated shortage area. Award up to $90,000 for non-physician health professions (doctors and dentists eligible for up to $180,000). 50/50 match between state and local community. Practice site must be in a Nebraska designated shortage area (blue or yellow county).
NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Federal program. Clinical psychologists eligible at NHSC-approved sites in federally designated HPSAs (yellow or pink counties in Nebraska). Up to $50,000 for 2-year full-time commitment; renewable. Stacks with state LRP at NHSC-approved sites.
VA Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System (Omaha + Lincoln + Grand Island) employed psychologists can qualify for EDRP awards up to $200,000 over 5 years.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Available to psychologists employed full-time by qualifying nonprofit or public-sector employers (VA, state hospitals, public schools, UNMC, UNL, county/state health departments, NHSC sites) after 120 qualifying payments under Income-Driven Repayment.
Nebraska Rural Health Advisory Commission: Reviews and approves HPSA designations and oversees Nebraska LRP administration through DHHS Office of Rural Health.
How to Choose a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in Nebraska
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Choosing a Nebraska clinical psychology doctoral program is straightforward given all 3 APA-accredited options are at UNL: Clinical PhD vs Counseling Psychology PhD vs School Psychology PhD. Here is how to actually narrow it down.
If you want one of the oldest Clinical PhDs in the US: UNL Clinical Psychology PhD continuously APA-accredited since 1948. Scientist-Practitioner / Boulder Model. Concentrations in child clinical psychology, health psychology, forensic psychology. ~6 to 8 students per year from 150 to 200 applications. Tuition remission + stipend via assistantships.
If you want a Counseling Psychology PhD with deep history: UNL Counseling Psychology PhD continuously APA-accredited since 1958 (one of the oldest in the country). Multicultural counseling, social justice, diversity/equity/inclusion focus. GRE NOT required.
If you want one of the first APA-accredited School Psychology PhDs: UNL School Psychology PhD was the 11th school psychology program in the nation to receive full APA accreditation. APA + NASP. ~45 active students. GRE NOT required. 6-year program. Bullying/youth violence research strength (Swearer).
If you want a joint JD/PhD Law-Psychology track: UNL Clinical PhD offers a joint JD/PhD Law-Psychology Program (7 to 8 years), one of the few in the country.
If you want zero GRE friction: UNL Educational Psychology department (Counseling + School PhDs) does NOT use GRE scores in PhD admissions. UNL Clinical PhD still requires the GRE (verify current cycle policy with program).
If you want founding PSYPACT mobility: Nebraska was the 5th state to enact PSYPACT (LB 1034 signed April 23, 2018 by Gov. Pete Ricketts). NE LPs holding APIT/TAP can practice telepsychology across 40+ PSYPACT jurisdictions.
If you want strong state loan repayment: Nebraska State LRP awards up to $90,000 for non-physician health professions (including clinical psychologists) for 2 to 4 years in a designated shortage area. Stacks with federal NHSC LRP at NHSC-approved sites.
If you want forensic psychology placement: Lincoln Regional Center (one of the oldest state psychiatric hospitals in the Midwest, since 1870) provides forensic and civil commitment inpatient training. Norfolk Regional Center (since 1885) hosts the Sex Offender Treatment Program.
Caveats worth knowing before applying: UNMC does NOT host an APA-accredited doctoral program; its Munroe-Meyer Institute runs the APA-accredited NICPP internship consortium for predoctoral interns (a major training pipeline but not a degree program). UNO Psychology PhD (Developmental, I-O, Neuroscience and Behavior) is NOT APA-accredited (APA does not accredit I-O programs). Creighton University offers BS in Psychological Science only. All 3 APA-accredited NE doctoral psych programs are at UNL.
Related Pages
Counseling Programs in Nebraska
CACREP-accredited counseling programs and the Nebraska LIMHP license, a master's alternative to the 7-year clinical psychology doctorate
MSW Programs in Nebraska
CSWE-accredited social work programs and Nebraska LCSW licensure
ABA Programs in Nebraska
BACB-verified course sequences and Nebraska 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
- Nebraska DHHS Psychology Licensure
- PSYPACT, Compact Map
- APA Services: Nebraska LB 1034 PSYPACT enactment
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Nebraska Estimates
- Nebraska Loan Repayment FAQ (DHHS)
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program
- UNL Clinical Psychology PhD
- UNL Counseling Psychology PhD
- UNL School Psychology PhD
- VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System