Best Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania, Ranked (2026)
Top APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral programs (PhD and PsyD) in Pennsylvania for 2026, with cohort sizes, the 1,750-hour post-doctoral requirement, EPPP plus the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE), and Pennsylvania's PSYPACT membership since July 2020.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania has roughly 20+ APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs, the deepest combination of R1 research PhDs and freestanding PsyD programs anywhere in the country. R1 anchors include Penn (Clinical PhD APA + PCSAS), Pitt (Clinical PhD since 1948, APA + PCSAS through 2034, ranked 6th nationally), Penn State (Clinical PhD with Adult and Child tracks, PCSAS founding member), Temple (Clinical PhD APA + PCSAS), Drexel (Clinical PhD with 4 specialization tracks), and Duquesne (Clinical PhD since 2001). PsyD anchors include IUP (since 1987, cheapest at ~$17,599), Widener (the longest-running PsyD in the US), La Salle, PCOM, Chestnut Hill, Immaculata, Marywood, Chatham, Point Park, Carlow, and West Chester.
- Pennsylvania licenses psychologists through the PA State Board of Psychology under the PA Department of State, governed by 49 Pa. Code Chapter 41. Required supervised experience is 2 years total with at least 1,750 hours post-doctoral. Combined with a typical 1,750-2,000 hour APA-accredited internship, total supervised hours approach 3,500.
- Pennsylvania requires both the EPPP (minimum passing score 500) and the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE): a 1-hour computer-based exam with 9 questions on Act 52 (the PA Professional Psychologists Practice Act) plus 21 questions on Chapter 41 regulations.
- Pennsylvania is a PSYPACT state. PA enacted PSYPACT through Act 19 of 2020 (SB 67), signed May 8, 2020 and effective July 8, 2020. Pennsylvania was an early PSYPACT adopter. PA LPs can practice telepsychology across all 40+ PSYPACT member states under an E.Passport plus APIT, with IPC available for short-term in-person practice.
- Three PCSAS-accredited Clinical PhDs in PA (Penn, Pitt, Penn State; Temple historically through 2025), the densest PCSAS cluster of any US state. PCSAS accreditation signals a clinical-science training model and is accepted by most state licensure boards alongside APA.
- Biennial license renewal is $300 with 30 continuing education hours required per cycle (including at least 3 hours of ethics or professional conduct).
- BLS May 2024 Pittsburgh MSA shows Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033) at $84,260 median and School Psychologists at $87,920 median. Philadelphia metro typically runs higher given the cluster of academic medical centers. National median for SOC 19-3033 is $96,100.
- Pennsylvania's Primary Care Loan Repayment Program awards licensed psychologists up to $80,000 full-time ($40,000 half-time) for a 2-year service commitment in a PA-designated HPSA or qualifying low-income site, alongside SUD and behavioral health professionals. Federal NHSC LRP adds up to $50,000 for 2 years and PSLF applies at qualifying nonprofit/government employers.
Pennsylvania runs one of the deepest psychology training landscapes in the country, with two distinct clusters operating in parallel. The R1 research cluster (Penn Clinical PhD, Pitt Clinical PhD since 1948, Penn State Clinical PhD with PCSAS founding membership, Temple Clinical PhD with PCSAS, Drexel Clinical PhD, Duquesne Clinical PhD with a distinctive human science approach, plus CMU and Lehigh) sits alongside one of the country's deepest freestanding PsyD clusters (IUP PsyD since 1987, Widener PsyD - the longest-running PsyD in the US, La Salle, PCOM, Chestnut Hill, Immaculata, Marywood, Chatham, Point Park, Carlow, West Chester, Holy Family, and a few others). Only California and New York approach Pennsylvania's depth across both training models.
The PA State Board of Psychology licensure pathway is governed by 49 Pa. Code Chapter 41. You need a doctorate from an APA-accredited or Board-approved program, 2 years of supervised experience with at least 1,750 hours post-doctoral, the EPPP (passing scaled score 500), and the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE), a 1-hour computer-based exam covering Act 52 and Chapter 41 regulations. Biennial renewal is $300 with 30 CE hours required per cycle (including 3 hours of ethics or professional conduct). Total timeline from start of doctorate to full licensure typically runs 7 to 9 years.
The PCSAS density in Pennsylvania is unusual. Penn, Pitt, and Penn State all hold PCSAS accreditation alongside APA, making PA the densest PCSAS cluster of any US state. If you want a clinical-science training model and the dual-accreditation signal, PA is the obvious target market. The PsyD landscape is equally deep on the practitioner side: IUP's in-state PsyD at roughly $17,599 per year is among the most affordable APA-accredited PsyDs in the country, while Widener holds the distinction of being the longest-running APA-accredited PsyD program in the United States (with all students admitted to the exclusively-affiliated APA-accredited internship at the time of doctoral admission).
Pennsylvania has been a PSYPACT state since July 8, 2020 (SB 67/Act 19 of 2020), making PA an early PSYPACT adopter. Combined with the deep training landscape and strong employer market (UPMC is the largest health system in PA, with Penn Medicine and CHOP anchoring Philadelphia, Geisinger and Penn State Health anchoring Central PA, and AHN anchoring Western PA), Pennsylvania is among the strongest base licenses in the country for psychologists building multi-state telehealth practices.
APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania
All 12 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Pennsylvania (Penn) | Full tuition + stipend for funded clinical students (private; list rate ~$45,000+ per year) | On-campus | |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh | Full tuition + stipend for funded clinical students | On-campus | |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University (University Park) | Full tuition + stipend for funded clinical students | On-campus | |
| 4 | Temple University | Full tuition + stipend for funded clinical students | On-campus | |
| 5 | Drexel University | Full tuition + stipend for funded students (private; list ~$45,000+ per year) | On-campus | |
| 6 | Duquesne University | ~$1,550 per credit (private) | On-campus | |
| 7 | Lehigh University | Tuition + stipend for funded doctoral students (private) | On-campus | |
| 8 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) | ~$17,599 per year (in-state, among the most affordable APA-accredited PsyDs in the country) | On-campus | |
| 9 | Widener University (Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology) | ~$39,864 per year (private) | On-campus | |
| 10 | La Salle University | ~$46,215 per year (private) | On-campus | |
| 11 | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) | ~$1,425 per credit (~$39,900 first year) + $400 per term comprehensive fee (private) | On-campus | |
| 12 | Chestnut Hill College | ~$1,025 per credit (~$120,000 for 117 credits, private) | On-campus |
University of Pennsylvania (Penn)
In-State
Full tuition + stipend for funded clinical students (private; list rate ~$45,000+ per year)
Out-of-State
Same with funding
Length
5 to 6 years + 1-year APA-accredited internship
Field Hours
1,750+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- APA-accredited AND PCSAS-accredited; member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science
- Research/academic-career oriented clinical science training, one of the most selective Clinical PhDs in the US
- GRE waived/optional for Fall 2026
- Embedded in Penn Medicine and CHOP for placement diversity
- Faculty research strength in CBT, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and computational psychiatry
University of Pittsburgh
In-State
Full tuition + stipend for funded clinical students
Out-of-State
Same with funding
Length
5 to 6 years + 1-year APA-accredited internship
Field Hours
1,750+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- APA-accredited continuously since 1948, recently reaccredited until 2034
- PCSAS-accredited since 2013, reaccredited until 2034
- Ranked #6 in the nation by US News and World Report
- GRE not required but recommended (especially for non-psychology majors)
- Embedded in UPMC (the largest health system in PA) with deep placement pipeline at WPIC and UPMC Children's
Pennsylvania State University (University Park)
In-State
Full tuition + stipend for funded clinical students
Out-of-State
Same with funding
Length
6 years typical (coursework yrs 1-3/4, dissertation yr 5, internship yr 6)
Field Hours
1,750+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum at the Child Study Center and other NIH/NSF-funded labs
Concentrations
- One of the longest continuous APA accreditations in the field (since the 1940s)
- PCSAS-accredited and founding member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science
- Two tracks: Adult clinical and Child clinical
- Child Study Center (CSC) is an NIH/NSF-funded training resource for child clinical students
- Central PA location with placements at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Temple University
In-State
Full tuition + stipend for funded clinical students
Out-of-State
Same with funding
Length
5 to 6 years + 1-year APA-accredited internship
Field Hours
1,750+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum at the Temple Tuttleman Counseling Services and partner sites
Concentrations
- Fully APA-accredited Clinical PhD AND PCSAS-accredited through 2025
- GRE not considered in admissions decisions for the Clinical area
- Application deadline November 15, earlier than most peer programs
- School Psychology PhD APA-accredited within the College of Education and Human Development
- North Philadelphia location with placements across Temple University Hospital, CHOP, Penn Medicine, and the Philadelphia VA
Drexel University
In-State
Full tuition + stipend for funded students (private; list ~$45,000+ per year)
Out-of-State
Same with funding
Length
5 years full-time + APA-accredited internship
Field Hours
1,750+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- Four specialization tracks: Health, Forensic, Neuropsychology, Clinical Child
- Scientist-practitioner training model
- 5-year structure with strong specialization depth
- University City Philadelphia location with placements across Drexel's clinical partners, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia VA
- Forensic Psychology specialization is one of the strongest in the country
Duquesne University
In-State
~$1,550 per credit (private)
Out-of-State
~$1,550 per credit
Length
4 years full-time coursework + dissertation + internship
Field Hours
1,750+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- APA-accredited Clinical PhD since 2001 with a distinctive Human Science approach (phenomenological, qualitative, integrative)
- Three APA-accredited doctoral programs under one university: Clinical PhD, School PhD, School PsyD
- School Psychology PsyD (since 2015) uses the local-clinical scientist training model
- Catholic Spiritan-tradition university with strong placement pipeline across Pittsburgh hospitals and schools
- Pittsburgh location with placements at AHN, UPMC, and Allegheny County schools
Lehigh University
In-State
Tuition + stipend for funded doctoral students (private)
Out-of-State
Same with funding
Length
5 to 6 years
Field Hours
1,750+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- Two APA-accredited doctoral programs (Counseling and School Psychology) under one College of Education
- School Psychology PhD APA-accredited AND NASP-approved AND certification-track
- Scientist-practitioner training across both programs
- Lehigh Valley location with placements at St. Luke's University Health Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network
- Strong faculty research portfolio in multicultural counseling, school mental health, and family-school partnerships
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
In-State
~$17,599 per year (in-state, among the most affordable APA-accredited PsyDs in the country)
Out-of-State
Higher out-of-state rates apply
Length
5 years (4 on campus + paid APA-accredited internship year)
Field Hours
1,750+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- Continuously APA-accredited since November 1987, one of the longest-running APA-accredited PsyDs in the country
- In-state tuition ~$17,599 per year, among the most affordable APA-accredited PsyDs nationally
- 5-year program with paid APA-accredited internship year
- Application deadline December 1
- Western PA location with placements across regional mental health and AHN/UPMC partner sites
Widener University (Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology)
In-State
~$39,864 per year (private)
Out-of-State
~$39,864 per year
Length
5 years (with exclusively-affiliated APA-accredited internship in years 4-5)
Field Hours
2,000+ on the exclusively-affiliated APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- The longest-running APA-accredited PsyD program in the United States
- All students admitted to the exclusively-affiliated APA-accredited internship at the time of doctoral admission, eliminating internship match uncertainty
- Dual-degree options: PsyD/MBA and PsyD/MCJ (Criminal Justice)
- 5-year program structure with internship integrated into years 4-5
- Philadelphia metro location with placements at Crozer Health, Main Line Health, and the broader Delaware County mental health network
La Salle University
In-State
~$46,215 per year (private)
Out-of-State
~$46,215 per year
Length
5 years full-time (partial part-time option, up to 7 years)
Field Hours
1,750+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- APA-accredited with practitioner-scholar model and explicit CBT theoretical orientation
- Latest reaccreditation 2018; next site visit 2028
- Partial part-time option available (up to 7 years), distinctive in the PA PsyD landscape
- Philadelphia location with placements at Holy Family Hospital, Aria Health, and the broader North Philadelphia mental health network
- Strong CBT training pipeline distinguishes the program nationally
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)
In-State
~$1,425 per credit (~$39,900 first year) + $400 per term comprehensive fee (private)
Out-of-State
Same per-credit pricing
Length
5 to 7 years
Field Hours
1,750+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- 87% licensure rate: 182 of 210 graduates from 2015 to 2023 became Licensed Psychologists
- Granted full 10-year APA accreditation for the Clinical PsyD
- Two APA-accredited PsyDs under one institution: Clinical PsyD and School PsyD
- Interprofessional and holistic-care emphasis given PCOM's osteopathic medicine foundation
- Strong placement pipeline through PCOM's clinical partner network
Chestnut Hill College
In-State
~$1,025 per credit (~$120,000 for 117 credits, private)
Out-of-State
~$1,025 per credit
Length
6-year cohort-style program (fall start only)
Field Hours
1,750+ on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum
Concentrations
- APA-accredited since 2004 with 117-credit cohort-style structure
- Two concentrations: Couple, Family, and Child Therapy AND Psychological Assessment
- Fall start only with 6-year cohort-style progression
- Northwest Philadelphia (Chestnut Hill) campus with placements across Philadelphia mental health
- Strong Catholic mission with welcoming environment for students of any background
How to Become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Pennsylvania
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology, under the PA Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs
(717) 783-7155
Pennsylvania regulates psychologists through the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology under the Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. Statutory authority sits in the Professional Psychologists Practice Act (Act 52), with implementing regulations at 49 Pa. Code Chapter 41.
Education requirement is a doctorate from an APA-accredited, CPA-accredited, or otherwise Board-approved psychology program. Supervised experience requires 2 years total with at least 1,750 hours post-doctoral earned after the doctoral degree is conferred. Combined with the typical 1,750 to 2,000 hour APA-accredited internship, total supervised experience approaches 3,500 hours.
Exam sequence is the EPPP (minimum passing scaled score 500) plus the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE). The PPLE is a 1-hour computer-based exam with 30 total questions: 9 covering Act 52 (the Professional Psychologists Practice Act) and 21 covering Chapter 41 regulations.
Biennial renewal fee is $300 with 30 continuing education hours required per cycle, including at least 3 hours of ethics or professional conduct. Total timeline from start of doctorate to full PA license typically runs 7 to 9 years.
Pre-licensure supervised practice during the doctoral program
Supervised practice during the doctoral program under faculty and site supervision; not a separate PA 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 PA LPs holding APIT
Hours
3,500
Duration
2 years of supervised experience with at least 1,750 hours post-doctoral
Exam: EPPP (minimum passing scaled score 500) + Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE)
Pennsylvania does not offer automatic reciprocity. Out-of-state applicants submit transcripts, supervised experience verification, EPPP score, and licensure verification from all current state licenses. Out-of-state applicants must complete the PPLE before licensure is issued.
Pennsylvania is a PSYPACT member state. PA enacted PSYPACT through Act 19 of 2020 (SB 67), signed May 8, 2020 by Governor Tom Wolf and effective July 8, 2020. Pennsylvania was an early PSYPACT adopter. PA LPs may obtain the E.Passport, Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT), and Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC) credentials through the PSYPACT Commission to practice telepsychology and short-term in-person practice across all 40+ PSYPACT member states.
Clinical Psychologist Salary in Pennsylvania
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Pennsylvania psychologist wages run roughly at national median in nominal terms, with the Philadelphia metro typically running above the state average given the cluster of academic medical centers (Penn Medicine, CHOP, Jefferson Health, Temple) and the Pittsburgh metro running close to the national median. The BLS May 2024 Pennsylvania OEWS estimates show Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033) in Pittsburgh at $84,260 median; the Philadelphia metro typically exceeds this. School Psychologists in Pittsburgh earn approximately $87,920 median.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033)
National median: $96,100
Top metro: ~$95,000+ (Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington)
School Psychologists (SOC 19-3034)
National median: $86,930
Top metro: ~$95,000+ at senior steps (Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington)
Psychologists, All Other (SOC 19-3039)
National median: National mean ~$120,000
Top metro: Top consulting and I-O roles top $150,000+ (Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington)
Pennsylvania Clinical Psychology Job Market and Top Employers
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Pennsylvania has one of the deepest psychology employment markets in the Northeast, with two major metro anchors (Philadelphia and Pittsburgh), a strong Central PA cluster (Penn State Health Hershey, Geisinger Danville), and significant Lehigh Valley employment. Major employers fall into five buckets.
Academic medical centers and major health systems: UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the largest health system in PA), Penn Medicine (University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Penn State Health / Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Geisinger (Danville and statewide), Allegheny Health Network (AHN, Pittsburgh), Jefferson Health / Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Philadelphia), Tower Health (Reading metro), St. Luke's University Health Network (Lehigh Valley), and Lehigh Valley Health Network (Allentown).
VA system: Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center (Philadelphia), VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Wilkes-Barre VA, Coatesville VA, and Butler VA. All operate APA-accredited psychology training programs.
PA state psychiatric system (PA Department of Human Services): Operational state hospitals include Clarks Summit State Hospital, Danville State Hospital, Norristown State Hospital, Torrance State Hospital, and Warren State Hospital. Wernersville State Hospital closed in 2018 and Allentown State Hospital closed in 2010.
Schools and Intermediate Units: The School District of Philadelphia (the largest district in PA), Pittsburgh Public Schools, and PA's 29 Intermediate Units (regional special-education service agencies) are major school psychologist employers.
Corrections and forensic: PA Department of Corrections psychology services, county forensic services, and the state forensic units at Torrance and Norristown.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Pennsylvania Primary Care Loan Repayment Program (PA PCO LRP): Administered by the PA Department of Health. Licensed psychologists are explicitly eligible alongside LCSWs, LPCs, LMFTs, and SUD professionals. Up to $80,000 full-time ($40,000 half-time) for a 2-year service commitment in a PA-designated HPSA or qualifying site serving at least 30% low-income patients. PA also participates in federal SLRP (State Loan Repayment Program) cost-sharing.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Federal program. Health Service Psychologists eligible. Up to $50,000 for 2 years full-time service at an NHSC-approved site in a designated HPSA, with extensions in 1-year increments. PA has substantial HPSA coverage across rural Central PA, Western PA coal country, and inner-city Philadelphia/Pittsburgh.
VA Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): VA-employed psychologists at the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Wilkes-Barre, Coatesville, and Butler VA medical centers can qualify for EDRP awards up to $200,000 over 5 years for direct educational debt reduction, paid alongside salary.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): PA-licensed psychologists at qualifying nonprofit/government employers (VA, PA DHS state psychiatric hospitals, PA DOC, the School District of Philadelphia, PA Intermediate Units, 501(c)(3) hospitals like CHOP and Jefferson, public universities like Pitt and Penn State) qualify for PSLF after 120 qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
UPMC and Penn Medicine employer tuition benefits: Both UPMC (the largest PA employer) and Penn Medicine offer continuing education tuition assistance and student loan repayment as employee benefits for psychology and behavioral health staff. Verify current programs at the employer HR portal.
How to Choose a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in Pennsylvania
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Choosing a Pennsylvania doctoral psychology program comes down to four levers: funding, training model (clinical-science PhD vs scientist-practitioner PhD vs practitioner-scholar PsyD), geography (Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh vs Central PA vs Lehigh Valley), and accreditation profile (PA has the country's densest PCSAS cluster). PA is one of only three states (with California and New York) where you can credibly target any training model. Here is how to actually narrow it down.
If you want a fully funded research PhD: Penn (Clinical PhD with PCSAS, fully funded), Pitt (Clinical PhD with PCSAS, ranked #6 nationally, fully funded), Penn State (Clinical PhD with PCSAS, fully funded), Temple (Clinical PhD with PCSAS through 2025, fully funded), Drexel (Clinical PhD, fully funded). All five offer Clinical Science training; Penn, Pitt, and Penn State are the densest PCSAS cluster in the country.
If you want a more affordable APA-accredited PsyD: Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) at roughly $17,599 per year in-state is among the most affordable APA-accredited PsyDs in the country. Widener at ~$39,864 per year is the longest-running PsyD in the US with exclusive APA internship admission. Immaculata at ~$25,470 per year and Chestnut Hill at ~$1,025 per credit are also more affordable Philadelphia-area options. La Salle at ~$46,215 and PCOM at ~$1,425 per credit run higher.
If you want both APA AND PCSAS accreditation: Penn, Pitt, Penn State, and Temple (through 2025) all hold PCSAS accreditation. PA is the densest PCSAS cluster of any US state. PCSAS signals clinical-science training and is accepted by most state licensure boards alongside APA.
If you want exclusive APA-accredited internship at admission: Widener's PsyD is unique nationally in admitting all doctoral students to its exclusively-affiliated APA-accredited internship at the time of doctoral admission. This eliminates internship match uncertainty (one of the highest-anxiety moments in a PsyD career).
If you want forensic psychology: Drexel Clinical PhD has one of the strongest Forensic Psychology specializations in the country. Widener offers a PsyD/MCJ (Criminal Justice) dual degree. The PA state forensic units at Torrance and Norristown provide strong placement pipelines.
If you want school psychology at the doctoral level: Temple (PhD), Duquesne (PhD + PsyD, NASP-approved), PCOM (PsyD), Lehigh (PhD with NASP-approved certification track). The School District of Philadelphia and PA's 29 Intermediate Units are major school psychology employers.
If you want a clinical health psychology focus: Drexel (Clinical Health Psychology track), PCOM (interprofessional and holistic-care emphasis given osteopathic foundation), and UPMC-affiliated programs (Pitt Clinical PhD) all offer strong health psychology training. The PA academic medical center concentration (Penn Medicine, UPMC, Jefferson, Penn State Health Hershey) supports deep placement pipelines.
If you want maximum PSYPACT leverage: PA has been a PSYPACT state since July 2020 (early adopter). Combined with the Philadelphia-Washington-NYC corridor proximity, PA is one of the strongest base licenses in the country for psychologists building East Coast telehealth practices.
Caveats worth knowing before applying: Bryn Mawr College's Clinical Developmental Psychology PhD is NOT APA-accredited (although students do intern at APA-approved sites). Penn State Hershey runs an APA-accredited 1-year internship (3 interns/year) but not a doctoral degree-granting program; include Hershey only as a training affiliation. Holy Family University's Counseling Psychology PsyD held APA Accreditation on Contingency as of 2025; verify current status. Allentown State Hospital closed in 2010 and Wernersville State Hospital closed in 2018; if you target state hospital employment, focus on operational sites at Clarks Summit, Danville, Norristown, Torrance, and Warren.
Related Pages
Counseling Programs in Pennsylvania
CACREP-accredited counseling programs and the Pennsylvania LPC license, a master's alternative to the 7-year psychology doctorate
MSW Programs in Pennsylvania
CSWE-accredited social work programs and Pennsylvania LCSW licensure
ABA Programs in Pennsylvania
BACB-verified course sequences and Pennsylvania 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
- Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology
- PA Licensure Snapshot
- 49 Pa. Code Chapter 41
- Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE)
- PSYPACT, Compact Map
- PA Act 19 of 2020 (PSYPACT enactment)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Pennsylvania Estimates
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Pittsburgh MSA (May 2024)
- PA DOH Primary Care Loan Repayment Program
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program