Best Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Vermont, Ranked (2026)
The 1 APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral program in Vermont for 2026, with cohort sizes, the 4,000 supervised hours (2,000 internship + 2,000 post-doctoral), EPPP plus the open-book Vermont Jurisprudence Examination, and Vermont's PSYPACT status (effective July 2024).
Key Takeaways
- Vermont has only 1 APA-accredited doctoral psychology program: University of Vermont (UVM) Clinical Psychology PhD (Burlington), continuously APA-accredited since 1973. Scientist-practitioner model with equal emphasis on research and clinical training. A separate Clinical/Developmental PhD track is also offered within the same APA-accredited program.
- UVM Clinical PhD admits ~6 to 8 students per year from 200+ applications (~3 to 4% acceptance rate). ALL PhD students receive full tuition remission + 12-month stipend for 5 years, every student fully funded. 5 to 6 years to completion (5-year coursework + 1-year APA-accredited internship). Overall PhD program (Clinical + Experimental combined) has 35-45 students at any time.
- GRE NOT required and NOT accepted for the Psychology PhD program. Application deadline December 1 (late applications considered through Dec 31 if spots remain).
- No APA-accredited PsyD programs in Vermont. No APA-accredited Counseling Psychology or School Psychology doctoral programs. Saint Michael's College does NOT offer an APA-accredited doctoral psychology program. Most VT psychologists trained out of state.
- Vermont licenses psychologists through the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), Board of Psychological Examiners. Required supervised experience is 4,000 hours total: 2,000 hours pre-doctoral internship + 2,000 hours post-doctoral. Post-doc hours must be supervised by at least 2 licensed psychologists, each supervising at least 500 hours. Minimum supervision ratio 1 hour per 20 hours practice. Primary supervisor must be a licensed psychologist with at least 3 years experience.
- Exam sequence is the EPPP (passing scaled score 500; ~$600 ASPPB) plus the Vermont Jurisprudence Exam: open-book, based on Vermont Statutes and Rules; passing requires fewer than 6 incorrect answers.
- Fees: Initial license fee $175; biennial renewal $150 due January 31 in even years. 60 CE hours per renewal period with minimum 6 credits in ethics/jurisprudence/legal; up to 30 hours Category 2 home study (APA-approved), 30 hours must be Category 1 formal/live.
- Vermont is a PSYPACT operational state since July 1, 2024. H.282 (Act 37) enacted June 1, 2023. VT LPs may obtain the E.Passport and Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) through ASPPB to practice telepsychology across 40+ PSYPACT member states.
Vermont runs the smallest APA-accredited doctoral psychology training landscape in the United States: only 1 program, all at the University of Vermont in Burlington. University of Vermont (UVM) Clinical Psychology PhD (Department of Psychological Science, College of Arts and Sciences, John Dewey Hall Room 248, 2 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405-0134) has been continuously APA-accredited since 1973. Scientist-practitioner model with equal emphasis on research and clinical training. A separate Clinical/Developmental PhD track is also offered within the same APA-accredited program focused on developmental psychopathology.
UVM graduate tuition 2026-27: $706/credit Vermont resident and $1,944/credit out-of-state. However, all PhD students receive full tuition remission + 12-month stipend for 5 years, every student fully funded. 5 to 6 years to completion (5-year coursework + 1-year APA-accredited internship). ~6 to 8 incoming students per year from 200+ applications (~3 to 4% acceptance rate). Overall PhD program (Clinical + Experimental combined) has 35-45 students at any time. GRE NOT required and NOT accepted. Application deadline December 1 (late applications considered through December 31 if spots remain). 2026 interview date was February 6, 2026.
Mentor-based model. Active research areas include addiction, trauma, pediatric psychology, mood disorders, adolescent health behaviors, and criminal justice topics. The separate Clinical/Developmental track focuses on developmental psychopathology. Notable affiliations: Vermont Psychological Services (in-house training clinic), UVM Medical Center, and dual affiliation with White River Junction VA Medical Center (shared training site with Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth).
What is NOT APA-accredited in Vermont: No APA-accredited PsyD programs (campus or online). No APA-accredited Counseling Psychology or School Psychology doctoral programs. Saint Michael's College does NOT offer an APA-accredited doctoral psychology program. Because Vermont has only one APA-accredited doctoral program, many VT residents pursue APA-accredited training at nearby out-of-state programs: Antioch University New England in Keene NH (Clinical PsyD), Springfield College in MA, William James College in Newton MA, and various Massachusetts and New York programs.
The Vermont OPR Board of Psychological Examiners licensure path requires a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) from an APA-accredited program (or substantially equivalent), 4,000 hours total (2,000 hours pre-doctoral internship + 2,000 hours post-doctoral supervised by at least 2 licensed psychologists each supervising at least 500 hours; minimum 1:20 supervision ratio; primary supervisor must have at least 3 years experience), the EPPP (passing scaled score 500), and the Vermont Jurisprudence Exam (open-book, based on Vermont Statutes and Rules; passing requires fewer than 6 incorrect answers). Initial license $175; biennial renewal $150 due January 31 in even years; 60 CE hours per renewal period with minimum 6 in ethics/jurisprudence/legal. Total timeline from start of bachelor's through full licensure typically runs 7 to 8 years.
Vermont is a PSYPACT operational state since July 1, 2024 (H.282 / Act 37 enacted June 1, 2023). VT LPs can practice telepsychology across 40+ PSYPACT member states via the E.Passport and APIT. The Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital (Berlin) opened July 1, 2014 as a 25-bed state inpatient facility replacing the historic Vermont State Hospital (Waterbury, 1891-2011) which was destroyed by Tropical Storm Irene flooding in August 2011. $28.5M facility, ~47,000 sq ft. White River Junction VA Medical Center is the dominant federal psychology employer/trainer in Vermont, dually affiliated with Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and UVM Larner College of Medicine; APA-accredited psychology internship.
APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Vermont
All 1 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Vermont (UVM Clinical PhD) | $706/credit (Vermont resident, 2026-27). All PhD students receive full tuition remission + 12-month stipend for 5 years | On-campus |
University of Vermont (UVM Clinical PhD)
In-State
$706/credit (Vermont resident, 2026-27). All PhD students receive full tuition remission + 12-month stipend for 5 years
Out-of-State
$1,944/credit (out-of-state); same with full funding
Length
5 to 6 years (designed for 5-year completion + 1-year APA-accredited internship)
Field Hours
2,000 on the APA-accredited internship plus practicum at Vermont Psychological Services (in-house training clinic), UVM Medical Center, dual affiliation with White River Junction VA Medical Center
Concentrations
- Continuously APA-accredited since 1973
- ~6 to 8 admits per year from 200+ applications (~3 to 4% acceptance rate)
- GRE NOT required and NOT accepted for the Psychology PhD program
- All PhD students receive full tuition remission + 12-month stipend for 5 years (every student fully funded)
- Dual affiliation with White River Junction VA Medical Center (shared training site with Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth)
How to Become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Vermont
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), Board of Psychological Examiners
(802) 828-1505
Vermont regulates psychologists through the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), Board of Psychological Examiners within the Vermont Secretary of State.
Education requirement is a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) from an APA-accredited program (or substantially equivalent).
Required supervised experience is 4,000 hours total: 2,000 hours pre-doctoral internship + 2,000 hours post-doctoral. Post-doc hours must be supervised by at least 2 licensed psychologists, each supervising at least 500 hours. Minimum supervision ratio 1 hour per 20 hours practice. Primary supervisor must be a licensed psychologist with at least 3 years experience.
Exam sequence is the EPPP (passing scaled score 500; ~$600 ASPPB) plus the Vermont Jurisprudence Exam: open-book, based on Vermont Statutes and Rules; passing requires fewer than 6 incorrect answers.
Fees: Initial license fee $175; biennial renewal $150 due January 31 in even years. 60 CE hours per renewal period with minimum 6 credits in ethics/jurisprudence/legal; up to 30 hours Category 2 home study (APA-approved), 30 hours must be Category 1 formal/live. Total timeline from start of bachelor's through full licensure typically runs 7 to 8 years.
Supervised pre-doctoral internship (2,000 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
Licensed Psychologist (Doctorate)
Independent practice, mental health diagnosis and treatment, psychological testing and assessment, supervision of trainees, expert testimony, telepsychology under PSYPACT for VT LPs holding APIT
Hours
4,000
Duration
4,000 hours total: 2,000 pre-doctoral internship + 2,000 post-doctoral (each post-doc supervisor must supervise ≥500 hours; ≥2 supervisors required; 1:20 supervision ratio)
Exam: EPPP (scaled score 500) + Vermont Jurisprudence Exam (open-book; <6 incorrect)
Vermont does not offer automatic reciprocity. Out-of-state applicants must complete the Vermont Jurisprudence Exam.
Vermont is a PSYPACT operational state since July 1, 2024. H.282 (Act 37) enacted June 1, 2023. VT LPs may obtain the E.Passport and Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) through ASPPB to practice telepsychology across 40+ PSYPACT member states.
Clinical Psychologist Salary in Vermont
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Vermont psychologist wages run roughly at or below national medians but Vermont's cost of living runs above national average. The BLS Vermont OEWS data should be verified for SOC 19-3033 (state median + Burlington metro). Vermont employs only ~152 Clinical and Counseling Psychologists statewide (a very small workforce). National median for SOC 19-3033 is $96,100. National median for all psychologists is $94,310. Vermont DOL ELMI also publishes state and sub-state OEWS figures.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033)
National median: $96,100
Top metro: Verify with BLS MSA pages and VT DOL ELMI (Burlington-South Burlington)
School Psychologists (SOC 19-3034)
National median: $84,940
Top metro: Verify with BLS and VT DOL ELMI (Burlington, South Burlington, Essex Westford, Rutland City)
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists (SOC 19-3032)
National median: National mean ~$109,000-$139,000
Top metro: Data may be suppressed (Burlington)
Vermont Clinical Psychology Job Market and Top Employers
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Vermont has a small but distinctive psychology employment market driven by the UVM Health Network in Burlington, the Vermont Care Partners community mental health network, and the White River Junction VA shared with New Hampshire. Major employers fall into five buckets.
Health systems: University of Vermont Health Network, the largest health system in VT. UVM Medical Center (Burlington), Central Vermont Medical Center (Berlin), Porter Medical Center (Middlebury), plus 3 New York sites (Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Plattsburgh, Elizabethtown Community Hospital, Alice Hyde Medical Center Malone). Northwestern Medical Center (St. Albans). Rutland Regional Medical Center (Rutland). Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (Bennington). Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (Brattleboro). Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (St. Johnsbury). Brattleboro Retreat (private psychiatric hospital, major VT mental health employer).
State government: Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital (Berlin), 25-bed state inpatient facility opened July 1, 2014; $28.5M facility, ~47,000 sq ft. Replaced the historic Vermont State Hospital (Waterbury, 1891-2011) which was destroyed by Tropical Storm/Hurricane Irene flooding in August 2011. Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH). Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC).
Federal / VA: White River Junction VA Medical Center (White River Junction, VT), serves VT + NH. Dually affiliated with Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine. APA-accredited psychology internship.
K-12 school districts (school psychologists): Burlington School District, South Burlington School District, Essex Westford School District, Rutland City Public Schools.
Vermont Care Partners (VCP) network: The 16 Designated Agencies + Specialized Service Agencies are the backbone of VT community mental health and employ many clinical psychologists. Howard Center in Chittenden County is the largest VCP Designated Agency.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Vermont Educational Loan Repayment Program (ELRP) for Health Care Professionals: Administered by UVM Larner College of Medicine Office of Primary Care and AHEC Program. Funded by federal + state funds. Eligibility includes practitioners in outpatient or inpatient mental health / substance use disorder settings (including psychologists). Applications for the 2026 cycle currently closed; cycle reopens annually.
Vermont Care Partners (VCP) Education Investment Program: State-funded loan repayment + tuition assistance. For clinicians working at Designated Agencies and Specialized Service Agencies (the network that delivers most of VT's community mental health). Applications through Vermont Care Partners directly.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Federal program. Health Service Psychologists eligible. Up to $55,000 for 2-year full-time service at NHSC-approved site in HPSA; $30,000 for half-time. Vermont has multiple Mental Health HPSAs particularly in rural areas (Northeast Kingdom, southern VT).
VA Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): White River Junction VA Medical Center employed psychologists can qualify for EDRP awards up to $200,000 over 5 years.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Available to psychologists employed by 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government, or qualifying hospitals (UVM Health Network, VA, state agencies, school districts, Vermont Care Partners Designated Agencies) after 120 qualifying payments.
How to Choose a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in Vermont
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Choosing a Vermont clinical psychology doctoral program is straightforward given only 1 APA-accredited option (UVM Clinical PhD in Burlington). The real choice for VT residents is between UVM's highly competitive in-state program and out-of-state APA-accredited programs in nearby New England states. Here is how to actually narrow it down.
If you want the only in-state APA-accredited doctoral program: UVM Clinical Psychology PhD (continuously APA-accredited since 1973, scientist-practitioner with equal emphasis on research and clinical training, ~6 to 8 admits/year from 200+ applications = ~3 to 4% acceptance rate, fully funded with tuition remission + 12-month stipend for 5 years, GRE NOT required and NOT accepted). Separate Clinical/Developmental track focused on developmental psychopathology available within the same APA-accredited program.
If you want to stay regionally but UVM is too competitive: Consider out-of-state APA-accredited programs in nearby New England. Antioch University New England (Keene NH; Clinical PsyD continuously APA-accredited since 1986). Springfield College in MA. William James College in Newton MA. Various Massachusetts, New York, and New Hampshire programs.
If you want White River Junction VA training: WRJ VA Medical Center is dually affiliated with both Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and UVM Larner College of Medicine; APA-accredited psychology internship. Serves VT + NH veterans across the Upper Valley and the dominant federal psychology employer/trainer in Vermont.
If you want Vermont community mental health placement: Vermont Care Partners network includes 16 Designated Agencies + Specialized Service Agencies. Howard Center in Chittenden County is the largest. VCP Education Investment Program provides loan repayment for VCP clinicians.
If you want maximum PSYPACT mobility: Vermont became a PSYPACT operational state on July 1, 2024 (H.282 / Act 37 enacted June 1, 2023). VT LPs holding APIT can practice telepsychology across 40+ PSYPACT member states. Important for a small state with rural geography.
If you want rural HPSA loan repayment leverage: Most of VT outside Chittenden County qualifies as a Mental Health HPSA. NHSC LRP up to $55,000 for 2 years; NHSC SUD Workforce LRP up to $75,000; VT ELRP via UVM AHEC supplements federal programs. Strong NHSC play for new grads willing to work in St. Johnsbury, Newport, Bennington, or Rutland.
Caveats worth knowing before applying: Vermont has only 1 APA-accredited doctoral psychology program. No APA-accredited PsyD programs. No APA-accredited Counseling Psychology or School Psychology doctoral programs. Saint Michael's College does NOT offer an APA-accredited doctoral psychology program. UVM Clinical PhD GRE is NOT accepted (don't submit scores). Vermont post-doctoral hours require at least 2 licensed psychologists each supervising at least 500 hours (more demanding than most states). Most VT psychologists trained out of state.
Related Pages
Counseling Programs in Vermont
CACREP-accredited counseling programs and the Vermont LCMHC license, a master's alternative to the 7-year clinical psychology doctorate
MSW Programs in Vermont
CSWE-accredited social work programs and Vermont LICSW licensure
ABA Programs in Vermont
BACB-verified course sequences and Vermont 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
- Vermont Board of Psychological Examiners (OPR)
- Vermont H.282 (Act 37) PSYPACT enactment
- PSYPACT, Compact Map
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Vermont Estimates
- Vermont DOL ELMI for SOC 19-3033
- Vermont Educational Loan Repayment Program (UVM AHEC)
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program
- University of Vermont Clinical Psychology PhD
- White River Junction VA Psychology Internship