Last updated: May 28, 2026

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

Top APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral programs (PhD and PsyD) in Virginia for 2026, with cohort sizes, the 1,500-hour post-internship supervised residency, EPPP plus the Virginia Jurisprudence Examination, and Virginia's PSYPACT membership since January 2021.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia has roughly 10 APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs. R1 anchors include UVA (Clinical PhD since 1988 plus Combined Clinical/School PhD as one of only ~14 APA-accredited combined programs in the US), VCU (Clinical PhD since 1975, Counseling PhD since 1984), Virginia Tech (Clinical Science PhD), and George Mason (Clinical PhD since 1987 with maximum 10-year reaccreditation in 2023). Public PsyD anchors include JMU (Clinical and School PsyD since 1996, fully funded through assistantships, the "Madison Model"). Private PsyD anchors include Regent University (Clinical PsyD with 10-year reaffirmation, 100% internship match for 7 consecutive years). HBCU Clinical Health Psychology PhD at Virginia State (10-year accreditation announced 2026). ODU's Clinical PhD is in transition to independent APA accreditation following the discontinuation of the Virginia Consortium.
  • Virginia licenses psychologists through the Virginia Board of Psychology under the Department of Health Professions, governed by 18VAC125-20. Required supervised experience is a minimum 1,500-hour residency of supervised experience in the delivery of clinical or school psychology services, completed within 12 months to 3 years. The APA-accredited internship (typically 1,750 to 2,000 hours) is required separately as part of the degree.
  • Virginia requires EPPP Part 1 (passing scaled score 500/800; ASPPB application $600 plus ~$79.56 Pearson VUE scheduling) plus the Virginia Jurisprudence Examination: a state-specific online law and ethics exam with a minimum 90% passing score. Application fee is $200.
  • Virginia is a PSYPACT state. Virginia enacted PSYPACT through SB 760, effective January 1, 2021. VA LPs can practice telepsychology across all 40+ PSYPACT member states under the E.Passport and APIT credentials, with IPC available for short-term in-person practice.
  • Virginia psychologist wages run above national median. BLS OEWS Virginia shows Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033) at an average of ~$108,910 per year versus the national $96,100, reflecting the strong DC-metro academic medical center and federal employer concentration.
  • Virginia's State Loan Repayment Program (VA-SLRP) and Behavioral Health LRP (BHLRP) award licensed psychologists up to $20,000 per year (capped at 25% of total student loan debt) for a minimum 2-year service commitment at HPSA sites or eligible behavioral health authorities. No employer/community match required.
  • Virginia has unique public PsyD options. JMU's Clinical and School Psychology PsyD (continuously APA-accredited since 1996) is one of relatively few public-university PsyD programs in the country, with full tuition-covering teaching/graduate assistantships for all admitted students. The "Madison Model" integrates clinical AND school psychology training, qualifying graduates for both clinical psychologist licensure and school psychologist certification.
  • DC metro proximity (Inova in Northern VA, George Mason in Fairfax, Marymount in Arlington) creates federal employment opportunities at NIMH, NIH intramural research, VA Central Office, Walter Reed/military medical centers (DHA), DoD, FDA, SAMHSA, plus the DC VA Medical Center.
Accredited Programs
9
Ranked in this guide
Virginia, Ranked Median
Mean ~$108,910 (state)
vs national $96,100 (+13.3%)
Independent License
Licensed Psychologist
Licensed Psychologist
Supervised Hours
1,500
over 1,500-hour residency in 12 to 36 months post-doctoral, PLUS APA-accredited internship (typically 1,750 to 2,000 hours) earned during the doctoral program min.

APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Virginia

All 9 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.

# School In-State Tuition Format
1 University of Virginia (UVA) - Clinical PhD All program students eligible for competitive financial support: tuition (in-state and out-of-state) for academic year + medical insurance + 9-month academic year stipend ($20,000) On-campus
2 University of Virginia (UVA) - Combined Clinical and School Psychology PhD Funded students receive tuition + stipend through assistantship support On-campus
3 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) ~$17,252 per year (in-state, with tuition waivers for funded clinical/counseling cohorts) On-campus
4 Virginia Tech ~$876 per credit (~$19,218 per year in-state) On-campus
5 James Madison University (JMU) ~$573 per credit (in-state, covered by assistantship) On-campus
6 Regent University Private; verify current rate On-campus
7 George Mason University ~$589 per credit (in-state, with assistantship support typical) On-campus
8 Old Dominion University (ODU) ~$472 per credit (in-state); guaranteed funding of at least $20,000 annually + at least $5,000 first two summers + full tuition waiver during 4 years in residence On-campus
9 Virginia State University (VSU) VSU graduate rates with assistantship support typical On-campus
1

University of Virginia (UVA) - Clinical PhD

Charlottesville, VA On-campus APA-accredited Clinical Psychology PhD

In-State

All program students eligible for competitive financial support: tuition (in-state and out-of-state) for academic year + medical insurance + 9-month academic year stipend ($20,000)

Out-of-State

Same with funding

Length

5 years (4 years on grounds + 1-year APA internship)

Field Hours

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

Concentrations

Clinical Psychology PhD (scientist-practitioner / clinical scientist)
  • APA-accredited Clinical Psychology PhD maintained since 1988
  • Full funding for all admitted students: tuition (in and out-of-state) + medical insurance + $20,000 academic year stipend
  • Recruiting faculty for Fall 2026: Noelle Hurd, Stefanie Sequeira, Bethany Teachman
  • Embedded in UVA Health (Charlottesville) with strong placement pipeline
  • 5-year structure (4 on grounds + 1-year APA internship)
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.5
Visit Program
2

University of Virginia (UVA) - Combined Clinical and School Psychology PhD

Charlottesville, VA On-campus APA-accredited Combined Clinical and School Psychology PhD

In-State

Funded students receive tuition + stipend through assistantship support

Out-of-State

Same with funding

Length

5 years (72 credits)

Field Hours

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

Concentrations

Combined Clinical and School Psychology PhD (scientist-practitioner)
  • One of only ~14 APA-accredited Combined programs in the United States
  • The ONLY APA-accredited PhD program in the country integrating clinical AND school psychology
  • Combined accreditation granted Fall 2013
  • Also fully approved as doctoral-level school psychology program by NASP
  • 72-credit scientist-practitioner structure across both disciplines
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.3
Visit Program
3

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

Richmond, VA On-campus APA-accredited Clinical Psychology PhD

In-State

~$17,252 per year (in-state, with tuition waivers for funded clinical/counseling cohorts)

Out-of-State

~$32,470 per year (out-of-state)

Length

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

Field Hours

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

Concentrations

Clinical Psychology PhD (scientist-practitioner, biopsychosocialCounseling Psychology PhD (multicultural/social justice emphasis
  • Clinical Psychology PhD APA-accredited since 1975
  • Counseling Psychology PhD APA-accredited since 1984
  • GRE NOT required for Counseling Psychology PhD admission (2026 cycle)
  • 100% of Counseling Psychology PhD students receive tuition waivers and assistantships or fellowships for at least the first 4 years
  • Behavioral Medicine concentration in Clinical PhD; counseling health psychology focus in Counseling PhD
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.5
Visit Program
4

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA On-campus APA-accredited Clinical Science PhD

In-State

~$876 per credit (~$19,218 per year in-state)

Out-of-State

~$1,760 per credit (~$36,212 per year out-of-state)

Length

5 years (4 years coursework/practica/research + 1-year APA internship)

Field Hours

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

Concentrations

Clinical Science PhD (scientist-practitioner-advocate model)
  • APA-accredited Clinical Science PhD
  • Scientist-practitioner-advocate training model (distinctive nationally)
  • All students in good standing offered teaching/research assistantships or fellowships with monthly stipend and full/partial tuition waiver
  • 5-year structure (4 in-residence + 1-year APA internship)
  • Blacksburg location with placements across Southwest VA behavioral health network
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.5
Visit Program
5

James Madison University (JMU)

Harrisonburg, VA On-campus APA-accredited Clinical and School Psychology PsyD

In-State

~$573 per credit (in-state, covered by assistantship)

Out-of-State

~$1,314 per credit (out-of-state, covered by assistantship)

Length

4 years (3 years coursework + 1-year internship)

Field Hours

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

Concentrations

Clinical and School Psychology PsyD (the "Madison Model", combined and integrated)
  • One of relatively few PUBLIC-UNIVERSITY PsyD programs in the country
  • APA-accredited combined Clinical and School PsyD since October 1996; full 10-year reaccreditation in 2017; next self-study 2027
  • All students receive full-time teaching or graduate assistantship that includes tuition (major affordability differentiator vs private PsyD norms)
  • Cohort of 4 to 6 full-time students admitted each year
  • Madison Model: combined and integrated clinical + school psychology training, qualifying graduates for BOTH clinical psychologist licensure AND school psychologist certification
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.3
Visit Program
6

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA On-campus APA-accredited Clinical Psychology PsyD

In-State

Private; verify current rate

Out-of-State

Same private rate

Length

5 years full-time (combined MA + PsyD entering with a bachelor's)

Field Hours

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

Concentrations

Clinical Psychology PsyD (combined master's + doctoral degree program
  • APA-accredited Clinical PsyD with 10-year reaffirmation from APA Commission on Accreditation
  • 100% internship match rate for seven consecutive years (2016 to 2023)
  • Combined MA + PsyD degree pathway entering with bachelor's (5 years full-time)
  • One of few schools APA + CACREP accredited
  • Christian institution with faith-integrated training, welcoming to students of any background
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.3
Visit Program
7

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA On-campus APA-accredited Clinical Psychology PhD

In-State

~$589 per credit (in-state, with assistantship support typical)

Out-of-State

~$1,520 per credit (out-of-state)

Length

5 years (including 12-month full-time APA-accredited internship)

Field Hours

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

Concentrations

Clinical Psychology PhD (clinical science model)
  • APA-accredited Clinical Psychology PhD since 1987
  • Most recent APA reaccreditation 2023 for the maximum 10-year period; next review ~2033
  • Clinical science training model
  • DC metro proximity creates federal employment pipeline at NIMH, NIH intramural, VA Central Office, Walter Reed/DHA, DoD, FDA, SAMHSA
  • 5-year structure with 12-month full-time APA-accredited internship
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.5
Visit Program
8

Old Dominion University (ODU)

Norfolk, VA On-campus Pursuing independent APA accreditation

In-State

~$472 per credit (in-state); guaranteed funding of at least $20,000 annually + at least $5,000 first two summers + full tuition waiver during 4 years in residence

Out-of-State

~$1,321 per credit (out-of-state)

Length

Minimum 5 years (4 in residence + 1 APA internship)

Field Hours

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

Concentrations

Clinical Psychology PhD (transitioning from legacy Virginia Consortium to independent ODU program)
  • Legacy Virginia Consortium (EVMS + ODU + Norfolk State) is being discontinued; ODU is pursuing independent APA accreditation
  • Application Summer 2025; full APA site visit anticipated Fall 2026; APA Accreditation on Contingency anticipated Spring 2027
  • Guaranteed funding of at least $20,000 annually + $5,000 first two summers + full tuition waiver during 4 years in residence
  • ODU founding member of the Consortium for over 43 years
  • Track accreditation status carefully during the 2026-2027 cycle; verify current status with the program and APA Commission on Accreditation
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.3
Visit Program
9

Virginia State University (VSU)

Petersburg, VA On-campus APA-accredited Clinical Health Psychology PhD

In-State

VSU graduate rates with assistantship support typical

Out-of-State

VSU graduate rates

Length

5 years (4 years on campus + 1-year off-site predoctoral internship)

Field Hours

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

Concentrations

Clinical Health Psychology specializationBehavioral and Community Health Sciences (BCHS) specialization
  • 10-year APA accreditation announced 2026, the highest level of recognition awarded by the Commission
  • One of a limited number of HBCUs with an APA-accredited clinical doctoral program
  • Boulder/scientist-practitioner model
  • Two specializations: Clinical Health, and Behavioral and Community Health Sciences (BCHS)
  • 5-year structure (4 on campus + 1-year off-site internship)
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.3
Visit Program

How to Become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia

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

Licensing Board

Virginia Board of Psychology, Department of Health Professions

(804) 367-4697

Doctoral Student/Intern

Supervised pre-doctoral APA-accredited internship

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

Licensed Psychologist

Independent practice in clinical, applied, or school psychology; mental health diagnosis and treatment, psychological testing and assessment, supervision of trainees, expert testimony, telepsychology under PSYPACT for VA LPs holding APIT

Hours

1,500

Duration

1,500-hour residency in 12 to 36 months post-doctoral, PLUS APA-accredited internship (typically 1,750 to 2,000 hours) earned during the doctoral program

Exam: EPPP Part 1 (passing scaled score 500) + Virginia Jurisprudence Examination (online, 90% passing)

Clinical Psychologist Salary in Virginia

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

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033)

Mean ~$108,910 (state) +13.3%
State
U.S.

National median: $96,100

Top metro: ~$115,000+ (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV)

School Psychologists (SOC 19-3034)

VA district schedules vary; Fairfax County leads Above national in Northern VA
State
U.S.

National median: $86,930

Top metro: Senior steps in Fairfax County reach ~$110,000+ (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV)

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists (SOC 19-3032)

Strong I-O market in Northern VA (federal consulting) Above national
State
U.S.

National median: $139,280

Top metro: Top federal consulting and I-O roles top $175,000+ (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV)

Virginia Clinical Psychology Job Market and Top Employers

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

Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs

How to Choose a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in Virginia

Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.

Related Pages

Frequently Asked Questions