Doctoral programs prepare you to study and treat mental health concerns across diverse populations while building advanced skills in assessment, intervention, and scientific evaluation.
Below is a discussion of some of the popular psychology PhD and PsyD programs in Colorado. Explore each one, compare and contrast them, and determine which is best suited for your future!
Best Psychology PhD and PsyD Programs in Colorado
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering psychology PhD and PsyD programs in Colorado:
- University of Colorado Boulder
- Colorado State University
- University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
- University of Denver
- Walden University
- National University
- Grand Canyon University
To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.
University of Colorado Boulder
Clinical Psychology PhD Program
The aim of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Clinical Psychology PhD program is to train clinical scientists who will produce and use scientific knowledge to understand, assess, prevent, and treat emotional and behavioral problems. The program is guided by four main goals that shape the overall structure of the program, including:
- Maintaining a curriculum of current courses and clinical training experiences that cover a broad base of psychology, clinical psychology, interdisciplinary training, and multicultural awareness and perspectives.
- Providing a training environment that values and supports reproducible, representative, justice oriented, and ethical research conduct.
- Training clinicians who can apply science based principles of assessment and intervention with skill, including applying these principles in a culturally competent manner that respects client characteristics and preferences.
- Addressing diversity and inclusion in program policies and practices, which we view as necessary for meeting the goals above through a current curriculum, responsible research, and training in evidence supported assessment and intervention.
All students are admitted to pursue the PhD degree. The program does not offer a terminal master’s degree, but all students complete the requirements for and receive a Master of Arts degree while working toward the PhD.
During the 1st year of graduate study, students complete a 1st year research requirement that begins an active research program. 1st year students typically enroll in a 2 semester graduate statistics sequence and introductory coursework. The student must also enroll in a course sequence that provides exposure to a range of research topics and methods. In later years, advanced research seminars provide deeper knowledge within each student’s area of interest.
Students may complete an MA while moving toward the PhD based on research and coursework finished within the first 2 to 3 years. Before admission to PhD candidacy, the student must pass a comprehensive examination in the concentration area and related fields.
This exam evaluates mastery of a broad knowledge base, not only the formal coursework completed. After completing the comprehensive examination, students conduct dissertation research that ends with a public oral defense.
The shortest completion time is 5 years, organized as follows:
- Year 1 Coursework and research practicum.
- Year 2 Coursework, research practicum, and clinical practicum.
- Year 3 Coursework, clinical practicum, and dissertation hours.
- Year 4 Any remaining coursework, clinical practicum, and dissertation hours.
- Year 5 Internship.
However, many students finish in 6 or 7 years.
Each Clinical Psychology graduate student must complete a course in each core requirement area related to profession wide competencies with a final grade of B- or better:
- Psychopathology and psychotherapy: Students must complete core courses in psychopathology PSYC 5453 Adult Psychopathology and psychotherapy PSYC 7673 Adult Psychotherapy.
- Research Methods: Students must complete PSYC 5423 Research Problems in Clinical Psychology or PSYC 5656 Advanced Graduate Research Methods.
- Statistical Analysis: Students must complete PSYC 5741 General Statistics I and PSYC 5751 General Statistics II.
- Psychological assessment and psychometrics: Students must complete PSYC 7683 Intellectual Assessment with Practicum, PSYC 7663 Intellectual Assessment Lab, and PSYC 7693 Personality Measurement.
- Diversity: Students must complete PSYC 7703 Clinical Seminar Multicultural Issues in Psychology with a grade of B- or better. Nearly all other clinical courses also address cultural and individual diversity issues connected to each course topic
- History of psychology: An undergraduate course covering the history of psychology taken before or after enrollment at CU may meet this requirement. Students without an undergraduate History of Psychology course may meet the requirement by completing PSYC 7703 Clinical Seminar History and Systems or PSYC 5541 Human Lifespan Development.
- Ethics and Professional Issues: Ethics ability is evaluated in several ways. Students must complete the online CITI and HIPAA training programs. Students must also complete PSYC 7703 Clinical Seminar Ethics in Clinical Psychology. In addition, students must enroll in PSYC 6603 Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology each semester unless a time conflict exists with another course or externship. Students may skip PSYC 6603 2 times without a faculty petition. If the student has a time conflict 3 or more times, the student must petition the faculty. Several required courses also include graded assignments on ethical issues relevant to the course. Each such assignment must be completed with a grade of at least B-.
- Supervision and Consultation: Students must take PSYC 7703 Clinical Seminar Supervision and Consultation.
Dissertation
A student who has completed required coursework, passed the Comprehensive Examination, and received approval for Admission to Candidacy becomes a Doctoral Candidate. Students receive written notice from the Graduate School confirming admission to candidacy. On campus doctoral candidates must register and are billed for at least 5 hours of dissertation credit for each later semester of doctoral work.
Students who are off campus and not using any university facilities must still register for 5 hours of dissertation credit. Continuous registration during the academic year not summer is required until the dissertation defense is completed.
Students must complete at least 30 hours of dissertation thesis credit. Coursework and dissertation work may occur at the same time in any combination throughout the doctoral program. An additional 10 hours may be earned in the semester the student passes the Comprehensive Examination, and the final 10 hours may be earned in later semesters such as the spring semester after the dissertation proposal.
Clinical Internship
An internship is required before the PhD degree is granted. Students may not apply for an internship until all requirements are completed through the Dissertation Proposal stage of graduate study. Students may defend the dissertation at any time, but they are not approved for graduation until the internship is finished.
The university does not require enrollment for credit after the dissertation defense, but the diploma is not issued until the department confirms that all graduation requirements are met, and for the Clinical Program this includes completion of the internship.
Any student who chooses not to complete an internship must officially withdraw from the Clinical Program by sending a letter to the Director of Clinical Training. The student may petition the department for permission to earn a general Ph.D. in Psychology if department requirements have been met, but the student will not be a graduate of the Clinical Program.
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate broad knowledge of major theories, research results, and methods in at least 1 of these psychology and neuroscience areas: behavioral neuroscience, behavioral, psychiatric, and statistical genetics, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience, and social psychology.
- Combine and critically assess scientific writing and research results to form strong questions connected to the main specialization area.
- Plan, carry out, and interpret original research that meaningfully advances knowledge in the specialization area.
- Use statistical and analytical methods to address complex research questions in psychological and neuroscientific research.
- Communicate research results effectively in oral and written forms.
When applying to the PhD program, you must meet these requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution and complete the Graduate Application.
- Include a Statement of Purpose that explains:
- Your specific research interests and career goals
- Past research or work experience that has prepared you to continue these interests
- Reasons for applying to CU, including how you match potential faculty mentors
- Pay an application fee of $60 for US citizens or $80 for international applicants when submitting the application.
- Provide 3 letters of recommendation. After you submit the application, each recommender listed receives an email.
- Provide 1 unofficial copy of each transcript from every institution where you previously studied.
GRE General scores are optional. Some faculty may consider GRE General results as 1 factor in reviewing applicants. Your application must be submitted by November 20.
Interview and Admissions Process
Graduate applications are reviewed through January. After all applications have been reviewed, individual faculty members contact selected candidates and generally invite them to campus for a departmental interview.
Final admission decisions are usually made in March after the admissions committee meets and all candidates have been evaluated. All candidates are informed of their status by email
Colorado State University
Clinical Psychology PhD Program
The PhD Program in Clinical Psychology at Colorado State University holds full accreditation from the American Psychological Association.
The program uses a clinical scientist training model. This psychological clinical scientist approach is based on two way integration of research and clinical practice so that each informs the other to strengthen clinical science. Therefore, the program aims to enroll students who can advance psychology as a science and who can use a wide range of clinical methods with skill.
The main objective of the program is to prepare future clinical scientists. This objective is met through academic coursework, research training through coursework and the advisor and student relationship, and clinical training through internal and external clinical practica.
Core curriculum courses provide a conceptual base for training in research, broad knowledge across psychology areas, clinical research and clinical topics, and skill building in clinical assessment and intervention. Students are expected to become capable contributors to psychological clinical science and to build strong critical thinking skills as readers of research.
Research participation is required at both the master’s and doctoral levels and is encouraged throughout the program. Students are encouraged to join faculty research projects, which include many applied and theoretical topics, and students are expected to build their own independent research programs.
Coursework supports this research experience. Students complete classes in basic and advanced statistics, broader research methods, and measurement. Students are expected to present independent research at local, regional, national, and international conferences and to publish in scholarly journals.
Clinical Training
Clinical training starts in the 1st year through formal coursework, continues during the time on campus through multiple clinical practica, and ends with a 1 year predoctoral internship. Internal practica are supervised by licensed professionals. Internal training follows a generalist approach to provide broad preparation.
Students may complete external practica in Fort Collins, Denver, and nearby areas. External practica allow students to gain more focused experience with certain populations, specific practice areas, and specific methods. Together, these experiences prepare students for the internship year and for clinical work after graduation.
Residency
The program requires the equivalent of 5 full time academic years of graduate study and completion of an internship before the doctoral degree is awarded. At least 2 academic training years must be completed in full time residence at CSU.
An exception to the 5 year expectation may occur when students request transfer or waiver credit for coursework from a prior graduate institution. However, students who transfer or waive credit must still complete at least 3 full time academic years of graduate study in the program.
Some students take more than 5 years to finish. This usually happens when life circumstances require a different path through the Program. The Program supports these situations and works with students to help them finish successfully.
Clinical Comprehensive Examination
Students must pass a clinical comprehensive examination before applying for internship. The Clinical Comprehensive Examination (CCE) is an oral exam that includes an Ethics exam and an evaluation of profession wide competencies for clinical work. Passing the CCE shows that the student is ready to apply for internship if all other requirements are met.
Full time Internship
An APPIC accredited internship is required to graduate from the program. Students must complete CCE by the end of the spring semester before the fall semester when they apply for internship. Students must propose the Doctoral dissertation by the 1st day of the fall semester when they apply for internship. If these requirements are met, the student must request permission through the petition process. This usually occurs by the end of the spring semester of the academic year before the academic year in which the student applies for internship.
Students are expected to complete milestones in a timely manner and to show enough progress in professional competency development. Program milestones include the Master’s thesis, advancement to Doctoral candidacy, the clinical comprehensive exam, and the Doctoral dissertation. The recommended timeline for completing the Program in 5 years and going to internship in the 6th year is:
- Master’s Thesis Proposal:
- Goal By the end of the spring semester 1st year
- Deadline By the end of the fall semester 2nd year
- Master’s Thesis Defense:
- Goal By the end of the spring semester 2nd year
- Deadline By the end of the fall semester 3rd year
- Advancing to Doctoral Candidacy:
- Goal By the end of the spring semester 3rd year
- Deadline By the end of the spring semester of the 4th year
- Clinical Comprehensive Exam:
- Goal By the end of the spring semester 4th year
- Deadline Before the start of the fall semester 5th year
- Dissertation Proposal:
- Goal By the end of spring semester 4th year
- Deadline Before the start of the fall semester 5th year
The application process is highly competitive, with 500 plus applicants each year. Although selection is not based only on GPA and GRE scores, the program recommends that applicants have a GPA in the 3.2 to 3.6 range or higher, and GRE Verbal and Quantitative results in the 50 to 70th percentile range or higher.
One unofficial transcript from all colleges is required for an application to be considered. Students may apply and may be admitted using an unofficial transcript.
Applicants must provide 3 recommender names for letters of recommendation. However, only 2 letters must be submitted for the admissions committee to review the application.
Applicants must submit a resume or vita listing education, training, and work history, and 2 a personal statement no longer than 2 to 3 typed pages. Applicants must also provide a biographical sketch that describes your interest in psychology and your past or current involvement in research or applied psychology work.
The program accepts students from many academic backgrounds. However, if you are not a psychology major, the program strongly recommends adding relevant coursework to support your preparation.
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS)
Clinical Psychology, Ph.D. – Trauma Psychology
Established in 2015, this APA-accredited scientist-practitioner model program at UCCS is intended to prepare students who have a strong interest in research and in clinical work with people who have experienced trauma, within Clinical Psychology with a Major Area of Focus in Trauma Psychology.
The curriculum usually requires 5 years of on campus residence and a 6th year set aside for an internship. Students complete at least 101 hours of required and elective coursework, a Comprehensive Examination, a thesis, and a dissertation that represents original scholarly work, along with clinical practica and a 12 month off site clinical internship.
The total credit hours may be higher depending on your individual situation. The clinical curriculum is structured to meet Colorado licensure requirements and the accreditation standards of the American Psychological Association. If you enter with a B.A. or B.S. degree, you will earn an M.A. while progressing toward the doctoral degree through the existing clinical M.A. program.
After you finish the program, you will be ready to work in many settings, including mental health clinics and clinical practices, hospitals, VA’s, colleges and universities, state offices, research institutes, and consulting roles for many other professional and community service providers who support adults who are trauma survivors.
This trauma psychology focus is built on core knowledge and skills in clinical psychology and basic scientific psychology. In this program, you are preparing first to be a clinical psychologist, and trauma psychology serves as your main curriculum emphasis..
The program follows the scientist practitioner training approach in clinical psychology, often called the Boulder model. In this approach, psychologists are trained as both scientists and practitioners to strengthen the connection between science and practice. In a developing field such as trauma psychology, it is especially important that practitioners add to the knowledge base about what works in real settings, and that researchers stay informed about applied concerns as they build new knowledge.
The curriculum requires at least 5 years of post baccalaureate study to complete doctoral requirements. You complete 101 hours of required and elective coursework, a comprehensive exam, a dissertation that reflects original scholarly work, clinical practica, and an off site clinical internship year.
The clinical curriculum includes required courses needed for licensure and accreditation, and it includes an off site internship year. If you enter with a BA or BS degree, you will earn an MA while progressing to the doctoral degree through the existing MA program.
Starting from the BA or BS level, finishing the Clinical Psychology PhD usually requires 5 years on campus and a 6th year for internship. You should expect this schedule as the standard timeline, except in unusual cases.
Doctoral students should also note that this is a 12 month program with clinical practicum duties during the summer and some limited Spring pre term course requirements. Clinical and research work continue year round without regard to semester calendars, and students receive funding to take part throughout the year.
To graduate, you must successfully complete an APA approved or equivalent 1 year 2000 hour pre doctoral internship.
This program promotes self awareness as an important part of training in clinical psychology. You will take part in self awareness activities in courses and practicum training, including assignments that support growth in understanding social structures that maintain privilege and oppression. You are also strongly encouraged to take part in your own psychotherapy during training.
Application requirements for the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology include the following:
- Complete the online graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Secure 3 letters of recommendation from professors or employers through the online application.
- Attach a personal statement describing your interests, background including educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences that shaped your academic path, and your career goals in a world that is becoming more culturally diverse.
- Attach a current vita or resume.
- Request official transcripts from every college or university attended see below. If you are admitted to the program, official transcripts will be required.
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