With a terminal degree in psychology like a Ph.D. or PsyD, you can pursue many different career paths. On the one hand, you might focus on clinical work in a residential treatment facility, community mental health setting, or private practice. On the other hand, you might focus more on research or academics to expand the knowledge base of psychology.
Whatever your career goals, there is a doctoral program in North Carolina for you. The state has an extensive network of public and private colleges with Ph.D. and PsyD options that provide comprehensive learning experiences to prepare you for the next step in your career. The biggest decision for you to make at this point is which of these schools best fits your needs.
Below is a discussion of some of the popular psychology doctoral programs in North Carolina. Explore each one, compare and contrast them, and determine which is best suited for your future!
Psychology PhD and PsyD Programs in North Carolina
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering psychology PhD and PsyD programs in North Carolina:
- University of North Carolina–Greensboro
- University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
- Western Carolina University
- Appalachian State University
- National University
- Grand Canyon University
- University of Arizona Global Campus
To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.
University of North Carolina–Greensboro
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UNC–Greensboro aligns with the scientist-practitioner model of training. That is, you’ll participate in research activities and other pursuits that focus on the science of psychology and its role in better understanding human behavior. But you’ll also participate in clinical training that enables you to become a practicing psychologist in North Carolina upon graduation.
This program, which is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), focuses your training on general psychology topics with a consistent set of course requirements, no matter which of the following four concentrations you choose:
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
So, for example, you’ll take classes like Gender and Health, Health and Aging, and Social and Emotional Development to lay the groundwork for exploring the psychological milestones and issues that may occur at various points throughout the lifespan. Likewise, you’ll take professional-focused courses like Ethical Responsibilities of Clinical Psychologists and Multicultural Issues in Clinical Psychology to ensure you understand your role as a helping professional and how to provide competent services to clients of all types.
This degree also requires quantitative and research-related coursework. You must take two quantitative courses, such as Hierarchical Linear Modeling and Multivariate Analysis. As for the research requirement, it’s fulfilled by preparing for the preliminary exam (which covers at least two areas of psychology) and doctoral research. The research component is divided between independent doctoral research on a subject of your choice and your dissertation research.
A significant component of this program is the clinical practicum training. First, you’ll complete a Contemporary Topics in Clinical Practice course that focuses on issues pertinent to working in clinical psychology settings. For example, you might focus on modern approaches to clinical supervision in preparation for your first field assignment as a doctoral candidate.
Speaking of field assignments, you’ll have two practicum placements as part of your training. The first is a Practicum in Clinical Intervention, during which you’ll get advanced training in the intake, assessment, and intervention processes with clients. You’ll work with individuals and groups in therapy sessions that your onsite supervisor closely monitors. Though you may initially co-lead therapy sessions, the goal is to work toward independent work with clients by the end of the practicum.
The second practicum assignment is an Advanced Practicum in Clinical Psychology. This experience is an extension of the first practicum and allows you to continue your growth as a practicing psychologist. Your duties will expand, as will your opportunities to work with a wider range of clients with a wider range of psychological needs.
These practicum placements prepare you for the final aspect of this program: a year-long clinical psychology internship. During the internship, you’ll gain experience in all aspects of clinical psychology, from administering assessments to developing treatment plans to discharging clients and handling day-to-day activities like billing insurance for payment. The internship takes place at an approved off-campus location and is supervised by an experienced clinical psychologist.
You can apply to UNC-Greensboro’s program online. The criteria for admission are as follows:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Provide three letters of recommendation.
- Identify which faculty advisors you wish to work with.
- Submit a diversity and inclusion statement in which you discuss how you can contribute to and/or benefit from diversity and inclusivity initiatives.
- Submit a professional statement that outlines your research experience and interests.
- Submit a North Carolina residency form if required.
You must also pay a $65 application fee to apply. GRE scores are no longer required.
University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
UNC–Chapel Hill’s Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program is widely respected for the quality of its instruction. The program has dual accreditations, too: with the APA and with the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). These accreditations are important indicators of the program’s commitment to excellence. As a student, you’ll benefit from extensive support from faculty and ample research and clinical training opportunities that ensure you graduate with the skills needed to make a positive impact on the field of psychology.
As a clinical psychology student, you can choose from two tracks: adult clinical psychology or child/family clinical psychology. In either case, you’ll complete a rigorous curriculum and comprehensive training that includes the following components:
- Content-specific coursework
- Clinical practicum experiences
- Research opportunities
- A one-year clinical internship
Regarding the coursework, you must complete numerous types of classes to fulfill the graduation requirements. For example, a course in History and Systems of Psychology is required to give you a foundational understanding of the history and development of this field. Likewise, you must take courses in basic content areas of psychology, such as affective aspects of behavior, biological psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology.
You are required to complete a number of classes focusing on professional issues, too. For example, you’ll take several ethics courses, like Ethics and Practice in Clinical Psychology, as well as a diversity course entitled Multiculturalism and Clinical Psychology. Beyond these classes, you’re also required to take Professional Values, Attitudes, and Behavior as well as Communication and Interpersonal Skills courses.
Additional coursework in the following areas must also be completed:
- Assessment Across the Lifespan
- Clinical Supervision and Consultation: Theory, Research, and Practice
- Statistics I & II
- Clinical Psychological Assessment
As noted above, the curriculum includes opportunities for research. The research component includes some coursework—such as Research Methods, Psychometrics, and Statistical Analysis. But it also includes practical applications of research, namely, the doctoral dissertation component of the program. Your dissertation topic must be developed with your faculty mentor. You’ll work on the dissertation for several semesters and defend it to your dissertation committee prior to beginning the one-year internship.
The year-long internship (which can also be completed part-time over two years) takes place at an APA-accredited off-site location. During the internship, you’ll put your learning into practice working with individuals, couples, families, and groups in clinical psychology settings. The internship is supervised, so you’ll have an experienced clinical psychologist to work with, debrief with, and get guidance from throughout your training.
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Provide a written statement of purpose in which you explain your professional goals, research interests, and reasoning for wanting to be part of the UNC–Chapel Hill program.
- Provide letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources.
- Participate in a faculty interview.
This program is extremely competitive. Successful applicants typically have a higher-than-average GPA as well as extensive psychological research experience.
Western Carolina University
PsyD in Health Service Psychology
The PsyD in Health Service Psychology at Western Carolina University is a three-year residential program for post-master’s students. The focus on health service psychology is a combination of training in two fields: clinical psychology and school psychology. By completing this program, you’ll have the knowledge and skills needed to work with clients in any number of settings with a variety of psychological needs. In particular, you’ll be trained to provide psychological services to rural, underserved populations.
As is common for PsyD programs, your training will follow the practitioner-scholar model. The primary focus is on the clinical or practitioner aspect of psychology. However, you’ll also complete research requirements to satisfy the scholarly aspect of the degree.
The curriculum for this APA-accredited program begins with foundational coursework in the first year. You’ll take classes such as Advanced Research Methods, Statistics, and Biological and Affective Bases of Behavior. You’ll also take courses like the following:
- Multicultural Psychology
- Child and Family Systems and Intervention
- Professional Consultation in Health Service Psychology
- Teaching of Psychology
Additionally, the program’s first year requires you to complete an internal doctoral practicum at the university’s McKee Clinic. This two-part practicum is an introduction to fieldwork that is supervised and highly structured to ensure your success. The clinic has various therapy and assessment rooms, all of which have two-way mirrors and audio-visual recording capabilities. This enables you to work with clients in a comfortable setting while your supervisor observes out of sight.
The program’s second year includes additional coursework and training opportunities. On the one hand, you’ll take classes like Ethics in Health Service Psychology, which helps you develop the necessary professional skills needed to provide appropriate services to your clients. On the other hand, you’ll take advanced courses like Advanced Social Psychology and Advanced Cognitive Psychology to expand your knowledge of key areas of this field.
The second year also requires additional practicum work. This time, though, the practicum takes place off-campus in either a clinical or school setting. Western Carolina has partnerships with numerous off-campus facilities for this type of training, including the following:
- Western Carolina University Counseling and Psychological Services
- TEACCH Asheville
- Charles George VA Hospital
- Meridian Behavioral Health
- Local school districts
You’ll complement these experiences with a focus on dissertation research. While research isn’t the primary area of focus for this program, it is nevertheless an important part of your training. Understanding how to address problems in psychology with rigorous, empirical study will make you a better clinician.
Once you complete the coursework and research requirements of the program’s first and second years, you’ll move on to complete the year-long doctoral internship. You’ll begin the internship in the summer session between the second and third years and continue the experience through the fall, spring, and following summer.
The following requirements must be met to be considered for admission:
- Have undergraduate and master’s degrees from accredited colleges or universities.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or higher for the final 60 credits and a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Submit satisfactory GRE scores (this is only required if your graduate GPA is below 3.7).
- Submit three letters of recommendation from psychology faculty or supervisors.
- Provide a current curriculum vitae.
- Write a personal statement in which you discuss your experience in psychology. You must also explain your career goals and academic interests, as well as discuss your commitment to working with underserved populations.
- Participate in a faculty interview.
Appalachian State University
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Appalachian State’s Clinical Psychology PsyD program is an applied practice degree that prepares you for a career in health service psychology. You’ll participate in evidence-based training throughout your time in the program, as well as clinical activities that give you the confidence and competence you need to be an effective clinical psychologist.
Like the PsyD from Western Carolina, this program also focuses on serving rural populations. As such, you’ll participate in extensive research activities, particularly regarding applied research skills. This is a necessary step given the lack of research-based guidance for providing culturally appropriate services to people in rural areas of North Carolina.
This program uses the scientist-practitioner model of training. As such, you’ll conduct research, participate in advanced coursework, and have opportunities for clinical practice. The combination of these experiences means you’ll graduate from this program with a broad range of psychological science skills, advanced interpersonal skills, and a host of applied clinical skills, too.
This five-year, APA-accredited program begins with a heavy focus on research and clinical applications. Some of the first courses you’ll take include the following:
- Research Methods
- Quantitative Methods
- Developmental Psychopathology
- Diagnosis
- Cognitive Assessment and Psychometrics
But these courses merely scratch the surface. For example, during your first semester, you’ll take Ethical and Legal Standards and Foundational Skills of Health Services Psychology. This class lays the foundation for professional practice by ensuring you understand the laws, regulations, and ethical principles that guide effective clinical work.
Other early coursework focuses on interventions. Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Interventions, for example, explores various techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. But you don’t just learn about these interventions in a vacuum; instead, this course has an accompanying pre-practicum experience during which you’ll be able to practice implementing what you’ve learned in a supervised environment.
Moving into year two, you’ll continue taking clinical-related courses. These include Evidence-Based Psychotherapy for Youth, Personality Assessment and Psychometrics, and a Developmental Psychology Seminar. The program’s second year is when you begin more detailed research, too. For example, you must submit your thesis proposal during the fall semester of the second year. That’s followed up with extensive thesis work in the spring semester.
Likewise, the second year offers your first practicum experience. The practicum in clinical psychology is a three-part placement that runs the entire year. During the practicum, you’ll work closely with a supervisor to learn about the ins and outs of clinical practice. As time goes on, you’ll move out of a primarily observational role and into a more active role as a pre-service therapist.
After defending your master’s thesis at the end of year two, you’ll take a preliminary doctoral exam before beginning your doctoral studies. The coursework at this point becomes much more advanced and focuses on areas such as:
- Behavioral Medicine and Health Psychology
- Biological Bases of Behavior
- Community Psychology
- Seminar in Social Psychology
- Professional and Ethical Issues in Rural and Health Service Psychology
You’ll have another two-part practicum experience in clinical psychology during the third year as well.
Once you enter the fourth year of this program, you’ll complete any remaining coursework. Then, the focus shifts to completing your doctoral dissertation. The dissertation requires you to submit a research proposal, which must be approved by your dissertation committee. Once approved, you’ll conduct independent research (with supervision from your committee) and present your findings in defense of your dissertation by the end of the program’s fourth year.
The fifth and final year of your training is wholly dedicated to a three-term internship. The internship takes place at an external site where you’ll work full-time as a clinical psychologist. As with the practicum experiences, the internship is supervised, so you’ll have ample opportunities for case consultation and supervision to hone your skills that much more.
To apply, ensure you meet or exceed the following requirements:
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution. If your degree isn’t in psychology, you must have at least 15-18 credits of coursework in introductory psychology, research methods, statistics, and abnormal psychology. You are also encouraged to take the GRE psychology test if your degree is not in psychology.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit three letters of recommendation. It is preferred that references have a Ph.D. or PsyD in psychology.
- Provide a current curriculum vitae.
- Write a personal statement in which you discuss your career goals, professional interests, and your expectations from this program.
Preferred applicants must also attend a formal interview with the program’s faculty.
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