Psychology PhD and PsyD programs in Tennessee prepare you for advanced careers in clinical practice, research, teaching, and leadership. These doctoral programs focus on psychological theory, research methods, assessment, and evidence-based practice while meeting professional and licensure standards.
Tennessee offers a mix of research-focused PhD programs and practice-oriented PsyD programs through top universities. Many programs emphasize applied learning, supervised clinical experience, and dissertation or doctoral project completion.
Below is a discussion of some of the popular psychology doctoral programs in Tennessee. Explore each one, compare and contrast them, and determine which is best suited for your future!
Psychology PhD and PsyD Programs in Tennessee
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering psychology PhD and PsyD programs in Tennessee:
- University of Memphis
- Vanderbilt University
- Austin Peay State University
- National University
- The Chicago School
- Walden University
To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.
University of Memphis
Ph.D in Clinical Psychology
The doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University of Memphis has maintained continuous APA accreditation since 1972. The program underwent review in 2016 by the Commission on Accreditation and received the longest possible approval period of seven years.
The program follows the scientist practitioner model and places very strong importance on research. While the clinical faculty represent varied research approaches and subject areas, there is shared agreement that scientific study forms the core basis of clinical psychology.
The program is designed to allow students to meet eligibility requirements for psychologist licensure within the state of Tennessee.
Students who currently hold strong research interests and aligned career goals are the best match for the faculty and the learning options within the department. The program also offers clinical training experiences, including close supervision by faculty within the Psychological Services Center and multiple paid clinical training roles throughout the Memphis community.
The strong focus on scientific study is shown through program membership in the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science (APCS), an alliance of leading doctoral training programs and internships in clinical and health psychology across the United States and Canada. Membership is limited to programs that show strong commitment and proven success in clinical science training.
At least 33 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree are required for the Master of Science degree in Psychology, and a minimum of 80 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree are required for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychology. All graduate credit work must receive approval from the graduate director and must be completed at a performance level acceptable to the graduate faculty of the department. Students may also complete approved coursework outside the department with written permission from the program.
The program has the following training goals and objectives:
- Students will gain competence in broad knowledge of psychology as a science and the wide foundations of the field.
- Students will show understanding of the history of psychology, its growth as a field, and its links with other scientific areas.
- Students will show understanding of the core areas of psychology.
- Students will show understanding of the science based nature of clinical psychology.
- Students will gain strong knowledge of scientific methods and the ability to apply these methods to issues in clinical psychology.
- Students will gain knowledge of basic research methods and statistics.
- Students will apply research and statistical skills to judge the value of different clinical treatments.
- Students will understand how clinical measurement tools are created and tested.
- Students will produce sound scientific work. Students will value their role as scientist practitioners. Students will learn theories and methods used in effective psychological consultation.
- Students will show skill in diagnosis and case planning.
- Students will understand the range and presentation of typical and atypical behavior.
- Students will understand the aims, models, and steps used in clinical interviews and cognitive testing.
- Students will combine interview and assessment results to form a case plan and early treatment approach when relevant.
- Students will include factors such as social influences, cultural background, and physical health within case planning.
- Students will show strong therapy skills, with methods guided by research evidence and theory.
- Students will show the shared elements that support effective therapy relationships.
- Students will show awareness of various therapy methods and evidence based practices.
- Students will design treatment programs by planning skill order, choosing suitable methods, and setting proper therapy goals.
- Students will carry out treatment plans while adjusting methods to address diversity needs.
- Students will understand theories and methods used in clinical supervision.
- Students will apply ethical rules to research and practice and understand the link between psychology and law.
- Students will show ethical values and conduct.
- Students will build ethical self awareness.
The program offers three broad research focus areas within clinical psychology: Child and Family Studies, Clinical Health Psychology, and Psychotherapy Research. Students may choose to align with one area and must then complete required coursework for that focus. Selection of a research area is optional.
Applicants must apply for full time study for the full length of graduate training, which typically lasts five to six years. Strong applicants show excellent academic records, completion of core psychology coursework, and research experience. Around one third apply during their final undergraduate year, while many others complete one to two years of research work after graduation or already hold a master’s degree in psychology.
In line with the scientific focus, students usually receive research assistantship support during the first year. A second research assistantship follows during the second or third year in the chosen interest area. The mentorship approach provides direct guidance from basic research skills through advanced scientific ability.
Clinical training also begins in the first year with required clinical coursework. The first year follows a structured plan with required classes, while later study is more flexible and shaped by research focus and interest.
After the first year, students work with clients during years two through four at the Psychological Services Center under close faculty supervision. Faculty members use evidence based approaches that link research findings with clinical practice.
Students also complete at least one year of clinical assistantship. This may include work in community clinics, the campus center, or clinical research labs. Training sites include diagnostic centers, residential programs, hospitals, children’s hospitals, private practices, federal prisons, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Volunteer training may also occur at the Memphis VA Medical Center and other agencies.
Assistantship funding is provided for at least four years, with annual support of seventeen thousand dollars for students without a master’s degree and eighteen thousand dollars for those with a master’s. Tuition is waived for students in good standing. Travel funding for conferences is also provided each year. Academic and financial guidance is available within the department and through campus services. Reduced fee personal counseling is often available through community providers.
After acceptance, the program works to support student success through early problem identification, counseling, and clear feedback to reduce withdrawal.
Most students complete the doctorate within five to six years, including internship training. Full time campus study is required for at least four academic years. Students entering with a master’s degree usually complete pre internship training in four years, while those entering with a bachelor’s degree usually require five years.
All students remain active in research regardless of career plans. Students average three to four conference presentations per year and about five publications by graduation. Clinical experience often totals six hundred to eight hundred or more hours before internship, leading to strong competitiveness. All students over the past ten years have secured APA accredited internships.
Students entering without a master’s degree must complete all requirements for the Master of Science degree, including a thesis, before advancing to doctoral study. This is usually completed within the first years and requires a defended empirical thesis.
Students admitted with a completed master’s degree may request review of their thesis. If the thesis meets program standards, it may be approved after formal defense, allowing advancement to doctoral study.
Applications are reviewed once per year for Fall entry. Spring admission is not offered. All materials must arrive by December first. Required materials include an application form, official transcripts, minimum grade standards, required psychology coursework, recommendation letters, a detailed personal statement, interview availability, and confirmation that GRE scores are not submitted.
Vanderbilt University
Ph.D. in Psychology
The doctoral program in Psychological Sciences at Vanderbilt University is offered jointly by the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Science and the Department of Psychology and Human Development in Peabody College. The program emphasizes psychological theory and the development of original empirical research. You will be admitted to pursue the Ph.D. in one of these areas:
- Clinical Science
- Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience
- Cognition in Context
- Cognitive Psychology in Context
- Developmental Science
- Neuroscience
- Quantitative Methods
You will follow a curriculum structured to help you gain knowledge of the major branches of psychology, receive focused instruction in at least one of the five areas, and take courses that fit your interests and long-term goals.
In your first two years, you must complete core classes in statistical methods and key subject areas in psychology. After that, you will participate in seminars, contribute to research projects, and engage in activities organized to support your career plans. Each focus area holds a seminar every semester where faculty and graduate students discuss current research.
The program places strong importance on individualized advising to help you build scientific research skills. You will work closely with your advisor at every step of your research and also receive support from a faculty advisory committee that includes your advisor and other faculty members.
Clinical Science:
If you select the clinical science specialization, you will follow a training model for clinical scientists. You are required to complete core classes, participate in research, and receive clinical training. You will study:
- Biological, social, cognitive, and emotional foundations of behavior
- Human development
- Personality differences
- Research methods
- Psychological disorders
- Assessment techniques
- Treatment methods
- Professional conduct
As part of your core clinical science training, you will take these courses:
- Two semesters of Advanced Statistics
- Clinical Research Methods
- Psychopathology
- Psychological Measurement
- Introduction to Psychotherapy
- Cognitive Assessment
- Psychological Assessment
- Ethics and Cultural Diversity
You will also complete courses in the biological bases of behavior, cognitive and emotional processes, human development, and personality variation.
Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN):
In this specialization, you will work with over 30 faculty to study perception, attention, memory, thinking, and problem solving. Research areas include:
- Visual Perception (binocular vision, motion perception, object recognition, perception of geometric structure, perceptual learning and expertise, scene perception, change detection, perceptual development)
- Attention and Performance (focused attention, dual-task performance, executive control, task switching, automatization)
- Concepts and Categories (categorization, conceptual structure, knowledge representation)
- Thinking and Reasoning (causal reasoning, analogical problem solving, decision making, numerical reasoning, thinking with diagrams, metacognition)
- Perception and Action (perceptual-motor coordination, development of reaching)
- Learning and Memory (learning in real-world contexts, perceptual learning and expertise, explicit/implicit learning)
- The Cognitive Bases of Emotion and Emotional Experience (emotion elicitation, facial expression of emotion, vocal expression of emotion)
You will become active in research from your first semester and engage in collaborative research throughout your program. Your coursework will include introductory survey courses, specialized didactic courses, advanced seminars, and methods courses.
Cognition in Context:
If you select Cognition in Context, you will study how basic thinking processes work in everyday life and learning situations. You will look at conversations, educational settings, and other contexts to understand how cognitive functions support everyday knowledge and skill development.
You will complete standard course requirements for all PhD students and must attend a weekly research forum. Your training will also include designing a mentorship, teaching, and research program, such as completing a teaching certificate, joining a research team, or sharing your research publicly.
Neuroscience:
If you focus on neuroscience, you will develop skills as a scientist with broad and practical knowledge to address research questions. You will learn about brain structure and function in behavior and thought, and study research approaches such as neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, brain imaging, sensory testing, and computer-based techniques.
You will investigate how the brain changes with experience, how sensory systems are organized, and how people recognize objects, focus attention, and make decisions. Your training will include classroom learning and hands-on research in faculty labs. You must show data analysis skills, experiment design skills, and present in weekly neuroscience seminars.
Quantitative Methods (QM):
Faculty in Quantitative Methods will train you in advanced statistical methods and research design. You will develop expertise in the theoretical foundations and applications of advanced statistical models for human behavior. Course offerings include:
- Correlation and regression
- Analysis of variance
- Psychological and educational measurement
- Data science methods
- Multivariate analysis
- Psychological, field, and clinical research methods
- Item response theory (basic and advanced)
- Exploratory/graphical data analysis
- Structural equation modeling
- Factor analysis
- Latent growth curve modeling
- Categorical data analysis
- Multilevel modeling
- Mixture modeling
- Nonparametric statistics
- Individual differences
- Causal analysis in field experiments and quasi-experiments
- Network analysis
- Statistical consulting
- Meta-analysis
For admission, you are advised to contact faculty in your research area of interest to find out about openings.
To apply, you must submit:
- Completed Online Electronic Application.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores may be required or optional depending on your area.
- Unofficial transcripts showing coursework and degree conferral.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation; recent graduates should provide at least two letters from college or university faculty.
- Statement of Purpose/ Research Statement describing your past research, future research interests, and plans after graduate school.
You may be eligible for University Tuition Scholarships which may cover all or part of tuition costs. Other graduate awards may include:
- University Fellowships
- Graduate Teaching Assistantships
- Graduate Research Assistantships
- Traineeships
- Teacher Training Awards
Most awards include student health insurance coverage.
Austin Peay State University
PsyD in Counseling Psychology
The PsyD in Counseling Psychology program at Austin Peay State University prepares doctoral level generalist practitioners in health service psychology who demonstrate high professional ability. The training philosophy follows the counseling psychology asset strength model and places strong value on sociocultural and system based influences on well being and distress across the lifespan, as required by the accrediting body.
The PsyD in Counseling Psychology curriculum is designed to provide students with solid professional preparation in counseling psychology. The curriculum follows the Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology established by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. In alignment with these standards, the curriculum builds discipline specific knowledge across the following eight content areas:
- History and Systems of Psychology
- Affective Aspects of Behavior
- Biological Aspects of Behavior
- Cognitive Aspects of Behavior
- Developmental Aspects of Behavior
- Social Aspects of Behavior
- Advanced Integrative Knowledge in Scientific Psychology
- Research Methods, Statistical Analysis
In addition, and in alignment with Commission on Accreditation expectations, the APSU PsyD curriculum ensures students have opportunities to develop competence in the following nine profession wide areas:
- Research
- Ethical and legal standards
- Individual and cultural diversity
- Professional values and attitudes
- Communication and interpersonal skills,
- Assessment
- Intervention
- Supervision
- Consultation and interprofessional or interdisciplinary skills
Graduates of APSU complete training that supports ethical and effective care across the full range of psychological distress and disorders, from adjustment and developmental concerns and career related issues to severe mental disorders, while serving diverse cultural and age groups. The program also prepares practitioners to work in many practice settings, including military, medical, community mental health, education, organizational, and community environments.
Beyond preparation for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, the program equips graduates to support wellness through prevention efforts, early identification of concerns, and the strengthening of client abilities, capacity, and resilience.
Graduates receive instruction in using an integrative and whole person perspective when understanding psychological well being and distress. This preparation supports consideration of biological, inner psychological, relational, family, and system level factors that affect mental health.
Graduates are trained to apply evidence based methods, use practice informed evidence, and apply feedback guided treatment. As a result, graduates are skilled in reviewing psychological theory, research methods, and intervention strategies and understanding their shared influence on professional practice.
Diversity and inclusion are central values of the Counseling Psychology PsyD program and align with professional and accrediting expectations. Faculty members maintain a broad multicultural focus, and these values are included across coursework. Cultural topics are addressed in all classes. Students must complete CPSY 8050 Multicultural Counseling Psychology and may select additional courses focused on work with diverse populations. The university location within a military community offers rich practicum diversity experiences.
Students are admitted after completing a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field. Counseling programs often require 60 credit hours, while related fields may require 48 or fewer credit hours. Students from non counseling backgrounds may need additional master’s level coursework before entering the PsyD curriculum.
The program requires completion of up to 100 semester credit hours across core courses, concentration courses related to military service populations, and elective coursework.
During master’s study, students should have completed counseling theory and counseling skills courses and gained direct counseling experience. Credit hour expectations vary by discipline as described above.
The PsyD curriculum follows the Practitioner Scholar training model and meets APA accreditation and licensure standards. Coursework supports competence in biological, cognitive, emotional, social, and individual behavior areas, as well as intervention skills.
Coursework includes field introduction, vocational psychology, assessment, multicultural counseling, theory, research design, and statistics. Practica and supervision are major components. Courses in Psychometrics, Lifespan Development, and History and Systems of Psychology are required if not completed previously.
APA standards require at least three full time academic years of graduate study and an internship. Two of these years must be completed at Austin Peay State University, with one year in full time residence. Due to course scheduling and full time enrollment expectations, students should plan for three on campus years.
Students must register for at least nine credits per term, with higher loads often required to remain on schedule. Delays in enrollment may extend completion time. Students exceeding five years must complete a written completion agreement with faculty.
Admission requires submission of a resume, personal statement, writing sample, and interview. The GRE is not required. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. All admitted students must pass a self funded background check before clinical work. Admission is selective due to small cohort size.
National University
Online Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD-PSY)
National University’s Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology program called PhD-PSY is ideal if you are a busy working professional seeking a flexible option to move forward in your education and career growth. You complete all coursework online, which allows you to manage employment, home duties, and doctoral study at the same time.
As you continue through the program, you study psychology theory, build research skills, and use those skills in your dissertation work. This process can prepare you for positions in higher education and research, and it may enable you to add research that may be suitable for publication to the field.
You receive support from faculty members with strong experience who guide you through each stage of your studies. Faculty members remain active in the profession and provide mentoring from courses and research through dissertation completion and graduation requirements. You also receive assistance with publishing and career advising, which can support your progress in academic and work settings.
You can use weekly course start options and online scheduling flexibility to match your availability. You can shape your degree plan by choosing one of ten specialization options based on your goals.
- Counseling Psychology: You strengthen your knowledge and skills as a mental health professional. This option combines theory, clinical practice, research, and academic work and ends with a dissertation. You complete eighteen credit hours in this specialization area.
- General Psychology: You choose from a wide set of elective courses to fit your work interests. You learn to use psychology concepts and complete research in settings you select. You must complete eighteen credit hours and you may plan your course choices with an advisor.
- Gerontology: You prepare to work with older adults and their families. You gain skills for work in health care, mental health clinics, public agencies, and local organizations. You must complete eighteen credit hours in gerontology.
- Health Psychology: You focus on factors related to mental and physical health and learn to use biopsychosocial principles in different settings. You also complete research work in health psychology. You complete eighteen credit hours in this area.
- Industrial or Organizational Psychology: You apply psychology theory to issues in business and industry. You study leadership, motivation, organization improvement, hiring and selection, and worker well being. You may complete an internship and you prepare for leadership roles in business, government, consulting, and education. You must complete eighteen credit hours.
- Sport and Performance Psychology: You learn theory and research in sport psychology, including leadership, motivation, ethics, injury and recovery, and diversity in sport. You build critical thinking and mental performance coaching skills.
- Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders: You study substance use and addiction conditions with focus on assessment, treatment planning, and research related to co occurring conditions. You must complete eighteen credit hours.
- Trauma and Disaster Relief: You prepare to recognize and treat trauma linked to disasters, abuse, violence, accidents, and other causes. You learn coping skills, intervention methods, prevention approaches, and the effects of trauma on mental and physical health. You complete eighteen credit hours in this area.
You complete the PhD-PSY program with at least 60 total credits. Each course lasts eight weeks, except research, dissertation, and internship courses which last twelve weeks. You may need extra credits if your dissertation requires more time for completion.
You may transfer up to 12 semester credits of graduate coursework from another accredited doctoral program if you earned a grade of B or higher. You must complete at least forty eight credits through National University.
Your graduation requirements include:
- At least 60 graduate credits beyond your master’s degree.
- At least 48 credits completed through National University.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Successful completion of the Pre-Candidacy Prospectus course with acceptable results.
- University approval of your dissertation manuscript and a successful defense.
- Submission of the final dissertation manuscript in both printed and electronic formats.
- Official proof of the basis for admission through an accredited master’s degree.
- Official transcripts for any transfer credit used toward the program.
- Payment of all financial obligations before you receive your diploma or official transcript.
After graduation, you will be able to do the following:
- Judge psychology theories and core principles for use in your work roles.
- Review research methods and data analysis practices.
- Use psychology research to address social, work related, and personal issues.
- Review ethical principles used in psychology.
- Study diversity related issues in professional practice.
- Communicate clearly and effectively with professionals and the public.
Contact Us
Privacy Policy