Loma Linda University's APA-accredited PsyD in Clinical Psychology is designed for those called to the front lines of clinical practice—offering advanced, hands-on training grounded in whole person care and evidence-based treatment. Following the practitioner-scholar model, the five-year program immerses students in supervised clinical settings from the end of the first year onward, with progressively intensive clinical experiences across LLU Medical Center, community mental health centers, VA hospitals, forensic settings, and more. One of only a handful of PsyD programs in the nation housed alongside a PhD program within a university psychology department, LLU's PsyD offers students a uniquely rigorous training environment with optional specializations in health psychology, neuropsychology, and clinical child psychology—preparing graduates for high-demand roles in today's healthcare landscape.
PhD, MA
Associate Chair, Department of Psychology
Professor, Psychology
Director of Clinical Training, PsyD Program
As an APA-accredited program, the program adheres to the Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology. Therefore, Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data are made available for examination by the public, current students, and students who may consider applying to the program.
The PsyD program prepares students for specialized, advanced training in the professional practice of clinical psychology.
Like clinical PhD students, PsyD students are expected to take foundational courses in the scientific bases of psychology and empirically-supported treatments. However, PsyD students begin working in supervised clinical settings at the end of the first training year, work with individuals, couples, and families in the psychology clinic throughout the second year, and work in a variety of clinical settings at Loma Linda University Medical Center and throughout the community during years 3 and 4.
PsyD students have the opportunity to receive rigorous, evidence-based training alongside PhD students in a range of health care settings. Students also have the opportunity to receive specialized training in health psychology, neuropsychology, and clinical child psychology—all high-demand specializations in today's healthcare landscape.
Training sites are varied and offer students the ability to work with a broad range of clinical populations. For example, our students are currently providing services related to substance use disorders and addictions, hospice and palliative care, forensic neuropsychological evaluations, university-based student counseling, severe mental illnesses, combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder, geriatric primary care, community behavioral health, hospital-based consultation and liaison, forensic populations, and pediatric obesity, among many others.
Eligibility to apply for internship requires that all PsyD students successfully complete the following requirements: all required coursework, all sections of the comprehensive exam, and the defense of the doctoral project proposal. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the doctoral project and final defense prior to departing for pre-doctoral internship.
My experience at Loma Linda University has been transformative. The professors are knowledgeable, passionate, and supportive. Their enthusiasm for their work has been infectious, and their encouragement and mentorship have been crucial to my professional development. The program, including a robust array of training experiences, has equipped me to be a well-rounded, culturally sensitive, and competent clinical psychologist.
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Therapeutic relationship skill, good academic GPA, and fit with our specializations are the most important factors in our decision process. We are looking for bright clinicians who are comfortable working with diverse clients who have significant psychopathology, and conversely, who clients feel comfortable with. Research lab experience is also helpful, as is having a conference presentation. Students with good letters of recommendation from their academic and research advisors and who convey how their desired career path aligns with the Loma Linda University specialization they are interested in really stand out.
The PsyD degree is for psychologists who will be clinicians, while our PhD degree is for clinical psychologists who might also be researchers or in academia. Our PsyD program is approximately 2/3 focused on clinical preparation and 1/3 on research training, while our PhD program is half clinical, half research. However, there is significant variability in the career paths of the alumni from both of our programs. Our PsyD program is 4 years plus a year-long clinical internship, while the PhD program is 5 years plus a year-long clinical internship. The expectation is that the PhD students will spend this additional year working towards research publications and conference presentations.
Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist-affiliated university. This means students must agree to uphold the values of the University. Students who have classes on campus are required to attend a chapel service once per week, and a couple of other chapel services throughout the year (e.g., at graduation). Many students find the chapel service to be a nice break in their day, and a chance to calmly reflect on the reasons for their chosen profession. It does not mean that you need to be a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to attend. In fact, the religious makeup of our students is remarkably varied, and we welcome students from all religious denominations, sexual and gender orientations, and ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
*Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone 202-336-5979 / Email [email protected]
Web www.apa.org/ed/accreditation