Wheaton’s new Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is founded on nearly three decades of excellence in doctoral clinical psychology training at Wheaton. The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology admitted its first class in 1993 and received APA accreditation in 1998. In light of our excellent record of student outcomes, academic rigor, emphasis on research, high licensure rates, and job placements, and in recognition of the wide-ranging applicability of a Ph.D. in academics and research, the international job market, and select sub-disciplines, Wheaton's doctoral program in clinical psychology is in a phase of transition from a 120-credit Psy.D. to a 122-credit Ph.D. program:
- The Ph.D. enrolled its first class in Fall 2021.
- During the initial phase of the Ph.D., we will also continue to admit select students to the Psy.D. program.
- Once the Ph.D. program is granted APA accreditation, the Psy.D. program will discontinue enrollment and will continue training until the final eligible student graduates.
- Following our final Psy.D. student graduation, the doctorate in clinical psychology will solely operate as a Ph.D. program
Accreditation
The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is in its initial years of operation (first cohort enrollment in 2021-2022). This new doctoral program must operate successfully for two years before seeking APA accreditation. Due to the success of our APA-accredited Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, we are optimistic about the possibility of obtaining APA accreditation before our first students complete their degrees in 2026.