Becoming a Clinical Psychologist in California

Find Programs for Clinical Psychology Degrees in California

According to the most recent rankings published by the US News and World Report, California claims the top two spots for graduate clinical psychology programs in the country, with the University of California Los Angeles coming in first, and the University of California Berkeley close behind in second place.

OnlinePsychologyDegrees.com is a comprehensive resource that shows schools in your area that offer graduate psychology degrees with a focus on clinical studies. With our directory of schools in California, you can easily request information from multiple schools to be sure you choose the right one for you. Review our directory of featured accredited colleges below to get started!

Clinical Psychology Education in California

Clinical Psychology Schools in California

Many students who pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psych enter their doctoral program after having received their master’s in psychology. Others go straight from a bachelor’s degree to their doctoral degree. It is also possible to earn your master’s as you work towards your doctoral degree.

There are two primary types of doctoral degrees in psychology:

• Ph.D: this is route for students who want to prepare for a career in research, education, psychological assessments and treatment.
• Psy.D: students who want to be clinical practitioners with a strong background in clinical psychology should opt for a Psy.D.

Scholarships for Clinical Psychology in California

Many programs in California offer funding to their clinical psychology Ph.D. students in the form of fellowships, teaching positions, and stipends. This is true both at public and private universities.  Some programs offer specific fellowships to fund research; USC offers several fellowships to its students and UCLA offers a variety of ways to offset tuition costs.

Students pursuing Psy.D. degrees should search the APA’s database of scholarships, most of which are available to students anywhere. Many schools offer scholarships to prospective and currently enrolled students as well, such as Pepperdine University.

License Requirements

The California Board of Psychology oversees the licensing of clinical psychologists in the state. An individual seeking to become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in California must complete or obtain the following:

• Doctoral degree in clinical psychology or related area from an accredited educational institution
• 3,000 hours of supervised professional psychology experience
• 1,500 hours of supervised experience must occur post-doctorate
• Passing score on both the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the California Psychology Laws and Ethics Examination (CPLEE).

Career Outlook

Once you have completed your Ph.D. or Psy.D. and become licensed, you can join the growing number of clinical psychologists practicing in California.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) most recent report in May 2016, California boasts the highest employment level of clinical psychologists in the country, who earn an average annual salary of $90,210.  The BLS projects an employment growth rate of 19 percent from 2014 to 2024.

To learn more about how you can enter this rewarding field, request information from schools and review it thoroughly to choose the program that can best help you reach your career goals.

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