Doctoral Degrees

Regular/matriculating admission to doctoral programs requires a graduate degree (normally a master’s degree) or the equivalent from an accredited or approved post-secondary institution. Official transcripts must be on file and accepted by the University for the graduate degree or its equivalent prior to the 10th day of the second term in the program of study. Specific program requirements are provided within this section.

Learners are considered conditionally admitted pending the University's receipt of official transcripts. Please refer to the Conditional Admission for Graduate Programs section of this catalog for more information.

Doctor of Business Administration

Admission to the DBA degree requires a master’s degree in the field of study or related field from an accredited or approved postsecondary institution. Learners entering with a master’s degree in an academic area other than business will be required to take the Management Competency Assessment (see Management Competency Assessment section) to bring them to a level of preparation for graduate business studies.

CalSouthern invites ABDs in business-related disciplines from accredited or approved schools to apply to enter our DBA program and give us the opportunity to help them convert their ABD into a DBA. Contact a CalSouthern Admissions Representative for assistance.

Doctor of Psychology (all programs)

Admission to the PsyD program requires both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, with the master’s degree in psychology or a comparable field of study. Applicants that have earned a master’s degree in an unrelated field may satisfy this requirement by completing the CalSouthern Master of Science in General Psychology program, which is designed to provide a firm foundation in the field needed to pursue doctoral level study.

Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD-CP)

This is a selective enrollment program that has additional application and eligibility criteria in addition to those listed elsewhere in this catalog.

The applicant must hold a master's degree in a closely related field as determined by CalSouthern and have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the program.
The applicant's personal statement must be between 500-1,000 words and outline their professional goals, objectives, and how their prior academic and professional experiences have shaped their interest in the program.
The applicant must submit a current curriculum vitae (CV) detailing the applicant's educational background and relevant professional experience.
The applicant must submit three letters of reference from individuals with direct knowledge of the applicant's academic and/or professional performance and potential for doctoral-level work. At least one letter must come from a professor or instructor familiar with the applicant's academic abilities.
Complete a criminal background check to ensure eligibility for practicum and internship placement. Background checks are conducted by a third-party vendor. Applicants who are known to have certain types of criminal convictions in their backgrounds will not be admitted to the program (see Criminal Conviction Policy). The learner is responsible for the cost of the background check.

Applicants who reach the next level of review will complete the following steps:

Participate in a formal interview that will be conducted virtually.
Complete a proctored writing sample to assess graduate-level writing skills.

This information will be reviewed and an admissions decision will be made by CalSouthern and communicated to the learner in writing. The admissions decision may result in conditional acceptance or placement on a waitlist.

Cohort Program Format

The PsyD-CP is a cohort-based program; refer to the Academic Program Course Schedules (Sequence) section of this catalog for additional information. Cohorts may have different start dates and application deadlines, and applicants and learners must familiarize themselves with the schedule and course progression requirements. CalSouthern may postpone a cohort start if the number of learners is below the required minimum amount of admitted learners.