The Clinical Psychology program is a selective enrollment program designed for learners committed to becoming licensed psychologists in order to pursue work in clinical, academic, or supervisory roles. This program offers comprehensive clinical training aligned with licensure standards including a required practicum and internship for all learners, with an additional, required residency component for learners in certain jurisdictions.
It is well-suited for those who want to teach at the university level, expand their clinical expertise, and make a meaningful impact in the mental health field. Ideal candidates have a master’s degree in psychology or a closely related field, exhibit strong interpersonal and writing skills, along with a high degree of professionalism and a dedication to helping others.
This program begins on a limited schedule; it is not offered monthly. Program-specific admissions requirements are provided in the Admissions Section.
The PsyD-CP program adheres to the principles and guidelines for suitability and fitness for the profession as outlined by the Council of Chairs of Training Councils (CCTC). While CalSouthern’s PsyD program is not currently APA accredited, we uphold professional standards consistent with those expected in the discipline.
School of Behavioral Sciences faculty and staff share a professional, ethical, and in some cases legal obligation to ensure, insofar as possible, that all learners demonstrate the competence necessary to manage professional relationships in an appropriate and effective manner. This includes possessing the emotional maturity, interpersonal stability, and intellectual judgment required to work with vulnerable populations.
Personal suitability and fitness for the profession includes, but is not limited to:
Learners are expected to communicate and interact respectfully and professionally at all times with CalSouthern faculty and staff. Suitability and fitness for the profession are assessed continuously throughout the program.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Psychology Knowledge
Articulate an integrative understanding of psychology, including its history, research methods, and key theories across physiological, cognitive, emotional, personality, and developmental domains.
- Research and Statistical Methods
Conduct scholarly activities to critically evaluate, analyze, synthesize, and contribute to psychological knowledge.
- Ethical Legal Standards and Policy
Apply ethical decision-making and behavior aligned with the ethical and legal standards of the discipline in research and practice.
- Individual and Cultural Diversity
Integrate multicultural theory and research to develop cultural competence and humility in diverse interpersonal and social contexts.
- Communication
Communicate effectively across multiple formats (written and oral), appropriate to diverse audiences, cultures, and contexts.
- Assessment
Appropriately administer psychological tools and assessments to evaluate, diagnose and treat clients.
- Intervention
Apply evidence-based/informed interventions in clinical practice to benefit the well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, or systems.
- Reflective Practice and Professional Values Development
Apply knowledge, skills, and feedback to improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness with increasing independence as a health service psychologist.
- Professionalism and Relationships
Exhibit professional values, attitudes, and behaviors appropriate to health service psychology in interactions with others, prioritizing the welfare and mutual respect of others.
- Supervision, Consultation, and Collaboration
Apply knowledge of supervision models, consultation skills, and professional collaboration to address client and organizational needs.
Licensure and Certification
Psychology Licensure Requirements
Since licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change, learners are advised to verify these requirements directly with the applicable board or jurisdictional authority. If needed, the learner may supplement their degree plan to meet additional requirements. CalSouthern makes its best effort to assess applicability of this program to the requirements for license eligibility in each of the jurisdictions listed, but the final decision regarding licensure eligibility is made by the jurisdiction, not the institution.
United States: CalSouthern has made a determination that this curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification as a psychologist in the following states: AZ, CA, CO, DE, HI, IN, KY, MN, NY, OH, RI, TX, WI, WV. Some states may have additional requirements that are not part of the curriculum, but which can be satisfied at CalSouthern.
CalSouthern has made a determination that this curriculum does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification as a psychologist in the following states: AK, AL, AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, KS, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WY. This program does not accept applications from prospective learners who reside in these states unless the learner satisfies program attestation requirements.
Canada: CalSouthern has made a determination that this curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a psychologist in Alberta. This program does not accept applications from prospective learners who reside in all other Canadian provinces and territories.
CalSouthern has made the determination that this curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in all other Canadian jurisdictions. This program does not accept applications from prospective learners who reside in these jurisdictions unless the learner satisfies program attestation requirements.
Other Jurisdictions: CalSouthern has not made a determination about the PsyD-CP program curriculum related to licensure or certification requirements as a psychologist outside of the United States and Canada. Therefore, for this Disclosure, the University classifies that this curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in all other jurisdictions. This program does not accept applications from prospective learners who reside outside of the United States and Canada unless the learner satisfies the program attestation requirements.
Last Update: 12/1/2025
Residency
This program includes a residency component that consists of in-person courses and required activities. Courses taken in residency will also include online requirements. The residency provides opportunities to apply clinical skills and integrate knowledge from clinical practice, evidence-based treatment, and psychological assessment.
Residency is required for learners who reside in or attest that they will seek employment in the following states: AZ, IN, KY, MN, RI. Residency is optional for learners from all other jurisdictions.
Please refer to the Residency Requirements and Attendance section of this catalog for detailed information regarding the PsyD-CP residency.
Degree Requirements
| DEGREE REQUIREMENTS |
CREDITS |
| Core Courses |
61 |
| Practicum and Internship |
6 |
| Comprehensive Examination |
0
(completed as one non-credit course) |
| Doctoral Research Orientation |
0
(completed as one non-credit course) |
| Doctoral Project Courses |
9 |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION |
76 |
Completion Time
All program requirements for the PsyD-CP degree program must be completed through CalSouthern in no less than three (3) and no more than ten (10) years of initial course enrollment, regardless of continuous enrollment status. Courses taken over 10 years ago must be repeated in order to maintain program currency. Please refer to the Reinstatement: Re-Entry Requirements section of this catalog for information about returning to the program after separation from the University.
The time limit is not automatically extended by a learner taking a leave of absence or an Internal Pause. In the event of extenuating circumstances and a learner is unable to complete the degree by the time limit, the learner may petition the School of Behavioral Sciences for an extension to the time limit. All requests for extension, whether prompted by a leave or some other circumstance, must be filed by the learner before the conclusion of the program's time limit. The School of Behavioral Sciences is not obliged to grant an extension.
Learners may find that they are unable to complete all required courses within this time frame due to their personal circumstances, especially practicum and internship courses and courses required to be completed in residency (based on the learner’s jurisdiction). If this occurs, they are encouraged to speak with their academic advisor to determine if they are eligible for transfer to other CalSouthern program options.
Ultimately, it is the learner’s responsibility to monitor their program completion status, identify any potential delays in a timely manner, and work with University staff to identify any options available within University policy.
Personal Psychotherapy Requirement
The faculty mentors in the School of Behavioral Sciences believe that personal psychotherapy is an important component of clinical training, personal and professional growth, and development. Thus, learners are required to participate in individual psychotherapy to develop insight into personal factors that may affect their performance as clinicians. This pre-requisite for practicum and/or pre-doctoral internship is met by the completion of 16 hours of individual personal psychotherapy, completed between the date of enrollment into the PsyD-CP program and prior to eligibility for practicum or pre-doctoral internship, whichever course comes first. Psychotherapy services must be provided by a licensed clinician who is fully licensed to independently practice in the same jurisdiction as the learner/client is physically located.
Clinical Training Practicum and Internship
Clinical training in practicum can begin once all core courses are successfully completed, the comprehensive exam has been passed, and personal psychotherapy requirements have been satisfied. Internship is completed following successful completion of practicum. Those who are interested in completing internship after Doctoral Project courses may submit a request to the PsyD Director of Clinical Training.
Learners must meet the following requirements before being approved for practicum and internship:
- Have earned a minimum passing grade (at least a B-) for all courses completed
- Have 3.0 minimum overall CGPA
- Have earned a satisfactory (S) grade in the Comprehensive Exam and/or Doctoral Project courses up to DP5
- Have submitted documentation for completion of 16 hours of individual personal psychotherapy
- Be in good academic standing
- Complete the Practicum and Internship Orientation
- Successfully complete a work plan to address any Learner Code of Conduct warnings (if applicable)
- Be approved by the School of Behavioral Sciences (SOBS) Clinical Training Committee
Learners must also meet any additional site-specific requirements, including but not limited to a background check, proof of insurance, drug screen, etc. Learners will be charged a practicum or internship fee for each course, in addition to course tuition.
CalSouthern is not a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). Learners from CalSouthern who intend to pursue a pre-doc internship will not be able to participate in the APPIC Match program.
Course Scheduling
The PsyD-CP program follows a cohort scheduling model that includes a structured sequence of coursework, clinical training, and research. The curriculum is designed for learners to progress through courses that build upon one another. This model is intended to foster academic continuity, professional development, and a supportive learning community.
- Cohort Model: Learners are enrolled in a prescribed course sequence and are expected to progress with their cohort. Courses are scheduled to ensure appropriate scaffolding of content, clinical training, and professional skill development.
- Sequencing: Courses may not be taken out of sequence, except in rare cases approved in writing by the Dean or their designee. This is to ensure adequate time for mastery of material and integration of clinical competencies.
- Impact of Dropping or Failing a Course:
- Learners who drop or fail a course may become out of sequence with their cohort which may delay program progression and result in an extended time to completion.
- Missing a residency may require a learner to wait until the next scheduled offering since each residency is not offered every term.
- Re-enrollment in dropped or failed courses is subject to availability and approval.
- Progression Requirements: Successful completion of all required courses, practica, internships, and doctoral project milestones is necessary to remain in alignment with the cohort.
- Communication of Changes: Learners are responsible for consulting with their Academic Advisor if they experience any disruption in their academic schedule (such as a course failure or withdrawal or a leave of absence) to understand the impact on their degree plan.
Required Courses
Practicum and Internship (6 Credits Required)
Practicum and internship courses are completed as part of the program requirements.
Doctoral Research Orientation
Doctoral learners entering the research phase of their program (Doctoral Project 1-9) are required to complete a Doctoral Research Orientation before starting Doctoral Project 2. Learners may complete this Doctoral Orientation at any time and are encouraged to do so during the term they enroll in PSY 8804 (Doctoral Comprehensive Exam). Learners must achieve 100% on the Doctoral Research Orientation assessment in order to begin Doctoral Project 2. This assessment may be repeated as needed to achieve a passing score.
Doctoral Project Courses (9 Credits Required)
An essential feature of a doctoral program is a commitment to research. To support that aim, a required component of the PsyD-CP program is the Doctoral Project. This exercise provides an opportunity to conduct research in a clinically relevant topic area. A PsyD-CP candidate may choose between four basic research designs: qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, or qualitative systematic review. The University encourages Doctoral Projects which will expand the body of knowledge in the field as well as those which may supplement the PsyD-CP candidate’s own work, and those which may contribute to emerging fields of inquiry and relevant contemporary issues. Webinars, chairs, committees, and staff support are available throughout.
| PSY 9011 | DP1: Doctoral Project Phase 1 – Prospectus Development | 1 |
| PSY 9012 | DP2: Doctoral Project Phase 2 – Chapter 1 Development | 1 |
| PSY 9013 | DP3: Doctoral Project Phase 3 – Literature Review Development | 1 |
| PSY 9014 | DP4: Doctoral Project Phase 4 – Methodology Development | 1 |
| PSY 9015 | DP5: Doctoral Project Phase 5 – Academic and Institutional Review Board Approval | 1 |
| PSY 9016 | DP6: Doctoral Project Phase 6 – Evidence of Data Collection | 1 |
| PSY 9017 | DP7: Doctoral Project Phase 7 – Analysis and Results | 1 |
| PSY 9018 | DP8: Doctoral Project Phase 8 – Interpretation and Findings | 1 |
| PSY 9019 | DP9: Doctoral Project Phase 9 – Final Defense and Manuscript Submission | 1 |
Core Courses (61 Credits Required)
Learners that are required to complete or opt in to completing the in-person residency component will have a residency designator of “R” at the end of the course number for the following courses: PSY7763-R, PSY8507-R, PSY8702-R, PSY7703-R, PSY8508-R. Additionally, PSY7762-R requires corresponding residency hours to be completed by the learner.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination is intended to prepare learners for the doctoral project phase of the PsyD-CP program. The comprehensive examination is taken following the successful completion of all core courses. Learners must successfully pass the comprehensive examination to continue into their practicum and doctoral project courses. This examination is proctored and will be recorded. The minimum passing grade for each section of the examination is 80%.
| PSY 8804 | Doctoral Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
While California Southern University, as a member of the AIU System, is part of a Title IV eligible institution offering Title IV eligible programs, CalSouthern has elected and designated this program as not participating in Title IV federal financial aid programs. This means students enrolling in this program may not use Federal Student Aid to help pay for this program. Instead, it offers a variety of zero interest payment options for students.