Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology

Brief Statement on Recruitment

The Psy.D. Program at Saint Elizabeth University recognizes the significance of diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice in all aspects of the curriculum. The Psy.D. Program welcomes and intentionally recruits people of all backgrounds, especially individuals who identify with historically marginalized groups* who are underrepresented in counseling psychology.

Accreditation Status

The Counseling Psychology Psy.D. program at Saint Elizabeth University is fully accredited for ten years by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA) with an effective accreditation date of May 6, 2024. The next site visit will be in 2033.

To view the program’s accreditation status, please visit the APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation’s program search site.

For more information, please contact APA's Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, Commission on Accreditation or visit their website: http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
Commission on Accreditation
750 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002-4242
Office Phone: (202) 336-5979
Office Fax: (202) 336-5978

Psychologist Licensure Requirements

The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program at Saint Elizabeth University is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), ensuring that the program meets the rigorous educational and training standards recognized in all 50 states for psychology licensure eligibility. While APA accreditation provides a strong foundation, students are encouraged to confirm the specific licensure requirements in the state where they intend to practice, as these requirements can vary.

Generally, the process to obtain licensure as a psychologist includes:

Complete an Approved Education Program: Graduates must earn a doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-accredited program, which satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in all states.

Complete a Full-Time, One-Year Internship: This is a requirement for the Psy.D. degree and licensure in most states. APA-accredited internships are widely accepted and preferred by most licensing boards.

Complete Supervised Clinical Experience: Most states, including New Jersey, require two (2) years of full-time supervised practice totaling 3,500 hours. This can be a combination of pre-doctoral and post-doctoral hours and includes the following breakdown:

• 2,000 client contact hours;
• 400 hours of supervision (at least 200 of which must be individual supervision, with the remainder in group or individual supervision); and
• 1,100 hours in work-related activities such as recordkeeping, consultations, report writing, etc.
• Supervision must be provided by a psychologist licensed for at least two (2) years in the state in which the supervision is received.
• Pass the National and State Examinations: Candidates must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and, in New Jersey, the jurisprudence exam. Other states may have additional exam requirements.
• Meet Any Additional State Requirements: These may include background checks, credential verification, or state-specific training or examinations.

Saint Elizabeth University’s Psy.D. program is specifically designed to align with New Jersey’s licensure requirements, including its curriculum, pre-doctoral internship, and preparation for the EPPP. Our graduates are well-prepared to pursue licensure in New Jersey and other states.

Students seeking licensure outside of New Jersey should consult the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) compendium, PsyBook, and the websites of individual state licensing boards for the most accurate and up-to-date information on educational and training requirements. Because licensing boards can update requirements without notice to programs, students are responsible for ensuring that they meet all licensure requirements for their intended state of practice.

For additional resources, visit the ASPPB website at http://psybook.asppb.org/.