5 Fastest PsyD Programs in Alabama for 2025

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) programs prepare students for state licensure as clinical psychologists, through doctoral-level preparation and practicum experiences. Students can become psychologists more quickly by completing accelerated PsyD programs.

While traditional PsyD programs take about five years, accelerated PsyD programs can be completed in as few as three years. Continue reading to explore the fastest PsyD programs available and how you can become a licensed psychologist in Alabama.

What Is a PsyD Program?

A PsyD program is a practice-oriented doctoral program that develops skills relating to clinical psychology. PsyD students explore evidence-based practice, ethics, cultural considerations, and clinical interventions within their curriculum. The Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology requires psychology license applicants to have a specialization area, such as clinical psychology or neuroscience.

To be licensed in Alabama, students can alternatively complete a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) that focuses on clinical psychology, as long as it is also accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). While the majority of programs are delivered through traditional, on-campus courses, students can also choose from accredited online PsyD programs.

How Fast Can I Earn My PsyD in Alabama?

Traditional clinical psychology programs take five or six years to complete, but there are multiple schools that offer accelerated psychology program options. The fastest programs leading to licensure, whether PsyD or PhD, take around three to four years of full-time study to complete.

Students interested in finishing their programs sooner should consider 3-year PsyD programs online, as well as PsyD programs with no dissertation.

Are There Any 3-Year PsyD Programs in Alabama?

Alabama institutions do not currently offer any 3-year PsyD programs online, but students with qualifying prerequisites may be able to complete an in-state PhD program in three years. Students can also complete accredited PsyD programs in as few as three years through one of several schools that are based outside of Alabama.

Fastest APA-Accredited PsyD Programs in Alabama

Students can prepare for licensure as psychologists through several APA-accredited programs in Alabama. Once a master's degree has been completed, they can obtain licensure as psychologist technicians and continue preparing for full licensure. The top programs for aspiring Alabama psychologists are highlighted below.

1. University of South Alabama

The University of South Alabama offers an on-campus PhD in clinical and counseling psychology. The program integrates counseling, clinical, and combined-integrated psychology concepts to provide students with a broad and cohesive foundation in psychology.

Students with a previous master's degree can complete the program and internship in three years, while students with a bachelor's degree typically finish in five years of study.

• Average in-state tuition: $480 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $960 per credit
• Time to completion: Three to five years
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), APA

2. The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama (UA) has a PhD in Clinical Psychology program that integrates four key psychology focus areas: children, legal considerations, clinical health, and geropsychology. Students can also add one of two optional minors to their program: neuroscience or statistics. The standard program takes around five years to complete, but students can transfer in up to 50% of the required classes and finish in as few as three years.

• Average in-state tuition: $487 to $649 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,439 to $1,919 per credit
• Time to completion: Three to five years
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, APA

Other Accelerated PsyD Programs

In addition to in-state programs, Alabama students can pursue psychologist licensure by completing other APA-accredited PsyD programs. There are different options available, including PsyD in forensic psychology programs as well as PsyD in neuropsychology degree programs. The top accelerated PsyD programs are discussed next.

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) offers a PsyD in Clinical Psychology program with four optional focus areas: child/family psychology, clinical neuropsychology, health psychology, and forensic psychology. The program consists of four years of coursework followed by a one-year internship, but students with prior graduate coursework can transfer in up to 18 credit hours.

Students develop clinical skills and competencies through high-quality teaching methods alongside supervised clinical training.

• Average in-state tuition: $1,350 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,350 per credit
• Time to completion: Four to five years
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, APA

Georgia Southern University

The PsyD in Clinical Psychology program at Georgia Southern University prepares students for licensure through engaging and comprehensive study. Students explore several fundamental areas, including ethics, cultural diversity, assessment, intervention, and consultation. While bachelor's entry students typically complete coursework in four years, students with prior graduate credits can finish their classes in three to 3.5 years, followed by their internship.

• Average in-state tuition: $227 to $283 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $928 to $1,160 per credit
• Time to completion: Four to five years
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, APA

University of Indianapolis

The University of Indianapolis has multiple tracks for its PsyD program, including a three-year coursework option. The on-campus program allows students to choose from six concentration areas, including generalist, childhood psychology, and behavioral medicine.

Students can complete clinical practice hours at a wide variety of facilities over the course of the program and fulfill both the dissertation and internship requirements within one year after finishing the required coursework.

• Average in-state tuition: $1,080 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,080 per credit
• Time to completion: Four to five years
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), APA

How We Rank Schools

Our team reviewed all doctoral psychology programs across Alabama, as well as many out-of-state accelerated options. The programs featured here meet various criteria that support students and their career goals.

• Accreditation: Each featured school has institutional accreditation, and the psychology programs listed are also accredited by the APA.
• Program length: All of the programs can be finished in one or two years quicker than traditional options, enabling students to complete them in as few as three years.
• Program reputation and quality: These programs integrate evidence-based concepts along with practice-oriented training to better prepare psychologists for licensure.
• Affordability: Several of these programs offer more affordable tuition rates and students can utilize financial aid to further reduce their program costs.

FAQs About Accelerated PsyD Programs in Alabama

There are a few things that you should consider when you start looking for a PsyD program, especially if you intend to obtain licensure. If you are looking for the fastest way to become a psychologist, the FAQs discussed below and should help you determine what to look for in your program.

Are There Any 2-Year PsyD Programs in Alabama?

No, there are no 2-year PsyD programs in Alabama. Currently, no U.S. schools offer two-year PsyD programs, but there are some that offer three-year program options. Most of the accelerated PsyD programs require students to have a master's degree in a related field (such as school psychology), but a few of them are open to students with a bachelor's degree.

What Can I Do With a PsyD Degree?

You can use a PsyD degree in multiple roles, including university-level teaching and research. However, PhD programs are designed primarily for research and academia, while PsyD programs are more practice-oriented. Most PsyD students pursue psychology practice roles, including as clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, and other types of psychologists.

Do Online PsyD Programs Require In-Person Clinical Training?

Yes, PsyD programs require in-person clinical practice. Because PsyD programs are designed to prepare students for practice, a big part of their training is through supervised experience. Students typically have supervised clinical experiences throughout a PsyD program as well as an internship once the didactic coursework has been completed.

What Financial Aid Is Available for PsyD Students?

PsyD students can use both private and public financial aid, once they have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your school will check your eligibility for federal student aid, and you can apply for any awards that the school offers in-house. In addition, thousands of scholarships are available from private organizations, as well as fellowships, grants, and other types of aid.

Explore Online Doctorate Degrees

You can find more great psychology programs on Learn.org, including hybrid, accelerated, and affordable options. Contact schools to find out more about these programs.