5 Fastest PsyD Programs in New Jersey for 2025

In most states, including New Jersey, you must have a doctoral degree to work as a professional psychologist. A common option is a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree, which should prepare you for professional work and qualify you for state licensure.

Usually, PsyDs take around five years to complete. However, accelerated PsyD programs allow you to finish more quickly. Keep reading to discover the fastest PsyD programs in New Jersey.

What Is a PsyD Program?

A PsyD is one of two types of doctoral degrees you can earn in psychology. The other is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology.

PsyD programs are usually focused on training students to work with patients as professional psychologists. They're often designed to lead to licensure. Most PsyD programs require a few years of coursework, which typically includes hands-on clinical experiences and practicums, followed by a year-long internship.

Many PsyD programs focus on either clinical psychology or school psychology. Within a clinical psychology program, you may have the option to choose a specialization, like child and adolescent psychology or forensic psychology.

PhDs in psychology can also lead to licensure, but these usually have more of an emphasis on research. As a result, it is easier to find PsyD programs with no dissertation, although many still have a dissertation requirement. Both options typically take several years to complete, though some schools offer accelerated PsyD programs.

How Fast Can I Earn My PsyD in New Jersey?

Most PsyD programs in New Jersey take between four and six years to complete. Some offer advanced standing tracks for those with a master's degree that allow these students to finish a year or two faster.

Typically, a PsyD program designed for students to become licensed psychologists is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA has rules regarding the length of the program.

Students must study for three years, with at least two of those years being at the institution granting the degree, and then complete a one-year internship. Under these regulations, an APA-accredited program must be at least three years long.

Are There Any 3-Year PsyD Programs in New Jersey?

A couple of schools in New Jersey offer 3-year PsyD programs for students who have master's degrees in psychology. A few others allow students to finish more quickly with transfer credits, though how quickly depends on the credits being transferred.

Most of these programs are in-person, but it is possible to find 3-year PsyD programs online throughout the U.S. However, the ADA does not accredit online degrees, so there are no accredited online PsyD programs.

Fastest PsyD Programs in New Jersey

A handful of colleges and universities in New Jersey offer shorter PsyD programs or accelerated options for students with prior experience in a graduate-level psychology program. We've highlighted these options below.

1. Felician University

Felician University is a private Catholic institution in Lodi, NJ. It offers a PsyD in counseling psychology that prepares students to work as health service psychologists and leads to licensure in New Jersey.

Students with a master's degree can finish the doctoral program in four years. Those with a bachelor's but not a master's must take the full five years to complete the degree.

• Average in-state tuition: $21,420 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $21,420 per year
• Time to completion: Four years with a master's degree
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and APA

2. Saint Elizabeth University

At Saint Elizabeth University, students can earn a PsyD in counseling psychology. The APA-accredited program trains students to work with a diverse population of patients.

STEU, a private Catholic school, is located in Morristown, NJ. Its doctoral program takes four years to complete, but students with a master's degree can transfer in up to 15 credits and finish a few semesters faster.

• Average in-state tuition: $18,468 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $18,468 per year
• Time to completion: Four years without a master's degree
• Accreditation: MSCHE and APA

3. William Paterson University of New Jersey

William Paterson University of New Jersey offers an APA-accredited PsyD in clinical psychology that blends coursework, clinical training, and research experiences. WPUNJ is a public university in Wayne, NJ.

The program is designed to take five years to complete. However, students with a master's in psychology from WPUNJ can finish in three years. Those with graduate degrees from other schools are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• Average in-state tuition: $16,503 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $23,751 per year
• Time to completion: Three years with a master's degree
• Accreditation: MSCHE and APA

4. Georgian Court University

The PsyD in school psychology at Georgian Court University incorporates a social justice perspective to prepare students for roles in educational settings. The program normally takes five years, but a three-year, advanced-standing option is available for state-certified school psychologists.

GCU, located in Lakewood, NJ, is a private Catholic institution. While the program is meant for those who already have a school psychology license and is not APA accredited, it can help current school psychologists further their knowledge and careers.

• Average in-state tuition: $14,760 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $14,760 per year
• Time to completion: Three years with a master's degree and licensure
• Accreditation: MSCHE

5. Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private, nonprofit institution in Teaneck, NJ. It offers a PsyD in school psychology that trains students for independent practice.

Like the program at GCU, this program normally takes five years to finish. However, those with a master's degree can finish within three years.

• Average in-state tuition: $18,028 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $18,028 per year
• Time to completion: Three years with a master's degree
• Accreditation: MSCHE

How We Rank Schools

To choose the schools on this list, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools are regionally accredited and many programs are APA-accredited
• Program length: We looked at the fastest programs and those that offer advanced standing options or accept transfer credits.
• Program reputation and quality: In addition to accreditation, all programs come from nonprofit schools, and all offer options leading to licensure.
• Affordability: All schools either offer financial aid options to students or accept outside aid.

FAQs About Accelerated PsyD Programs in New Jersey

Finding the right option for an accelerated PsyD can be tricky. We've answered some frequently asked questions below to help you out.

Are There Any 2-Year PsyD Programs in New Jersey?

There are no 2-year PsyD programs in New Jersey. Even those that are not APA-accredited tend to try to follow APA guidelines, meaning that a two-year PsyD isn't available.

For most students, the fastest way to become a psychologist will be to look for programs that offer year-round courses or advanced standing options.

What Can I Do With a PsyD Degree?

PsyD degrees are typically designed to lead to a psychology license. As a result, most people with a PsyD pursue roles as professional psychologists.

There are many different types of psychologists, and you should earn your PsyD in the field you want to pursue. For example, if you want to become a neuropsychologist, look for a PsyD in neuropsychology.

Do Online PsyD Programs Require In-Person Clinical Training?

As mentioned, fully online PsyDs are rare, as they cannot be APA-accredited. However, even those with hybrid options will require in-person clinical training.

Most programs will set you up with clinical experiences and internships in a setting that corresponds to your field of study. This means that if you're earning a PsyD in forensic psychology, you'll likely intern under a forensic psychologist.

What Financial Aid Is Available for PsyD Students?

Most schools offer some amount of financial aid for PsyD students, whether that be scholarships, assistantships, or a mix of both. Many also accept outside aid from private organizations as well.

Although it can be harder to secure need-based aid for doctoral programs, all students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. You could be eligible for more than you think.

Explore Online Doctorate Degrees

Fast-track your psychology career by exploring the accelerated PsyD programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about their degree options, admissions requirements, and financial aid.