Fastest PsyD Programs in Arizona for 2025

Psychologists are important mental health professionals, and demand for their services is on the rise. Psychology is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the national workforce. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 7% increase in new psychologist job openings each year through 2033.

Naturally, there is also a growing interest in accelerated pathways to earning a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). In this article, we discuss PsyD program fundamentals, what qualifies certain tracks as Arizona's fastest PsyD programs, and career opportunities for graduates. Keep reading to learn more about accelerated PsyD programs and start your psychology education journey today.

What Is a PsyD Program?

A PsyD program prepares students to practice professional psychology with a strong emphasis on clinical practices. This approach differs from a traditional Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology program, which takes a more academic and research-based approach. Enrolling in either doctoral program is an essential step to earning your psychology licensure.

Most clinical psychology programs consist of theory coursework, a practicum, a dissertation project, and internships. There are some PsyD programs with no dissertation; others offer online coursework as an option. Both accelerated PsyD programs and traditional PsyD programs include in-person clinical training.

The American Psychological Association (APA) is the leading organization that ensures psychology programs meet the proper national standards for curriculum, faculty, and clinical training.

How Fast Can I Earn My PsyD in Arizona?

An average PsyD program consists of 100 and 120 or more credit hours spanning four to five years of theory coursework � with one to two years of internships. This means it typically takes students five to eight years to complete their doctoral program.

Accelerated PsyD programs provide a faster pathway to your degree. There are programs with generous transfer credit policies and fewer total credit hours. Others offer credit for previous experience as determined by the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). Using a combination of these strategies, you can graduate from some schools in three to four years.

Note that each psychology program has a unique design, and it is best to check which aspects help support your timeline goals.

Are There Any 3-Year PsyD Programs in Arizona?

There are no APA-accredited 3-year PsyD programs online in Arizona. There are two in-person PsyD programs in Arizona, both accredited by the APA and can be completed in three to four years.

If you are interested in distance learning, there are other accredited online PsyD programs available. While these PsyD programs feature online coursework, there will be a necessary in-person clinical training component.

Fastest APA-Accredited PsyD Programs in Arizona

The following two schools feature the fastest APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral programs in Arizona.

1. Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University (NAU) is a large public school based in Flagstaff, AZ. NAU offers a 107-credit doctoral program in clinical psychology. Students may fast-track their degree path by transferring eligible credits earned in graduate programs. NAU may also accept certain credits earned through DSST.

There are many financial aid opportunities available at NAU. By applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will determine your eligibility for federal and state grants, scholarships, and loans. NAU offers graduate assistantships to doctoral students. In exchange for 20 hours of work per week, the university provides a full tuition waiver, health care premium coverage, and a stipend.

• Average in-state tuition: $12,936 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $32,190 per year
• Time to completion: Four years or fewer
• Accreditation: APA

2. Midwestern University

Midwestern University has two campuses, one of which is located in Glendale, AZ. Doctoral students can earn their PsyD in clinical psychology in four years or fewer. Midwestern University considers transfer credits for previous graduate coursework, which can significantly reduce the time required in its program.

Students are encouraged to apply for FAFSA to determine their eligibility for federal and state financial aid. Other funding opportunities include scholarships and military benefits.

• Average in-state tuition: $43,165 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $43,165 per year
• Time to completion: Four years or fewer
• Accreditation: APA

Other Accelerated PsyD Programs

There are other accelerated PsyD programs in states near Arizona. Here, we highlight three California schools with shorter doctoral programs.

Alliant International University

Alliant International University offers APA-accredited PsyD programs on four campuses in California: Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. The program consists of three years of full-time coursework followed by a year of internship. You can expedite your degree process by transferring any applicable graduate credits.

Alliant International University provides financial aid mainly through grants, loans, and work-study programs. A wide variety of institutional and external scholarships is also available.

• Average in-state tuition: $1,475 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,475 per credit
• Time to completion: Three to four years
• Accreditation: APA

The Wright Institute

The Wright Institute is a small private school in Berkeley, CA, that strictly offers graduate degree programs. The Wright Institute has a PsyD program consisting of three years of coursework and one year of clinical training. Doctoral students can accelerate the degree process by taking more courses per semester or applying eligible transfer credits.

The Wright Institute accepts FAFSA and distributes financial aid through loans, work-study programs, and scholarships. Its flagship scholarship, the Wright Institute Scholarship, provides funding to students demonstrating financial need.

• Average in-state tuition: $43,650 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $43,650 per year
• Time to completion: Three to four years
• Accreditation: APA

Pepperdine University

Located in Malibu, CA, Pepperdine University is a mid-sized private school that offers a doctoral program in clinical psychology. The 82-credit PsyD program is one of the shortest in the region. It is also highly acclaimed � ranked the sixth PsyD program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Students at Pepperdine University should submit the FAFSA form to determine their eligibility for scholarships, grants, and loans. The university's Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) offers special GSEP Pepperdine Scholarships to doctoral students.

• Average in-state tuition: $2,055 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $2,055 per credit
• Time to completion: Four years or fewer
• Accreditation: APA

How We Rank Schools

The schools we feature must adhere to certain standards, including accreditation, program quality, and access to financial aid.

• Accreditation: All of the listed PsyD programs are accredited by the APA. APA accreditation is important for licensure and ensures that graduates adhere to professional and ethical guidelines in psychology.
• Program length: Programs must be relatively accelerated, meaning that they can be completed in a shorter time frame than five to eight years.
• Program reputation and quality: A PsyD program's quality and reputation are determined by standard curriculums, experienced faculty, internship placement, and graduation rate.
• Affordability: All of our featured schools accept FAFSA and provide financial aid in various forms, including scholarships, grants, loans, and assistantships.

FAQs About Accelerated PsyD Programs in Arizona

Here we answer frequently asked questions about Arizona PsyD programs, from clinical training requirements to financial assistance opportunities.

Are There Any 2-Year PsyD Programs in Arizona?

There are no 2-year PsyD programs in Arizona that are accredited by the APA. Psychology is a complex profession, and its studies can only be condensed so much before quality suffers. You must complete at least three years of a doctoral program to work as a competent licensed psychologist.

The fastest way to become a psychologist is to earn your master's degree in psychology. This track generally takes two to three years. There are many job opportunities available for those with a master's degree, including behavior analyst, counselor, and social worker.

What Can I Do With a PsyD Degree?

A PsyD degree affords you a multitude of career options. The BLS reports that there will be 13,000 new job openings for psychologists for the next decade. Possible specializations include school psychology, clinical counseling, social work, and industrial-organizational psychology.

For example, with a PsyD in neuropsychology, you can study how the brain, spine, and nervous system affect cognition and behavior. Those with a PsyD in forensic psychology work with judges and lawyers to understand the psychological elements of legal cases.

Do Online PsyD Programs Require In-Person Clinical Training?

Yes, online PsyD programs require in-person clinical training. Clinical training is an essential component of a quality clinical psychology degree program. This allows you to learn under the careful supervision of an experienced professional.

Online programs continue to offer flexibility in coursework. Many programs allow you to get your clinical training in your local area.

What Financial Aid Is Available for PsyD Students?

PsyD students may receive financial aid through a variety of sources, including scholarships, loans, grants, and assistantships. FAFSA is the primary method used to determine financial aid eligibility. Assistantships are a source of funding where doctoral students serve as teaching or research assistants in exchange for full or partial tuition waivers, living and travel stipends, and healthcare coverage.

Explore Online Doctorate Degrees

If you are just beginning your advanced degree journey, there are many options for you to consider. Reach out to Learn.org's partner schools to discover which can best support your psychology career goals.