3 Fastest PsyD Programs in Florida for 2025

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degrees are a common option for those who want to become professional psychologists. They teach students skills in assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and intervention.

PsyD programs that are intended to lead to licensure are usually several years long. However, some schools have options for accelerated PsyD programs. Keep reading to discover the fastest PsyD programs in Florida.

What Is a PsyD Program?

A PsyD program is a doctoral program in psychology. This degree typically prepares students to work as professional psychologists and is meant to lead to psychology licensure.

It usually takes several years to complete. The first three or four are spent on coursework, practicum, and clinical experiences. The final year or two are devoted to an internship and sometimes a dissertation.

PsyDs are usually focused on counseling psychology, clinical psychology, or school psychology. Within counseling and clinical psychology programs, some schools offer specializations, like child and family psychology or forensic psychology.

The other type of psychology program that can qualify you to be a licensed psychologist is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology. These are often more research-focused.

As a result, it can be easier to find PsyD programs with no dissertation. Both PsyDs and PhDs take multiple years, but some schools offer accelerated PsyD programs.

How Fast Can I Earn My PsyD in Florida?

Because there are certain requirements for programs to be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or qualify students for licensure, most PsyD programs take about five years to complete, with a range between four and six years.

However, some schools will accept transfer credits or offer advanced standing tracks for those with a master's degree. This often allows students to cut a few semesters, even a whole year, off their studies.

Are There Any 3-Year PsyD Programs in Florida?

There are no PsyD programs in Florida designed to take only three years. That being said, some programs allow a significant number of transfer credits, which could reduce your time to three years.

Some schools throughout the U.S. offer 3-year PsyD programs online. However, it's important to note that the APA does not currently accredit online programs, so there are no accredited online PsyD programs that are 100% online in the U.S.

Fastest APA-Accredited PsyD Programs in Florida

PhDs in psychology tend to be more popular in Florida than PsyDs. Despite that, a handful of universities offer PsyDs in the state, and of those, a few accept transfer credits so students can shorten their studies. We've highlighted these below.

1. National Louis University

National Louis University is a private, nonprofit institution based in Chicago. However, it offers a PsyD in clinical psychology through the Florida School of Professional Psychology (FSPP) at its Tampa, FL campus.

The program offers multiple concentrations, including child and adolescent psychology, geropsychology, and neuropsychology. While the clinical psychology program is designed to take five years, students can transfer in up to 30 graduate credit hours.

• Average in-state tuition: $12,928 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $12,928 per year
• Time to completion: Five years without transfer credits
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and APA

2. Florida Institute of Technology

At the Florida Institute of Technology, students can earn a PsyD in clinical psychology that provides in-depth training on psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Students can choose from concentrations in family/child psychology, forensic psychology, clinical neuropsychology, or behavioral healthcare/health psychology.

FIT, a nonprofit, private research university, is located in Melbourne, FL. Its PsyD usually takes about five years, but students can transfer in up to 15 graduate credits.

• Average in-state tuition: $23,580 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $23,580 per year
• Time to completion: Five years without transfer credits
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and APA

3. Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University offers a rigorous PsyD in clinical psychology focused on evidence-based assessment and intervention. NSU is a private, nonprofit research university in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

The doctoral program offers seven concentrations, including child, adolescent, and family psychology, clinical forensic psychology, clinical neuropsychology, and long-term mental illness. The degree is usually five years, but students can transfer up to 15 graduate credits.

• Average in-state tuition: $22,983 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $22,983 per year
• Time to completion: Five years without transfer credits
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and APA

Other Accelerated PsyD Programs

There are only a few accelerated PsyD options in Florida, so we've listed a few others from nearby states. These programs either offer an advanced standing track for those with master's degrees or accept transfer credits.

Brenau University

The PsyD in clinical psychology provides students with experience working with a variety of clients. The program takes four years to complete for students who have a master's and five for those with a bachelor's.

Brenau University, located in Gainesville, GA, is a nonprofit, private institution. Its psychology program is currently under review for APA accreditation, but is not accredited yet.

• Average in-state tuition: $15,210 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $15,210 per year
• Time to completion: Four years with a master's degree
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Mercer University

Mercer University is a private, nonprofit research institution in Macon, GA. It offers a PsyD in clinical psychology that trains students to apply clinical and research skills to healthcare.

Typically, the program requires four years of coursework and one year of internship. However, it accepts transfer credits toward the coursework portion of the program.

• Average in-state tuition: $14,671 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $14,671 per year
• Time to completion: Five years without transfer credits
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and APA

How We Rank Schools

To choose the programs above, we looked for options that met the following qualifications:

• Accreditation: All schools are accredited, and most programs are accredited by the APA
• Program length: We focused on programs that allow transfer credits so students could finish faster.
• Program reputation and quality: All schools listed are nonprofit, and all offer programs leading to state licensure.
• Affordability: Each school either offers financial aid options or accepts outside aid.

FAQs About Accelerated PsyD Programs in Florida

Trying to fast-track your PsyD can be overwhelming but also exciting. We've answered some frequently asked questions below to help you better understand the process.

Are There Any 2-Year PsyD Programs in Florida?

There are no 2-year PsyD programs in Florida. Two years is not enough time to complete the required coursework and internship needed for a doctoral degree.

If you're looking for a fast-track option, the fastest way to become a psychologist is to look for schools that offer summer courses or accept transfer credits.

What Can I Do With a PsyD Degree?

Most students earn a PsyD degree so they can become licensed psychologists � who can work in many different settings, like hospitals, private practice, or schools. They may also focus on a specific area of psychology.

You should choose a PsyD that allows you to focus on whatever field of psychology you want to pursue. For example, if you want to become a forensic psychologist, choose a PsyD in forensic psychology.

Do Online PsyD Programs Require In-Person Clinical Training?

There are very few PsyD programs that are fully online, but those that are usually still require students to participate in in-person clinical training. You can generally expect all doctoral-level psychology programs to require hands-on clinical experiences.

Most programs will schedule your clinical experiences and internships somewhere that aligns with your area of specialty. This means if you're earning a PsyD in neuropsychology, you'll work with a neuropsychologist, and if you're earning a PsyD in child psychology, you'll work with child psychologists.

What Financial Aid Is Available for PsyD Students?

Most schools offer some sort of financial aid for doctoral students, like scholarships, assistantships, or a combination of the three. Nearly all will accept outside financial aid, like scholarships from independent organizations.

All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. While less need-based aid is available for doctoral students than for undergrads, you might be surprised by what you qualify for.

Explore Online Doctorate Degrees

Find the perfect PsyD program for you by exploring the degrees featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.