Psy.D. in Counseling and School Psychology

Program Details

• Next Start Date:  January 13, 2025
• Est. Program Length:  Minimum of 5 years
• Credit Hours:  60-130 credits
• Course Length:  7 and 14 weeks
• Cost Per Credit (2024-25 Academic Year): $1,275 for all courses taken, including foundation courses 

Why Earn Your Psy.D. at Rivier?

Rivier’s Psy.D. program has the distinction of full accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA). This accreditation signifies that the program provides exceptional education and training, preparing students to become successful, ethical mental health service psychologists.

Our unique approach to doctoral training prepares graduates to work in a variety of professional settings as psychologists and is consistent with the generalist approach to training entry-level psychologists. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of agency, community, independent practice, and public service settings.

The program follows the practitioner-scholar model, which integrates clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and consultation with the empirical foundations of the discipline. 

Students are prepared as critical thinkers and problem solvers who draw on the theory and knowledge of psychology and education to deliver empirically supported services. Students are trained to be consumers of research that informs their practice as skilled professionals delivering assessment, diagnosis, intervention, consultation, and preventive services.

We seek to recruit and retain a diverse student group across a number of dimensions. Read about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the program.

Program Overview

The Program is designed with professional standards and licensing requirements in mind. The Program is designed to be completed in no fewer than 5 years, including a three-year academic residency at Rivier and a 2000-hour internship. All students are expected to attend full-time, including the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Because of the demands of doctoral studies, practicum placements, and research projects, students in the program do not work more than 20 hours per week. The Program requires completion of the following requirements:

• Foundation coursework
• Doctoral coursework, including core and elective classes
• Practicum experiences (a minimum of 6)
• Successful defense of a written Doctoral Research Project
• Successful completion of Comprehensive Examinations
• A 2000-hour internship

Courses are generally offered on weekdays in the late afternoons and evenings. Courses are also offered during the morning and early afternoon one day per week. The Program includes a limited set of online courses (primarily foundation courses) in keeping with the New Hampshire Board of Psychology licensing requirement that the method of teaching is predominately face-to-face.

The Program requires students to be on campus on one established day of the week. This day is designed to provide students with opportunities for ongoing interactions with peers and faculty that will contribute to their socialization and development as psychologists. Some courses are offered on this day, along with Program learning experiences (e.g., comprehensive examinations, doctoral research project defenses). The Program also offers regularly scheduled professional development and diversity events on this day. Students should not schedule outside employment responsibilities or practicum responsibilities on the dedicated weekday on campus.

The University has extensive resources for practicum experience requirements, which begin early and continue throughout the program, increasing in scope and complexity. Students gain experience in intervention and assessment across a variety of school, community mental health, outpatient, and hospital-based practicum placements. The Regina Library offers dedicated space for doctoral students, as well as reference materials, psychological assessments, and extensive online access to journals, affording students the opportunity to conduct research at convenient times and locations.

• View Psy.D. Program Handbook
• View Psy.D. Practicum Handbook

Distinguished Faculty

This Psy.D. program brings together distinguished faculty from a variety of disciplines with rich experience in:

• Counseling and school psychology
• Psychotherapy
• Psychological assessment
• Clinical and systems consultation
• Cultural diversity
• Research design and analysis
• Supervision

Accreditation and Licensure

The Psy.D. program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association, which grants national accreditation for programs in health service psychology. The University’s next accreditation review is scheduled for 2033. Rivier’s Psy.D. curriculum meets the State of New Hampshire licensing requirements for psychologists and is accepted by most state’s state psychology licensing boards for licensure. Confirm with your state’s board to ensure acceptance and review additional licensing requirements.

Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation, Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, (202) 336-5979, apaaccred@apa.org, www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data