Best PsyD Programs in Missouri (2027)

Based at KCU's Kansas City, Missouri, campus, the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) provides broad and general doctoral training in clinical psychology that integrates empirical evidence and clinical practice through competency-based coursework, and one of its aims is to train students to function as members of integrated health care teams. The first year covers the foundations of psychological science with a special emphasis on assessment, test construction and test interpretation; the second adds theory, practice and diversity courses with a diagnostically focused practicum; the third brings courses such as psychopharmacology, consultation and integrated health care with a therapy practicum; and the fourth combines advanced coursework, Practicum III and the beginning of the dissertation. Each practicum averages about 20 hours a week for 9 to 12 months and requires at least 625 hours, under a licensed clinical psychologist who provides at least one hour of individual, face-to-face supervision each week. The fifth year is primarily dedicated to a full-time clinical internship, and some students also use it to finish the dissertation.

Applicants need a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, plus 18 semester credit hours of undergraduate psychology coursework completed with a B- or better and three letters of recommendation; GRE scores are optional. Most students finish in approximately five years, spending the first four on campus in coursework and practica and the fifth on a 2,000-hour, 12-month internship off site. The program is offered only at the Kansas City, Missouri, campus, not at the Joplin, Missouri, campus. Annual tuition is split evenly between the fall and spring semesters, and merit-based PsyD Excellence Scholarships are awarded automatically on acceptance to qualified applicants.

• The program is offered only at the Kansas City, Missouri, campus.
• Applicants need a bachelor's degree and 18 semester credit hours of psychology coursework.
• GRE scores are optional.
• Each of the three practicums requires at least 625 hours.
• The fifth year is a 2,000-hour, 12-month internship.

APA area

Clinical Psychology

Program unit

Health Service Psychology Program

APA number

2316

Accredited since

April 11, 2021

Next site visit

2034

Entry

bachelor's degree

GRE

optional

Length

approximately five years: four years on campus, then a 2,000-hour, 12-month internship

Tuition, full-time

$40,480 (first-year cohort, 2026-2027)

University fees

$70

EPPP

60.87% of 23 first-time takers passed (ASPPB)

Internship match

45 of 58 applicants matched to an APA- or CPA-accredited internship (APPIC)

Scored under methodology v2.0

PHSU's Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology is grounded in a practitioner-scholar model that emphasizes evidence-based assessment, intervention and research application. At the St. Louis, Missouri campus the program typically takes five years: four years of coursework, practicum experience and clinical training, then a one-year full-time predoctoral internship, for 96 credits in all. Students begin supervised clinical practicums at affiliated health facilities in their second year, build research skills through projects and a dissertation, and finish with a 2,000-hour predoctoral internship, for more than 3,000 hours of clinical training.

Applicants need a bachelor's degree with at least 15 credits of psychology coursework (general, developmental, abnormal and experimental psychology and statistics), a GPA of 3.0, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a CV and a clean background check, and selected applicants are interviewed; applicants with a master's degree in psychology, psychiatric nursing, social work, counseling or another mental health field may transfer up to 24 credits. The St. Louis application deadline is December 1, 2026, and classes are taught in person. Tuition is charged per credit, the 2026-2027 cost of attendance lists one tuition schedule for residents and non-residents, and the St. Louis PsyD Academic Excellence Scholarship offers merit-based tuition support to selected incoming students.

• The program totals 96 credits.
• Classes are taught in person.
• The fifth year is a 2,000-hour predoctoral internship.
• Applicants with a relevant master's degree may transfer up to 24 credits.

APA area

Clinical Psychology

Program unit

PsyD Program

APA number

2540

Accredited since

June 20, 2025

Entry

bachelor's or master's degree

Length

five years: four years of coursework, practicum experience and clinical training, then a one-year full-time pre-doctoral internship

Credits

96 credits

Internship match

2 of 4 applicants matched to an APA- or CPA-accredited internship (APPIC)

Scored under methodology v2.0