A New Ph.D. Program - Built on a Legacy of Excellence Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Wheaton College Graduate School equips scholars and practitioners of clinical psychology with an academically rigorous, integrated, justice and service-focused, and biblically grounded foundation for Kingdom service to the academy, the marginalized and underserved, and the Church.

Credential Type

Ph.D.

Major Credits Required

Duration

5 years

Format

Residential

7 Research Labs

Hone your research interests and work closely with our expert faculty to contribute original clinical knowledge and scholarship within the field.

150+ Clinical Training Partners

We support four years of clinical training with partnerships in the Chicagoland area. The final year is an internship, and can be completed anywhere in the world.

$8,000+ in Scholarship Support

Every Ph.D. student receives scholarships which typically cover a minimum of approximately 25% of tuition. Scholarships range from $8,000 to $14,000 in addition to travel and research support, grants, and other funding.

Request Information

Or reach out to us anytime at graduate.admissions@wheaton.edu.

Become a compassionate, Christian practitioner Why Earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Wheaton?

Prepare to become a highly competent scholar-practitioner in a Ph.D. program that integrates Christian belief and practice with the best of contemporary scholarship and professional standards in the field of clinical psychology.

Scholar: Contribute to the Profession With Original Research

Throughout the program, you’ll become both a skilled consumer of research and a productive contributor of original scholarship to the field. You will have the opportunity to work closely with a research mentor on your independent dissertation research.

Practitioner: Prepare to Serve the Underserved in Clinical Settings

The consistent mission of our program is to prepare you as a clinical psychologist with preferential service to the church and to those traditionally underserved and marginalized in society. Your coursework, practicums and internships, and research will all contribute to building your professional foundation to prepare you to engage and serve those who have been traditionally underserved.

Our Curriculum

Your doctoral coursework will consist of studies in these core areas:

scientific foundations
assessment & intervention
integration of faith and psychology
special and underserved populations
ethical and professional development
applied research & statistics

Additionally, you can explore psychology topics that interest you through 9 elective credits. The Ph.D. program also requires a dissertation and a one-year clinical psychology internship.

Please see the graduate course catalog for current requirements as well as the most up-to-date course numbers, titles, and descriptions.

Core Course Examples

Biological Bases of Behavior
Cognition and Emotion
Community and Preventive Psychology
Family Systems Theory & Therapy
Psychoanalytic and Contemporary Psychodynamic Theory and Practice
Theological Anthropology

Sample Elective Courses

Psychopharmacology
Neuropsychology Assessment
Child & Adolescent Interventions
Advanced Trauma Informed Care

Program Concentrations

While our program thoroughly equips students to practice as generalists, there are four concentrations available. Student may hone their skills in the following areas:

Trauma Informed Care
Neuropsychology
Couples & Families
Pediatric Clinical Psychology

Psy.D. and Ph.D. Program

Wheaton’s new Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is founded on nearly three decades of excellence in doctoral clinical psychology training at Wheaton. The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology admitted its first class in 1993 and received APA accreditation in 1998. Over the course of its 30 years, the Psy.D. has demonstrated an excellent record of student outcomes, academic rigor, emphasis on research, high licensure rates, superior internship match rates at highly regarded sites, and competitive job placements.

In recognition of the wide-ranging applicability of a Ph.D. within academia and research, the international job market, and select sub-disciplines, Wheaton's doctoral program in clinical psychology is in a phase of transition from a 120-credit Psy.D. to a 122-credit Ph.D. program. This process began in 2021 with the admittance of our first Ph.D. cohort. Since then, the Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs have operated simultaneously. Once we receive APA accreditation for the Ph.D. program, admission to the Psy.D. program will close, and the program will continue its legacy of excellence through the Ph.D. program only.

Accreditation

After launching the program in the academic year of 2021-2022, the Ph.D. program has submitted its self-study to the APA and is scheduled for the site visit in the 2024-2025 academic year. This is the final step of our accreditation process. Given the long-standing success of our closely related APA-accredited Psy.D. program, we are optimistic about the outcome.

Scholar Practitioner Development Clinical Training & Research Opportunities

The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology combines research and practice, giving you plenty of ways to develop as a scholar practitioner. During your doctoral studies at Wheaton, you will engage in exciting research complete hands-on clinical training, and participate in a range of professional development opportunities.

Clinical Training Opportunities

Build a foundation of clinical skills through practicum and clerkship experiences in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, hospitals, and private practices. You'll also complete a full-time, year-long internship in a professional clinical setting—we have excellent match rates at APA-accredited internships. Past internship sites include university counseling centers, correctional facilities, VA hospitals, academic medical centers, and community clinics.

Explore Clinical Experiences

Wheaton College Neuroscience students looking at test results on a computer

Faculty Research Labs

You'll hone your research and statistical analysis skills through a variety of courses, many of which take place within our faculty-led psychology research labs:

The Multicultural Peace & Justice Collaborative
Neurocognitive Functioning Lab
Psychology and Spirituality Research Lab
Sexual and Gender Identity Lab
Urban Community Health Lab
Youth Risk and Resilience Lab
Morality, Truth, and Motivation

Discover Our Research

phd student at practicum seminar holding notebook and smiling

Dissertation & Professional Development

One of the hallmarks of doctoral program is your contribution of original, meaningful scholarly literature to the field. As you embark on your dissertation, you'll work closely with a faculty mentor to shape your ideas and methodologies.

You'll also have a chance to network with scholars and other Ph.D. candidates from around the world through membership in professional organizations or attending academic conferences.

Learn About Dissertations

What are the differences between a Psy.D. and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology?

Learn more about why Wheaton is transitioning to a Ph.D. program and explore what route is best for you.

Our Faculty Compassionate and Intelligent Educators

As a Clinical Psychology doctoral student at Wheaton, you'll have access to faculty, adjunct faculty, and guest instructors from across the School of Psychology, Counseling & Family Therapy. Your core Ph.D. faculty members are Christian scholar-practitioners with a range of professional experience and research interests. Their expertise spans issues and clinical specialties including neurocognition, aging, forgiveness, social support, positive psychology, and sexual and gender identity.

Sally Schwer Canning, PhD

Professor of Psychology

James Cornwell, PhD

Director of Research, Associate Professor of Psychology

Ward Davis, PsyD

Director of Clinical Training, Professor of Psychology

Megan M. Happel, PsyD

Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology

Emily Hervey, PsyD

Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology

John McConnell, PhD

Associate Professor of Psychology

Benjamin Pyykkonen, PhD

Clinical Psychology Programs Director, Associate Professor of Psychology

Sandra Yu Rueger, PhD

Professor of Psychology

Mark Yarhouse, PsyD

Dr. Arthur P. Rech and Mrs. Jean May Rech Professor of Psychology Director, Sexual & Gender Identity Institute

Our Doctoral Students

Lina Dunbar We'd like to to introduce you to some of our doctoral students. Find out what they are studying, their areas of interest, and the labs where they are working.

Let us introduce you...

Scandrette Lecture Series

On April 17, 2024, the School of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy hosted the 41st lecture in the Scandrette Lecture Series with Dr. Bryan Dik.

Learn More About the Lecture

Investing in You

Financial Wellness

All incoming Clinical Psychology Ph.D. students are automatically considered for department-based scholarships, typically ranging from $8,000 to $12,000. Additionally, you may be eligible for other funding options including stipends for research support and conference travel.

The Wheaton College Graduate School Student Financial Services team can help you understand how much your graduate studies will cost and what aid may be available to you.

Learn About Graduate Financial Aid

Next Steps

Ready to pursue your Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and prepare to serve others as a compassionate, Christian practitioners? Request more information about our psychology doctoral program or start your application today.

Graduate Admissions Request Information