Doctor of Psychology in Psychodynamic Psychology

Admissions Requirements

The PsyD program is designed for mental health professionals at all stages of their career and from varied disciplines who aspire to earn a doctoral degree in Psychology.

  • A master’s degree in a mental health field that can lead to licensure. Students enrolled in the PsyD typically hold one of the following degrees: MA, MS, or MSc in Psychology, School Psychology, Educational Psychology, Clinical Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy; or MSW. Some institutions offer relevant degrees with different titles or abbreviations. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office to verify the appropriateness of their specific master’s degree.
  • 3.0 GPA or greater on a 4.0 scale. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement may still be considered for admission, provided they apply and receive the approval of the Program Director.
  • Proof of Licensure. Students will be asked to provide a copy of their licensure in a mental health field or demonstrate their licensure eligibility. Applications by students who are not currently licensed will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Application Process

  • Completed Application Form. Applicants will complete and submit the application form online.
  • Official Transcript. Applicants will arrange to receive an official certified transcript from each college or university attended at the master’s level, showing official certified transcript from each college or university attended at the master’s level, showing every graduate unit attempted. If the transcript does not indicate the degree awarded, proof of that degree must also be provided.

International Students

  • SCU welcomes applications from qualified students from other countries. The general admission requirements are identical for all applicants, regardless of citizenship. However, immigration regulations, varying educational backgrounds, and financial considerations require additional procedures necessary for international students.
  • For additional information, please visit our International Students page.

Transfer Credit Policy

Consistent with SCU’s policy, the Doctor of Psychology program allows students to transfer up to 75% of required credits completed on a case-by-case basis. Doctoral-level credits may be accepted for transfer if earned from another institution of higher education accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, the courses requested for credit review must support the PsyD program and fulfill learning objectives that are similar to existing courses, as determined by the Program Director or a faculty designee.

Experiential Learning Policy

Due to the unique nature of the Reiss-Davis Doctor in Psychodynamic Psychology,  its curriculum, and the importance of continuity, it is the practice that no credit toward completion of our degree program will be granted for prior experiential learning.

Accessibility and Disability Services

Students seeking reasonable accommodations or support services while enrolled at SCU can do so through the Student Services Office (SSO). We encourage you to register with SSO as early as possible to allow sufficient time for the approval and notification process.