Reiss-Davis Doctor of Psychology in Psychodynamic Psychology

Overview

SCU’s distinctive Reiss-Davis Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Psychodynamic Psychology is designed for licensed or license-eligible master’s-level mental health professionals who seek to deepen their expertise in psychological theory, human behavior, and systems of care. The program offers advanced training in psychodynamic principles and technique, trauma-informed practice, and the developmental and sociocultural foundations of mental health.

Unlike many PsyD programs, SCU’s curriculum does not include clinical practicum hours or internships, which makes it shorter to complete. Graduates who plan to pursue psychology licensure can still obtain the required supervised professional experience (SPE) hours after finishing the program. However, most graduates choose to continue practicing under their existing master’s level mental health license. They often go on to careers in private practice, higher education, consulting, program development, or leadership roles within community mental health, agencies, and organization settings where advanced clinical knowledge is highly valued.

Reiss-Davis-Logo

Our PsyD program traces its roots to the highly respected former Reiss-Davis Graduate Center for Child Development and Psychotherapy, established in 1976 which offered master’s, doctoral, and continuing education and mental health care services to the community until 2025. Grounded in contemporary psychodynamic theory, the curriculum integrates the most current understanding of the neurobiological and developmental underpinnings of mental health with trauma-informed perspectives into the teaching and training of culturally competent treatment approaches.

Program at a Glance

  • Full-time, hybrid program (3 years and 4 months)
  • Convenient for working professionals, combining online coursework with on-campus weekend classes nine times per year
  • Designed for students with a master’s degree in psychology or in a related mental health field (e.g., MA/MS/MSW, etc.)
  • No practicum or internship requirements
  • Meets the degree requirement for pursuing California Psychology licensure as a psychologist. (Note that there are additional requirements beyond the doctoral degree; individuals interested in psychology licensure should contact the California Board of Psychology.)
  • Fixed tuition guarantee, federal financial aid for those who qualify, and a range of scholarship opportunities.

Upcoming Start Dates

Fall: September 8th, 2026

What Sets Our Program Apart?

FASTER, MORE FLEXIBLE FORMAT

While many PsyD programs in the U.S. take five to seven years to complete, our PsyD requires just three years and four months. You’ll complete online coursework and assignments whenever it works best for you in a given week and will come to campus just one weekend per month for in-person instruction and learning with your peers.

A Psychodynamic focus

Based on the former Reiss-Davis Doctor of Psychology curriculum, our PsyD program is anchored in psychodynamic theory, which focuses on unconscious processes, psychosocial development, and early life experiences that shape a person’s behavior, thoughts, and relationships. At the heart of the curriculum is the PNT model, which includes:

  • Psychodynamic principles: focusing on unconscious motivations, early relational patterns, and intrapsychic conflict.
  • Neurobiological perspectives: understanding how brain development, affect regulation, and relational experiences shape psychological function.
  • Trauma-informed approaches: appreciating how adversity, especially early attachment trauma, affects mental health across the lifespan.

No practicum or internship Requirements

Unlike most other PsyD programs, the PsyD in Psychodynamic Psychology at SCU does not require a practicum or internship. All our doctoral students enter with a master’s degree, and most are already licensed as mental health professionals to provide psychotherapy; therefore, most graduates do not intend to pursue additional licensure in clinical psychology. To graduate, you will complete an enriching Doctoral Project of your choosing, such as a comparative case study, a clinical pilot program, the design of an innovative treatment manual, a policy/advocacy proposal, etc. This practical, real-world project will enable you to make a difference in the field and community according to your specific interest.

Should you wish to become a licensed Clinical Psychologist after earning your doctoral degree, you should contact the California Board of Psychology for guidance.

UNIQUE INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION.

Most of today’s healthcare colleges offer an “interprofessional education” through which students learn with, from, and about other disciplines. But at SCU, we do it differently. Unlike other colleges, we teach you about both conventional and complementary disciplines—not just one or the other—because we believe in both and we teach both, all under one roof.

An integrative, whole health approach.

All too often, healthcare providers “stay in their lanes” rather than building comprehensive care plans that include other disciplines, professionals, and approaches. In addition, they look strictly at the physical body as opposed to all the factors that may be influencing a patient’s health and well-being—genetics, lifestyle, mental health, relationships, physical environments, community support, and beyond. But at SCU, no matter what program you are in, you’ll learn to blend the best of conventional and complementary approaches (integrative healthcare) and to treat the entire mind, body, and spirit (whole health)—for true lasting wellness.