Transform Lives with a
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
at Wheaton College

• Biological Bases of Behavior
• Cognitive Behavioral Theory and Practice
• Community and Preventive Psychology
• Family Systems Theory and Therapy
• Psychoanalytic and Contemporary Psychodynamic Theory and Practice
• Theological Anthropology
• Psychopharmacology
• Neuropsychology Assessment
• Child & Adolescent Interventions
• Advanced Trauma Informed Care

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 and Families
• Pediatric Clinical Psychology

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:

• Neurocognitive Functioning Lab
• Urban Community Health Lab
• Sexual and Gender Identity Lab

For more information on these labs, check out this recent article!

When looking for doctoral programs that combine rigorous clinical psychology training with a faithful Christian worldview, APA accreditation is the gold standard for quality and professional mobility. Prominent faith-based institutions offering APA-accredited doctoral degrees in clinical psychology include Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Biola University’s Rosemead School of Psychology.

Our Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology offers a distinct blend of high-level academic scholarship, rigorous clinical training, and intentional theological integration. Built on a legacy of doctoral excellence dating back to 1998 with our APA-accredited Psy.D. program, this Ph.D. program is currently accredited on contingency by the American Psychological Association (through November 25, 2030).

Wheaton features 7 active research labs, over 150 clinical training partners, and generous financial aid—including departmental scholarships for incoming students ($8,000 to $14,000 per year)—making it a leading national choice for students called to serve in academia, clinical practice, and underserved communities.

All incoming Clinical Psychology Ph.D. students are automatically considered for department-based scholarships, typically ranging from $8,000 to $14,000. Additionally, you may be eligible for other funding options including stipends for research support and conference travel. 

While there are several undergraduate and master’s level Christian psychology programs throughout the midwest, we offer the only APA-accredited, Christ-centered program that seamlessly integrates a Christ-centered faith, empirical research, and clinical practice. Beyond that, our Chicagoland location gives students access to a vast network of diverse clinical practicum settings, top-tier medical centers, and urban community health partners. 

Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology follow the scientist-practitioner or scholar-practitioner model, which intentionally integrates scientific research with practical clinical training.

Our program is specifically structured to produce skilled scholar-practitioners. Students engage in four years of concurrent research and clinical coursework on campus before completing a full-time, year-long clinical internship:

• Research Excellence: Students work closely with faculty mentors in one of 7 dedicated research labs (e.g., Urban Community Health Lab, Multicultural Peace & Justice Collaborative, Neurocognitive Functioning Lab, Psychology and Spirituality Research Lab) and complete an original empirical dissertation.
  
• Clinical Excellence: Students complete extensive practicum placements through Wheaton’s network of over 150 Chicagoland clinical partners—including hospitals, community health centers, VA medical centers, and private practices—preparing them for competitive APA-accredited internship matches.

Both the Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) and Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) prepare graduates to become licensed clinical psychologists, but they differ in emphasis:

• Psy.D. (Practitioner-Scholar Model): Focuses predominantly on direct clinical application, assessment, and intervention, with research training geared toward applying clinical literature to practice.
• Ph.D. (Scholar-Practitioner Model): Emphasizes original research methodology, data analysis, and scientific scholarship alongside clinical practice. A Ph.D. provides maximum vocational versatility, preparing graduates for academia, research institutions, clinical leadership, and clinical practice.

We historically operated a highly successful APA-accredited Psy.D. program starting in 1998 and added the Ph.D. to afford graduates even greater flexibility in original scholarship, international service, higher education instruction, and specialized clinical settings.

Yes. Graduating with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from an APA-accredited program, like Wheaton’s, is the standard educational pathway to becoming a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP) in the United States and Canada.

Licensure Preparation at Wheaton: Wheaton’s Ph.D. curriculum is specifically designed to meet or exceed state licensing board educational requirements across the country. Our program incorporates:

• Core foundational coursework in assessment, intervention, biological/social bases of behavior, and ethics.
• Supervised clinical practicums across four years.
• A required 2,000-hour, full-time clinical internship.
• Comprehensive and professional qualifying exams.

As a result, graduates are fully prepared to sit for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and pursue state licensure.

APA accreditation signifies that a doctoral program meets the rigorous national standards for curriculum, faculty excellence, and clinical preparation set by the American Psychological Association.

Among faith-based Christian institutions, APA-accredited doctoral programs in clinical psychology include:

• Wheaton College (Ph.D., Accredited on contingency through 2030; Psy.D., accredited since 1998)
• Fuller Theological Seminary (Ph.D. & Psy.D.)
• Biola University / Rosemead School of Psychology (Ph.D. & Psy.D.)
• Regent University (Psy.D.)
• George Fox University (Psy.D.)

Attending an APA-accredited program like Wheaton’s ensures that your degree will be recognized by state licensing boards, military healthcare facilities, VA medical centers, and academic institutions nationwide.

In recent years, several forward-thinking doctoral programs have made the GRE optional to support a more holistic admissions process, including us. Wheaton College’s Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology does not require the GRE (the GRE is optional).

While the GRE is encouraged, applications without GRE scores receive full and fair consideration. Admissions decisions are based on a comprehensive evaluation of the whole applicant, including:

• Undergraduate/graduate academic record (minimum 3.5 GPA).
• A minimum of 18 prerequisite psychology credit hours.
• A sample research paper (demonstrating scientific writing ability).
• Personal and professional essays.
• Three strong recommendations (academic, pastoral, and professional).
• Demonstrated alignment with Wheaton's mission of Christian service, justice, and clinical excellence.