20 Best PsyD Programs in New York, NY (2023 Updated)
Pursuing a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree opens doors to an enriching career helping others improve their mental health and wellbeing. New York offers exceptional PsyD programs at prestigious universities where students gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience to promote healing and positive change as psychologists.
This blog post explores the 20 best PsyD programs in New York based on factors like faculty expertise, hands-on training opportunities, career support services, and student satisfaction. Each profile provides an overview of the program, strengths of the curriculum, highlights of campus culture and location, available specializations, and reasons the university stands out.
1. Fordham University
The Clinical Psychology PsyD program at Fordham University takes a scientist-practitioner approach that equips students with advanced diagnostic skills and ethical treatment methods. The curriculum integrates spirituality and values-oriented perspectives on contemporary issues. Students benefit from the program‘s partnerships with community clinics and agencies that provide practical training opportunities.
Standout Qualities:
- Partnerships with over 60 training sites across NYC
- Optional specialization tracks available
- Strong career counseling and job placement support
Location: Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan
2. Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University offers a top-tier PsyD program integrating psychology coursework with Jewish studies and ethics. Students develop specialized expertise in areas like neuropsychology and health psychology through elective courses and externships. The program equips graduates to open private practices and assume leadership roles advancing the field.
Standout Qualities:
- Emphasis on personal growth and self-awareness
- Robust network of practicum training sites
- Vibrant campus life with many networking opportunities
Location: Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan
3. Pace University
The Doctor of Psychology program at Pace University prepares graduates to practice humanistic psychotherapy and lead systemic change. Students complete clinical placements across New York City where they gain substantial experience providing care in diverse settings. Pace University partners with clinics, hospitals, and agencies to open doors for graduates.
Standout Qualities:
- Small class sizes (fewer than 10 students admitted per year)
- Option to co-develop new elective courses
- Inviting campus environment supporting personal and professional growth
Location: Lower Manhattan at One Pace Plaza
4. Long Island University
Long Island University offers a PsyD rooted in the scientist-practitioner model where students master theoretical foundations while developing clinical skills. The program provides clinical experience across Long Island where students assist underserved, diverse populations. Graduates have high doctoral licensing exam pass rates and readily obtain rewarding positions.
Standout Qualities:
- Faculty chosen for their expertise and passion for teaching
- Curriculum flexibility allowing students to guide their education
- Vibrant, supportive campus community
Location: Brookville campus, with easy access to NYC
5. Adelphi University
Adelphi University‘s PsyD program emphasizes multicultural awareness and diversity training to equip graduates for ethical, compassionate practice. Students complete 1,250 supervised clinical hours focused on assessment and intervention tailored for underserved groups. The curriculum also covers the role of systemic factors in mental health.
Standout Qualities:
- Early provisional certification opportunities
- Small class sizes and cohort model fostering collaboration
- State-of-the-art testing labs and training clinics
Location: Garden City campus, 25 miles from New York City
6. New York University
The PhD program in Clinical Psychology at New York University integrates science and practice with advanced coursework in areas like developmental psychopathology. Students work alongside faculty on research analyzing emotional processes and evidence-based care models. The program prepares graduates to pioneer new approaches elevating psychology standards.
Standout Qualities:
- Opportunity to help teach undergraduate classes
- Option to develop expertise in specialized fields like neuroscience or law
- Access to vast NYU alumni network
Location: Washington Square campus in bustling Greenwich Village
7. Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology
Yeshiva University‘s Ferkauf Graduate School offers a PsyD focusing on assessment, intervention, and research in urban settings. Students complete externships providing community mental healthcare, including at clinics serving minority and economically disadvantaged groups. Graduates emerge prepared to enhance therapy access and quality.
Standout Qualities:
- Early provisional certification opportunities
- Chance to help produce academic research
- Small cohorts fostering tight-knit community
Location: Yeshiva University‘s Wilf Campus in Washington Heights
8. SUNY Albany
The PsyD program at the State University of New York at Albany emphasizes social justice and multicultural competence alongside core clinical skills. Students benefit from the university‘s partnerships with clinics and community programs across the capital region, which provide training in school psychology and neuropsychology.
Standout Qualities:
- Curriculum aligning with changing field demands
- Faculty mentors helping students chart their academic path
- Vibrant campus life including 200+ clubs
Location: Suburban Albany campus
9. Mercy College
Mercy College offers a PsyD curriculum integrating psychology theory with extensive fieldwork focused on evidence-based practices. Students complete clinical placements starting their first year while engaging in research analyzing real-world interventions. The program prepares graduates to enhance community mental healthcare accessibility.
Standout Qualities:
- Specialized tracks available, including health psychology
- Small class sizes and cohort model
- Faculty mentors providing individualized support
Location: Dobbs Ferry campus 30 miles north of New York City
10. St. John Fisher University
The PsyD program at St. John Fisher University trains students in psychotherapy techniques addressing issues from addiction to trauma. Students benefit from the program‘s partnerships providing clinical experience across the Rochester area. Graduates emerge prepared to open private practices and qualify for state certification.
Standout Qualities:
- Curriculum integrates faith, reason, ethics, and science
- Close-knit college environment across 100-acre campus
- Strong career support services
Location: Suburban Rochester
11. Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College at Columbia University offers a highly selective PsyD program where students develop specialized expertise in areas from neuropsychology to health education. The program provides training in evidence-based intervention approaches grounded in science. Graduates emerge ready to advance the field through research and compassionate care.
Standout Qualities:
- Access to Columbia University‘s vast research resources
- Opportunity to help teach undergraduate classes
- Chance to work with faculty on publishing research
Location: Columbia University campus in Upper Manhattan
12. New York School of Professional Psychology
The PsyD program at the New York School of Professional Psychology promotes self-discovery and personal growth alongside clinical skills development. Students receive training in therapy modalities like somatic psychology and relational psychoanalysis. The program opens doors to humanistic psychology careers helping clients realize their potential.
Standout Qualities:
- Low student-to-faculty ratio
- Integrative, personalized curriculum
- Vibrant campus environment
Location: Midtown Manhattan campus
13. Sage Graduate School
The PsyD program at Sage Graduate School equips students to assume leadership roles advancing community mental healthcare. The curriculum covers therapy modalities from CBT to multicultural approaches while emphasizing reflective practice and ethical values. Students gain substantial clinical experience during year-long externships.
Standout Qualities:
- Early provisional certification opportunity
- Specialized tracks available
- Supportive faculty mentors
Location: Troy campus near New York‘s capital
14. Molloy College
Molloy College offers an APA-accredited PsyD program where students gain thousands of supervised clinical hours focused on assessment and intervention. The curriculum prepares graduates to practice humanistic psychotherapy addressing challenges from life transitions to trauma. Students benefit from the program‘s partnerships with clinics across Nassau County.
Standout Qualities:
- Curriculum integrating spirituality and personal growth
- Small cohorts fostering community
- Newly expanded campus with modern simulation facilities
Location: Suburban Long Island campus
15. SUNY Buffalo
The University at Buffalo offers a highly esteemed PsyD program emphasizing evidence-based care approaches grounded in science. Students have access to specialized tracks in behavioral medicine and clinical health psychology alongside robust research opportunities. The program prepares graduates to enhance therapy standards and accessibility.
Standout Qualities:
- Chance to help teach undergraduate-level courses
- State-of-the-art chronobiology and neuroimaging labs
- Vibrant campus environment ranked among the nation‘s best
Location: Main campus in Buffalo, New York
16. SUNY Binghamton
Binghamton University offers a top-ranked PsyD program integrating science and practice across the curriculum. Students develop specialized expertise in areas ranging from cognitive psychology to diversity science while engaging in faculty-led research through the Institute for Child Development. Graduates emerge ready to elevate the field.
Standout Qualities:
- Small cohort model providing individual attention
- Chance to help produce academic articles and books
- Bold, innovative campus environment
Location: Vestal campus near New York‘s southern tier
17. Hofstra University
The PsyD program at Hofstra University emphasizes multidisciplinary perspectives tailored for diverse populations. Students complete clinical placements across Long Island along with courses aligning with the latest psychology advancements. Graduates emerge prepared to provide compassionate, ethical care to local communities.
Standout Qualities:
- Robust career development resources
- Curriculum integrating interpersonal, sociocultural, and biological factors
- New state-of-the-art facility opening in 2024
Location: Hempstead campus on Long Island
18. St. John‘s University
The Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at St. John‘s University prepares graduates to open private practices providing compassionate, ethical care. Students develop specialized expertise in areas ranging from cognitive science to existential psychology while completing clinical work across New York City.
Standout Qualities:
- Small cohort fostering tight-knit community
- Chance to engage in groundbreaking research
- Vibrant campus environment enriched by NYC culture
Location: Queens campus
19. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
The Chicago School offers an Ivy League-calibre PsyD program at its New York campus, where students benefit from partnerships providing clinical experience across Manhattan. The curriculum blends rigorous coursework with self-discovery activities empowering graduates to pioneer the field.
Standout Qualities:
- Innovative curriculum aligning with emerging issues
- Robust career development services
- Supportive campus environment
Location: Midtown Manhattan campus
20. CUNY John Jay College
John Jay College offers a highly competitive PsyD in Forensic Psychology where students develop advanced expertise analyzing clinical challenges and legal systems intersections. The program opens doors to careers elevating forensic psychology standards and expanding access to quality care for affected groups.
Standout Qualities:
- Specialized curriculum not offered elsewhere
- Partnerships facilitating work with high-profile agencies
- Distinguished faculty leading groundbreaking research
Location: Midtown Manhattan
Pursuing a PsyD in New York opens doors to rewarding careers improving mental healthcare accessibility and quality across the state. These universities offer top-tier training opportunities helping graduates make an enduring impact through clinical work and leadership roles advancing the field.
