Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

About Clinical Psychology

D'Youville offers a comprehensive and supportive PsyD program that prepares students for successful practice as a Licensed Psychologist. The program's focus on clinical training, faculty mentorship, social responsiveness, and ethical practice makes it an attractive choice for aspiring psychologists.

Training includes more than 1,000 hours of supervised practicum experience,  a one-year pre-doctoral internship, and a clinical dissertation. Students may develop their expertise by selecting one of our optional elective areas of emphasis.

 The PsyD program will take a minimum of 5 years to complete.

For questions about the PsyD Program, please contact David Castro-Blanco, PhD, ABPP, Program Director at castrod@dyc.edu or (716) 829-8491.

Accreditation and Licensure:

The PsyD program is designed to meet accreditation standards and prepares graduates for licensure in New York. This ensures that students receive a high-quality education that meets industry requirements. 

Please refer to the NYSED Office of Professions for comprehensive licensure requirements: https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions-index

D’Youville’s Doctor of Clinical Psychology program is not currently accredited. The program applied to the American Psychological Association’s Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation for initial “Accreditation on Contingency” in 2026.

Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979
Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Students are trained in the following profession-wide competencies:

  • Research
  • Ethical and Legal Standards
  • Individual and Cultural Diversity
  • Professional Values, Attitudes, and Behaviors
  • Communication and Interpersonal Skills
  • Assessment
  • Intervention
  • Supervision
  • Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills
  • 11.9%
    Growth by 2030 in Western New York
  • Settings
    Private practice, medical, forensic, mental health
  • 54%
    Increase in positions to work with older adults
  • 24%
    Increase in positions to work with minority patients

Community Counseling Center at D'Youville University

Check in desk in a office waiting room. There is a sign on the wall that reads D'Youville University Community Counseling Center.

On-campus opportunities for clinical training at The Community Counseling Center at D'Youville University. The center offers a safe, confidential space for individuals (18+) to find support, gain perspective, and prioritize their emotional well-being at no cost.

Program Aims

The PsyD program prepares graduates for professional practice with medical, forensic, and mental health populations and can work in a variety of government, private, or nonprofit settings.

Program Features:

  • Practitioner-Scholar Model: gain hands-on skills to provide ethical and culturally competent psychological care
  • Strong Faculty Mentorship and Supervision: close guidance and support from faculty mentors and supervisors
  • Holistic Experience: grow as a professional and as a person.
  • Put it into practice: on-campus opportunities for clinical training at the Community Counseling Center.

Elective Areas of Emphasis

Health Psychology
Students in the health psychology emphasis will gain additional knowledge and experience for providing assessment and intervention within healthcare settings and interprofessional teams. 

Child and Family
Students choosing the child and family emphasis explore the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families within a variety of settings.

Detailed Program Requirements, Curriculum and Plan of Study

woman points at squares on document
man in blue shirt stands smiling at the camera.
Steven Pierpaoli
Clinical Psychology

My DYU experience in one word: FULFILLING. Professors balance the challenging work with attentive support, and my classmates will be lifelong friends. The PsyD program has nurtured a 'clinical mindset' - competence with perspective and an person-first attitude of service - and I've always felt prepared to meaningfully contribute at every step of my training.

Program Requirements

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
  • Core course requirements (62 credit hours)
  • Proseminar and practicum requirements (12 credit hours)
  • Clinical Dissertation Requirements (3 credit hours)
  • Electives (15 Credits)
  • Predoctoral Internship (3 credit hours over a minimum of 3 semesters)
  • In addition to fulfilling these credit hour requirements, students must complete the Clinical Competence Examination

Detailed Program Requirements, Curriculum and Plan of Study

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • Minimum undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.80 (based on a 4.0 system) or a graduate grade point average of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 system)
  • It is preferred that students have a bachelor's degree in psychology from an accredited college or university. If your degree is not in psychology, studies in other fields may apply. Contact the Director of Clinical Training before submitting the application.
  • D'Youville University is a GRE, GRE SUBJECT TEST and TOEFL optional institution.

Please upload the following materials to the graduate admissions office for review.

  1. A completed doctoral application
  2. All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts
  3. A personal statement about your desire to become a psychologist
  4. A curriculum vita or resume
TUITION & FEES

D’Youville University summarizes all tuition and fee information in one location to ensure accuracy and keep things simple for you. The PsyD degree costs are aligned with our standard Doctoral Degree costs for on campus/hybrid programs. Click here to be re-routed to our Tuition and Fees Page. 

Explore Financial Support Options:

Cost & Aid

Meet our Faculty

Relevant Skills and Purposeful Degrees

PsyD Affiliated Training Sites

The program prepares students for doctoral internship placement in APA-accredited and APPIC-member sites. Recent internship placement outcomes

Buffalo Area
  • The Community Counseling Center at the D'Youville Academic Center
  • Erie County Medical Center
  • Erie County Forensic Mental Health Services
  • Harmonia Collaborative Care, Hamburg, NY
  • Oishei Children’s Hospital of Buffalo
  • Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Buffalo, NY
  • People Inc. Behavioral Health Department
  • Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • University at Buffalo Counseling Services
  • UBMD Neurology at Conventus
  • Western New York Children's Psychiatric Center
Western New York
  • RIT Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) Training Program, Rochester, NY
  • Rochester Regional Health Neuroscience Institute, Rochester, NY
  • Harmonia Collaborative Care, Derby, NY
  • Newfane Central School District, Lockport, NY  
Ontario Sites
  • Brookside Therapy, St. Catharines & Burlington ON
  • Center for Interpersonal Relationships, St. Catharines & Toronto, ON
  • Hillcrest Psychology,  St. Catharines, ON
  • West Niagara Psychology Centre, Beamsville, ON

Current Student Materials

MANUALS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS
POLICIES

The program adheres to institutional policies regarding student rights, responsibilities, grievance procedures, and due process. These policies are available in the D’Youville Student Handbook and Code of Conduct and/or on the D’Youville website or online Academic Catalog.

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