Report Shows Psy.D. Program Listed Among U.S. Best

The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology program at Divine Mercy University has been ranked one of the best Psy.D. programs in the United States.

Pictured Left: Psy.D. 2019 Cohort

PsyDPrograms.org, a leading online social community for graduate-level psychology students, ranked over 80 APA-accredited Doctorate of Psychology degree programs. Factors considered included affordability, completion time, degrees conferred, and internship placement. The Institute for the Psychological Sciences’ (IPS) Psy.D. program, housed within Divine Mercy University (DMU), ranked 38th out of the top 50 programs.

According to PsyDPrograms.org, “All schools were sourced directly using the data set available through the APA.org website. For prospective psychologists, the APA accreditation assures the educational and professional communities that a program meets certain basic quality levels and industry standards.”

Among the 50 programs, the IPS Psy.D. degree at DMU is unique as it is based upon the latest advances in evidence-based practice, research, and theory, while incorporating principles of a Catholic-Christian understanding of the human person. 

“The faculty at the Institute for the Psychological Sciences takes pride in preparing our students for the rigors and opportunities inherent in the profession of clinical psychology,” said Dr. Suzanne Hollman, IPS dean. “It is our hope that each student who graduates from the Psy.D. program will, through our commitment to academic excellence and science-based practice,  help further our mission to relieve human suffering in all its permutations.” 

The Psy.D. program currently has 65 students and 66 alumni. Students have received training through externships and internships at various sites, including St Elizabeth’s Hospital, Children’s National Medical Center, Catholic Charities, and Veterans Affairs. The PsyD candidates  have also defended dissertations on a wide range of topics that contributes new research to the world of academia.

“On behalf of the Institute for the Psychological Sciences at Divine Mercy University (DMU),” said Fr. Charles Sikorsky, L.C., J.D., J.C.L., president of DMU, “I would like to say that we are grateful and proud that our Psy.D. program is considered one of the best in the country. The hard work of our faculty, students, alumni and staff has made this possible and we will continue to strengthen and develop our program in the future. 

“Our distinctive blend of the best of science with the best of Christian thought about the nature and destiny of the human person enriches the study of psychology and uniquely prepares our students for the challenges and opportunities of contemporary practice.”

Applicants of the program can apply online at the following link:  enroll.divinemercy.edu/psy-d-in-clinical-psychology/apply-now/.

For additional information about the Psy.D. program, contact a representative at 703-416-1441 or admissions@divinemercy.edu.

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Divine Mercy University (DMU) is a Catholic graduate institution of higher education offering degree programs in psychology and counseling, founded in 1999 as the Institute for the Psychological Sciences. The university is dedicated to the scientific study of psychology with a Catholic understanding of the human person , marriage, and the family. The university offers Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in Psychology and Counseling, and the Doctoral (Psy.D.) degree in Clinical Psychology.

Divine Mercy University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award masters and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Divine Mercy University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org)

 The IPS doctoral program in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA). *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 1st Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202)-336-5979 / Email: apaaccred@apa.org / Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

For more information, contact Marketing and Communications Manager Ebony Shamberger at 703-416-1441 x115 or communications@divinemercy.edu.