The Top 20 Psychology Graduate Programs in San Francisco for 2026

San Francisco is home to some of the most prestigious and innovative psychology graduate programs in the country. With its vibrant culture, groundbreaking research, and wealth of experiential opportunities, the city provides an ideal setting for aspiring psychologists to launch their careers.

In this blog post, we will explore the 20 best psychology graduate programs in San Francisco for 2024 based on factors like academics, research activity, clinical training opportunities, faculty, value, and more.

1. University of California, San Francisco

The University of California, San Francisco tops our list as the best psychology graduate program in the city.

Highlights

• Offers a Ph.D. in Medical Psychology as well as a clinical psychology internship program
• Cutting-edge research across neuroscience, behavioral health, lifespan development, and more
• Rotations at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and UCSF Medical Center
• Distinguished faculty with over $300 million in active grants
• Strong track record of matching students to competitive postdoc positions

With exceptional research activity, elite faculty, and prime clinical connections through the UCSF Health system, UCSF provides unmatched training opportunities that prepare graduates to be leaders in the field.

Website: https://psychology.ucsf.edu/

2. Stanford University

Though located just outside San Francisco in Palo Alto, Stanford University is still within commuting distance and offers one of the most prestigious doctoral programs in clinical psychology nationwide.

Highlights

• Patient-oriented research specialization focusing on assessment, intervention, and services
• Extensive coursework in core areas like psychopathology, psychotherapy, and psychological assessment
• Small cohort size allows for personalized mentorship from distinguished faculty
• Wealth of opportunities at teaching hospitals and clinics in the Bay Area

Stanford graduates have an outstanding record of securing academic medical center internships and faculty positions at leading universities. It‘s an ideal choice for students seeking advanced research and clinical training at the highest level.

Website: https://psychology.stanford.edu/

3. California Institute of Integral Studies

The California Institute of Integral Studies takes a holistic approach to psychology, exploring the integration of mind, body, and spirit.

Highlights

• Ph.D. in Integral and Transpersonal Psychology integrating western and eastern perspectives
• Focuses on the cultivation of consciousness, mindfulness, and compassion
• Research specializations in areas like dream studies, contemplative neuroscience, and psychedelic-assisted therapy
• Small cohort fosters close collaboration with faculty mentors
• Prime San Francisco location near cultural hubs

For students interested in an alternative and progressive take on psychology that embraces spiritual understanding, CIIS offers an incredibly rich graduate experience.

Website: https://www.ciis.edu/

4. Palo Alto University

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto University excels in preparing students for careers in professional psychology.

Highlights

• Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs in clinical psychology emphasizing evidence-based practice
• Multi-disciplinary training clinic serving over 1,500 clients annually
• Rotations at treatment centers, hospitals, and forensic placements
• Distinct tracks focused on LGBT, multicultural, military, and community mental health populations
• Vibrant research environment with over $10 million in annual funding

With intensive clinical experiences and specialized tracks, PAU creates practice-ready graduates equipped to provide quality care in various settings.

Website: https://www.paloaltou.edu/

5. Alliant International University

Alliant International University‘s San Francisco campus provides robust graduate training in clinical psychology oriented around service to the community.

Highlights

• Ph.D. and Psy.D. options available, both APA-accredited
• Emphasis on multicultural competence and leadership skills
• Year-long pre-doctoral internship with over 200 site options
• Hands-on training through the Center for Applied Research and Evaluation
• Curriculum designed around seven core competencies from assessment to intervention

With an actionable skills-based curriculum and extensive clinical hours, Alliant sets up graduates for impactful practice after graduation.

Website: https://www.alliant.edu/

6. Saybrook University

Saybrook University takes an interdisciplinary approach that combines rigorous academics, personal development, and applied practice.

Highlights

• Low-residency Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition
• Explorations of the two-way connections between the mind, body, and spirit
• Specializations in areas like health promotion, resilience, performance psychology
• CIMHS consortium allows for expanded experiential training opportunities
• Blends online coursework with annual gatherings

For students interested in an alternative training model allowing for work/life balance, Saybrook‘s cutting-edge program stands out from the crowd.

Website: https://www.saybrook.edu/

7. Sofia University

Formerly the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Sofia University reshapes the boundaries of traditional psychology.

Highlights

• Transpersonal Ph.D. and Psy.D. integrating science and spirituality
• Focused on transformative growth, creativity, and embodied wisdom
• Courses in shamanism, dreams, meditation, psychedelic research, and more
• Designed for working professionals with hybrid/low-residency options
• Located in the Presidio with access to nature

For those drawn to mystical Approaches that transcend the ego and incorporate expanded states of consciousness, Sofia University offers a truly unique graduate destination.

Website: https://www.sofia.edu/

8. California School of Professional Psychology

Alliant International University‘s California School of Professional Psychology imprint provides robust clinical training informed by humanistic values.

Highlights

• Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs focused squarely on clinical practice
• Optional niche concentrations in areas like health psychology and neuropsychology
• Lines up over 500 practicum sites across the Bay Area
• Final year dedicated entirely to a full-time clinical internship
• Emphasis on servicing disadvantaged/vulnerable communities

With comprehensive clinical instruction guided by social change values, CSPP graduates make caring and ethical practitioners.

Website: https://www.alliant.edu/cspp/

9. Santa Clara University

The psychology graduate programs at Santa Clara University focus squarely on training scientist-practitioners grounded in evidence-based approaches.

Highlights

• Ph.D. with an emphasis on research and Psy.D. focused on clinical work
• Breadth of electives allows specialized training in areas like health psychology
• Over 20 research labs spanning emotion regulation, technology use, moral development, and beyond
• Integrated care training within SCU health system and community partners
• Can complete in 5 years thanks to streamlined curriculum

Santa Clara supplies the advanced graduate training necessary for impact in either research or practice contexts. It‘s an ideal pick for students prioritizing evidence-based perspectives.

Website: https://www.scu.edu/cas/psychology/

10. John F. Kennedy University

The clinical psychology Psy.D. at John F. Kennedy University takes a holistic approach to graduate study centered around self-actualization.

Highlights

• Depth psychotherapy orientation integrating mind, body, and spirit
• Optional concentration in Integral Psychotherapy
• Klein-Reichstag Training Center offers low-cost community services
• Emphasis on diversity, cultural responsiveness, and trauma sensitivity
• Flexible completion timeline up to 7 years

JFK University offers a vibrant alternative model focused squarely on inner reflection and growth. It‘s perfect for the personal exploration-minded student.

Website: https://www.jfku.edu/

11. Notre Dame de Namur University

The small Catholic graduate school Notre Dame De Namur University provides ethical values-focused clinical training in psychology.

Highlights

• Psy.D. program centered around social justice and Ignatian values
• Specialization tracks in Latinx mental health and clinical health psychology
• Geriatric life enhancement program allows specialized training with older adults
• Completion in just 4 years thanks to year-round course options
• Perfect for those seeking ethical, morally-grounded graduate study

NDNU offers a values-aligned Psy.D for those looking to practice through the lens of service and care.

Website: https://www.ndnu.edu/

12. Phillips Graduate University

The Psychology Department at Phillips Graduate University promotes diversity and creative approaches to well-being.

Highlights

• Master‘s and doctorate degrees spanning clinical and school counseling
• Specialized Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program
• Theater Therapy Clinic blends drama and psychotherapy
• Optional mind-body spirituality concentration exploring transpersonal domains
• Over 200 community partnership sites across California

With its creative arts therapies and spirituality focus, Phillips thinks outside the box in graduate study for impactful practice.

Website: https://www.pgu.edu/

13. Golden Gate University

The APA-accredited Psy.D. program at Golden Gate University prepares students for evolving roles in professional psychology.

Highlights

• Highly customizable curriculum aligned with interests
• Distributed model allowing working professionals to remain in their communities
• Specializations in forensic psychology, health psychology, and psychodynamic psychology
• Blend of online and intensive in-person learning modalities
• Emphasis on servicing the counseling needs of marginalized groups

GGU allows students to mold their graduate training to specific career aspirations through a flexible hybrid program model.

Website: https://www.ggu.edu/

14. Wright Institute

Operating on the founding principle that the role psychologists play in bettering lives and communities, the Wright Institute offers robust scientist-practitioner training oriented around service, care, and social responsibility.

Highlights

• Psy.D. program focused squarely on societal needs and intervention
• Optional niche concentrations in areas like Neuropsychology and Health Psychology
• Over 20 specialized clinical training sites across the Bay Area
• Designed specifically for working professionals
• Perfect for progressive students committed to public service

Wright‘s forward-thinking educational model develops Psychologists ready to promote change through activism.

Website: https://www.wi.edu/

15. Chicago School of Professional Psychology

With its student-centered approach, flexible delivery models, and real-world applied opportunities in the field‘s largest behavioral health care coalition, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology supplies graduate training opportunities uniquely tailored to the individual.

Highlights

• Psy.D. program focused on serving vulnerable communities
• Optional themes allowing niche focus areas in fields like health psychology and neuropsychology
• Robust experiential training across the enhanced Beacon network
• In-person and online modalities foster accessibility
• Pathway to licensure model ensures career readiness

TCSPP removes barriers that have long made graduate study out of reach, crafting programs around individual learners for maximal impact.

Website: https://www.tcspp.edu/

16. William James College

William James College takes an interdisciplinary approach focused on developing clinicians ready to support vulnerable populations across behavioral health settings.

Highlights

• Online Psy.D. bringing together leading faculty across disciplines
• Specialized concentrations in areas like existential & humanistic psychology
• Designed specifically for working professionals/career changers
• Field training clinics serve marginalized groups
• Flexible tracks allow completion in as little as 3 years

William James offers an accessible pathway to doctoral education advancing a social justice vision of expanded clinical roles through its online/experiential model.

Website: https://www.williamjames.edu/

17. Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology

The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at William James College‘s MSPP imprint provides robust graduate training grounded in practical skill-building.

Highlights

• Competency-based to develop 10 core areas from intervention to diversity awareness
• Breadth of experiential opportunities across community health centers
• Specializations in settings like community mental health and integrated care
• Designed from the ground up to remove barriers to access
• Learn-by-doing approach for maximal retention and career preparation

MSPP reimagines clinical psychology training for impact by providing pragmatic and progressive experiential preparation in service of the underserved.

Website: https://mspp.edu/

18. American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acting as the clinical training wing of the California Institute of Integral Studies, the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a truly unique graduate program integrating eastern and western healing modalities.

Highlights

• Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
• Holistic understanding connecting mind, body, and spirit
• Optional concentration blending Chinese medicine and psychotherapy
• Clinical rotations across the Bay Area
• Perfect for those seeking to broaden their healing impact

This innovative doctoral program delivers advanced tools for whole-person wellness.

Website: https://www.actcm.edu/

19. Presidio Graduate School

Presidio Graduate School offers an alternative model for business psychology, focused squarely on sustainable systems change.

Highlights

• Systems-level focus beyond just the individual
• Specialized tracks spanning sustainable management, sustainable energy systems, and strategic foresight
• Blend of online and in-person learning formats
• Thesis allows advanced research into progressive topics like evolutionary guidance systems
• Chance to enact policy progress locally in San Francisco or at the state capital

The forward-facing social impact curriculum produces graduates with the capabilities to eradicate systemic harms.

Website: https://www.presidio.edu/

20. Acacia University

Rounding out our list is Acacia University, an accredited online psychology graduate school focused on empowering marginalized groups through education.

Highlights

• Ph.D. in Psychology and consciousness Studies
• Areas of focus span general psychology, clinical approaches, and transpersonal domains
• Designed specifically for minority and international Students
• Low-residency model allowing working professionals to stay in their communities
• Chance to enact positive change framed through ethics and social justice

Acacia provides an accessible pathway to doctoral training advancing pluralistic and liberatory practice.

Website: https://www.acacia.edu/

San Francisco offers perhaps the richest collection of psychology graduate programs in the nation. From globally recognized institutions like Stanford producing leaders driving massive progress on the research side to smaller niche schools focused squarely on clinical skills or consciousness, students have tremendous opportunities to find programs aligned with both area of interest and social change vision.

It‘s an incredibly exciting period for the field, with graduates moving into roles promoting human understanding and progress through missions spanning tech ethics, psychedelic-assisted wellness, preventative community health interventions in vulnerable groups, progressive policy crafting for the evolving needs of the modern era, nature-based therapies and emotional support animal services, and so much more.

The 20 schools profiled above represent the best San Francisco has to offer in higher education for psychology or related health fields in 2024. We hope this breakdown gives you a helpful starting point in identifying the right graduate program supporting your distinct professional passions while allowing you to soak up all of the magicacademic and wellness innovation this amazing northern Californian hub provides.