- OCU's Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology—the only Doctor of Psychology program in Oklahoma—earned full 10-year APA accreditation through 2036.
- Designed around a practitioner-scholar framework led by licensed clinicians, the program boasts a 100% doctoral internship match rate and specialized coursework in rural mental health, advanced assessment and healthcare administration.
- Graduates are actively reducing Oklahoma’s mental health provider shortage by establishing rural practices, leading pediatric and trauma care, and serving diverse populations.
BY ROD JONES
OCU MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
When Oklahoma City University launched the state’s first and only Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) program in 2018, it set out to address a critical issue. A severe, ongoing shortage of licensed clinical psychologists across Oklahoma, especially in rural areas and underserved communities, has plagued the state for the past several years.
That mission has reached an important milestone. The American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation awarded OCU’s Psy.D. program full accreditation for the maximum 10-year period through 2036. The designation reflects the program’s quality and its alignment with rigorous standards for doctoral education in clinical psychology, while advancing the program’s commitment to preparing practitioner-scholars to meet growing mental-health demands.
With accreditation now in place, program Chair and Director Dr. Melissa Hakman hopes the designation will give the program an added recruitment advantage as the demand for psychologists continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of psychologists is projected to grow 6% through 2034, a rate faster than the average of all occupations.
“Within clinical psychology and mental health care, these jobs are growing much quicker than most other jobs,” Hakman said. “In OCU’s Psy.D. program, students are trained to apply that knowledge directly in clinical settings with an emphasis in hands-on experience providing evidence-based services in both psychological assessment and therapy. Their training is guided by active, licensed faculty and supervisors who emphasize the integration of research into clinical practice.”
Early cohorts prove program’s success
The strength of that clinical training is reflected in what happens after students leave the classroom. As part of their preparation, students complete four years of coursework and practicum training before applying for doctoral internships. OCU students have achieved a 100% match rate through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers, successfully advancing to the next stage of their professional training and toward becoming licensed as psychologists. Graduates are becoming licensed while they are entering the workforce, prepared to provide clinical services and help meet the growing demand for mental health care.
Commitment to community runs throughout the program. Dr. Kyla Molina, a graduate who serves Native children and families at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic and maintains a private practice in Guthrie, chose OCU to gain advanced evaluation skills while remaining anchored to local populations.
“I was looking for training that would prepare me to be a strong clinician while allowing me to remain connected to the community,” Molina said. “It's really difficult when you are working in a career already and you want to continue your education, but you want to make sure you don’t lose your roots. I wanted to stay within my community, and OCU really allowed me to do that.”
Molina noted that interdisciplinary coursework in trauma-informed care and advanced psychological testing equipped her to handle complex pediatric caseloads immediately upon graduation.
Although pursuing a doctorate was not part of her original plan, particularly given the time and commitment involved, OCU Psy.D. graduate Dr. McKenzie Sprowls reflects that the journey was well worth it.
“The training I received throughout my academic program, as well as through practicums, and pre/post-doctoral experience, was exactly what I needed to become the clinician I am today,” Sprowls said.
The combination of academic preparation and hands-on clinical training provided a strong foundation for her work and continues to shape the way she serves her clients and their families.
Following licensure, Sprowls expanded her ability to serve individuals and families across state lines through an interstate practice authorization that allows participating psychologists to provide telepsychology services across participating states. In addition, Sprowls maintains a private practice (Horizon Wellness Center) in Edmond, where she works with individuals across the lifespan and provides comprehensive psychological evaluations. She noted that there is no shortage of need for these services, particularly for families facing lengthy wait times for evaluations.
“Being able to provide long-anticipated answers, support families in accessing resources, and help close the gap in those long wait times is incredibly fulfilling work,” she added.
Her journey from master’s-level training through doctoral education and into independent practice reflects both the value of continued education and the meaningful impact psychologists can have in helping individuals and families access the care they need.
Hakman noted that the accreditation status will go a long way to recruit more like-minded individuals who possess servant-leader qualities. Transitioning from initial contingency status to full 10-year accreditation validates the hard work of her faculty, staff and students who were involved in the process. It will open doors for future graduates seeking top-tier internships and post-doctoral positions, providing a vital pipeline for workforce-ready clinicians to practice and serve where they are needed most.
“It's an important milestone that recognizes the program's growth and its work with faculty, students, alumni and administrators,” Hakman said. “For us, to receive full accreditation opens up so many doors to bring in more individuals, develop them for the workforce, and to send them out into the world as trained clinical psychologists.”
