By offering both the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees, the Center for Psychological Studies demonstrates its commitment to train psychologists both as researchers and as practitioners. The Psy.D. program is based on a model of the practitioner informed by science and the Ph.D. program is based on a model of the scientist-practitioner. Both require clinical training that includes clinical practica, the clinical competency exam, and a 2,000-hour pre-doctoral internship at a site where the student has applied and been accepted.

Beyond the required courses and experiences of each doctoral program, individual interests in psychology are accommodated through elective course offerings. Students have the option of seeking admission to a concentration, in which a series of electives are taken in a single specialty area.

The center's faculty is committed to the development of strong collegial relationships with doctoral students. The development of such relationships facilitates the instructional support available to students as they strive for scholarship and mastery of the roles of the clinical psychologist.