HPU Doctor of Clinical Psychology Program students with Program Director, Psychology Professor Vincent Tsushima (first row, center).
HPU announced that its Doctor of Clinical Psychology Program (PsyD) has been granted accreditation, on contingency, by the American Psychological Association (APA). This is the second APA-accredited PsyD program in Hawai‘i, underscoring HPU’s commitment to academic excellence and the preparation of future clinical psychologists. Launched in fall 2020 under the leadership of PsyD Program Director, Psychology Professor Vincent Tsushima, Ph.D., J.D., the PsyD program is housed in HPU’s College of Liberal Arts and classes are taught in the University’s downtown Honolulu campuses.
HPU’s PsyD program is characterized by small cohort sizes, fostering individualized mentorship and close academic support.
“Accreditation from the American Psychological Association is more than a milestone, it’s a promise to provide quality education for our PsyD students during their academic journeys into becoming clinical psychologists,” said Tsushima. “The APA sets the national benchmark for doctoral training in clinical psychology, and HPU’s recognition affirms the strength of our curriculum, the commitment of our faculty, and the potential of our students. We are immensely proud to be offering another accredited pathway for those called to serve in the mental health field, especially here in Hawai‘i.”
HPU’s program is characterized by small cohort sizes, fostering individualized mentorship and close academic support. With a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:10, the program emphasizes hands-on, real-world clinical experience through partnerships with more than 20 practicum sites in the state. These collaborations provide students with diverse fieldwork opportunities in schools, outpatient clinical facilities, hospitals, private practices, correctional settings, and community health centers.
Designed as a full-time program over five years, the 128-credit curriculum includes extensive practicum work, dissertation research, and culminates in a doctoral internship. Courses are conducted in-person at HPU’s Pioneer Plaza and Waterfront Plaza campuses. The program attracts a diverse student body where one-third are from Hawai‘i and the two-thirds are from the continental U.S.
A noteworthy characteristic of the HPU PsyD program is that nearly 50% of its current students have expressed a strong intention to remain and practice in Hawai‘i after earning their doctoral degrees. This commitment is especially important as the state continues to face a shortage of licensed clinical psychologists. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Hawai‘i meets only 14.1% of its current mental health care needs, which is below the national average of 27.7% (kff.org). This gap has led to increased wait times and severely limited access to care across the islands, particularly in rural and underserved areas (civilbeat.org).
“There is a clear and ongoing need for more licensed clinical psychologists in Hawai‘i to meet the growing demand for mental health services,” said Tsushima. “HPU offers another accredited option for students, one shaped by secular values of a small, private university, welcoming to individuals from all backgrounds, focused on preparing graduates to serve local communities both near and far.”
HPU’s PsyD “accredited, on contingency” status was granted by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation following a comprehensive multi-year review process and is effective as of April 26, 2024.
For more information on the program, visit hpu.edu/psyd.
All photos by Michael Matsushita.
