A Future Decade of Excellence: NAU’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program Earns 10-Year Accreditation

Shadow Armfield | October 15, 2026

From a pioneering vision to a thriving doctoral program, NAU’s Clinical Psychology PsyD celebrates a major accreditation milestone and its growing impact on Arizona communities.

What began in 2020 with approximately 40 students and five faculty members has grown into a thriving doctoral program serving students and communities across Arizona.

Now, Northern Arizona University’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program (PsyD) has achieved another significant milestone: 10 years of accreditation from the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation: the maximum accreditation period awarded before the next review.

The program received the news on August 12, 2026, confirming that it had demonstrated adherence to the Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology. Its next accreditation renewal is scheduled for 2036.

For the students, faculty, staff, and university leaders who helped build the program, the achievement represents years of dedication, perseverance, and a shared commitment to preparing future clinical psychologists.

A large, diverse group of faculty and students poses together in a brightly lit indoor gathering space. Participants stand and kneel in several rows, smiling toward the camera, including a woman seated in a motorized wheelchair near the front. Blue, gold, and white decorations and a banner reading “Cheers to 10 Years” adorn the back wall, highlighting a celebratory milestone. The photograph captures a sense of community, inclusion, and shared accomplishment.

Faculty and students during the program’s 10-year accreditation celebration.

From a bold vision to a thriving doctoral program

The story of NAU’s PsyD program begins with two educational leaders who envisioned new opportunities for doctoral preparation in clinical psychology.

Dr. Fred Wechsler, former dean at Argosy University, and Dr. Ramona Mellott, former dean of NAU’s College of Education, helped establish the program, which launched in January 2020.

Many of the program’s earliest students had experienced an unexpected disruption when their previous institution closed during an academic semester. They found a new academic home at NAU, only to face another major challenge months later: the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these extraordinary circumstances, the program continued moving forward.

Dr. Wechsler began the accreditation process early in the program’s development, helping ensure that its first graduating class of five students, affectionately known as the “Fabulous Five”, could graduate from a program holding accredited-on-contingency status.

That early determination established a foundation for the program’s growth and its current accreditation achievement.

A group of colleagues gathers in a brightly lit indoor space during a celebration or recognition event. Three smiling individuals stand in the foreground: a woman wearing a colorful floral jacket, a man in a light blue button-down shirt, and a woman in a rust-colored sleeveless top and black skirt who is holding a sheet of paper and appears to be speaking. Other attendees stand nearby, listening and smiling. Blue, gold, and white decorations on the wall contribute to the celebratory atmosphere.

Ramona Mellott, Fred Wechsler, and Marie-Christine Goodworth during the program’s 10-year accreditation celebration.

Growing opportunities for students and communities

Since opening, the Clinical Psychology PsyD program has expanded considerably.

Its growth tells an important story about the program’s development and the opportunities it creates for students pursuing careers in clinical psychology.

NAU PsyD program growth and community impact

185 students, compared with approximately 40 at the program’s beginning
13 faculty members and two staff, compared with five initial faculty members
Nearly 100 practicum sites supporting professional preparation
Approximately 70,000 hours of student service to the community annually

These numbers represent more than institutional growth.

Through supervised practicum experiences, doctoral students apply their developing professional knowledge and skills while contributing to services in communities.

The program’s network of practicum partnerships connects doctoral education with real-world professional experiences, helping students prepare for careers in health service psychology.

At the same time, those experiences reflect the College of Education’s commitment to preparing professionals whose work benefits the communities they serve.

What 10-year accreditation means

A woman with short blonde hair and glasses cuts a large rectangular cake during a celebration marking 10 years of the Academic Psychology PsyD program. The cake is decorated with blue and yellow frosting, colorful flowers, and a congratulatory message. Students and colleagues gather around the table, smiling and watching. Blue and yellow plates and utensils complement the festive decorations, capturing a moment of community, celebration, and shared accomplishment.

Accreditation provides an important measure of quality and accountability in professional preparation.

The American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation evaluates doctoral programs against established standards for health service psychology, including expectations related to education, training, and program effectiveness.

Receiving the maximum 10-year accreditation period reflects the Commission’s determination that NAU’s PsyD program meets these professional standards.

For current and prospective students, accreditation is an important consideration when evaluating doctoral training programs and preparing for future professional opportunities.

For NAU, the recognition affirms the sustained work of the faculty, staff, students, and leaders who have developed and strengthened the program since its founding.

Celebrating the people behind the achievement

The accreditation announcement offered an opportunity for the Clinical Psychology community to come together and recognize the people whose dedication made the milestone possible.

Students, faculty, staff, and supporters gathered for a celebration marking the achievement, complete with gold-and-blue decorations, a commemorative cake, and opportunities to reconnect.

The event reflected the relationships that have helped sustain the program through institutional transitions, a global pandemic, and years of growth.

It also recognized the contributions of faculty members who continue to strengthen the program through teaching, scholarship, professional practice, and leadership.

The achievement belongs to the entire PsyD community—from the original students and founding leaders to the faculty, staff, and students carrying the program forward today.

Four smiling individuals, including faculty and students, pose together in a bright university gathering space. Two women and two men stand side by side, dressed in casual and professional attire. One woman holds a peach-colored water bottle, while one man wears a university-branded jacket and another wears a plaid shirt with an identification badge. Other attendees socialize in the background near large windows, creating a welcoming atmosphere of connection and community.

Faculty and students connecting and celebrating.

Looking ahead to 2036 and beyond

As NAU’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program celebrates this milestone, its focus remains on preparing future clinical psychologists and supporting communities through education, professional training, and service.

The next accreditation review in 2036 represents a new horizon for a program that has already experienced remarkable growth in a relatively short period.

Its history is one of resilience, collaboration, and commitment to student success.

The College of Education congratulates everyone who contributed to this achievement and celebrates the continued growth of the PsyD program.

Ten years of accreditation. A growing community of scholars and practitioners. And a future built on the dedication of those who helped make it possible.

Learn more about NAU’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program and NAU’s College of Education and its academic programs preparing professionals to serve Arizona communities.