William James College to Launch Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology in Rhode Island

Providing extensive training, the new program will help build the behavioral health workforce pipeline across the Ocean State.

Newton, MA — July 8, 2026 —The Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) and its Academic Affairs and Student Success Committee (AASSC) has authorized William James College (WJC) to offer an in-person Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program in Rhode Island. The program will be based at the Roger Williams University (RWU) Extension School in Providence, with its inaugural cohort set to enroll in Fall 2027.

William James College’s PsyD in Clinical Psychology, offered for more than 50 years at its Newton, Massachusetts campus, is recognized as one of the largest and most respected programs of its kind in the nation. The Rhode Island program builds on the College’s longstanding partnerships and workforce development efforts in the state which include the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services Ladders to Licensure initiative (L2L), which expands access to training, tuition support, and employer partnerships across the state.

In addition, the College recently received a three-year, $500,000 grant from the Rhode Island Foundation to support the expansion of its Behavioral Health Service Corps (BHSC) in Rhode Island. The BHSC is a paid, post-baccalaureate gap-year program that places recent graduates in community-based service roles while preparing them for advanced training and careers in mental health. Originally launched in Massachusetts in 2020, the Rhode Island BHSC program was first introduced in Fall 2025, securing positions for students in behavioral health organizations statewide.

The new Clinical Psychology PsyD program responds to a critical and growing need for trained mental health professionals, particularly those equipped to serve underrepresented and marginalized communities.

According to Nicholas A. Covino, PsyD, William James College President, this new doctoral program represents a significant step forward in addressing workforce shortages and expanding access to high-quality mental health care throughout Rhode Island.

“We are proud to bring William James College’s more than half century of academic excellence to Rhode Island,” said Covino. “These new academic, clinical training, and workforce development programs deepen our commitment to the region and play a critical role in preparing the next generation of practitioners to meet the growing demand for mental health services in the Ocean State.”

About William James College

Founded in 1974, William James College is a leading institution of higher education dedicated to educating the next generation of behavioral health and leadership professionals. Through degree programs, workforce development initiatives, training centers, and community partnerships, the College advances mental health and expands access to culturally responsive behavioral healthcare for underserved communities.

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