The doctoral program is based on the practitioner-scholar model of education for the professional practice of psychology and the integration of science and practice. The program has six goals, nine student learning objectives, and a program philosophy derived from research on professional education.

The Psy.D. curriculum at the Wright Institute solidly grounds students in science and research methods, while challenging them to explore the conscious and unconscious ways in which they and their clients influence the creation and direction of therapy. Psy.D. coursework is integrated with practical experience, providing for the systematic, progressive acquisition of skills and knowledge.

A key theme woven into the Wright Institute experience is the exploration of how social and cultural contexts influence the way a person experiences others and the world. The Wright Institute believes that becoming competent to deal with human diversity is an integral part of being an effective clinician. By enhancing their understanding of the range of human differences, practitioners can work and communicate effectively with a wide variety of communities and groups. At the Wright Institute, students become engaged in the interplay between rigorous clinical investigation and the exploration of how their own experience influences the therapeutic encounter.

The Wright Institute is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Psy.D. program is accredited by the American Psychological Association.