by Imed Bouchrika
A note from the author, Imed Bouchrika, PhD, career planning expert:
In my 10 years of experience as a career planning expert, I have observed online education expanding in terms of both university offerings and student enrollment. Even holders of Master's in Psychology, many of whom proceed to take Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), can be unsure how to seek out the best online PsyD programs available today. However, determining the online PsyD program to take is only the first step in this pursuit so I have meticulously researched both government and academic resources and analyzed relevant data and statistics to curate this list of the best doctor of psychology programs online. This article provides essential features and requirements, empowering prospective students to navigate the competitive admissions process effectively.
Psychology is among the top 10 popular majors in bachelor's, master's, and doctor's degree levels with about 116,600, 27,500, and 6,300 degrees conferred, respectively, in the school year 2018-2019. (NCES, 2020)
Meanwhile, in Fall 2019, 37.2% of all students enrolled in degree-granting postsecondary institutions participated in some form of distance education with 17.6% doing so exclusively. (NCES, 2019)
Accordingly, online psychology doctoral programs have become popular as they allow students to work at their own pace. Students can submit all PsyD coursework and materials through proprietary or third-party learning platforms. Furthermore, some online programs allow students to set their own pace, with minimum and maximum course loads. More colleges are creating programs to meet the needs of students who prefer online and blended learning methods.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (2020)
Choosing the best school to complete your PsyD programs at goes beyond the Yale vs. Harvard comparison. Here are institutions that offer online PsyD Programs, as well as the requirements, sample courses, and financial aids, as well as full-ride and full tuition scholarships, for those who are concerned about PsyD program costs.
The Alaska Pacific University (APU) Doctor of Psychology program began in 2011 to meet the growing demand for psychologists across Alaska. The bulk of Alaska is a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (MHPSA), and the state needs licensed, doctoral-level psychologists. Currently, the APU PsyD program is one of just two doctoral psychology programs in Alaska. The said program is for master-level professionals seeking doctoral-level knowledge and abilities to serve their communities better. The APU PsyD program's unique training style allows it to benefit students in the state's most remote areas.
Tuition: $840.00/credit
Total Credits: 93
Years to Completion: 5
Licensure: Yes
Specialization: None
Admission Requirements: Master's Degree in Psychology or closely related discipline
Modality: Asynchronous coursework and face-to-face synchronous elearning sessions with required three 3-day-weekend intensive in-person sessions on APU's Anchorage campus
Financial Aids: Yes
Sample Courses:
The PsyD in Educational Psychology at Alliant International University prepares students to work as an educational psychologist, either directly teaching or helping to design and implement changes in classrooms and schools. The program focuses on human development, counseling, program evaluation, and research design. It focuses on developing you as a leader to change systems and organizations successfully.
Tuition: $950/credit
Total Credits: 50
Years to completion: 2
Licensure: No
Specialization: Education Psychology
Admission Requirements: Master's degree and a license, credential, or certification to practice school psychology, school counseling, or school social work
Modality: Online
Financial Aids: Yes
Sample Courses:
The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree program at the California Southern University is for people who want to learn more about clinical issues in psychology and how to apply that knowledge in professional practice. The curriculum meets the educational requirements for clinical psychologist licensure in California. The Doctor of Psychology exposes students to both theoretical and practical methods.
Tuition: $545/credit
Total Credits: 66
Years to Completion: 4-5 years
Licensure: Yes
Specialization: None
Admission Requirements: Master's Degree in Psychology or related field
Modality: Online
Financial Aids: None
Sample Courses:
Capella UniversityCapella University offers a Clinical Psychology Doctorate, which combines online coursework and in-person experiences. Internships and residencies help students build skills, while Capella dissertation mentors help students complete their dissertations. Capella's Doctor of Psychology program offers many ways to prepare for licensure. Students can use their skills in the real world through residencies, practicums, and internships. Capella also has a support team to help current and former students with their clinical psychology licensure.
Tuition: $540/credit
Total Credits: 145
Years to Completion: 4-5 years
Licensure: Yes
Specialization: Clinical Psychology
Admission Requirements: Master's degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or from an internationally recognized institution.
Modality: Online and in-person
Financial Aids: Yes
Sample Courses:
The PsyD in Clinical Psychology curriculum at Meridian University includes core, clinical, and research courses to prepare students for professional practice. The core curriculum supports the student's evolving relationship with clinical engagement. This program aims to meet the California Psychologist licensure requirements, among others.
Tuition: $676/credit
Total Credits: 133
Years to Completion: 3-4
Licensure: Yes
Specialization: Clinical Psychology
Admission Requirements: Master's Degree in Psychology or its equivalent.
Modality: Hybrid and online
Financial Aids: Yes
Sample Courses:
The PsyD in Human and Organizational Psychology at Touro University Worldwide is for professionals with the skills and tools to design evidence-based solutions. This program allows students to focus their studies on organizational psychology, leadership psychology, and industrial psychology.
Tuition: $700/credit
Total Credits: 33
Years to Completion: 3
Licensure: No
Specialization: Human and Organizational Psychology
Admission Requirements: Master's degree from an accredited institution or a cumulative GPA of 3.4
Modality: Online
Financial Aids: Yes
Sample Courses:
The University of Arizona Global Campus offers a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program designed for students who are or wish to be practitioners in fields such as Criminal Justice, Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Sport and Performance Psychology, Industrial Organizational Psychology, and others. Online PsyD students become practitioner-scholars by learning theory, research, and evidence-based practice.
Tuition: $1,082.00/credit
Total Credits: 69
Years to Completion: 2
Licensure: No
Specialization:
Admission Requirements: Master's degree from an accredited institution with a graduate-level cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Modality: online
Financial Aids: Yes
Sample Courses:
The PsyD in Behavioral Health Leadership at Walden University prepares students for a leadership or management position within a public or private organization or to start their own. Group homes, hospitals, non-profits, and social service agencies are possible places of work.
Total Credits: 90
Years to Completion: 3
Licensure: No
Specialization:
Admission Requirements: Master's degree (or higher) from an accredited institution and a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0
Modality: Online
Financial Aids: Yes
Sample Courses:
The years to completion stated in this list are the shortest possible time for full-time students. Still, APA gives an insight into how long students typically finish their degrees: Graduates who received doctorates in psychology research in the 2013-14 academic year did so on an average of seven years after beginning graduate school and 8.3 years after finishing their bachelor's degrees. (Lin et al., 2017)
The PsyD is a clinical degree that prepares students to work as psychologists and help patients. PsyD graduates work in private practices, hospitals, businesses, and other settings requiring attention to mental health or human behavior. They can provide psychotherapy to a broad range of patients or focus on a specific group like children or veterans.
Some institutions are making PsyD programs accessible even to students who cannot attend full-time studies by offering online classes. However, online programs vary in more ways than one, like delivering curricula online and overall rigor.
APA suggests that students consider their career goals and how each program aligns with them before applying for graduate programs. Here is a checklist from APA.
Doctorates in psychology prepare students for scientific research, professional practice, or both. Most people get a PhD or a PsyD. Although each of these degrees focuses on a specific subfield of psychology, graduates' training and career paths vary greatly. Discovering the best program for each student starts with a PhD vs PsyD comparison and understanding the differences between the two.
The PhD is the most common psychology degree awarded at private or public research universities. Graduate students interested in scientific research (designing experiments, collecting data, applying statistical and analytical techniques) or teaching are encouraged to pursue PhD degrees. Students must write a dissertation to demonstrate research competency and undergo intensive training in research methods and statistics. Along with research and academic careers, PhD students may be interested in applied work such as health services, school counseling, and business and organization consulting. (Michalski & Fowler, 2016)
The PsyD, created in the 1970s, is a substitute for PhD for those interested in psychological services rather than disciplinary research. The PsyD is usually offered in graduate schools of psychology, either affiliated with a research or teaching university or independent. PsyD programs prepare students to work with individuals, groups, and organizations using scientific knowledge of psychology. Most programs require a thesis or dissertation, which can be quantitative or qualitative. (Michalski & Fowler, 2016)
PsyD and PhD programs can prepare students to become licensed psychologists and take state licensing exams (individual states, not graduate programs, award licenses). Many states mandate the minimum training and competency required for treating patients and serving clients.
Psychology students come from all over. Others are single and work part-time, while others have families. Online and blended learning programs help students earn their PsyD while juggling personal and professional obligations. Many colleges recognize this diversity and offer flexible programs that allow students to set their own pace from day one to dissertation defense. Discover how popular online PsyD programs can help you.
Because the PsyD is clinical, not all works are doable online. Thus, many PsyD programs combine online and in-person work. Face-to-face courses are frequently longer (biweekly or monthly) and less frequent (evenings or weekends). Then there is the clinical residency requirement, which needs completion in person.
Some blended PsyD programs require equal time on campus and online. Others are closer to 80/20.
This clinical degree cannot be 100% online (at least not an accredited one), which means a clinical psychology degree online is typically hybrid. Some reputable, regionally accredited programs offer up to 80% of their requirements online, like coursework, meetings, resources, etc. These programs allow students to complete internships and patient work at approved local sites/organizations.
Regardless of subfields of interest, candidates must submit undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, personal statements, and letters of recommendation to all PhD and PsyD schools. (Littleford et al., 2018) Students must prepare for admission to take a PsyD or any doctoral program related to psychology because the competition is tight. APA reports that in 2018, the admission rate was 13.1%, with the Social Psychology subfield having the lowest rate at 7.9%.
Students need to prepare before applying for the PsyD program. Here are the three most basic PsyD requirements.
PsyD applicants need a master's degree in psychology or any related field. The psychology master's degree coursework shows that an applicant has the knowledge and skills required for doctoral success. Some programs will consider applicants with a master's degree in a related field, as long as they have academic or professional experience in areas like psychotherapy, personality theories, or coaching.
Some PsyD programs look at students' overall GPA. Others only look at students' grades in major courses, focusing on their performance in psychology-related courses. The required GPA ranges from 3.0 for standard programs to 3.5 for more rigorous ones.
PsyD programs want to make sure all students are a fit. A faculty member often interviews applicants to assess their educational background, personal readiness, professional goals, and emotional maturity. The interview could be via phone or Skype for online PsyD programs.
Source: American Psychological Association (2018)
Applying for a PsyD is not exactly a walk in the park. There are preparations needed.
Littleford et al. (2018), in their study "Psychology Doctoral Program Admissions: What Master's and Undergraduate-Level Students Need to Know" published in Teaching of Psychology, list how applicants can strengthen their competitiveness. "First, decide on the type of doctoral program they are interested in pursuing. Second, gain the experiences required and preferred by these subfields. Finally, highlight and elaborate on the accomplishments and credentials preferred by their subfields of interest."
These further findings by Littleford et al. (2018) might help students ready themselves before sending their applications.
A professional seeking a PsyD in clinical psychology should check that a major U.S. agency accredits the program. It will help ensure that the doctorate meets the highest quality standards in the country. It will also show potential employers that students have completed a rigorous PsyD program. This is very crucial to consider because acquiring a doctorate will take at least four years.
Currently, there are no APA-approved online PsyD programs. However, reputable universities align their curriculum with APA standards to prepare students for clinical psychologist licensure in several states.
The psychology workforce has gotten younger and more fluid in recent years. Younger psychologists have joined the workforce. (Lin et al., 2018) The APA's Center for Workforce Studies (2021) reports about 5,000 new doctorates awarded each year in psychology. However, the changing economic landscape, psychologists' reluctance to retire, and the new healthcare law are all threatening many graduates' prospects. (Novotney, 2011)
Nevertheless, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021b) reports 178,900 jobs for psychologists in 2020. The increase in job outlook is at 8% between 2020 and 2030, with the employment change forecast to reach 13,500.
PsyD holders commonly land jobs in educational psychology, consulting, or medical and health services. A consulting psychologist or clinical consultant helps corporations, governments, and healthcare facilities improve and flourish. Teachers, meanwhile, remain in demand as psychology majors have expanded. The number of postsecondary teaching positions is expected to increase by 12% between 2020 and 2030. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021b)
Finally, medical and health service managers, meanwhile, coordinate the activities of health centers. They usually run the entire business in smaller hospitals, while large hospitals may only run one department. Employment in this profession is predicted to grow 32% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. In that time, 51,800 openings for medical and health services managers will become available. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021a)
The states with the highest employment level in Psychologists are Florida, Illinois, Texas, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Florida has an estimated 1,100 employment, excluding self-employed workers. That is double Massachusetts' estimated employment. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020b)
Meanwhile, the top-paying states are California, Alaska, Illinois, Virginia, and Colorado. California's annual mean wage is $124,910, about $20,000 higher than Colorado's. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020b)
Before returning to school, many students and working professionals wonder if it is worth the expense.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021c), psychologists earn a median annual salary of $82,180 in May 2020, with the lowest 10% earning less than $46,270 and the highest 10% getting paid more than $137,590. Clinical and counseling psychologists receive the highest annual mean wages in California and Hawaii at $115,830 and 110,780, respectively (US. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020a).
The best PsyD programs online are designed to aid working students in earning a doctor's degree without taking a break from their work. Nevertheless, it could still take years to finish their degrees considering the internship and research involved. Still, the field of psychology may seem promising with the projected increase in job prospects in the next decade.
Indeed, there is so much that psychology majors can do. However, before deciding whether an online PsyD is worth it, it is best to check an institution's accreditation and the alignment to licensure requirements. It is best to consider locations of practice in terms of rate of employment and salary. Only in this way can one say that an online PsyD is indeed worth a shot. Continue reading about psychology education in our Texas online psychology degree guide.
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by Imed Bouchrika, Phd
by Imed Bouchrika, Phd
by Imed Bouchrika, Phd
by Imed Bouchrika, Phd
by Imed Bouchrika, Phd
by Imed Bouchrika, Phd
