To become a psychologist, you must earn a doctorate degree, either a Psy.D. or a Ph.D. Psy.D. programs emphasize psychology practice, while Ph.D. programs emphasize research. Learn about the top online Psy.D. programs and how to choose the right one for you in this guide.
Featured Online Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Online Psy.D. Programs for 2024
Read our methodology to learn more about how we create our rankings.
We use datasets from sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
Online Psy.D. Programs for 2024
University of Arizona Global Campus
Chandler, AZ - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Students seeking an online Psy.D. can apply to the doctor of psychology program at the University of Arizona Global Campus. This accredited institution's four-year, 62-credit Psy.D. program explores the foundations of psychology and offers a 21-credit specialization option.
Learners can specialize in criminology and justice, health and wellness psychology, or sport and performance psychology. Students take one course at a time during a 6-9 week term, and must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Over the final year, students complete an applied doctoral project.
Candidates need to submit a free application and official master's or doctoral transcripts that reflect at least a 3.0 GPA.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$13,280
Out-of-state
$13,280
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$13,720
Out-of-state
$13,720
Retention Rate
31%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
40,362
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
What to Look for in an Online Psy.D. Program for 2024
Your personal preferences and interests dictate many factors when choosing an online Psy.D. program, such as professors with an interest in your thesis topics, program size, and offered coursework. Other factors are more objective, including:
-
Accreditation
One of the most important factors in choosing an online Psy.D. program is whether it is accredited. You must graduate from an accredited program to earn a psychology license. All programs in this ranking or on this website hold accreditation.
-
Typical Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for an online Psy.D. program not only inform you of how likely you are to be admitted, but what the school values in its students.
-
Cost
The cost of an online Psy.D. program is a major consideration. Psy.D programs can be expensive, even with generous financial aid.
See AlsoWhat Is a PsyD? [2024 Guide] -
Financial Aid Options
When calculating the cost of an online Psy.D. program, consider available financial aid and whether you will qualify for loan forgiveness programs after graduation.
-
Staff-to-Student Ratio
While the school and program size are a matter of preference, the higher the staff-to-student ratio, the more likely you are to receive personal attention in your online Psy.D. program.
Choosing the Right Online Psy.D. Program for You
1. Determine Your Personal and Professional Goals
Your choice of an online Psy.D. program can directly affect your professional career and personal life. The more you know about your interests and goals, the better informed your choice. Some factors to consider include:
- Skill Set: What are your strengths and areas that need development? What situations make you feel comfortable or uncomfortable with your skills?
- Interests/Passion: What kind of psychology fascinates you? Do you want to understand more about family and relationship dynamics, how organizations and people affect one another, how to address abnormal psychology, or how children learn?
- Desired Career: What do you want to do with your degree? Do you want to work independently or as part of a group? Do you want to have a private practice?
- Desired Salary Potential: What are your salary aspirations? Do you want a predictable income, or are you all right with your salary varying based on your workload?
- Desired Location: Where do you want to live and work? What states or regions are the best fit for you personally and professionally? Attending an online Psy.D. program gives you more flexibility than an on-campus option, but program location is still a consideration when building your professional network.
- Desired Work Environment: What kind of work environment most satisfies you? Do you want to work within an organization where you focus just on psychology practice, or are you interested in building your own independent psychology office?
- Desired Patient Population: What kind of population do you most want to work with? Would you prefer to specialize in children, adolescents, adults, or older adults? Or do you want to help patients with specific needs, such as trauma care or people on the autism spectrum?
2. Accreditation
Accredited universities, colleges, and academic programs meet quality standards. The American Psychological Association's Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA) accredits on-campus doctorate programs, internships, and postdoctoral psychology programs. You can verify a school's accreditation status on the APA's website.
The APA does not accredit online-only programs, and it requires that all accredited Psy.D. programs include an in-person practicum. However, you can find hybrid Psy.D. programs with online lecture classes and in-person practic*ms.
Your state's licensing board determines what requirements you must meet to become a psychologist. Many state licensing boards require a doctorate in psychology from an APA-accredited program as a requirement for state licensure.
When researching online Psy.D. programs, look for a reputable program that ensures a quality psychology education. Accreditation demonstrates to employers, licensing boards, and future clients that you have completed a credible program and have a solid understanding of your discipline.
3. Admission Requirements
A significant part of researching online Psy.D. programs includes checking admission requirements. Examples of admission requirements include:
- Minimum number of credits and minimum degree you need to qualify (usually a master's degree)
- The focus of your degree. (Some Psy.D. programs may allow you to enroll even if your master's degree is not in psychology.)
- The minimum grade point average (GPA) required for your master's degree and transfer credits. Most schools require a 3.0.
- Background check requirements for practicum and internship
- Resume or CV
- Goal statement, written essays, or personal statements
- Minimum GRE or GMAT scores, if required
- Letters of recommendation, if required
- A case study analysis (a pseudo-case study using a background history and diagnosis and presenting analysis and intervention), if required
4. Cost and Financial Aid
Tuition rates for Psy.D. programs can vary greatly, depending on whether the institution is private or public, whether the private school is for-profit or non-profit, how long you take to complete your degree, where the college or university is located, and which specialty track you choose.
According to a report from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average cost of a doctorate of psychology degree was $132,200 in 2021. The American Psychological Association's Center for Workforce Studies revealed that psychologists with a Psy.D. often see higher tuition costs and debt than psychologists with a Ph.D.
In addition to traditional funding sources, such as federal student loans and grants you can qualify for through completing a FAFSA application for Psy.D. programs, there are some commonly overlooked sources of funding for graduate students, such as the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), psychological associations, and the APA.
What Else to Know About Psy.D. Programs
Teaching Style
Student-teacher interaction is important, particularly for students seeking personalized educational experiences or wanting to specialize in the field. In contrast, students may look to professors to emulate teaching styles in the classroom.
A student's learning and motivation may be influenced by classroom interaction. Therefore, the professors' teaching style in your chosen institution could be a significant factor in your overall success in graduate school.
Staff-to-Student Ratio
The student-teacher ratio could indicate how many classmates you will have in each course. Even though these two statistics are often linked, there is more to this number than the class size. Instead, this ratio is associated with professors' workload and availability to help students individually.
Professors who work with fewer students have a higher likelihood of adapting their teaching methods to their students' learning styles. A lower ratio also reduces the professors' workload, increasing their ability to focus on quality over quantity in their teaching abilities.
Retention and Job Placement
The percentage of students who complete the Psy.D. program, job placement rates, and program retention numbers are statistics that provide evidence of a successful Psy.D. program.
Most universities and colleges offer statistics on retention rates and a specific list of the jobs in the field a student obtained. This information might be found on the institution's website or from an admissions counselor and should be part of your research when considering Psy.D. programs.
Hybrid and Online Options
Most states require applicants of psychology licensure to complete a doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-accredited program. The APA does not accredit any fully online doctoral programs because licensed psychologists must complete a certain amount of practicum hours. But that does not mean programs that incorporate some amount of online learning are not eligible.
The APA accredits hybrid programs, which host courses online and require internships to be attended in person. This gives students the freedom to learn from home much of the time, but also gain hands-on experience necessary to qualify for licensure.
Some hybrid programs require students to live reasonably close to campus so they can occasionally attend classes in person. Others accommodate students that live farther away by having students come to campus for a short period of intensive sessions, often 1-2 weeks over the summer.
Practical Experience Requirements
Students in psychology programs are required to complete practic*ms and internships, preparing them for working with clients in the real world.
State requirements for the number of clinical hours necessary for Psy.D. students vary, but according to the APA, the average number of practicum hours required before starting an internship is 1,094.
As part of their practicum program, students get hands-on experience working with clients and a licensed psychologist. An internship involves a certain number of hours in which Psy.D. students work with clients directly, which can include individual, group, or couples counseling.
Internships are also supervised by a licensed psychologist. Some institutions require specific practic*ms or internships, and others allow students to locate these opportunities outside the program's affiliations. Most Psy.D. programs assist students with seeking internships or practic*ms.
Psy.D. Career Paths
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical psychology emphasizes diagnosing and treating serious mental health conditions. Professionals focus on assessing clients, diagnosing mental health conditions, and providing treatment. While clinical psychologists can work in a range of settings, they are more likely to work in private practice, hospitals, and inpatient facilities.
$90,130
11% increase from 2022-2032
Counseling Psychologist
Counseling psychology emphasizes talk therapy with clients to assist them in addressing challenges to their mental well-being. They provide counseling in group and individual settings to help clients identify and solve challenges in their emotional health, relationships, work, or other aspects of their lives.
$90,130
11% increase from 2022-2032
School Psychologist
School psychologists work in schools, including K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. They provide students with psychological support and, depending on the situation and age of the student, also work with teachers, other staff, or families. Unlike other psychologists, school psychologists have an Ed.S. degree rather than a Psy.D. or a Ph.D.
$81,500
1% increase from 2022-2032
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychology addresses the areas where law and psychology overlap. They may work in criminal law or in civil law, especially in family matters. In civil law, they may address family issues, workers' compensation, guardianship, or other matters. In criminal law, they may address issues, such as mental competence of those accused of crimes, diminished capacity, or sentencing considerations.
$106,420
5% increase from 2022-2032
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psy.D. Programs
Are online Psy.D. degrees respected?
Hybrid Psy.D. programs, or Psy.D. programs that offer lecture classes online, are just as respected as fully on-campus options. These programs also offer the same diploma and are subject to the same accreditation requirements. However, fully online Psy.D. programs are not as respected because the APA requires in-person internships as part of all accredited doctoral programs to prepare you for licensure.
Is a Psy.D. harder than a Ph.D.?
Whether a Psy.D. program or a Ph.D. program is harder depends on your strengths, though both can be challenging. A Ph.D. program emphasizes research, while Psy.D. study emphasizes preparing for practice.
Are Psy.D. programs worth it?
Whether a Psy.D. program is worth it depends on your financial and personal goals. Psychologists earn above-average salaries, and many find satisfaction in helping clients. However, earning a doctorate takes time, effort, and money.
How long does it take to get a Psy.D.?
Depending on the program's pace, it generally takes 4-6 years to complete an on-campus or online Psy.D. program. After graduating, you must complete a period of supervised experience and meet other state licensing requirements before you can practice independently.
Page last reviewed on November 22, 2023. This page's information — not including school descriptions — was reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Psychology.org.
