Online Doctorate Degrees In Psychology

If you want to become a psychologist but aren't in a position to earn a doctoral degree on campus, an online psychology doctorate might be the solution. With online courses, you can earn your doctor of philosophy in psychology (Ph.D.) or doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) without having to live near the campus or travel.

An online doctoral degree in psychology generally takes 5-7 years to complete. The duration depends on whether students pursue a Psy.D. or Ph.D. in psychology. Learners pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology online must still complete fieldwork or an internship in person, which can lengthen the time it takes to earn the degree.

Some online Ph.D. psychology programs allow degree candidates to fully pace themselves with lectures and exams. Others follow a set class schedule with designated lectures and exam times. The latter style often groups students in a cohort for the duration of their degree. Online programs with stricter deadlines may take longer to finish than programs with self-paced curriculums.

Students also come to understand research ethics and proper American Psychological Association (APA) citation. They learn how to apply psychological research to real-world situations and eventually complete a doctoral dissertation to conclude their degree. See below for common courses for students pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology online.

There are many exciting concentrations available in psychology; many of these are available as part of an online doctorate. The core doctoral curriculum includes core courses, and you can pursue your concentration in your elective courses, fieldwork, and thesis.

Parents or guardians with small children could also save money on childcare and transportation costs by pursuing a doctorate in psychology online. However, in some cases on-campus housing subsidized by the university can be cheaper than living off campus, especially in major cities.

Many universities also offer cutting-edge technology on campus that could benefit those earning their doctorate in psychology online. According to the APA, graduates with a master's degree in psychology accrue about $60,000 in debt, compared to $78,000 for a Ph.D. and $146,000 for a Psy.D.

The course curriculum and diploma is the same, whether you earn your psychology doctorate online or on campus. However, the logistics are different, and you need to decide which psychology program format works best for you.

Students enrolled in an online doctorate in psychology program must fulfill more than just basic course requirements. An accredited psychology program also encompasses mandatory field work along with either clinical hours or an in-person internship. Some programs require online learners to attend specialized classes on campus before graduating.

It should be noted that the APA does not accredit online doctoral programs in psychology. It is up to each state's licensing board to determine if a candidate is eligible for licensure from a nonaccredited program.

The decision to pursue a doctoral degree is never easy: A lot of time, energy, and money are involved. But if you know what you're getting into, an online doctorate in psychology can open up a whole world of cool career options.

For example, Dr. Erin Reynolds used her doctorate in psychology to become a clinical sports neuropsychologist. She's now the Director of Baylor Scott and White Sports Concussion Program in Texas, as well as the team neuropsychologist for the NFL Dallas Cowboys, the WNBA Dallas Wings, and the entire XFL minor league.

A doctorate in psychology will give you access to higher-paid clinical, research, and industry roles with more responsibility and impact. But given how expensive and demanding the process of earning a Ph.D. can be, it's important to make sure the benefits support your personal and professional goals.

In order to create our directory list of doctorate in psychology programs, the BestColleges Rankings Team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). We identified five schools that qualify for our alphabetical list based on the following criteria:

Keiser University's online doctorate in psychology prepares you to make a difference in the world through psychological principles and insights. Keiser's curriculum includes topics from health to cognitive abilities, learning, and developmental psychology.

LU's online doctorate in psychology gives you an affordable and flexible option to earn a Ph.D. in psychology in one of five specializations: behavioral health leadership, developmental psychology, general psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, social psychology, or theology.

NCU's online Ph.D. in psychology offers a flexible curriculum with 10 specializations. In NCU's doctoral program, you can choose to specialize in anything from general psychology to addictive disorders to industrial-organizational psychology.

SU's online Ph.D. in psychology offers four unique specializations: consciousness, spirituality, and integrative health; creativity studies; existential, humanistic, and transpersonal psychology; and psychophysiology. All programs include a two-day residential orientation and an annual five-day residential conference.

A doctorate in psychology can gain you entry into a number of niche, unexpected careers as well. Dr. Corey Emanuel, for example, got his Ph.D. in psychology with a concentration in media. He is now the CEO of his own creative production company.

Meg Embry is a writer at BestColleges covering all things career and education related. An award-winning journalist and editor, she has lived and worked in Canada, the Netherlands, and the United States.\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/res.cloudinary.com\\/highereducation\\/images\\/c_fill,g_face,f_auto,q_auto,h_60,w_60\\/v1659633684\\/BestColleges.com\\/Meg-Embry-headshot_2651901284\\/Meg-Embry-headshot_2651901284.jpg_i=AA\",\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/www.bestcolleges.com\\/contributors\\/meg-embry\\/\",\"linkedin\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"web\":\"\",\"career\":\"\",\"subject\":\"\",\"categories\":[{\"name\":\"Writer\",\"slug\":\"writer\"}],\"interviews\":[],\"events\":[]}],\"date\":\"March 29, 2023\",\"content\":\"Discover why getting your online bachelor's degree in psychology is a great idea \\u2014 and find the best program for you.\",\"id\":37018},{\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/www.bestcolleges.com\\/psychology\\/masters\\/\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/res.cloudinary.com\\/highereducation\\/images\\/v1659632952\\/BestColleges.com\\/GettyImages-1266846583_29679e3e46\\/GettyImages-1266846583_29679e3e46.jpg\",\"title\":\"Top Online Master's Degrees in Psychology of 2023\",\"author\":[{\"id\":26250,\"name\":\"Meg Embry\",\"description\":\"Meg Embry is a writer at BestColleges covering all things career and education related. An award-winning journalist and editor, she has lived and worked in Canada, the Netherlands, and the United States.\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/res.cloudinary.com\\/highereducation\\/images\\/c_fill,g_face,f_auto,q_auto,h_60,w_60\\/v1659633684\\/BestColleges.com\\/Meg-Embry-headshot_2651901284\\/Meg-Embry-headshot_2651901284.jpg_i=AA\",\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/www.bestcolleges.com\\/contributors\\/meg-embry\\/\",\"linkedin\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"web\":\"\",\"career\":\"\",\"subject\":\"\",\"categories\":[{\"name\":\"Writer\",\"slug\":\"writer\"}],\"interviews\":[],\"events\":[]}],\"date\":\"March 28, 2023\",\"content\":\"A master's degree in psychology can prepare you for fascinating careers or an advanced degree and clinical licensure. Here's how to pick the best school.\",\"id\":29674},{\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/www.bestcolleges.com\\/psychology\\/associate\\/\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/res.cloudinary.com\\/highereducation\\/images\\/v1645721877\\/BestColleges.com\\/BC_Best-Online-Associate-in-Psychology-Programs\\/BC_Best-Online-Associate-in-Psychology-Programs.jpg\",\"title\":\"The Top Online Associate in Psychology Degree Programs\",\"author\":[{\"id\":24735,\"name\":\"Alison Plaut\",\"description\":\"Alison Plaut has been writing for educational nonprofit organizations and financial publications for more than 15 years. She is passionate about helping people empower themselves while making a positive impact on society. She is qualified to help individuals and businesses achieve the triple bottom line of environmental, social, and financial profitability.\\r\\n\\r\\nAlison has an MBA in sustainability from Maharishi International University.\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/res.cloudinary.com\\/highereducation\\/images\\/c_fill,g_face,f_auto,q_auto,h_60,w_60\\/v1663942705\\/BestColleges.com\\/Alison-Plaut-headshot_48497f3066\\/Alison-Plaut-headshot_48497f3066.jpg_i=AA\",\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/www.bestcolleges.com\\/contributors\\/alison-plaut\\/\",\"linkedin\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"web\":\"\",\"career\":\"\",\"subject\":\"Sustainability, business\",\"categories\":[{\"name\":\"Writer\",\"slug\":\"writer\"}],\"interviews\":[],\"events\":[]}],\"date\":\"March 29, 2023\",\"content\":\"Begin on your path toward an online associate's degree in psychology today. Read through our expert's rankings to figure out which psychology associate degree program is right for you.\",\"id\":23453}]; Explore More College Resources View all Organizational Psychology Careers by Connie Smith March 22, 2023 What Are the Different Types of Psychology Degrees by Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D. March 29, 2023 by Staff Writers March 31, 2023 BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

While many psychology doctorate holders pursue careers in academia, a good number seek paths in nonacademic settings, such as nonprofit organizations, foundations, and research institutes. Gain the practical training and insights to impact lives and make valuable contributions as a researcher, consultant, or organizational leader.

Curious about human behavior, group dynamics, an