Discover Top Online PsyD Degrees for 2024
Online PsyD programs give professionals in psychology the chance to earn an advanced degree in a flexible setting. Learn what the online PsyD entails and see which schools offer the credential in 2024.
Do you want to work directly with people to make a positive difference in their mental health? Then a PsyD degree may be the perfect fit for you. PsyD programs are dynamic, community-oriented, and focused on helping you develop the practical skills you need to excel in psychiatry. PsyDs are more focused on preparing you to work with people, in communities, or in organizations, while PhDs focus more on preparing you to conduct clinical research.
As you consider earning an advanced degree, you may be concerned about the time commitment, cost, and commute that come with attending classes. Earning your PsyD online can help alleviate some of those concerns. Online graduate programs are designed with working professionals and busy students in mind. When you study from home you can save on fees and other expenses. And, remote learning lets you take your pick from hundreds of excellent programs nationwide.
All this is to say that earning your PsyD degree online is worth considering. We’ve put this guide together to help you research programs and evaluate your options. Keep reading to learn about top programs and find answers to common questions about online PsyD degree programs.
Program Profiles: Popular Online PsyD Degrees
If you’re interested in earning a PsyD online, you have a number of schools and programs from which to choose. Among the many things you need to consider are programs’ cost structure and your budget, as well as the learning outcomes you need to fill the gaps in your knowledge and further your career. The following three schools offer some of the best combinations of cost, quality, and flexibility today. See who stands out for online PsyDs in 2024.
Capella University
Capella University seeks out ambitious, highly focused students for their Online PsyD in Clinical Psychology Program. As a Capella student, you’re sure to be surrounded by peers who are passionate about their work and motivated to excel. Because of this, Capella’s world-class faculty sets high standards and offers the support and knowledge you need to exceed them. And when we say support, we mean it. Students who benefit from structure can opt for the school’s Guided Path program that integrates you with a dedicated cohort and offers more opportunities to connect with peers. Lone wolves can choose to go their own way and connect with peers and instructors on their own terms. Whatever route you choose, you can rest assured that you’ll have the steadfast support of a dedicated academic advisor, academic coach, and faculty mentor ready to help you at any time.
We also appreciate the well-rounded nature of the school’s curriculum. Through a combination of coursework, internships, clinical hours, and dissertation research, Capella students grow into well-rounded psychologists who are equally versed in the theoretical and practical demands of the profession. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to apply for licensure in your state and ready to take on the new challenges and responsibilities you’ll encounter as a PsyD-prepared Clinical Psychologist.
National University
Psychology doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Your patients will come to you with their own unique set of experiences and ways of navigating the world. National University recognizes the link between cultural norms and mental health and goes out of their way to address this relationship in their Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) Program. National explicitly emphasizes the importance of culturally informed care in their curriculum. The school’s diverse faculty are invited to bring their expertise and individual experiences into their teaching and mentorship roles. What this means is that when you graduate, you’ll be equipped to identify the needs of different patients or groups and tailor your care accordingly.
Culturally informed care is central to National’s PsyD program, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other areas and specialties to explore. PsyD students at National can opt to pursue concentrations in various subjects including forensic/correctional psychology, neuropsychology, or integrated health psychology.
The University of Arizona – Global Campus
The University of Arizona’s Online PsyD program stands out for its unique specialization options and innovative course format. The school offers three distinct tracks for their PsyD students: criminology and justice studies; health and wellness psychology; and sport and performance psychology. While most schools encourage students to specialize based on their interests, the University of Arizona encourages students to design their own course of study and supports it with more specialty-specific coursework and unique clinical and research opportunities.
Unlike a traditional PsyD program which runs on a semester-based schedule, the University of Arizona schedules students for 8-week intensive terms, during which students take a single class at a time. This structure gives students the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in a topic or project instead of dividing their attention between various subjects. For online students balancing their studies with other responsibilities, this opportunity for deep focus can improve their engagement with course materials.
Inside the Online PsyD
It’s important to get to know available programs before you apply and begin study. This section answers several common questions to help guide your decision-making process. It looks at popular curriculum offerings, discusses tuition rates, and details what to expect once you graduate and begin to consider job prospects.
What will you learn in an online PsyD program?
Although every program is different, most look to satisfy similar learning objectives. They offer their own unique approach while developing a common knowledge base. Once you decide on a solid school and enroll in its online PsyD program you can anticipate learning outcomes like those listed below, bearing in mind that specific requirements may vary. As a graduate you will be able to:
- Develop and implement clear, evidence-based solutions in both research and practice that solve pressing problems related to clinical psychology and your own area of expertise.
- Apply and assess appropriate principles, theories, and concepts derived from peer-reviewed social science literature when assessing problems and developing measurable solutions.
- Design new, innovative, and rigorous research methods grounded in established best practices that make original contributions to clinical psychology, mental health, and emotional wellness.
- Integrate and communicate insights drawn from scholarly research and clinical practice that broaden the field’s knowledge base and expand its horizons in interdisciplinary terrain.
- Adhere to a discipline-wide code of conduct and professional ethics that both safeguards the privacy of clients and patients, and upholds the rigors of clinical psychology in research and practice.
Popular Doctorate of Psychology Courses
Lifespan Development
This offering looks at human development across the lifespan and focuses on significant transitions and events that may affect mental and emotional wellness or lead to abnormal behaviors. Students consider the age-old nature versus nurture debate and assess common responses informed by cognitive, biological, social, and cultural theories.
Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
Students in this course engage in a comprehensive examination of prominent disorders or pathological states specific to youth and children. The course develops an advanced understanding of theory, etiology, and diagnosis in these areas and begins to build the skills necessary for assessment and research.
Psychobiology
This class surveys the ways that human biology and psychology often overlap and affect one another. Students develop a working understanding of the nervous system and practice identifying how disorders in that system may influence behavior, cognition, and overall mental health. It also looks at proven pharmacological methods of treatment and intervention.
Advanced Psychology History and Systems
In this course students cultivate comprehensive, expert-level knowledge of the history of psychology, its development over time, and its contemporary applications. Material includes the scientific, philosophical, and empirical origins of the discipline as well as the significant paradigm shifts that contribute to new knowledge and research.
Assessment and Intervention
Students in this class learn how to conduct robust program assessments and implement strong intervention models for treatment. The course looks at cultural factors that should be considered throughout this process and examines how certain barriers and contemporary issues may affect both group and individual outcomes.
What PsyD specializations are available online?
Specialization is the name of the game at this level. A PsyD degree is already one way of concentrating your focus by further advancing the skills and knowledge developed in your master’s program. Beyond that, most programs encourage additional specialization in areas like those listed below as means of expanding your expertise.
Clinical Health Psychology
This specialization focuses study on client health and looks at a range of strategies used to address those needs. These include psychotherapy in one-on-one contexts, preventative care designed to reduce unhealthy behaviors, and positive behavior adoption. Most students who specialize in this area go to provide services as clinical psychologists and often work alongside other medical professionals in healthcare centers.
Forensic Psychology
Those who specialize in forensic psychology work at the intersection of mental health, civil disputes, and criminal law. They use their expert knowledge to help solve cases and may be asked to serve as expert witnesses in legal proceedings. They often perform risk assessments and behavior evaluations for criminal offenders. They may also make recommendations on how to treat those offenders with the aid of corrections officials and law enforcement officers.
Neuropsychology
Specializing in neuropsychology prepares you for work laboratories, testing centers, and other research settings. This concentration focuses on brain science and how the human nervous system affects behavior and interacts with cognition. It develops applied treatment and experimentation skills designed to address medical, psychiatric, and neurological problems in high-risk individuals.
Industrial or Organizational Psychology
This area looks at how psychology and psychological concerns influence human behavior in the workplace and other organizational settings. It focuses on the more social aspects of psychology and works to improve efficiency and worker morale. Experts in this sub-field are often tasked with evaluating organizational productivity and developing training programs that support those concerns.
Educational Psychology
Experts in educational psychology look at how human behavior and cognition affect learning and information acquisition, particularly in children and youth. Specialists in this area often look to improve education by designing curricula, counseling students, and implementing program assessments. Sometimes they may facilitate training sessions to help teachers improve classroom management and better support their students.
Geropsychology
A concentration in geropsychology applies mental and emotional health concerns in elder-care contexts. It builds solid expertise in addressing the needs of older adults by examining useful tools that help this population cope with the physical and behavioral aspects of aging. It also looks at how individuals and families can better support their elders within the family unit and other group settings.
How long it takes to finish an online PsyD program
This depends on individual circumstances, but for the most part, you should be able to move through requirements at your own pace. Many schools offer a recommended window for completion, but factors like enrollment status and employment can affect those time frames.
Because this is a terminal degree and tends to attract working professionals already established in their field, many programs extend accommodating options and flexible progression methods. These include but are not limited full-time, part-time, accelerated paths to completion. Individual policies vary by school, however, so it will be important to research and select one that fits your circumstances.
Can you get into an online PsyD program?
Admission requirements are both competitive and restrictive at this level, and most programs use a process comparable to doctoral programs in other disciplines. You will likely need the following items:
- A master’s degree in psychology or a closely related field.
- Official transcripts for all previous academic work. Some schools may require a specific GPA range for these.
- 2-3 letters of reference. These letters should come from mental health professionals who can speak to your readiness for study.
- A current CV or professional resume. Most schools do not require professional experience, but they do look to see how you career relates to the program.
- An extended statement of purpose. This document should speak to your professional goals and your intent in pursuing the degree.
- An academic writing sample. Some programs may ask for a piece of original research or scholarship in psychology.
- Recent standardized test scores. Some schools don’t require this, but others may ask for GRE or MAT results.
Remember to consult individual admission department for specifics. Policies vary and some programs may not implement the same requirements as others.
How much does an online PsyD program cost?
Tuition costs fluctuate quite a bit at this level and individual schools often change their rates year to year. Things to consider in this respect include the type of school you plan to attend, how long the program lasts, and available funding or financial aid. You will also need to factor in your current location, even though this is an online degree. Some schools may charge a flat rate for distance education, but many use different rates for in-state and out-of-state residents. Below are three examples to give you a sense of the costs.
Touro University
Worldwide
Doctor of Psychology in Human and Organizational Psychology
Total Credits: 66
$700/credit
Paying for Your Online Doctorate in Psychology
Earning a PsyD usually comes with a significant increase in income. But you’ll have to pay your tuition first. Online PsyD programs can be more affordable than in-person options, but no matter which way you slice it, tuition isn’t exactly cheap. Fortunately, you have options when it comes to saving on tuition costs.
1 Scholarships & Grants
There is no shortage of scholarships and grant opportunities out there. But it does take some legwork to track them down. Most schools have scholarships available at every degree level that cover all or part of your tuition. But you can also look outside of the school system. State health organizations, professional groups, and private organizations all offer scholarship opportunities for people in your shoes. Looking up local and professional organizations is a great place to start. Check with your advisor too! Many schools keep databases of external scholarships that students can apply for.
2 Student Loans
Many students take out loans to cover their tuition costs and living expenses. If you’re considering taking out a student loan, your best bet is to start with the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Program. Federal student loans typically have the lowest interest rates, plus applying for federal loans means you’ll also be considered for grants and other subsidies. Depending on your finances, you may need to pursue private loans as well. Because they have high interest rates, these can be difficult to repay, and should be considered as more of a last resort. In any event, make sure you only borrow what you need to avoid racking up unnecessary student debt.
3 Other Options
Scholarships and student loans are the two most common routes students take to fund their studies, but there are other ways to go. Depending on the school you choose, you may be offered a graduate assistantship. Assistantships typically cover your tuition costs and provide you with a modest stipend in exchange for taking on teaching or research responsibilities. Assistantships are less common in online programs, but they are out there and worth looking into.
If you are already working, especially in psychology, check with your employer to see if they offer tuition reimbursement or professional development funding. This common employee benefit likely won’t cover your whole tuition bill but can go a long way toward lowering costs.
Accreditation for the Online PsyD
You’re probably already aware of higher education accreditation at the institutional level and its use an independent quality assurance measure. Reputable schools with a rigorous academic focus receive regional accreditation, while for-profit colleges and those with technical or vocational programs usually obtain national accreditation. These credentials are administered by bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education.
Individual programs sometimes enjoy programmatic accreditation in addition to institutional accreditation. This supplementary credential accompanies regional or national accreditation and demonstrates that the program in question meets or exceeds discipline-specific standards of quality and excellence. Not all online PsyD programs will hold programmatic accreditation, but those that do receive it from entities like the American Psychological Association (APA).
Charting Your Path: After the Online PsyD
This section looks at some common opportunities available to you after graduation (if you don’t have a position lined up already). Now that you have earned your online PsyD, you can take full advantage of job prospects and earning potential. What next steps should you take? Will you need additional credentials or education? We answer these and other pressing questions below.
What can you do with an online doctorate in psychology?
Immediately entering the workforce or advancing an existing career are among the most popular paths, but they aren’t the only options. The chart below maps out several different trajectories that loosely follow two different paths: research or practice.
If you are interested in working as a practitioner then an online PsyD is really all you need other than state-level licensure. Professionals on this path often work as clinical, forensic, or school psychologists. They provide health services to individuals and other entities, and often work in nonprofits, mental health facilities, corrections agencies, and education outlets.
Just because an online PsyD is a practice-oriented degree doesn’t mean you can’t work in research settings, but it will require an additional step. If you are interested in using your expertise as a practitioner to inform other scholarly endeavors, you can pursue additional advanced degrees in psychology. Some degree-holders do this to become teachers or professors in postsecondary settings. Others may pursue it because it qualifies them for work as applied scientists and in laboratories, hospitals, and other research facilities.
How much do online PsyD holders make?
Salary prospects for this degree are commensurate with its status as a terminal degree and one of the highest levels of educational attainment in psychology. For example, BLS reports that clinical and school psychologists earn a median annual wage of $87,450. Both salary profiles exceed the national average for all occupations by more than 50%. Industrial and organization psychologists see an even greater boost, earning up to $92,880 each year on average. The table below lists additional careers along with their salary potential.
| Career | Median National Annual Salary (2019) | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychologist | $80,370 | $45,380 | $132,070 |
| Medical Scientist | $88,790 | $49,020 | $159,680 |
| Postsecondary Teacher | $79,540 | $40,480 | $174,960 |
Related Degrees to the PsyD
Many people earn an online PsyD as one of the last steps in their academic career. That said, there are still plenty of opportunities even though this is a terminal degree. In fact, if you are interested in interdisciplinary work or developing expertise in areas adjacent to psychology, this could be a good option. You can explore other disciplines or specialization in an additional psychology sub-field. Below we list a few possibilities for both.
This degree supplements the skills gained in your PsyD program by bringing the study of psychology into sharper research focus. Most professionals pursue this program because they are interested in producing original scholarly work or teaching psychology at a major college or graduate school.
This program draws on the same broad knowledge base as a PsyD but channels its applications in areas that promote social well-being, community development, and public health. Professionals with this degree often go on to work in clinical practice or nonprofit administration. They sometimes manage a staff of qualified case managers and may take on their own case load at times if it fits their skill profile.
PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology
Professionals in this course of study build additional expert skills that relate psychology to neuroscience. Graduates conduct experiments and engage in scientific research using innovative neuroimaging tools to develop new methods of diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Additional specializations may include neuroanatomy and neurobiology, psychopharmacology, and neuropathology.
PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience
This degree is similar to the previous one, but focuses on the more behavioral aspects of neuroscience. It applies principles derived from both biology and psychology to determine how normal and pathological behaviors develop and take hold. Degree-seekers often focus on sense perception, biological sleep rhythms, motivated behavior, and learning and memory.
Resources for PsyD Students
American Board of Professional Neuropsychology (ABN)
American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)
American Psychological Association (APA)
Associate for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
Association for Psychological Science (APS)
