Best Online Doctorate in Psychology Programs

Curious about human behavior, group dynamics, and abnormal psychology? A psychology degree sheds light on our social and emotional world. But if you want to become a psychologist, you’ll need a doctorate.

An online Ph.D. in psychology can prepare you for careers in counseling psychology, clinical psychology, school psychology, and other specialties. And an online learning format makes it easier to reach your educational goals. Learn how to choose a program and launch your career as a psychologist.

Accreditation matters when earning an online doctoral degree in psychology. That’s because you’ll have a better chance at landing an internship during your doctoral program if you attend an accredited program.

What’s more, states require psychologists to graduate from an accredited program to apply for licensure.

Here’s how college accreditation works: Independent accrediting agencies evaluate colleges and universities. They research student learning outcomes, faculty qualifications, and academic standards.

Programs within a university can also apply for accreditation from specialized agencies dedicated to the field. You can look up accreditation for a school or program.

When researching Ph.D. programs in psychology, look for programs accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). These programs meet the highest standards for training psychologists.

While APA does not accredit online-only programs, it does accredit hybrid programs and Ph.D. programs with some online coursework. APA’s accredited program database provides more information on accredited doctoral programs in psychology.

An online doctorate in psychology generally costs anywhere from $50,000-$200,000.

Ultimately, how much you spend on your degree will depend on factors such as:

Be sure to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — with this, you can qualify for federal grants and loans. You could also qualify for institutional scholarships.

If possible, try to prioritize fully funded doctoral psychology programs.

In addition to tuition and required fees, you’ll need to budget for a good-quality laptop, reliable internet access, and any extra technology or distance-learner fees.

You’ll also need to pay for your state license and exam fees once you complete your program.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), psychologists earn a median salary of $92,740 per year. The highest-paid psychologists work in government agencies and hospitals.

Your specialization can affect how much you earn. For example, industrial-organizational psychologists earn a median annual salary of over $147,000, whereas child psychologists earn a much lower median salary, closer to $60,000.

Your location can also impact your earning potential as a psychologist. BLS data shows that Oregon and California offer some of the highest average salaries for psychologists.

Sources: BLS, Payscale

Becoming a psychologist requires years of graduate-level education and postdoctoral training. Here are the steps you’ll need to take to start your career as a psychologist.

Your journey toward a career in psychology begins with a bachelor’s degree. You’ll need a bachelor’s to apply to graduate programs in psychology.

A psychology degree offers a strong foundation for graduate-level study. You can also choose a specialized degree like industrial-organizational psychology or opt for a degree in a related mental health field such as social work.

Many majors — including in the humanities, the social sciences, education, and human services — can prepare you for psychology careers.

What kind of psychologist do you want to become? Are you interested in counseling roles or positions in education? Are you drawn to research topics or clinical practice?

Choosing a specialization early can help you find the best program to reach your goals.

Common psychology specializations include:

Next, research online doctoral programs. Some psychologists move straight from a bachelor’s degree into a doctoral program, whereas others earn a master’s in psychology to strengthen their skills before applying to an online psychology Ph.D. program.

When researching graduate psychology programs, make sure to check the university’s accreditation status and the program’s accreditation.

As you compare programs, check whether they offer a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. Both degrees are doctorates in psychology, but a Ph.D. emphasizes research while a Psy.D. emphasizes practice.

You can earn a psychologist license and qualify for most roles with either degree. That said, a Ph.D. generally leads to academic and research roles, whereas a Psy.D. leads to clinical roles.

Consider as well your budget for a doctorate. Costs will vary depending on the program. Look into fellowships, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid to lower costs.

Earning your doctorate in psychology takes a minimum of four years for a Psy.D. and up to seven years for a Ph.D.

During that time, you’ll take psychology courses and work closely with your faculty advisor to develop a dissertation project. You’ll also conduct research and gain clinical skills.

At the end of your online psychology Ph.D., you’ll defend your dissertation. Psy.D. programs may not require dissertation defense, but you will have to write one.

Before receiving your psychologist license, you’ll need to meet supervised training requirements.

Each state sets its own requirements, which you can meet during your doctorate or after graduating. For example, Washington state requires 3,300 hours of supervised experience, with the option to complete up to 1,500 hours after graduation.

Many psychologists complete this requirement as part of their doctoral program. Programs incorporate practicums, internships, and other supervised training opportunities. In some states, you can also meet supervised experience requirements through a postdoc or postgraduate internship.

Check the licensing requirements in your state for more information.

The final step to becoming a psychologist is to apply for a state license.

In many states, the Board of Psychology issues these licenses. Typically, you’ll need a doctorate in psychology from an accredited program, supervised experience, and passing scores on a licensure exam.

Aspiring psychologists in all states must take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). You may have to take additional exams, depending on what state you live in. For example, most states require a state jurisprudence exam, which tests applicants on their knowledge of state laws applicable to psychology practice.

Exam and licensure costs vary by state. In New York, you’ll pay $294 for your initial license, while in Pennsylvania it costs $105 for an initial license and $300 to renew your license.

An online Ph.D. in psychology from an accredited program meets the requirements for a psychologist license. That means you can work in roles such as counseling psychologist, school psychologist, or clinical psychologist.

With a doctorate in psychology, you can also pursue academic and research careers. Most universities require a doctorate for tenure-track professor jobs.

Before applying to online psychology programs, check the program’s accreditation status. Only accredited programs meet the requirements psychology licensure and employment.

Yes, an accredited online doctoral degree in psychology meets the same high standards as those of traditional degrees. Accreditation agencies regularly review programs to ensure they follow the best practices for training psychologists.

Employers also respect online degrees from accredited institutions. Many online universities issue the same diplomas to online and in-person students, indicating that the delivery method does not impact the quality of the degree.

Earning a Ph.D. in psychology generally takes 5-7 years. During that time, psychology doctoral students complete coursework, attend practicums and internships, and conduct research. Doctoral programs also require a dissertation, which doctoral candidates must defend to earn their Ph.D.

Psychologists can practice with a Psy.D. as well. This doctoral degree emphasizes practice and typically requires 4-6 years. During a Psy.D. program, you’ll complete coursework, write your dissertation, and gain hands-on experience through supervised practicums and internships.

A Psy.D. and a Ph.D. in psychology are both doctoral degrees; however, the Psy.D. emphasizes practice and prepares graduates for careers in clinical settings, whereas the Ph.D. focuses on research and typically leads to roles in academia or research.

You can become a psychologist with a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. — both degrees meet the requirements for a psychologist license. If you’re interested in academic career paths, a Ph.D. makes the most sense, while a Psy.D. makes more sense if you want to work in a clinical capacity.

Yes, psychologists can specialize. At the graduate level, psychology students typically choose a specialty, such as clinical psychology, school psychology, or counseling psychology.

Other popular specializations include educational psychology, health psychology, behavioral psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology.

After choosing a specialty, you’ll take focused courses and complete hands-on training in clinical settings related to that specialty. Choosing a specialty early on can help you find the right doctoral program for you.