Online Doctorate in Psychology Programs for 2025
An online doctorate in psychology prepares you for research, teaching, and counseling positions. Explore this guide to learn how to choose the best program for you.
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A doctorate in psychology is the highest degree in the field. Earning your doctorate online offers flexibility, making it easier to achieve your educational and professional goals. With a Ph.D. in psychology, you can prepare for advanced careers in research, academia, consulting, and leadership.
Explore this guide to learn what you need to know about earning your online psychology degree.
Online Ph.D. Programs in Psychology
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:Â
The online Ph.D. in psychology program at Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale stands out for its flexibility. Graduate students can enter the program with a bachelor's or master's degree and complete the program in 36-60 months. Although the program does not meet clinical licensure requirements, we like that scholars prepare for career advancement in fields, such as teaching, consulting, administration, or institutional research.Â
Students complete didactic and research-focused coursework to build expertise in areas of human development and behavior, ethics, program evaluation, and curriculum design. A dissertation and two in-person residencies are required.Â
Highlights:
- Complete the program in as little as three years
- Offers an entry path for those with a bachelor's degree but no master's
- Leads to careers in research, academia, and mental health
Considerations:
- Does not meet the requirements for state licensure as a psychologist
- Courses offered on an accelerated eight-week schedule
- Does not hold accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA)
52%
Yes
97%
N/A
$30,032
$30,032
68%
19,019
Private
Northern Illinois University
- Dekalb, IL
- 4 year
- Online
Why We Chose This School:Â
Earn your Ph.D. in educational psychology at Northern Illinois University to explore learning theory and cognition at the doctoral level. Students gain advanced skills in educational statistics, research design, ethnographic data collection, and educational research fieldwork methods.
Scholars can customize their curriculum with 18 credits of cognate coursework in an area of interest or an optional concentration in behavior analysis. The degree requires successful completion of an internship and dissertation. This interdisciplinary program can lead to opportunities in higher education, school leadership, and research.
Highlights:
- Emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to educational psychology
- Prepares graduates for school leadership and teaching roles
- Funding opportunities available through teaching and research assistantships
Considerations:
- Need a master's degree to gain admission
- Emphasizes educational psychology without other psychology tracks
- While the Department of Psychology holds APA accreditation, the educational psychology program does not
67%
Yes
71%
N/A
$9,066
$9,066
65%
15,649
Public
How To Choose an Online Ph.D. Program
Finding an online doctorate in psychology program that fits your goals and learning style requires careful research. Tuition costs and the availability of financial aid rank among the most important considerations. Pay attention to other key factors such as accreditation and academic quality, admission criteria, career focus, and the flexibility of program requirements.
Accreditation
Accreditation ensures that a school or program meets high academic standards. The American Psychological Association (APA) offers programmatic accreditation for psychology Ph.D. programs but does not accredit fully online doctorate in psychology programs.
Keep in mind that a lack of APA accreditation may impact your ability to pursue licensure and practice as a clinical or counseling psychologist, depending on requirements in your state. Before pursuing an online doctorate in psychology program, find out whether APA accreditation is required to achieve your career goals.
Admission Requirements
Because specific acceptance criteria vary by program, make sure you meet and understand the admission and application requirements. Application requirements for most doctorate in psychology programs include at least a bachelor’s in psychology, a strong GPA, a personal statement, and recommendation letters. Some schools may ask for relevant research experience and how your interests align with their curriculum focus.
Career Relevance
Although fully online programs lack the APA accreditation required for clinical licensure, an online Ph.D. program can still prepare you for career opportunities that do not require direct clinical practice. These careers can include administration and leadership, consulting, teaching and research, and specialized areas, such as forensic psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, marketing, and human resources.
Flexibility
The flexibility of online learning makes it an appealing choice for students with work or personal responsibilities. However, not all programs feature the same residency requirements and course delivery formats. Consider whether your schedule and learning style work best with a self-paced, fully online format, a more structured program with fixed class meeting times, or a hybrid model that requires some on-campus components.
Cost and Financial Aid
The overall cost of your degree depends on several factors, including whether you qualify for in-state tuition discounts, attend a public or private institution, or receive financial aid and scholarships. Doctorate in psychology programs may offer funding opportunities through teaching or research assistantships.
How To Apply to an Online Ph.D. Program
Admission requirements vary by program but commonly include documentation of previous degrees, minimum GPA, recommendations, and a statement of purpose. The more selective programs may have additional requirements such as research experience, advanced coursework, higher GPA, and GRE scores. Almost every school will require you to submit an application fee.
- 1
A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree
Online programs typically require a master’s degree in psychology or a related field, although some direct-entry programs admit bachelor-degree holders or applicants with non-psychology backgrounds. To qualify for admission to most programs, you must complete prerequisites in developmental and abnormal psychology, biology, physiology, statistics, and research methods.
- 2
Grade Point Average
Before submitting your application, make arrangements to send official transcripts from the schools you previously attended, documenting the courses you took and your grades. You typically need a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, although more selective enrollment programs may require a 3.2 GPA or higher.
- 3
Standardized Tests
In recent years, graduate psychology programs have shifted their admission criteria away from an emphasis on standardized tests. Some programs still require applicants to submit scores from the GRE general test, and may also request GRE Psychology Subject Test scores. However, for most psychology doctorates, the GRE is optional but high scores may boost your acceptance chances.
- 4
Additional Required Materials
Many applications require a personal statement describing how prepared you are for graduate work and how your professional and research interests fit with the program’s faculty and curriculum focus. You may also need two or more letters of recommendation from advisors, faculty, or work supervisors that address your academic ability and research experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psychology Doctorates
A Ph.D. program takes between four and eight years, depending on the number of credits, internship requirements, and type of specialization. It generally requires more time than a Psy.D. program because it emphasizes research and writing more.
