Explore Online Doctorate in Psychology Programs for 2026

Why We Chose GSU: Earn an MPH and Community Psychology Ph.D. in One Integrated Plan.

GSU's dual-degree program enables you to earn a Ph.D. in psychology with a focus on community psychology and a master’s degree in public health (MPH). The dual master’s program requires you to apply to the school of public health and the community psychology program. 

The dual-degree program requires 95 credits over 6-7 years. The MPH requires 42 credits, including core courses, a thesis or capstone project, an internship, and a combination of core and elective courses in epidemiology or health promotion and behavior. The community psychology concentration requires 62 credits in core courses, statistics, research methods, and electives, as well as reading for general exams, doctoral research for the dissertation, a thesis project, and a practicum. 

Other Highlights

• Most Ph.D. students typically receive up to $20,000 in stipends and tuition waivers, although the availability of funding varies. 
• You can use community psychology coursework for 9-12 credits toward your MPH with a grade of B or better. 
• Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association.

Considerations

• In-state, on-campus tuition per hour costs $518, not including mandatory fees.
• Out-of-state, on-campus tuition costs $1,458 per hour, excluding mandatory fees. 
• One application cycle for fall admission. 

Why We Chose Marquette: Ideal for Students Seeking Education from a Private, Faith-Based University.

Marquette's doctorate in psychology is an 81-credit program that can be completed in 4 to 5 years. It includes supervised clinical practice, a master's thesis, a doctoral qualifying examination, a doctoral dissertation, and a 12-month pre-doctoral internship. 

While Marquette is a private, faith-based university, students, trainees, staff, or faculty do not have to comply with specific policies or practices related to the institution’s affiliation or purpose.

Other Highlights

• You can earn up to 30 credits if you hold a relevant master’s degree. 
• Accredited by the American Psychological Association
• All students who remain in good standing receive 100% tuition remission, worth over $20,500 per year, and a monthly stipend for the first three years of the program. 

Considerations

• Requires on-campus instruction and on-site externship sites.
• Jesuit institution 
• Tuition costs $1,400 per credit hour.

Why We Chose NMSU: Offers Unique Emphasis in Engineering Psychology

We chose NMSU's doctoral program in psychology for its concentration in engineering psychology, which enables students to research human-machine systems. Doctoral students can also specialize in cognitive or social psychology. 

The program requires 40 to 70 credits. You’ll complete a core course in your concentration, pass an oral and written comprehensive exam, and research and defend a doctoral dissertation. The program also requires you to complete at least 10 weeks of internship or teach one undergraduate class. 

If you did not complete an adequate master’s thesis that contains empirical research, you may have to complete a master’s thesis and take additional courses to satisfy that requirement. 

Other Highlights

• The program requires 3-4 years of study following the completion of a related master’s degree.
• Public land-grant research university
• Coursework completed in the university's M.A. program can be applied toward the Ph.D. program. 

Considerations

• In-state tuition costs $4,586 per semester for full-time students, and $345 per credit for up to 14 credits for part-time students as of spring 2025. 
• Out-of-state tuition costs 13,747 per semester for full-time students, taking 15 credits or more. Part-time, out-of-state tuition costs $419 per credit for up to six credits, and $1,060 per semester for seven or more credits. 
• Students must complete the Qualifying Examination in their first semester of enrollment. 

Why We Chose SIU: Offers Dedicated Adult or Child Clinical Psychology Tracks

SIU's doctorate in psychology is ideal for students aspiring to work with children after graduation. The doctoral program offers concentrations in brain and cognitive, behavior analysis and therapy, adult clinical psychology, or child clinical psychology. 

The program comprises core coursework, multicultural coursework, specialty coursework in your concentration, and hands-on experience in research, teaching, or practicum. All students complete training assignments as teaching or research assistants or in an externship. Internships are required for the clinical tracks, and students are responsible for arranging their own internships. Each candidate must also write a dissertation, showing high attainment in original research. 

Other Highlights

• Some non-residents (neighboring states, alumni, military, high-achievers) may pay the in-state rate under SIU’s alternate tuition policies.
• Accredited by the American Psychological Association 
• Clinical psychology track has its own multicultural committee. 

Considerations

• Accelerated entry is acceptable only for students who have completed substantial work in other programs in psychology that grant the Ph.D. degree, but not a master’s degree.
• Admission to the Ph.D. program requires a master’s degree, a grade point average of 3.25 or above in graduate studies, and acceptance by the program.
• Tuition and fees cost $1,765 per credit for Illinois residents and other qualifying students, and $2,469 per credit for non-residents. 

Why We Chose USC: Obtain a Cross-Disciplinary Designated Emphasis on Degree

With a Ph.D. in psychology from UCSC, students can specialize in cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, or social psychology and customize their diplomas to show additional training in areas such as critical race and ethnic studies, data science, feminist studies, Latin American and Latino studies, or sociology.

The program is designed to prepare you for research, teaching, administrative, or leadership roles in academic, non-profit, government, or corporate settings. You’ll be assigned a designated faculty mentor to help you with academic advising and sponsor your research, so it’s recommended that you research their interests to find out which faculty members share your research interests. 

Other Highlights

• GRE scores are not required or accepted.
• You may qualify for financial aid through a fellowship, graduate student research assistantship, teaching assistantship, readership, travel award, summer research award, or dissertation award based on available funds and faculty recommendations. 
• If your interests are a cross between the three research sub-fields, you may work with faculty in other areas. 

Considerations

• An undergraduate degree in psychology or equivalent coursework is required. Coursework specific to your specialty is preferred. 
• Does not offer clinical training for clinical or counseling psychology licensure
• Tuition costs $7,989 per quarter for California residents and $13,023 per quarter for nonresidents.