Online Doctorate in Psychology Programs for 2025

by

Updated January 3, 2025

check mark Edited by
Our list of online Ph.D. programs in psychology offer options for working professionals pursuing non-clinical careers in a variety of specializations.

Psychology.org 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.

Find Your School in 5 Minutes or Less

Many schools have rolling admissions, which means you can start a program in a few weeks!

1. Take our college quiz
2. Pick your favorite school
3. Apply online today

Are you looking for an online doctorate in psychology? Be sure to choose a school that aligns with your needs and career goals. When comparing programs, consider factors, such as tuition costs, admission and graduation requirements, and delivery formats. This guide explores various considerations you should make when choosing the right program for you.

Popular Online Psychology Doctoral Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Online Ph.D. Programs in Psychology

Online Doctorate in Psychology Programs for 2025

Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale

  • Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Why We Chose This School: 

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. 

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. 

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)
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$22,048
Out-of-state
$22,048
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$30,032
Out-of-state
$30,032
Retention Rate
68%
Acceptance Rate
97%
Students Enrolled
19,019
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
52% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Online Doctorate in Psychology Programs for 2025

Northern Illinois University

  • Dekalb, IL
  • 4 years
  • Online

Why We Chose This School: 

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
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$9,790
Out-of-state
$9,790
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$9,066
Out-of-state
$9,066
Retention Rate
65%
Acceptance Rate
71%
Students Enrolled
15,649
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
67% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

Our Ranking Methodology

Psychology.org ranks education programs using data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education. Our vetting process also includes a quality assurance team that assesses datasets for accuracy.

Psychology.org reserves the right to exclude any schools that lack significant data from the rankings to ensure accurate calculations. This list is for 2025. For more about how Psychology.org evaluates and ranks education programs, visit our full ranking methodology.

What to Consider When Choosing a Psychology Doctorate

Not all online doctorates in psychology programs are the same. You should carefully research what each school offers to decide if it fits your needs. Here are some of the most important factors to consider before making your decision.

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 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 choosing to pursue an online doctorate in psychology program, be sure to understand whether APA accreditation is required to achieve your career goals.

Career Relevance

Because doctoral studies require considerable time and effort, it's important to choose a program that offers the right mix of coursework, field experience, and research opportunities that match your interests and career goals.

Although fully online programs lack the APA accreditation required for clinical licensure, an online degree can still prepare you for rewarding 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.

Hybrid and Online Options

Online learning formats offer flexibility and convenience, particularly for degree-seekers who must balance their studies with family or work responsibilities. However, the APA does not accredit fully online Ph.D. programs primarily because of the importance of the supervised training required in practicum experiences.

Accredited online doctorate in psychology programs typically deliver courses in a hybrid format, blending remote learning with in-person participation. Hybrid psychology doctorate programs may offer core courses online while requiring in-person and on-site field practicum and internship experiences. Depending on the program, you may be able to complete as much as two-thirds of the required credits online.

Cost and Financial Aid

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual tuition for a doctoral program in 2021-22, including those offered online, ranged from $12,596 for public institutions to $29,931 for private institutions. Because a doctorate can take five or more years to finish, most graduate students look for financial assistance to offset the costs.

Universities frequently offer funding support for doctoral students, including merit-based scholarships, paid research assistantships, and fellowship stipends. You can also pursue grants and additional funding from employers, nonprofits, and state or federal governments. Notably, doctoral students in the behavioral sciences, including psychology, can apply to the National Science Foundation fellowship program.

Practical Experience Requirements

Practical experience requirements depend on the program and specific field of study. Before choosing an online doctorate in psychology, review the state requirements where you plan to practice to determine if you need an APA-accredited degree and an in-person practicum.

Before choosing your online program, consider how you will manage any in-person practical requirements. For example, find out how much travel is required to reach placement sites. Consider whether programs maintain relationships with employers in the fields that interest you and whether the institution can help you arrange for suitable placements.

Applying to an Online Psychology Doctorate

Although admission requirements and timelines vary for each program, always allow yourself sufficient time to gather all requested materials and submit your completed application well before the deadline. You need a master's in psychology or a related field to apply for most psychology doctorates, but some programs may consider applicants who hold a bachelor's in psychology.

Most doctorate programs require at least a 3.25 GPA, official transcripts, an essay or personal statement, and two or more letters of reference. Some schools may request GRE scores and evidence of work or research experience. Programs that require practicums and internships typically ask for a criminal background check. Depending on the program, you may have to participate in an in-person or online interview.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psychology Doctorates

Is it possible to get a Ph.D. in psychology online?

It is possible to earn an online Ph.D. in psychology, depending on the degree's focus and your licensure or career goals. However, most APA-accredited online programs use a hybrid format that blends remote and in-person components and requires on-site practicum and internship experiences.

You receive the same diploma whether you earn your doctorate online or in person. Keep in mind that a fully online degree may limit your licensure options to enter clinical psychology careers. Some employers prefer hiring graduates of APA-licensed programs, which excludes degrees earned entirely online.

It is possible to enter a doctorate program in psychology without a master's degree. Some Ph.D. programs accept applicants with a bachelor's in psychology or a related field. Dual- or joint-degree programs allow bachelor's degree-holders to complete a master's degree while earning credits toward the doctorate.

Depending on where you plan to practice, earning a fully online doctoral degree in psychology without APA accreditation may limit your ability to become a licensed clinical psychologist. However, graduates of online doctoral programs can pursue rewarding jobs in non-clinical areas, such as education, research, and consulting.

Latest Posts