How to Choose a Psychology Program

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Updated March 11, 2024

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A guide to help answer questions and outline some of the considerations when deciding on whether a psychology program is right for you.

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.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

Psychologist speaking to woman Credit: Alistair Berg / DigitalVision / Getty Images

Given the sheer number of psychology programs available in the U.S., finding the perfect match takes careful research. It also helps to perform that research with your long-term objectives in mind.

This guide outlines a systematic approach to identifying the best psychology programs for your learning goals. Use it to inform your school and program research as you seek the best available options.

Understanding Your Interests and Goals with a Psychology Program

Learners pursue psychology degrees for various reasons. Some simply have a natural curiosity about the subject. Others have specific academic or career goals in mind. In any case, it helps to understand your motivations for studying psychology and what you hope to get from your program. You can find programs that suit your needs and objectives, but they may comprise different features.

The subsections below explore key factors to evaluate when seeking the best psychology school for you.

Choosing a Degree Level

Associate Degree in Psychology

Associate degrees in psychology deliver a general survey-style introduction to psychology. They typically cover about two years of full-time study.

With an associate degree, you may qualify for entry-level jobs in supporting roles or continue your studies at the bachelor's level. This flexibility suits learners who want to keep their options open.

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology

If you have a strong academic or professional interest in the field, consider a four-year bachelor's degree in psychology. With this degree, you can enter relevant career paths and start building experience. You can also advance into graduate-level programs for aspiring psychology professionals.

Master's Degree in Psychology

Master's degrees in psychology become more specialized than programs at the undergraduate level. They primarily attract students seeking to become researchers or professionals in particular psychology subfields. Master's programs are also important stepping stones to doctoral-level studies.

Program lengths vary, but they typically cover at least two full-time academic years.

Doctoral Degree in Psychology

Many regulated psychology professions require a doctoral degree in psychology. For instance, clinical, social, and child psychologists all require a doctorate and licensure.

This degree level represents psychology's academic apex. Completion timelines for doctoral programs range from about 4-7 years, depending on your chosen specialization and research interests.

Choosing a Specialty

Psychology offers many specialization opportunities. Depending on your learning goals and professional interests, you may elect to pursue one of the following subfields:

  • Clinical Psychology: Clinical psychology programs build specialized knowledge of mental health, its proper management, and its impacts across the human lifespan. It forms the basis for professional, practice-based mental healthcare.
  • Counseling Psychology: Programs in counseling psychology train students in specialized techniques for managing personal challenges and interpersonal relationships. The field focuses on patient education and on improving or preventing behavioral, emotional, or psychological issues.
  • Developmental Psychology: Developmental psychology looks at the multifaceted ways in which psychology evolves across all phases of the human lifespan. It focuses on how people learn and how they change as they age.
  • Educational Psychology: The subfield of educational psychology maintains a sharp focus on intellectual and cognitive development. Educational psychology seeks to define the fusion of social, emotional, and analytical processes engaged during learning. It also examines and compares pedagogical and instructional methods.
  • Forensic Psychology: Known for its applications in the legal system, forensic psychology draws on research-oriented methods for reconstructing and/or evaluating the psychological state(s) of specific subjects. It is a relatively new subfield of psychology and has quickly gained a high profile.
  • Social Psychology: Social psychology studies how broader social structures impact the actions, thoughts, and emotions of individuals. In mental healthcare settings, applied approaches to social psychology typically take a situational focus, helping people understand the dynamics and impacts of group behavior.

Choosing a Traditional vs. Online Psychology Program

Accredited schools offer psychology programs in both traditional and online formats. Both options have distinct advantages and drawbacks. You need to consider the pros and cons in the context of your learning style, academic goals, budget, and preferences.

Traditional face-to-face programs offer extensive interpersonal interaction opportunities. You can form valuable relationships with peers and instructors, which can advance your personal and professional networking goals.

However, traditional psychology programs carry higher overall costs, especially if you need to relocate to attend your preferred school. You will also have less flexibility, as in-person classes follow rigid schedules.

Online programs trade the face-to-face aspects of interpersonal interactivity for greater flexibility. By studying online, you avoid the need to physically relocate and have greater control over your study schedule. Online psychology programs generally cost less in terms of both tuition and peripheral expenses.

The subsections below contain additional details to consider when choosing a program format.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online Psychology Program

Hybrid/Blended Learning

For students residing in the same state as the school they are attending, many programs offer what is known as a hybrid/blended program. These programs are offered through a variable blend of online classes and on-campus learning.

On-campus time is usually flexible for students working while earning their education; classes are often offered during nights or on the weekend and only on certain days throughout the week. Other hybrid programs are primarily online, with on-campus learning restricted to several meetings throughout a term or an on-campus orientation at the onset of the program. These hybridized programs offer the benefits of distance education while also offering opportunities for students to meet each other, as well as professors and faculty.

Synchronous or Asynchronous

Programs are offered either synchronously or asynchronously. Synchronous programs follow a model similar to traditional, on-campus courses. Students are required to attend classes at a predetermined time by logging into a school's online education portal through streamed lectures, live chat rooms, or video conferences. These courses allow students to ask questions and communicate with one another directly and are beneficial to individuals who may have trouble independently motivating themselves to complete online coursework.

Asynchronous courses have no set class time, which can benefit those with careers, families, and other daytime commitments. Students can access pre-recorded lectures, assignments, reading materials, and course discussion boards at any hour. It is common for teachers of asynchronous programs to require students to check in periodically and confirm that readings are being done and assignments are turned in according to schedule.

Placement Assistance for In-Person Internships and Practicum Experience

Online programs that mandate internship completion may provide students with a list of acceptable facilities -- such as clinics, hospitals, and research centers -- from which to earn credit. This is especially important in an online program where it may be more difficult to meet regional internship standards while enrolled in an out-of-state distance program.

Researching Accredited Psychology Programs

Accreditation is the process of validating the educational quality of universities and colleges. Peer review boards establish the standards for accreditation. By attending an accredited school, you can have confidence that your education will meet the requirements for your chosen career after graduation. Graduates and transfer students from accredited schools are also more likely to be accepted by other accredited institutions.

Accreditation requirements may vary by region. Therefore, it is advisable to research the educational requirements for psychology professionals in your state, especially if you are considering an out-of-state or online program.

Institutional vs. Programmatic Accreditation

Institutional accreditation indicates a school's voluntary participation in a third-party review of its academic standards. When a school holds institutional accreditation, it meets or exceeds the quality guidelines upheld by the accrediting body.

Programmatic accreditation applies only to specific academic departments or degree plans. It signals that the accredited department or degree aligns with elevated and specialized standards or offers exceptionally deep coverage of relevant academic topics.

Organizations that offer programmatic accreditation to psychology departments or degrees include:

While APA accreditation carries particular prestige, note that it only applies to doctoral-level programs. Furthermore, the APA does not accredit programs that use fully online delivery models.

Consider Program Requirements and Admission Criteria

When comparing psychology programs, look closely at admission requirements. Note that prestigious schools have more selective criteria.

As you review acceptance rates, remember that large schools have more spots available to applicants. Thus, they admit a greater percentage of applicants than smaller schools.

Typical admission requirements vary by degree level. Associate and bachelor's programs usually focus on your grades and test scores.

At the graduate level, admission officials place more scrutiny on academic background. For instance, some master's psychology programs accept students with a bachelor's degree in another area. However, they will examine your record for evidence that you possess the necessary knowledge framework to succeed in the program.

Undergraduate and/or graduate degrees in psychology are essential prerequisites for the vast majority of doctoral programs.

In addition to your academic transcripts and test scores, school officials may request supplementary materials, including:

For further information, consult this undergraduate psychology program application guide or this resource for graduate psychology applications.

Comparing Psychology Program Costs and Financial Aid

Multiple key factors affect psychology program costs. These include:

Private colleges often cost more than public schools, even for out-of-state students.

The following table summarizes the median cost of a psychology degree according to factors like degree level and delivery method. Note that the quoted figures cover tuition, required fees, housing, books, and required learning materials.

Median Annual Cost of a Psychology Program, In-Person vs. Online Program
Degree Level In-Person Program Online Program
Associate $9,790 $11,280
Bachelor's $29,120 $24,490
Master's $29,170 $24,660
Doctorate $34,450 N/A
Source: U.S. Department of Education, NCES, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study: 2020 Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Using the next table, you can compare the relative costs of attending a public college as an in-state or out-of-state student. In general, you can expect to pay less — sometimes much less — by studying in your home state or a neighboring state with a tuition reciprocity agreement.

Median Annual Cost of a Psychology Program, In-State vs. Out-of-State
Degree Level In-State Out-of-State
Associate $10,860 N/A
Bachelor's $25,190 $29,860
Master's $26,580 $29,950
Doctorate $35,100 $33,240
Source: U.S. Department of Education, NCES, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study: 2020 Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Evaluating Internship and Practicum Opportunities

Many psychology programs require internship or clinical hours prior to graduation, particularly at the master's or graduate level. These upper-level programs often require students to gain on-the-job experience through supervised clinical training or an internship at an approved facility. Clinical hours are often supervised by a licensed clinical psychologist.

Some critical factors to consider when evaluating internship programs and opportunities include:

Note that entirely online psychology programs may have limited internship opportunities available, or none at all. If internships are available, you will likely need to complete yours in person. Factor this into your planning at an early stage so you have enough time to manage the associated logistics.

Program Reputation

Finally, a student may benefit from considering a program's academic reputation prior to committing to a school. While not the most important factor in selecting a school, an institution's reputation may help graduates attain prestige and assist in landing their ideal career or gaining admission to another highly reputable school in the future. Each of the following factors may be considered in determining the prestige of a school or program.

Explore Career Opportunities with a Degree in Psychology

Any job title, including the term psychologist, will require a doctorate degree, except industrial-organizational and school psychologists, who only need a master's degree.

The occupations below offer a glimpse into some of the potentially attainable careers with various levels of psychology degrees. Knowing what concentrations are available at any school can help in choosing the best graduate program in psychology for you.

Child Psychologist

Child psychologists may concentrate their work in developmental, adolescent, or abnormal psychology. Frequently, these professionals work as counselors, researchers, and advisors for educators and parents of children with psychological abnormalities.

Degree required: Doctorate in psychology

Clinical Psychologist

Clinical psychology refers to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of psychological disorders and conditions. These professionals are not considered medical doctors, though they may offer counseling and referral advising.

Degree required: Doctorate in psychology

Counseling Psychologist

Counseling psychologists teach patients how to live with and/or to overcome emotional, mental, and physical health problems.

Degree required: Doctorate in psychology

Educational Psychologist

Educational psychologists evaluate the various methods of teaching on student learning in order to determine how to best improve classroom instruction.

Degree required: Doctorate degree

Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychologists typically work in prisons, jails, police departments, and law firms. Psychological assessment of individuals involved in the legal system is the primary focus of these psychologists.

Degree required: Doctorate in psychology

Industrial Organizational Psychologist

Industrial-organizational psychologists focus on group and individual satisfaction, health, and safety of employees in any number of fields. They observe, analyze, and interpret human behavior in professional environments.

Degree required: Master's degree in psychology

School Psychologist

School psychologists work closely with school administrators, teachers, and parents to help students strengthen their emotional, behavioral, academic, and social skills

Degree required: Master's or doctorate in psychology

Sports Psychologist

Sports psychologists study the link between physical and psychological factors as they affect performance in athletic activities and competitive sports. These psychologists also must have received training in physical medicine in addition to their psychological training.

Degree required: Doctorate in psychology

Finding Your Perfect Program

Finding the ideal psychology program demands careful and extensive research. To narrow down your many options to a select list of appropriate candidates, use a systematic approach that prioritizes the factors most important to you.

Ultimately, the best psychology programs are those that most directly advance your academic and professional interests. You can maximize the value of your degree by identifying specific objectives and using them to guide your program selection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology Programs

What is the average salary with a psychology degree?

Payscale data from February 2024 indicates the following average salaries for various psychology degree levels:


Many individual factors influence pay rates, including job title, location, experience level, and licensure or certification status.

Which degree is best for psychology?

It depends on your career goals, but professionals with master's or doctoral degrees have the most employment options. Graduate programs allow you to specialize in targeted subfields, which build the advanced expertise employers often prefer.

Is psychology a hard major?

Opinions vary. If you have a genuine enthusiasm for the subject matter, your coursework will engage you more. That can motivate you to put in the necessary work, which in turn can make your studies seem easier.

Is a psychology degree worth it?

Psychology degrees demand major financial and time commitments, but they lead to rewarding career paths that focus on helping people. According to 2019 data from the APA, 96% of survey participants with professional or doctoral degrees in psychology said they were somewhat or very satisfied with their careers.

Page last reviewed on February 25, 2024

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