Top Online Doctorate in Psychology Programs
AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.
Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:
- Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
- Provide specific, corrective feedback.
- Identify critical information that writers may have missed.
Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.
An online doctorate in psychology can prepare you for research and academia-focused roles in mental health, human behavior, education, or performance. This degree covers psychological theories, research methods, assessment techniques, and ethical practices that prepare you for advanced professional work in the field.
With an online doctoral program in psychology, you can enjoy the flexibility to complete your studies while maintaining your job and personal life. Use this guide to explore how Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs compare, why accreditation for this degree is crucial, and which schools offer the best online doctorates in psychology.
Top Online Doctoral Programs in Psychology
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost: $3,670.00 (3-5.99 credits) | $14,680.00 (12 credits)
Credits to Graduate: 60
Keiser's nonclinical online Ph.D. in psychology consists of 20 classes, including behavioral neuroscience, human development, and educational psychology. The research-based program also includes two residencies.
This program takes 36-60 months to complete and can help you establish a career in academia, organizational psychology, or research. You can choose to take just one or two classes at a time.
You can start the Ph.D. program with just a bachelor's in psychology or a related behavioral science, but you must take an additional 18 credits. GRE scores are not required for admission.
- In-State$22,936
- Out-of-state$22,936
- In-State$33,390
- Out-of-state$33,390
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled20,102
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
Saybrook University
- Pasadena, CA
- 4 year
- Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $1,514
Credits to Graduate: 66
Saybrook's online Ph.D. in psychology takes 5-6 years to complete and is taught by experienced faculty. At the start of the fall and spring semesters, you must attend a five-day residential conference in Monterey, California. You must also attend a two-day residential orientation at the start of the Ph.D. program.
You can choose one of four specializations: consciousness, spirituality, and integrative health; creativity studies; existential, humanistic, and transpersonal psychology; and psychophysiology.
To apply, you must undergo a two-part interview with admissions officers and faculty in addition to submitting an online application. You do not need to submit GRE scores.
- In-StateNot provided
- Out-of-stateNot provided
- In-State$20,856
- Out-of-state$20,856
- Retention RateNot provided
- Acceptance RateNot provided
- Students Enrolled1,055
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $1,622
Credits to Graduate: 60-61
The Chicago School offers full-time online Ph.D. programs in business psychology and international psychology and a part-time online Ed.D. in educational psychology and technology.
The Ph.D. in business psychology includes an industrial-organizational track with two 300-credit hour internships. The consulting track includes coursework on business and financial literacy.
The Ph.D. in international psychology includes two required international field experiences. Students are assigned cohorts and move through the program with their peers. The Ed.D. in educational psychology and technology includes two three-and-a-half-day on-campus residencies.
Generally, you'll need at least a 3.2 GPA for admission to the doctoral programs.
- In-State$18,576
- Out-of-state$18,576
- In-State$24,624
- Out-of-state$24,624
- Retention Rate0%
- Acceptance Rate40%
- Students Enrolled3,392
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
Why Accreditation Matters
Accreditation is important in the field of psychology. In the U.S., psychologists must graduate from accredited programs before they can become licensed. When researching doctorates in psychology, look for programs accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). These programs meet the highest standards for training psychologists.
While the APA does not accredit fully online programs in psychology, it does accredit hybrid programs — programs with a mix of in-person and online coursework. The APA’s database of programs provides more information on accredited programs in psychology.
If you are not pursuing a career as a licensed psychologist, then programmatic accreditation may not be necessary for your degree program. However, at minimum, you should confirm that your school holds institutional accreditation, as that is a requirement for federal financial aid eligibility.
What Is the Difference Between a Ph.D. and a Psy.D.?
There are two main types of doctoral degrees in psychology: a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in psychology and doctor of psychology (Psy.D.). Both degree types require a research component, but a Ph.D. in psychology generally emphasizes psychology research and teaching, while a Psy.D. focuses more on clinical psychology training.
Ph.D. in Psych
- 4-5 years full time
- 60-100 credits
- Research-oriented
- Often fully funded
- Online and in-person options
Psy.D.
- 4-5 years full time
- 80-130 credits
- Practice-oriented
- Sometimes fully funded
- Online and in-person options
Explore Doctoral Specializations in Psychology
Refer to our doctoral degree guides below to learn more about career prospects, curricula, and admissions for popular psychology subfields.
Is an Online Doctorate in Psychology Worth It?
An online doctorate in psychology can give you some flexibility to maintain your job while studying. This degree offers the same level of academic rigor as an in-person program, but usually with weekly assignments and discussions that you can complete around your schedule. Other benefits of earning this degree online include:
- Potentially Lower Tuition: Online campuses sometimes charge the same tuition rate to in-state and out-of-state students, and you’ll likely pay fewer campus-related fees.
- Wider Program Access: Because you can learn from anywhere online, you can choose from top programs across the country.
- Personalized Learning: Online programs may blend live sessions, written discussions, video recordings, and interactive assignments to support different learning styles.
However, unless you live near campus and have time to attend on-campus events, you might miss out on face-to-face networking opportunities in an online doctoral program. Online programs may have virtual mentorships and resources to help you complete your dissertation, but building strong faculty and peer relationships may require more initiative on your part.
Whether you earn it online or on campus, an online doctorate in psychology can be a powerful investment toward your future. According to data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average starting salary for doctoral graduates (across all subjects) was $99,260 for the class of 2023 — nearly $39,000 higher than that of master’s program graduates.
FAQ About Online Doctorates in Psychology
Yes, many schools accept psychology doctoral candidates without a master’s degree in psychology. However, you do need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Also, a master’s degree could give you valuable experience to take into your psychology doctoral program, especially in research methods and academic writing.
