Best Psy.D. Programs Online [APA Accredited]
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Ready to earn your Psy.D. degree? Learn more about the best APA-accredited online Psy.D. programs and check out career path and salary data.
Want to practice psychology? Then a Psy.D. might be a good fit. As a practice-focused doctorate, a Psy.D. prepares you for clinical roles, and even online programs will have in-person clinical components. But with so many options for a graduate-level psychology degree, is a Psy.D. right for you?
Our guide introduces the best accredited online Psy.D. programs and covers career paths and earning potential.
Think an online Psy.D. program is right for you? Check out our resources and rankings on APA-accredited Psy.D. programs offered online.
Featured Doctorate in Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Accredited Psy.D. Online Programs
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$20,800
- Out-of-state$20,800
- In-State$29,632
- Out-of-state$29,632
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled18,800
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$15,409
- Out-of-state$15,409
- In-State$7,847
- Out-of-state$7,847
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate99%
- Students Enrolled15,784
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment92%
- AccreditationYes
National University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$11,064
- Out-of-state$11,064
- In-State$16,881
- Out-of-state$16,881
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled12,648
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- In-State$20,856
- Out-of-state$20,856
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled915
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Psy.D. vs. Ph.D. in Psychology: What’s the Difference?
| Factor | Psy.D. | Ph.D. in Psychololgy |
|---|---|---|
| Program Focus | Field- and clinical-based | Research- and academic-based |
| Career Paths |
|
|
| Average Base Salary | About $92,000/year | About $95,000/year |
Your specialization options depend on your degree type. If you choose a Psy.D. program with a clinical practice focus, you’ll learn how to apply psychology methods and practices in different settings. If you choose a Ph.D. in psychology, you’ll focus more heavily on research and theoretical approaches.
Types of Psy.D. Specializations
- Psy.D. in child and adolescent psychology
- Psy.D. in clinical psychology
- Psy.D. in counseling psychology
- Psy.D. in school psychology
Types of Ph.D. Specializations in Psychology
- Ph.D. in clinical science
- Ph.D. in cognitive psychology
- Ph.D. in developmental psychology
- Ph.D. in social psychology
Online Psy.D. Degree Program Specializations
At the doctoral level, you’ll choose a field of psychology to specialize your degree. Popular specializations include clinical psychology and counseling psychology.
You can also choose a program focused on behavioral psychology, school psychology, or forensic psychology. Your specialization will shape your coursework and your clinical practicum.
Types of Psy.D. Degrees You Can Pursue
- Behavioral psychology
- Child and adolescent psychology
- Clinical psychology
- Counseling psychology
- Educational psychology
- Forensic psychology
- Industrial/Organizational psychology
- School psychology
- Sports psychology
Choose your psychology specialization when applying to programs or after taking general Psy.D. classes. Then you’ll be ready to launch your career as a psychologist.
Featured Doctorate in Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Career Paths With A Psy.D. Degree
| Psychology Careers | Average Base Salary (2024) |
|---|---|
| Behavioral Psychologist | $91,690 |
| Child and Adolescent Psychologist | $72,860 |
| Clinical Psychologist | $91,070 |
| Counseling Psychologist | $71,640 |
| Educational Psychologist | $69,040 |
| Forensic Psychologist | $78.930 |
| Industrial/Organizational Psychologist | $94,810 |
| School Psychologist | $68,980 |
| Sports Psychologist | $79,580 |
With a Psy.D. degree, you can work in specialized fields like child psychology, forensic psychology, and counseling psychology. During an accredited online Psy.D. program, you’ll focus your training through coursework and practicum hours. After graduation, you can pursue psychology careers in your focus area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psy.D. Programs
Both Psy.D. and Ph.D. in psychology programs are challenging. As doctorates, a Psy.D. and a Ph.D. require strong analytical and research skills plus a significant investment of time and energy.
However, a Psy.D. emphasizes clinical applications, while a Ph.D. focuses on theoretical and research approaches. During a Psy.D., you’ll gain hands-on clinical experience. If you’ve got strong interpersonal skills and want to work in clinical roles, a Psy.D. is a better option.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed April 19, 2024.
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