Curious about earning a Psy.D. degree online? Find out what these advanced psychology programs have to offer you now and after graduation.
Updated on October 2, 2025
Bestcolleges.com 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 Bestcolleges.com as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.
Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.
Key Takeaways
- Psy.D. programs prepare students for licensed clinical practice through coursework in psychological therapies and a one-year supervised internship.
- Most Psy.D. programs take 4-5 years and include 120-140 credits, and a degree from an APA-accredited program is required for licensure.
- Graduates can pursue licensed psychologist roles in clinical, counseling, forensic, or school psychology, with median salaries near $100K.
Earning an online doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) degree can prepare you for careers in the rewarding, in-demand field of psychology.
It can also help address the shortage of mental health providers.
According to Mental Health America, nearly 1 in 4 adults in 2021-2022 experienced a mental health condition in the past year — but the U.S. only has one mental health provider for every 340 people.
What Is a Doctor of Psychology?
A Psy.D. program focuses on the clinical practice of psychology, including the psychological assessment, intervention, and treatment of diverse populations.
These programs typically feature four years of advanced coursework in psychological therapies and therapeutic techniques, as well as a one-year clinical internship.
With a Psy.D., you can pursue many psychology careers, including several licensed psychologist roles. For clinical psychologist licensure, you’ll need an accredited Psy.D., which will qualify you for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).
While both Psy.D. and Ph.D. in psychology programs can lead to psychologist careers, the emphasis on clinical practice may make a Psy.D. the better choice if you want more hands-on training and experience.
Expert Insight: Should You Get a Ph.D. or Psy.D.?
“Many (but not all) Psy.D. programs only require a clinical dissertation, which means you don’t need to do a research study for your dissertation. Thinking about your career goals after graduate school can help you decide if a Psy.D. or Ph.D. is better for you.”
―Juli Fraga, Psy.D.
Add up to three schools to compare
Online Psy.D. Degree Courses and Concentrations
The types of courses you take in a Psy.D. program online can vary, but most curricula feature some combination of the following:
Developmental Psychology
An examination of the factors that influence development throughout the lifespan and how these affect mental health and treatment approaches.
Psychological Assessment
A study of the standardized tests and clinical tools used to evaluate cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
Psychopathology
An exploration of the causes, symptoms, and treatments of mental health conditions and disorders.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies
A study of the thought- and behavior-modifying principles and intervention strategies of behavioral-cognitive therapy.
In addition to coursework, most online Psy.D. programs feature lengthy internships to meet the clinical requirements for licensure.
These practical components usually require supervised in-person attendance, even for online students; however, many schools allow online learners to choose a site near them.
Many Psy.D. programs also offer specializations to help you develop expertise in an area like clinical or counseling psychology, forensic psychology, military psychology, or neuropsychology.
How to Get a Psy.D. Degree Online
To increase accessibility, many schools now offer online Psy.D. programs that adapt the traditional program curriculum and format into a more flexible delivery method. Here, we look at the typical length and application process for these programs.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Psy.D.?
Typical # of Credits
120-140 Credits
Typical Program Length
4-5 Years
A Psy.D. online program typically comprises 120-140 credits and takes 4-5 years of full-time study to complete. That said, there may be accelerated and part-time options available.
How to Apply for Psy.D. Online Programs
While admission requirements for an online Psy.D. program vary, here are some of the most common prerequisites and materials you may need to submit:
How Much Does an Online Psy.D. Degree Cost?
Cost of Online Psy.D., 2019-2020
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$10,788
Get Financial Aid for Your Online Psy.D.
What Can You Do With a Psy.D.?
With a Psy.D., you can pursue many psychology-related positions. Explore your possible career paths and earning potential below.
Psy.D. Jobs
While many Psy.D. degree-holders pursue a career in clinical psychology, the degree can lead to many other psychology careers, including school, forensic, and industrial-organizational psychology roles.
The overall outlook for psychologists appears strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% job growth for psychologists between 2024 and 2034, which is faster than the national average for all occupations.
This demand for psychologists is partly due to increasing mental health awareness and a need for more psychological services in our central support institutions.
How Much Money Can You Make With a Psy.D.?
Psy.D. graduates who go on to become clinical psychologists enjoy some of the highest psychologist salaries. According to the BLS, clinical and counseling psychologists earn a median salary of $95,830, as of May 2024.
Payscale data shows that clinical psychologist salaries steadily increase with experience, growing from an average of around $82,000 for newcomers to nearly $117,000 for those with more than 20 years of experience.
| Years of Experience | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| <1 Year | $81,789 |
| 1-4 Years | $90,885 |
| 5-9 Years | $97,756 |
| 10-19 Years | $104,907 |
| 20+ Years | $116,571 |
What to Consider Before Choosing a Psy.D. Program Online
In addition to the many personal factors you should take into account when choosing a Psy.D. online program, take time to consider accreditation status, cost, and program length.
Accreditation
Accreditation verifies the educational quality of institutions and individual programs.
While institutional accreditation enables schools to provide federal financial aid to its students, programmatic accreditation is essential to making you eligible for state licensure for roles like psychologist.
Unfortunately, the APA does not currently accredit fully online Psy.D. programs. As a result, it’s best to prioritize Psy.D. programs with online classes and an in-person practicum.
“Without [APA] accreditation, it will be more challenging to apply for internships, which are necessary for graduation,” explains Juli Fraga, Psy.D., a psychologist with nearly two decades of experience. “Many job sites, including many hospitals and universities, also require you to attend an APA-accredited program in order to apply.”
Cost
Before choosing an online Psy.D. degree program, make sure you factor in all study-related costs, including tuition, fees, travel and transportation, and textbooks.
“Consider the financial cost,” recommends Fraga. “For example, a private school will cost more than a public school.”
Program Length
The length of an online Psy.D. degree affects the time it takes you to enter the workforce and how long you’ll need to accommodate a study schedule. In many cases, program length can also affect the cost of your education.
With that in mind, it may be tempting to choose the shortest Psy.D. program — but that can complicate things as well by making your studies more rigorous and your schedule less flexible.
Take time to compare program lengths and credit requirements.
Discover the Best Psychology Programs
Explore More College Resources
Dual Degree Programs in Psychology
Explore dual degree programs in psychology that combine master’s and Psy.D. programs.
Child and Adolescent Psychology Careers
Interested in a child and adolescent psychology career? Check out our guide to find out what jobs are available for all degree levels.
link
