Advancing one’s degree to a Ph.D., Psy.D., or an Ed.D. in psychology will allow individuals to earn positions of management and leadership in many different institutions, organizations, and agencies, or in private practice. Psychologists are needed all over the globe, not only as private practitioners, but as medical and organizational researchers, teachers, and consultants. Current trends in the field have also rapidly changed areas of concern. Issues relating to gun violence, climate change, affordable health care and mental health care, privacy in an integrated electronic world of communication, and people-friendly technology are just of few of the cutting edge areas of research and practice, shaping current psychologists.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the job growth for a career in psychology is 14%, over the next 8 years, which is much faster than average. Graduates from one of these Top 18 Doctor of Psychology Degree Programs will have opportunities in many fields of their discipline such as a teacher or professor, researcher, marketing director, private practitioner, human resources manager, political strategist, and many more!
QUICK LINKS
- TOP ONLINE AND ON-CAMPUS DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (PSY.D.) DEGREE PROGRAMS
- RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
- CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY (online)
- INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- NORTHCENTRAL UNIVERSITY (online)
- BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
- CAPELLA UNIVERSITY (online)
- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
- GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY (online)
- NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- WALDEN UNIVERSITY (online)
- UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO-BOULDER
- THE CHICAGO SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (online)
For additional information: 6 Best Online Schools for Doctor in Educational Psychology Degree Programs, 4 Best Online Schools for Doctor of Applied Behavior Analysis (A.B.A.) Degree Programs or 9 Best Online Schools for Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
Top Online and On-Campus Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Degree Programs
METHODOLOGY: Here, the research involved finding as many publicly available lists and program standouts available and gathering a list of the top online and on-campus schools. The list was then further narrowed down according to student reviews and program options. OnlineSchoolsCenter.com does not believe in ranking schools from best to worst, or vice versa; therefore, they are listed in random order as they all include unique attributes.
Methodology for this piece was comprised of numerous fields including:
- Provides skills and knowledge in the core foundational principles of Psychology,
- Positive accreditation process and maintaining proper accreditation as required in the field of Psychology,
- Offers affordable tuition and fees; scholarships and military benefits,
- Provides financial aid availability,
- Displays adequate acceptance and retention rates,
- Provides course flexibility and convenience through online and/or hybrid program formats,
- Depending on the program, offers expert training in a wide variety of Psychology-related specializations,
- Prepares students for teaching at the university level, for research positions, or within other healthcare facilities,
- Culminates into a doctoral dissertation and/or a final examination, depending on school’s requirements,
To learn more, please see our Methodology page.
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
PH.D. LEARNING GOALS AND ASSESSMENT SPECIALIZATIONS
Program Standouts:
A combination of strong, clinical research and internship opportunities, a faculty of professors who are well-established within the field of psychology, and the support of an impressive academic institution, makes Rutgers’ Psy.D. program stand out among many. Students have the opportunity to work with a child, adolescent, adult, and older adult populations in multiple research labs at Rutgers and affiliated institutions.
Campus Location: Newark, NJ
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; American Psychology Association
Financial Aid: Much different need and merit-based institutional scholarship and grant programs, federal and state grants and loans.
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Admission Considerations:
Students must hold a master’s degree in psychology or a related field with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must submit GRE scores, and complete the qualifying departmental exam.
Program Options:
- Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Intradisciplinary Health Psychology
Course Flexibility:
The goal of the Psychology Department at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ is to train students at the highest level in one of four specialty areas of Psychology. Upon completion of the Ph.D., the students will be thoroughly prepared for post-graduate training and to eventually assume teaching and/or research positions in academia or industry.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY’S PH.D. LEARNING GOALS AND ASSESSMENT SPECIALIZATIONS
CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY (online)
ONLINE PSY.D. PROGRAM IN DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY
Program Standouts:
California Southern University is well-known for its commitment to ethical standards within its practices and operations, and psychology is one of the most popular degree programs. Students learn from well-versed practitioners who deliver a rigorous curriculum.
Campus Location: Irvine, CA
Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission; Council for Higher Education
Financial Aid: Payment plans, military and Veterans’ benefits, and employer assistance.
Graduation Rate: Unavailable
Admission Considerations:
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in psychology from accredited institutions. If a student holds degrees in a discipline other than psychology, they will be required to complete advanced prerequisite courses. Students must also submit official transcripts.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Dream Analysis
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
- Eating Disorders
Course Flexibility:
According to its website, CalSouthern has been refining its online education delivery for 33 years, and “unencumbered by a large administrative bureaucracy, CalSouthern’s academic departments are nimble—we’re able to refine or add courses quickly to reflect changes in the field or in the marketplace, ensuring that the curriculum remains fresh and relevant.”
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE PSY.D. PROGRAM IN DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY
INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY (PSY.D.) PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
What makes Indiana State University attractive to many are the numerous internship opportunities that students have taken advantage of in the past. Upon graduation, students have participated in clinical research programs and have worked for first hand in hospital settings.
Campus Location: Indiana, PA
Accreditation: Middle State Commission of Higher Education; American Psychological Association
Financial Aid: Grants, loans, scholarships, and student employment.
Acceptance Rate: 90.8%
Admission Considerations:
“The following criteria are used in the evaluation of application materials: (a) overall grade point average and grades in psychology courses (3.0 minimum in both areas); (b) scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (minimum combined score of 290 for Verbal Reasoning + Quantitative Reasoning); (c) training in research methodology; (d) prior clinical experience in practicum or employment; (e) the applicant’s statement of goals; (f) three letters of recommendation; and (g) results of a personal interview. Applicants who do not have undergraduate degrees in psychology or limited coursework in psychology are strongly encouraged to take the GRE subject test in psychology to demonstrate knowledge of the content areas in the field.”
Sampling of Coursework:
- Drugs and Behavior
- Racial, Cultural, and Gender Issues in Psychology
- Clinical Neuropsychology
Course Flexibility:
At IUP, students create their own academic career by working with advisors and professors to build a curriculum as well as an internship/fellowship plan to integrate academic prowess into the first-hand experience. With this amount of required fieldwork and residency, students gain a firm understanding of real-world approaches to psychology.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA’S CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY (PSY.D.) PROGRAM
NORTHCENTRAL UNIVERSITY (online)
ONLINE PH.D. PROGRAM IN PSYCHOLOGY
Program Standouts:
Designed to enhance critical thinking skills, students apply knowledge to real-world situations within their community, and to theoretical vignettes and scenes posed by faculty and peers. Students go on to take a meaningful place within their communities within the program and upon graduation.
Campus Location: Prescott Valley, AZ
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; American Psychological Association
Financial Aid:
- Financial aid may be available to those who qualify
Acceptance Rate: 63%
Admission Considerations:
Students who hold a master’s degree in psychology can immediately start with the 60 credit program. However, those who hold a degree in a discipline other than psychology will be required to complete prerequisite courses. Students must also submit a current resume.
Program Options:
- General Psychology
- Gender Diversity
- Health Psychology
- Industrial-Organizational Psychology
- Mental Health Policy and Practice
Course Flexibility:
Students in this program work closely with peers and faculty, yet they also have the freedom to complete coursework at their own leisure, as well as projects, internships, and other assignments. 100% online means that there are no residency requirements or on-campus visits for examinations.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NORTHCENTRAL UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE PH.D. PROGRAM IN PSYCHOLOGY
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (PSY.D.) IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.) IN PSYCHOLOGY
Program Standouts:
According to their shrewdly worded website, “A major focus of the program is coursework and supervised clinical experience through which clinical competencies can be developed. The curriculum is designed to develop a strong base in the theoretical underpinnings of clinical assessment and intervention. From this base, students engage in closely supervised clinical practicum placements which are varied in their emphases and theoretical orientations.”
Campus Location: Waco, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; American Psychological Association
Financial Aid: Private and institutional scholarships, federal grants and loans, and student employment opportunities
Acceptance Rate: 38.9%
Admission Considerations:
All students are required to submit unofficial transcripts, three letters of recommendation from past faculty members, and GRE test results.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Neuropharmacology
- Clinical Intervention with Children
- Seminar in Memory and Cognition
Course Flexibility:
While this program offers extensive clinical experience from a team of faculty members with their own unique specialization areas, the department also offers a large amount of financial support to those with merit and in need. Students can expect to work closely with peers and professors in the achievement of this degree.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY’S DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (PSY.D.) IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.) IN PSYCHOLOGY
CAPELLA UNIVERSITY (online)
ONLINE PH.D. IN GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE
Program Standouts:
Students in this program build a curriculum along with advisors and faculty members to focus in the correct area for their career goals, such as addiction or health psychology or design an interdisciplinary program that blends psychology with education, business, or human services courses.
Campus Location: Minneapolis, MN
Accreditation: Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Financial Aid: Scholarships, grants, discounts, military benefits, employer and association discounts, and alternative payment plans.
Admission Considerations:
Students must submit official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, as well as GRE and GMAT test results, and a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Program Options:
- Child and Adolescent Development
- Coaching Psychology
- Consultation Psychology
- Industrial Psychology
- Organizational Psychology
- Program Evaluation and Measurement
- Psychology Teaching and Instruction
Course Flexibility:
Students can choose to focus their degree in one of the numerous concentration areas or focus in a more broad, general approach to the field of psychology. As a 100% online program, students are free to complete their curriculum and assignments at their own time and choose the ways in which they may apply their research to a career.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CAPELLA UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE PH.D. IN GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
PH.D. (DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY) IN PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
Glowing student reviews, strong academics, and high-tech facilities make the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign one of the finest Ph.D. in Psychology programs in the country. Nine specialization areas give students the opportunity to explore the vast curriculum with the diligent assistance of mentors, faculty, and academic advisors.
Campus Location: Champaign, IL
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; American Psychological Association
Financial Aid: Assistantships and fellowships, loans, grants, and awards.
Acceptance Rate: 61.5%
Admission Considerations:
Students are required to complete the departmental application as well as submit unofficial transcripts (official transcripts may be requested at a later date), three letters of recommendation, and GRE test results.
Program Options:
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Clinical/Community
- Cognitive
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Developmental
- General
- Quantitative
- Social-Personality
- Industrial-Organizational
- Visual Cognition and Human Performance
Course Flexibility:
“Consistently named one of the top five graduate programs in the country,” this university allows students the freedom to specialize in an area that most suits their interests and career goals, and offers mentoring, academic advising, and a dedicated faculty to assist all students in forming their curriculum.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN’S PH.D. (DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY) IN PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAM
GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY (online)
ONLINE PH.D. IN GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY WITH AN EMPHASIS IN INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY, LEARNING AND PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE program
Program Standouts:
Grand Canyon University prepares students for a vast range of fields in which they will have to apply their learned techniques and skills upon graduation. Required residencies and four specializations areas give students the experience they’ll need when entering a new position, whether it consists of research, education, practice, or all of the above.
Campus Location: Phoenix, AZ
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Financial Aid: State grants, award, loans, scholarships, military, and Veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Admission Considerations:
Students must hold a master’s degree from an accredited academic institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 will not be accepted into the university. Ph.D. learners must have taken a statistics course or research course containing key statistics fundamentals with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Program Options:
- Performance Psychology
- Cognition and Instruction
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Integrating Technology, Learning, and Psychology
Course Flexibility:
The same faculty that teaches in Grand Canyon University’s on-campus programs teach the online programs as well, meaning that there is no educational gap between methods of delivery. Grand Canyon University is consistently ranked as one of the top online institutions for the freedom and rigor of its programs.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE PH.D. IN GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY WITH AN EMPHASIS IN INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY, LEARNING AND PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAMS
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
One of the best psychology degree programs in the country, the overall goal of the program is to graduate academic psychologists who are competent, ethical, and productive in the science and practice of clinical psychology. Northwestern’s program emphasizes the integration of science and clinical practice.
Campus Location: Evanston, IL
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; American Psychological Association
Financial Aid: Fellowships, assistantships, grants, loans, emergency loans, and Veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 9.2%
Admission Considerations:
Students must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with an average GPA of 3.2 or higher. Students must also have field experience (volunteer or paid), masters work in a field of psychology and must submit GRE test results.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
- Marital and Sex Therapy
Course Flexibility:
Students in this clinical psychology program earn a Ph.D. from one of the finest psychology programs in the country. Upon graduation, students have first-hand experience and foundation of knowledge to enter any field of psychology.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY’S CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM
WALDEN UNIVERSITY (online)
ONLINE PH.D. IN PSYCHOLOGY
Program Standouts:
Residencies prepare students for each phase of the Ph.D. program and students work closely with faculty mentors to build a strong curriculum.
Campus Location: Naples, FL
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Financial Aid: Federal financial aid, state grants, private loans, scholarships, fellowships, and military and Veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Admission Considerations:
Students must submit official transcripts from all accredited undergraduate and graduate institutions, complete the online application, employment history/resume, and GRE/GMAT scores. Students with a bachelor’s degree may enter the program and students with a master’s degree may have the opportunity to transfer applicable credits.
Program Options:
- Clinical Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- General Psychology (Research Option)
- General Psychology (Teaching Option)
- Health Psychology
- Social Psychology
Course Flexibility:
As a 100% online program, students gather relevant and crucial techniques in the field of psychology and apply that knowledge to numerous residency requirements as well as current and future careers. Students may build their own curriculum along with the guidelines of the specialization areas.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WALDEN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE PH.D. IN PSYCHOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO-BOULDER
PH.D. IN PSYCHOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
Whether prospective students are searching for a career in research psychology, organizational psychology, or private practices, CU-Boulder has a program that will suit any individual. Numerous specialty areas allow students to hone in on what exactly it is that conform to their interests in the strongest way.
Campus Location: Boulder, CO
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; American Psychological Association
Financial Aid: Federal and institutional grants and loans.
Acceptance Rate: 79.8%
Admission Considerations:
All students must hold a bachelor’s and a master’s from accredited institutions. Prospective students must also submit GRE test results, three letters of recommendation, one unofficial transcript, and a personal statement of goals and intentions within the program.
Program Options:
- Behavioral Genetics Program
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program
- Clinical Program
- Cognitive Program
- Social Program
Course Flexibility:
CU-Boulder offers many interdepartmental specialization areas, giving students the opportunity to combine their degree with an interest in neuroscience or genetics for example. Students will work closely with advisors and faculty members to build an appropriate curriculum.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO – BOULDER’S PH.D. IN PSYCHOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM
THE CHICAGO SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (online)
ONLINE INTERNATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
Concentrations in International Psychology and Business Psychology give Chicago School of Professional Psychology online students opportunities to travel and apply the wealth of knowledge gained at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology to enact positive change. Graduates from this program are sought out by many organizations, industries, and agencies, and private practices are also a viable option.
Campus Location: Chicago, IL
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges; American Psychological Association
Financial Aid: Federal, unsubsidized loans
Acceptance Rate: 34%
Admission Considerations:
Students may create an online username and password to start the application process and here. Students must hold a masters degree from an accredited academic institution, submit unofficial transcripts and relevant test scores, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement of goals and intent.
Program Options:
- Business Psychology, Consulting Track
- International Psychology, Organizations and Systems Concentration
- International Psychology, Trauma Services Concentration
Course Flexibility:
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has designed online programs that will immerse students in the field and educate them in areas that will make them well sought after in the job market. Interdisciplinary specialization tracks and concentration areas allow students the freedom to explore a curriculum that matches their interests.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHICAGO SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY’S ONLINE INTERNATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAM
ARGOSY UNIVERSITY (online)
ONLINE DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
This program is intended for students who are searching for a program in counseling psychology, in which they would be a counselor and practitioner of psychology. This degree helps enhance the professional expertise of those pursuing leadership, supervisory, training, and teaching positions in the counseling profession.
Campus Location: Fullerton, CA
Accreditation: Western Association of Colleges and Schools; National Association of School Psychologists; American Psychological Association
Financial Aid: Federal, state, and alternative loans, grants, and military benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 80% – 90%
Admission Considerations:
All applicants must hold a master’s degree in a mental health field with a counseling practicum from a regionally accredited institution, a nationally accredited institution approved and documented by the faculty and dean of the College of Behavioral Sciences, or an appropriately certified foreign institution, and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation, a personal essay, official transcripts, and a completed application form.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Multicultural Issues in Counseling
- Leading and Managing Change in a Diverse Society
- Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
Course Flexibility:
Coursework moves linearly, so students are intended to take classes in a specific format. While this does not allow student much freedom to build their curriculum exactly the way they want it, it provides them with a solid core of general classes, followed by a more independent schedule of electives and seminar courses.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ARGOSY UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAM
ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY, DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
The clinical tracks in St. John’s University prepare students to function in the diverse professional, academic, and research roles performed by clinical psychologists. The school psychology tracks prepare students to work more directly with children and families, thus there are concentrations in which students can learn bilingual psychology.
Campus Location: Jamaica, NY
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; American Psychological Association
Financial Aid: Many different federal, institutional, and alternative loans, fellowships, assistantships, and employer tuition.
Acceptance Rate: 67.7%
Program Options:
- Clinical Psychology—General Track
- Clinical Psychology—Clinical Child Track
- School Psychology—General Track
- School Psychology—Bilingual Track
- School Psychology—Advanced Standing Track
Course Flexibility:
Students must hold a baccalaureate degree and submit official transcripts from all attended undergraduate and graduate programs. Students must have taken prior coursework in psychology. Applicants must submit three to five letters of recommendation, two psychology essays, a personal essay, and must complete a personal interview.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY’S SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY, DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAM
SAYBROOK UNIVERSITY (online)
ONLINE PH.D. IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE
Program Standouts:
Students will have the benefit of small class sizes in this online program, giving them ample opportunity to engage with professors and an intimate group of peers.
Campus Location: Oakland, CA
Saybrook University’s Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program is ideal for students interested in both the practice and the academic study of clinical psychology. This degree program combines the scholarly expertise and research orientation for a doctorate in clinical psychology with preparation for a career in clinical practice.
Accreditation: Western Association of Colleges and Schools
Financial Aid: Federal, state, and private loans, and Veterans’ benefits
Acceptance Rate: Unavailable
Admission Considerations:
It is expected that applicants will hold a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in an area of psychology with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must also submit relevant documentation: a current resume, a personal essay, a writing sample, and official transcripts. Applicants must also complete a personal interview.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Cognition & Affect in Human Behavior
- Multicultural Psychology
- Biological Bases of Behavior
Course Flexibility:
Coursework is fairly rigid in this online program, although there is room for students to direct the flow of their curriculum through electives and residency programs. Otherwise, coursework is mapped out through the semesters and years at Saybrook University.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SAYBROOK UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE PH.D. IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
COLUMBIAN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE’S DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
Program Standouts:
This university has Ph.D. programs that will prepare students for many psychological settings, from independent and organizational research to private practice. Utilizing unique research techniques and areas, students gain an in-depth understanding of clinical, cognitive, and social psychologies.
Campus Location: Washington, D.C.
Accreditation: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; American Psychological Association
Financial Aid: Fellowships and assistantships, loans, and employment opportunities
Acceptance Rate: 41%
Admission Considerations:
Applicants are expected to have prior experience in psychology in undergraduate coursework as well as fieldwork (paid or volunteer). All students must submit official transcripts from attended universities, three letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and standardized test scores.
Program Options:
- Applied Social Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience Program
Course Flexibility:
Coursework guides students to become a number of different psychology professionals. Students may choose a concentration area but will also have a thorough, general education in psychology as well.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY’S COLUMBIAN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE’S DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
KEISER UNIVERSITY (online)
ONLINE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN PSYCHOLOGY
Program Standouts:
This program was designed to help establish students in multiple psychology fields and careers. Upon graduation, students have taken on positions as teachers, marketing consultants, political strategists, and many more! Kaiser University believes in giving students a comprehensive approach to degree coursework.
Campus Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Financial Aid: Private and institutional scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Admission Considerations:
Students must submit official and unofficial transcripts from masters and undergraduate programs attended; they must submit an official, current resume to show experience in the field; they must submit standardized test scores (GRE), two letters of recommendation, and a personal essay.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Psychopathology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Theories of Learning and Motivation
Course Flexibility:
Students will be educated in a broad spectrum of psychology disciplines and will be required to complete two residencies in order to graduate. Upon graduation, students will have the skills and the understanding to fill one of many practicing, teaching, or research-based psychology careers.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT KEISER UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN PSYCHOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
PH.D. IN PSYCHOLOGY
Program Standouts:
The University of Delaware works in collaboration with other academic institutions such as Johns Hopkins and Temple University and thus can offer an extremely broad and exciting scope of opportunities for students in any one of the four specialization areas.
Campus Location: Newark, DE
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Financial Aid: Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study, Consortium Agreement
Acceptance Rate: 62.9%
Admission Considerations:
All students must submit relevant documentation: standardized test results (GRE); transcripts from all graduate and undergraduate institutions attended; three letters of recommendation; students are expected to have experience in the field upon application and must submit a current resume; a personal statement.
Program Options:
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Clinical Science
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Psychology
Course Flexibility:
According to their website, “[The University of Delaware] guarantees funding for a full four years so students can fulfill their potential and achieve goals without worrying about finances.” Students also work with well-established and well-published professors who guide them through one of the four specialization areas.