Top 10 Online PsyD Programs APA accredited
Top 10 Online PsyD Programs APA accredited. Improve the emotional and mental health of your fellow human beings with the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). In these online degree programs, you will build your knowledge base in the history and systems of psychology, and then you will focus your PsyD degree by selecting a specialization that aligns with your specific career and research interests.
The PsyD program is designed for students who are, or desire to be, practitioners in particular disciplines such as criminal justice, mediation and conflict resolution, sport and performance psychology, industrial organizational psychology, and others that have in common a desire to demonstrate service to the community through improving the emotional and mental health of clients.
How much do PsyD holders earn on average?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states the median annual pay for psychologists was $81,040 in, May 2021 and climbs all the way to $133,890 for the top 10% in the field. Clinical and counseling psychologists receive the highest annual mean wages in California and Hawaii at $115,830 and 110,780, respectively. (US. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020a).
The difference between a PhD in Psychology vs. PsyD?
PsyD is a Doctor of Psychology, and a PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy. Training for PsyD students focuses more on clinical work, while PhD students tend to spend more time on research, following the scientist-practitioner model. The PhD also has a more rigorous and lengthier dissertation process involved.
- Ph.D. in Psychology: If your plan is by becoming an educator, enriching the field of psychology through scholarly research and publication, or , pursuing a Ph.D. may be the best match for you. The Doctor of Philosophy is research-oriented.
- Psy.D: If your end goal is to be a clinical psychologist working directly with patients, this may be the best path for you. Your coursework can help prepare you to apply advanced research in a therapeutic setting. The Psy.D. is practice-oriented.
Top Psychology Jobs | What Can You Do with a Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) Degree?
- Clinical Director.
- Neuropsychologist.
- Psychologist.
- Forensic Psychologist.
- Child Psychologist.
- Psychiatrist.
- Clinical Neuropsychologist.
- Behavioral Health Director.
- School Psychologist.
- Executive Director of a Nonprofit.
- Professor, Higher Education.
- Clinical Psychology.
Are There Any APA Accredited PsyD Programs Online?
Accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA) is considered the ultimate “stamp of approval” in the field – the “gold standard.” In fact, in some U.S states, students must have a degree from an APA-accredited program in order to become licensed psychologists. According to the APA website, there is no online-only doctor of psychology programs that are APA-accredited at this time. However, you can make sure the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes your chosen online Psy.D. program.
Accredited universities, colleges, and academic programs meet quality standards. The American Psychological Association’s Commission accredits doctorate graduate degree programs, internships, and postdoctoral psychology programs on Accreditation (APA-CoA). You can verify a school’s accreditation status on the APA’s website.
Best Online PsyD Programs
1. California Southern University
The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree program at the California Southern University is for people who want to learn more about clinical issues in psychology and how to apply that knowledge in professional practice. The curriculum meets the educational requirements for clinical psychologist licensure in California. The Doctor of Psychology exposes students to both theoretical and practical methods.
2. Meridian University
The PsyD in Clinical Psychology curriculum at Meridian University includes core, clinical, and research courses to prepare students for professional practice. The core curriculum supports the student’s evolving relationship with clinical engagement. This program aims to meet the California Psychologist licensure requirements, among others.
3. University of Arizona Global Campus.
The University of Arizona Global Campus offers a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program designed for students who are or wish to be practitioners in fields such as Criminal Justice, Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Sport and Performance Psychology, Industrial Organizational Psychology, and others. Online PsyD students become practitioner-scholars by learning theory, research, and evidence-based practice. Requirements for Admission is a Master’s degree from an accredited institution with a graduate-level cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
4. Touro University Worldwide
The PsyD in Human and Organizational Psychology at Touro University Worldwide is for professionals with the skills and tools to design evidence-based solutions. This program allows students to focus their studies on organizational psychology, leadership psychology, and industrial psychology.
5. Walden University
The PsyD in Behavioral Health Leadership at Walden University prepares students for a leadership or management position within a public or private organization or to start their own. Group homes, hospitals, non-profits, and social service agencies are possible places of work. Admission Requirement is a Master’s degree (or higher) from an accredited institution and a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
6. Capella University.
Capella University offers a Clinical Psychology Doctorate, which combines online coursework and in-person experiences. Internships and residencies help students build skills, while Capella dissertation mentors help students complete their dissertations. Capella’s Doctor of Psychology program offers many ways to prepare for licensure. Students can use their skills in the real world through residencies, practicums, and internships. Capella also has a support team to help current and former students with their clinical psychology licensure.
7. Saybrook University
The Psy.D. program at Saybrook University combines online learning with residency practice. The school takes a humanistic approach, which means students learn to gain a greater understanding of what it means to be human. Graduates are in high demand and find employment in a range of different employment settings. What is required for admission is a Transcripts, GPA of 3.0, bachelor’s or master’s degree, personal statement, personal interview, one contact for recommendation, professional experience, academic history, compatible interests, critical thinking, writing skills, personal motivation.
8. Alliant International University
The PsyD in Educational Psychology at Alliant International University prepares students to work as an educational psychologist, either directly teaching or helping to design and implement changes in classrooms and schools. The program focuses on human development, counseling, program evaluation, and research design. It focuses on developing you as a leader to change systems and organizations successfully.
9. William James College
This degree program is delivered fully online. To graduate, students have to take part in a residency of four days. This is held in Boston, Massachusetts. The area of leadership psychology is expected to grow which makes it a very interesting career choice. Pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology gives you an intimate understanding of human behavior and prepares you to use your training and knowledge to respond to people with a variety of mental health needs—individuals, families, groups, and systems—in a variety of settings.
10. Alaska Pacific University
The bulk of Alaska is a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (MHPSA), and the state needs licensed, doctoral-level psychologists. Currently, the APU PsyD program is one of just two doctoral psychology programs in Alaska. The program is for master-level professionals seeking doctoral-level knowledge and abilities to serve their communities better. The APU PsyD program’s unique training style allows it to benefit students in the state’s most remote areas.
General Admission Requirements For Psy.D. programs
A significant part of researching online Psy.D. programs includes checking admission requirements. Examples of essential admission requirements to look for include:
- Whether your master’s degree must be in psychology or if other degrees are acceptable.
- Whether the program requires a case study analysis (a pseudo-case study using a background history and diagnosis (Diagnostic & Statistic Manual code), and presenting analysis and intervention.
- GRE or GMAT test score requirements.
- Required letter/s of recommendation, goal statement, written essays, resume or personal statements.
- The minimum number of credits and minimum degree (e.g., master’s degree) you need to qualify.
- The minimum grade point average (GPA) required for transfer credits (most schools require a 3.0)
- What type of background checks you need.
Program Details for Doctorate in Psychology
Examples of PsyD concentrations and fields of specialization where students can choose from are:
- Child, Adolescent and Family Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine.
- Educational Psychology.
- Mental Illness
- School Psychology
- Social Work.
- Health Psychology.
- Social psychology.
- Couple or Family Therapy
- Forensic Psychology
- Behavioral Psychology
- Behavioral Health Leadership.
- Child Psychology.
- Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
- Counseling Psychology
- Developmental Psychology.
Regional accrediting associations for PsyD Programs
It’s very important that you earn your degree from an accredited school, for two reasons. Earning your doctorate will likely require a lot of time and money. You want to make sure you are investing in a quality program. There are six regional accrediting associations, each named after the region in which it operates.
- North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (NCA).
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WSAC).
Recommendation
- Top 10 Accredited PSYD Programs in California.
- 12 best colleges for forensic psychology | Forensic Psychology Schools
- What Do Criminal Psychologists Do? (Duties and Responsibilities).