Online Doctorate in Psychology Programs for 2025
A doctorate in psychology is the highest degree in the field. Earning your doctorate online offers flexibility, making it easier to achieve your educational and professional goals. With a Ph.D. in psychology, you can prepare for advanced careers in research, academia, consulting, and leadership.
Explore this guide to learn what you need to know about earning your online psychology degree.
Online Ph.D. Programs in Psychology
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$22,048
- Out-of-state$22,048
- In-State$30,032
- Out-of-state$30,032
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled19,019
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
Northern Illinois University
- Dekalb, IL
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$9,790
- Out-of-state$9,790
- In-State$9,066
- Out-of-state$9,066
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate71%
- Students Enrolled15,649
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
Our Ranking Methodology
Psychology.org ranks education programs using data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education. Our vetting process also includes a quality assurance team that assesses datasets for accuracy.
Psychology.org reserves the right to exclude any schools that lack significant data from the rankings to ensure accurate calculations. This list is for 2025. For more about how Psychology.org evaluates and ranks education programs, visit our full ranking methodology.
How To Choose an Online Ph.D. Program
Finding an online doctorate in psychology program that fits your goals and learning style requires careful research. Tuition costs and the availability of financial aid rank among the most important considerations. Pay attention to other key factors such as accreditation and academic quality, admission criteria, career focus, and the flexibility of program requirements.
Accreditation
Accreditation ensures that a school or program meets high academic standards. The American Psychological Association (APA) offers programmatic accreditation for psychology Ph.D. programs but does not accredit fully online doctorate in psychology programs.
Keep in mind that a lack of APA accreditation may impact your ability to pursue licensure and practice as a clinical or counseling psychologist, depending on requirements in your state. Before pursuing an online doctorate in psychology program, find out whether APA accreditation is required to achieve your career goals.
Admission Requirements
Because specific acceptance criteria vary by program, make sure you meet and understand the admission and application requirements. Application requirements for most doctorate in psychology programs include at least a bachelor’s in psychology, a strong GPA, a personal statement, and recommendation letters. Some schools may ask for relevant research experience and how your interests align with their curriculum focus.
Career Relevance
Although fully online programs lack the APA accreditation required for clinical licensure, an online Ph.D. program can still prepare you for career opportunities that do not require direct clinical practice. These careers can include administration and leadership, consulting, teaching and research, and specialized areas, such as forensic psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, marketing, and human resources.
Flexibility
The flexibility of online learning makes it an appealing choice for students with work or personal responsibilities. However, not all programs feature the same residency requirements and course delivery formats. Consider whether your schedule and learning style work best with a self-paced, fully online format, a more structured program with fixed class meeting times, or a hybrid model that requires some on-campus components.
Cost and Financial Aid
The overall cost of your degree depends on several factors, including whether you qualify for in-state tuition discounts, attend a public or private institution, or receive financial aid and scholarships. Doctorate in psychology programs may offer funding opportunities through teaching or research assistantships.
How To Apply to an Online Ph.D. Program
Admission requirements vary by program but commonly include documentation of previous degrees, minimum GPA, recommendations, and a statement of purpose. The more selective programs may have additional requirements such as research experience, advanced coursework, higher GPA, and GRE scores. Almost every school will require you to submit an application fee.
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A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree
Online programs typically require a master’s degree in psychology or a related field, although some direct-entry programs admit bachelor-degree holders or applicants with non-psychology backgrounds. To qualify for admission to most programs, you must complete prerequisites in developmental and abnormal psychology, biology, physiology, statistics, and research methods.
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Grade Point Average
Before submitting your application, make arrangements to send official transcripts from the schools you previously attended, documenting the courses you took and your grades. You typically need a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, although more selective enrollment programs may require a 3.2 GPA or higher.
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Standardized Tests
In recent years, graduate psychology programs have shifted their admission criteria away from an emphasis on standardized tests. Some programs still require applicants to submit scores from the GRE general test, and may also request GRE Psychology Subject Test scores. However, for most psychology doctorates, the GRE is optional but high scores may boost your acceptance chances.
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Additional Required Materials
Many applications require a personal statement describing how prepared you are for graduate work and how your professional and research interests fit with the program’s faculty and curriculum focus. You may also need two or more letters of recommendation from advisors, faculty, or work supervisors that address your academic ability and research experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psychology Doctorates
A Ph.D. program takes between four and eight years, depending on the number of credits, internship requirements, and type of specialization. It generally requires more time than a Psy.D. program because it emphasizes research and writing more.
