An online doctorate in psychology is a degree with a lot of applications:
- corporate
- academia
- healthcare, and more
Being able to acquire this degree with a minimum of class time and interruption to your busy life is a marvel of the modern age. Some of these programs do require very limited residencies (2-3 days, 2-3 times over the course of the multi-year program). This allow for the increased oversight that a project the magnitude of a doctorate deserves. We compiled this list of 10 great deals: online doctoral programs in psychology, so that you can find the program with the right focus at the right price.
In writing this list, we looked at:
- the relevancy of the curriculum to the current demands of the field (10 points)
- tuition value (10 points)
- the amount of emphasis a school gives to individual student attention as evidenced by their student to faculty/ratio (10 points)
A bonus of five points was awarded in cases of superlative student services or for national recognition of excellence in online education. A more nuanced discussion of our ranking scheme can be found here.
#10 – The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Chicago, Illinois
Website
Points: 19
Enrollment: 1,363
Tuition: $24,300
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology utilizes the engaged professional model of education as their approach to the practice of psychology. Their online Ph.D. in applied behavior analysis is a 3-5 year program. It includes coursework in the experimental analysis of behavior and supervision and consulting in ABA. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology charges an online, doctoral tuition rate of $1,403 per credit hour, regardless of residency. They are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
#9 – University of the Rockies
Denver, Colorado
Website
Points: 19
Enrollment: 1,089
Tuition: $18,336
The University of the Rockies has been offering online degrees since 2008 and was founded in 1998. Their online doctor of psychology is a 62 credit hour program that offers six concentrations:
- criminology and justice studies
- educational leadership
- health and wellness psychology
- industrial organizational psychology
- mediation and conflict resolution
- sport and performance psychology
The University of the Rockies charges a doctoral, online tuition rate of $1,082.00 per credit hour, regardless of residency. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#8 -Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona
Website
Points: 22
Enrollment: 51,869
Tuition: $23,480
Arizona State University wants its students not just to succeed, but to thrive as master learners at school and work. The student/faculty ratio is 23:1. Their online doctor of behavioral health (clinical) is an 84 credit hour program. It includes coursework in population-based health management and behavioral health entrepreneurship. Arizona State University charges a tuition rate of $1,143 per credit hour for this online doctoral program. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#7 – Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Website
Points: 22
Enrollment: 37,569
Tuition: $14,526
Capella University believes in a competency-based education process. It’s closely aligned with the skills and practical knowledge your profession requires. The student/faculty ratio is 22:1. Their online Ph.D. in psychology is a 104+ quarter credit hour program that offers five specializations in psychology:
- general
- addiction
- developmental
- educational
- industrial/organizational
Capella University’s online doctoral tuition ranges from $525-925 per quarter credit hour, regardless of residency. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#6 – Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Website
Points: 23
Enrollment: 52,565
Tuition: $12,844
Walden University believes in providing educational opportunities for individuals who can then create social change. It has a student/faculty ratio of 18:1. Their online Ph.D. in psychology is a 110 quarter credit hour program that offers five psychological specializations:
- educational
- health
- social
- general (research)
- general (teaching)
Walden University offers a $3,000 grant to US-based students with qualifying circumstances. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#5 – Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon
Website
Points: 24
Enrollment: 30,354
Tuition: $21,799
Oregon State University is nationally recognized for excellence as an online education service provider. Its student/faculty ratio is 18:1. Their online Ph.D. in counseling is a 91 quarter credit hour program. It includes coursework in counselor supervision and research methods in education. Oregon State University charges a tuition rate of $477 per credit hour for this online doctoral program, regardless of residency. They are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
#4 – California Institute of Integral Studies
San Francisco, California
Website
Points: 24
Enrollment: 1,459
Tuition: $19,764
The California Institute of Integral Studies was founded in 1951. It has a student/faculty ratio of 10:1. Their online Ph.D. in integral and transpersonal psychology is a 36 credit hour program. It includes coursework in critical thinking and integral research. The California Institute of Integral Studies charges a tuition rate of $1,320 per credit hour for their online doctoral program. They are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
#3 – Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona
Website
Points: 24
Enrollment: 75,834
Tuition: $9,783
Grand Canyon University was founded by the Southern Baptist Church in 1949 and is Arizona’s premier private Christian university. It has a student/faculty ratio of 19:1. Their online Ph.D. in general psychology with an emphasis in cognition and instruction is a 60 credit hour program. It includes coursework in theories of inquiry and cognitive science. Grand Canyon University’s online doctoral tuition rate is $640 per credit hour, regardless of residency. GCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#2 – Northcentral University
San Diego, California
Website
Points: 25
Enrollment: 10,916
Tuition: $16,821
Northcentral University was founded to provide truly individual attention to the modern-day college student. It has a student/faculty ratio of 1:1. Their online Ph.D. in psychology is a 60 credit hour program that offers 8 relevant specializations:
- addictions
- gerontology
- mental health policy and practice
- gender diversity
- health psychology
- trauma and disaster relief
- general psychology
- industrial organizational psychology
Northcentral University charges a tuition rate of $3,168 per course for this online doctoral program. They are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
#1 – Endicott College
Beverly, Massachusetts
Website
Points: 26
Enrollment: 4,835
Tuition: $11,489
The Van Loan School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Endicott College is committed to providing a quality educational opportunity to adult learners. It has a student/faculty ratio of 14:1. Their online Ph.D. in applied behavior analysis is a 60 credit hour program. It includes coursework in the history of behavior analysis and conditioning and learning. Endicott College’s Van Loan School of Graduate and Professional Studies charges a tuition of $6,178 per semester for this online doctoral program. Endicott is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
By Jennifer W. Eisenberg
April 2018
This concludes our list of 10 great deals on online doctorate in psychology programs.