Best Online Doctoral Programs in Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology is for students who want a stimulating, engaging career. There are several different settings clinical psychologists could be in, such as clinics, hospitals, schools, or private practices. There are also many specialties that students could focus on. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that clinical psychology has an expected 3% growth rate from 2019 to 2029.. Job outlooks are also better for those who have a doctorate degree in a specific specialty. For example, clinical psychologists who specialize in rehabilitation are expected to have better opportunities.

Online programs also offer more flexibility for students than traditional degree programs. Online degrees allow students to go through classes at their own pace and from anywhere. Students can take an online program as full-time or part-time students.

Students can pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Students seeking a PhD generally take courses that emphasize research rather than practical work. On the other hand, students who want a more practical, hands-on career in clinical psychology would seek a PsyD.

Earning a PsyD degree also takes less time than earning a PhD. Students can complete their doctoral program in 4-6 years, including one internship year, and earn their PsyD. Students aiming to get a PhD would spend 5-7 years in their doctoral program, including one internship year.

While both focus on the topic of clinical psychology, holding one type over the other decides what career paths are available. Students that wish to conduct research during and after graduate school may want to go for a PhD. However, students that have no interest in conducting research as a career and instead want to obtain licensure to practice should go for a PsyD.

Admission requirements for clinical psychology doctorate programs vary by school. Typically, students should already have a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology. Candidates with only a bachelor's degree will likely complete additional credits to obtain a doctorate. Students should also submit multiple letters of recommendation from former teachers, supervisors or other professionals that are familiar with the student's work. Students may also be asked to submit a resume or CV that details their professional background. Students should have prior experience in the field of psychology.

Many programs will also require students to send a copy of their academic transcripts for consideration. Most schools require that students have met a certain GPA level. This level varies across schools but could be as low as 2.5 to as high as 3.5 or 4.0.

Applicants may also have to submit standardized test scores, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Doctoral programs typically have a higher score requirement than other programs. Some programs do not require standardized test scores.

Online doctorates in clinical psychology range from 60 to 90 credits. Students must also complete in-person fieldwork or an internship to obtain a doctorate.

Since clinical psychology is a large and diverse field, there are many sorts of courses that students can take or are required to take. Examples of online courses can include the following:

• Developmental psychology
• Psychopathology
• Statistics
• Psychobiology
• Psychopharmacology
• Personality Theories

How Long is an Online Doctoral Clinical Psychology Program?

Some programs take five to six years for full-time students to complete. Some universities may offer accelerated programs that allow students to obtain their doctorate in four years or less. Some programs may allow students to pick their own pace with lectures and exams asynchronously, while others follow a synchronous class schedule where students are expected to remotely attend lectures and exams. The latter may take longer to finish.

Students may also be required to complete an internship or fieldwork before graduating. These requirements are usually on-site and in-person. Students may also be required to present a dissertation on-campus.

There are several courses that students may take in a clinical psychology doctoral program. Students may also take classes focusing on a specific concentration. Requirements may differ from school to school, but students can expect to take classes on human behavior, psychopathology, the history and systems of psychology, as well as ethics of psychology.

Students who plan to specialize in a certain field would take more courses regarding that concentration. There is a wide range of degree specializations available, with some focused on specific branches of psychology. For example, a student who wants to help individuals with specific mental disorders may take courses on mental health and biology.

Biopsychology

Biopsychology is the combination of neuroscience and basic psychological models. Students who take courses in biopsychology study how the brain and neurotransmitters influence human behavior, thoughts, and feelings. Courses usually cover the structure and functions of the nervous system, functions of the brain, and how neurobiology, endocrinology, and physiology affect human behavior.

Psychopharmacology

Understanding psychopharmacology is a key aspect of clinical psychologist careers. This course examines the use of medications in treating mental disorders. Clinical psychologists must continuously study psychopharmacology to keep up with new advances in the medical field. Students taking this course review the effects of medical drugs, including side effects, as well the indications for prescribing medications.

Advanced Psychopathology

Psychopathology is the study of mental disorders. Students taking these courses typically examine differential diagnosis, prognosis, etiology, and treatments for different mental illnesses. Students also review how outside factors, such as culture, diversity, and ethics, affect how these illnesses are treated. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is usually reviewed extensively in these courses.

Clinical Supervision and Consultation

Students seeking to practice clinical psychology will take courses on clinical supervision and consultation. These classes review the theories, functions, and methods of clinical consultation, as well as advocacy. Students can learn about the ethical and legal issues involved in clinical psychology and prepare students for future careers as clinical psychologists.

Online doctorate degree programs often feature specializations for clinical psychologists. Students may want to specialize in a certain age group or a specific mental illness for their careers. Possible specializations include:

• Forensic Psychology

Courts use the findings of forensic psychologists to make decisions on various legal issues and cases. Forensic psychology programs are clinically focused, teaching students to work directly with patients. Clinical psychologists specializing in forensics work in various demographics, such as criminals, families, children, and victims.

• Educational Psychology

Courses specializing in educational psychology focus on learning development. Students learn to work with various populations, with age groups ranging from preschool to college-aged students. Graduates may seek employment in teaching, research, educational administration, or consulting. These occupations could be in academic, government, research, private, or non-profit organizations.

In addition, school psychology is a specialization within educational psychology that focuses on the biological, social, and cognitive factors that affect individual learning and behavior. Students may take courses in psychopathology, developmental disabilities, or intelligence testing.

Developmental psychology specializes in how people grow and change over time. Developmental psychology courses focus research on memory, childcare, culture, emotion and stress, risk prevention, prenatal development, child cognitive development, and more. While clinical psychology is more hands-on with patients, students who specialize in developmental psychology are more research-based.

• Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Industrial-organization psychology programs teach students to work with organizations to promote the well-being and success of employees. Students are taught to balance the needs, career aspirations, abilities, and responsibilities of employees with the organization's structure and goals. Students may take courses in personality theory, workplace stress, and teamwork dynamics.

• Health Psychology

Students who specialize in health psychology examine psychosocial factors, behavioral choices, environment, and biology that affect health and wellness through both clinical practice and research. Students may take courses in social factors of disease, applied healthcare research, interventional and behavior analysis, or cognitive processing and health. Graduates may find careers in health research or as practicing psychologists.

• Dual Degrees

Students may take a combined clinical psychology program where they earn both their doctorate's degree and master's degree at the same time. Students can earn a doctorate's degree in clinical psychology and earn a master's degree in public health, women studies, and much more. While the course load may be more than some students may want, the major benefit to dual degree programs is that it saves time.

Students who are interested in psychologist careers that promote mental health, treating patients with behavior concerns or development community programing may consider a dual Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program.

Every student must complete and present a dissertation to graduate. Dissertation advisers suggest that students identify a research interest early on in their program and align their coursework with that interest. The first step to writing a dissertation is picking a topic. Topics should be something interesting to the student, but not one the student is emotionally involved in, such as research on depression if the student or a relative is depressed. Students who have completed a master's program may consider using their master's thesis as a topic for the dissertation.

After identifying a topic, the next step is to write a review of the literature in the area. This section includes:

• A brief introduction
• An introduction of key concepts
• Review of existing literature

The third step is identifying the rationale of the study and answer why it is important and what has not been studied about it previously. Students must formulate research questions about their topic. Both the problem statement and research questions are included in the introduction of the dissertation.

Students must also present and defend their dissertation, usually in-person, even for online programs.

Creating and writing a dissertation for clinical psychology is extensive and may take over a year to complete.

Picking a suitable, high-quality program can be difficult. Students may want to consider the accessibility of the program. Some programs may be entirely online, while others may be hybrid situations. If a student cannot meet on-campus requirements, that is also a factor that needs to be considered when ruling out schools.

Most online programs also require students to complete an internship, fieldwork, and a dissertation in clinical psychology. These requirements are typically in-person. Students may have to travel to complete these requirements.

Students can align their coursework to match a specialization or field of interest in their personal, educational, and professional goals. Students who want to pursue a specialization within clinical psychology can take courses that emphasize that concentration. Should a student already have an idea in mind of what they want to focus their coursework in should search for colleges that provide a high-quality program in that area of expertise.

Students should also consider their own level of education prior to applying for a doctorate program. Tuition costs can vary depending on the applicant's level of education. Most programs require students to have a master's degree in psychology prior to enrollment, while some allow bachelor's degree holders who have prior experience in the field. Tuition costs can vary from $10,000 annually to $34,000 annually.

Students should avoid institutions that do not have accreditation for their clinical psychology doctorate programs. Accreditation is important because it shows that the school meets the minimum requirements for education in that field. Accrediting agencies set a high level of standards that schools are required to meet to obtain accreditation.

Accreditation is also important for students in clinical psychology, as students in unaccredited programs may be ineligible to receive federal financial aid or be able to obtain licensure to practice.

The main accrediting agency to be on the lookout for is the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA). The commission is recognized as the national accrediting authority for both professional education and training in psychology.

There are other reputable psychology accreditation agencies, such as the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System or the National Association of School Psychologists. However, students should be wary of accrediting agencies, as some may be fraudulent. If the agency listed by the school is not listed by the Department of Education, students should avoid that school.

Clinical psychology is a broad field that encompasses many specializations. To become a practicing clinical psychologist, one must have a doctoral degree in psychology, licensure, completed internships, and experience. The demand for clinical psychologists continues to rise as many need one for issues such as depression, mental disorders, relationship issues, addiction, and more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an average 3% growth rate from 2019 to 2029, with a 192,300 job number projection. The BLS also reported a median annual wage of $82,180 in May 2020.

As clinical psychology is a broad field with many specializations within it, there is a wide range of career options available for graduates.

Clinical Psychiatrist

Clinical psychiatrists specialize in using clinical practices to treat mental disorders and illnesses. These physicians work in various settings to assess, diagnose, and treat mental disorders. Some may work in clinics or hospitals, while others manage their own practices. The BLS projected a 12% job growth from 2019 to 2029 for clinical psychiatrists. The annual mean salary in 2020 was $217,100 for all psychiatrists.

Graduates looking to become a clinical psychiatrist after obtaining their doctoral degree would need to obtain a state medical license and certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Industrial-Organizational psychologists, also referred to as business psychologists, are usually found working for companies to improve employee and employer relationships. The BLS reports a 3% job outlook from 2019 to 2029. As of May 2019, the median annual salary of industrial-organizational psychologists was $92,880.

Most industrial-organizational psychology jobs do not require licensure. However, graduates who wish to practice in clinics or use psychologist in their title are required to obtain state licensure. Titles such as consultant or coach do not need licensure.

Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychologists apply clinical specialties in legal cases and issues. Forensic psychologists can be found researching topics in the legal field, evaluating legal cases and criminal suspects, or consulting for attorneys. Other duties may include evaluating insurance claims or investigating potential child abuse cases.

While the median annual salary for psychologists is $82,180 as of May 2020, forensic psychologists can expect to see a salary well above the median. According to the APA, most forensic psychologists with a doctoral degree make between $60,000 and $70,000 annually.

Mental Health Psychologist

Mental health psychology focuses on how people function in their relationships and personal lives throughout their life. They also help patients deal with issues ranging from common life stresses to severe mental and emotional problems.

Mental health psychologists may be found in various settings, including schools, rehabilitation centers, clinics, or private practices.

Similarly, to forensic psychologists, mental health psychologists tend to make above the median annual salary for all clinical psychologists. The BLS reports a job outlook of 22% from 2018-2028.

Obtaining a doctorate degree in clinical psychology can be expensive, as tuition costs can range from as low as $10,000 annually to $34,000 annually. There are various financial aid options available to students within this field of study.

Students may apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Graduate students tend to have fewer aid options than undergraduates but can still apply for scholarships and grants.

There are many scholarships available to students seeking a doctorate in clinical psychology and its specializations. For example, the NBCC Minority Fellowship Program for Mental Health Counselors offers up to $20,000 for doctoral-level students.

Various foundations also offer scholarships for more than just academic majors. Scholarships are available for various niche demographics, such as:

• Grade Point Average
• Gender
• Religion
• Race
• Financial Need
• Residence State
• Physical Disabilities
• Military Affiliation
• Age
• Artistic or Athletic Ability

Students may also receive financial aid from their employer where available.