2024 - Best Online Graduate Certificates in Psychology Programs

Finding accurate and reliable information in an increasingly digital world is proving to be harder every day, and it’s no different when the task is finding an online psychology graduate certificate program. Luckily for our readers, we’ve developed a fine-tuned method for our school and program research so you can rest assured that the information on the programs we rank is accurate and current. For more information on how we develop our rankings and locate our sources, take a look at our Rankings Methodology page.

1.

Purdue University Global

West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global offers a comprehensive graduate certificate program in Psychology, providing students with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in areas such as research methods, cognitive psychology, and abnormal behavior. The program is offered fully online, allowing students to study at their own pace and from anywhere in the world. The Department of Psychology at Purdue University Global is renowned for its innovative curriculum and highly experienced faculty who are committed to preparing students for successful careers in the field of psychology.

2.

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

Educators and others seeking to work as Board Certified Behavior Analysts can earn their graduate certification online via the University of Kentucky’s Applied Behavior Analysis program. Certificate earners learn how to help those with autism and other developmental disabilities.

3.

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY

Graduate-degree holders can attain Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) designation when they complete the online Applied Behavior Analysis, Grad Certificate, from Eastern Kentucky University. Graduates of the psychology program can work with clients of all age ranges.

What Are the Various Psychology Graduate Certificate Specialties?

One great way to focus your psychology education in a particular specialty is through a graduate certificate program. A few psychology graduate certificate specialty programs you may encounter are:

Can I Get a Graduate Certificate in Psychology Online?

Graduate certificates are great programs for distance learning – the flexibility suits those who wish to upskill around their other commitments. Online grad certificate programs are also great for those who live in remote areas that aren't near a college or university. It is possible to spread the program length and cost over a few years if desired, making it a cost-effective way to advance an existing education.

There are disadvantages to online learning. Students will miss out on bonding with peer groups, and the looser structure of online programs can be challenging for some learners. It's important to note that students may need to make some limited visits to the college for things like capstone projects, etc.

Psychology Degrees at Every Level

From entry-level to advanced, there's a psychology degree for your needs.

Learn more about the different online and campus-based psychology degrees available to you.

All Psychology Degrees

What Can I Expect in an Online Graduate Certificate in Psychology Program?

Online psychology graduate programs are very similar to other online psychology programs with a few differences. Psychology graduate certificates nearly always focus on a specialist subject. These might be specific areas of counseling or mental health, in the psychology of marketing or public relations, or in an area such as criminal psychology.

Each program is comprised of coursework which will include general psychology courses and subject-area-specific courses.

What Are the Graduate Certificate in Psychology Admission Requirements?

Graduate certificates have minimum entry requirements for applicants that typically look like this:

  • A bachelor’s or master's degree in psychology or related subjects (counseling for example)
  • A minimum GPA – each school is different, varying from 2.5 to 3.5
  • A short personal statement explaining why you wish to study for the grad certificate and how your career would benefit
  • Two to four recommendation letters – academic references preferred; employer references are also acceptable on condition of relevance
  • International students who do not speak English as a primary language will be asked to provide formal proof of English proficiency through any permissible study courses such as TOEFL or IELTS. Some may accept Duolingo

What Is the Length of a Graduate Certificate in Psychology?

Typically, a graduate certificate in psychology will take between 12 and 15 months to complete, making them much shorter than a full degree program. However, some offer a flexible study that you can complete over two years – splitting the semester and the 20-30 credits. This is ideal for parents and full-time employees.

The exact number of credits required for a psychology graduate certificate will depend on the specialty and whether it is taken at the post-baccalaureate or post-master level. Most colleges will permit the credits to be applied toward an advanced degree such as a master's or doctorate if the student eventually wishes to pursue a full degree. In most cases though, these are applicable only to the same college's programs.

How Much Does a Graduate Certificate in Psychology Cost?

The cost of a psychology graduate certificate is not standardized. While some are charged per credit much like full degree programs, others are charged as a total for the program.

As with lower-level degrees, how much you pay will depend on various factors including, but not limited to, the school's prestige, subject demand, which state you live in, and the cost of living there. 2022 figures show a typical graduate certificate will cost anywhere between $15,500 and $26,500 (for in-state residents). Costs will be higher for out-of-state residents and international applicants.

Costs are prohibitive for most students who cannot afford to pay from savings. That's why there is a range of loans from government and private sources. FAFSA is one such source and contrary to belief, they are not for undergraduate students only.

Students can also consider scholarship options – opportunities are often based on background, economic status, and more. They do not usually cover the total cost of the program but are designed to offset some of the cost.

Popular Psychology Specialties

There are many specialty areas that psychologists can pursue. Whether you want to work with a specific client population or focus in on a niche area of mental health, there's a career pathway out there for you. The following are some popular psychology specialties - visit our Psychology Careers page for more.

Child Psychologist

Child Psychologists specialize in diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents. They work with children and their families to develop treatment plans that address specific issues and promote overall well-being.

Forensic Psychologist

Forensic Psychologists utilize psychological techniques in the criminal justice system; not only in understanding the criminal mind and devising profiles but also in designing programs for crime prevention.

School Psychologist

A School Psychologist is a trained professional who works within a school setting to support students' academic, social, and emotional development. They use their knowledge of psychology and education to help students overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

 

List of Psychology Graduate Certificate Programs

Find an online or campus-based graduate certificate program in Psychology today – our state-by-state listings make it easy to find a great program near you.

Jump to Your State Listings

Alaska

Graduate Certificate Programs
3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 786-1800

Arizona

3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017

Arkansas

Administration Bldg 425
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 575-2000

California

Graduate Certificate Programs
50 Acacia Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901

2020 De La Vina Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(800) 340-1099

536 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-2968
(415) 442-7800

Colorado

Carter Hall - Rm 4000
Greeley, CO 80639
(970) 351-1890

Florida

Graduate Certificate Programs
341 Tigert Hall 300 SW 13th St
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-1202

Indiana

2550 Northwestern Avenue, Suite 1100
West Lafayette, IN 47906
(866) 522-7747

Kansas

Graduate Certificate Programs
1 Kellogg Circle
Emporia, KS 66801-5415
(620) 341-1200

Graduate Certificate Programs
Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 230
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-2700

Graduate Certificate Programs
1845 N. Fairmount
Wichita, KS 67260-0124
(316) 978-3456

Kentucky

521 Lancaster Ave
Richmond, KY 40475-3102
(859) 622-1000

Graduate Certificate Programs
218 Wells Hall
Murray, KY 42071-3318
(270) 809-3011

South Limestone
Lexington, KY 40506-0032
(859) 257-9000

Louisiana

Graduate Certificate Programs
6823 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118-5698
(504) 865-5000

Maryland

Charles at Mount Royal
Baltimore, MD 21201-5720
(410) 837-4200

Massachusetts

Graduate Certificate Programs
29 Everett St
Cambridge, MA 02138-2790
(617) 868-9600

1 University Ave
Lowell, MA 01854-5104
(978) 934-4000

Michigan

Graduate Certificate Programs
1 Campus Dr
Allendale, MI 49401-9403
(616) 331-2020

Graduate Certificate Programs

East Lansing, MI 48824-1046
(517) 355-1855

Minnesota

Graduate Certificate Programs
225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55402-3389
(866) 808-4080

Graduate Certificate Programs
1282 Concordia Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55104
(855) 641-2525

Graduate Certificate Programs
South Rd and Ellis Ave
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 389-1866

Missouri

901 S National Avenue
Springfield, MO 65897
(417) 836-5000

Graduate Certificate Programs
100 E Normal Avenue
Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
(660) 785-4000

Graduate Certificate Programs
105 Jesse Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-2121

Nebraska

2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
(402) 280-2700

Nevada

Graduate Certificate Programs
4505 S Maryland Pky
Las Vegas, NV 89154
(702) 895-3011

New Jersey

Graduate Certificate Programs
1 Normal Ave
Montclair, NJ 07043
(973) 655-4000

201 Mullica Hill Road
Glassboro, NJ 08028
(856) 256-4000

Graduate Certificate Programs
83 Somerset St
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1281
(848) 445-4636

New Mexico

Graduate Certificate Programs
1700 Lomas Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 277-0111

New York

Graduate Certificate Programs

Rochester, NY
(585) 475-2411

North Carolina

East 5th Street
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
(252) 328-6131

1200 Murchison Rd
Fayetteville, NC 28301-4298
(910) 672-1111

Graduate Certificate Programs
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
(704) 687-2000

North Dakota

264 Centennial Drive, Stop 8193
Grand Forks, ND 58202-8193
(800) 225-5863

Ohio

Graduate Certificate Programs
220 McFall Ctr
Bowling Green, OH 43403
(418) 372-5526

Graduate Certificate Programs
10900 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 368-2000

Graduate Certificate Programs
501 East High St
Oxford, OH 45056
(513) 529-1809

Oregon

Graduate Certificate Programs
8000 NE Tillamook Street
Portland, OR 97213
(800) 641-5641

Pennsylvania

Graduate Certificate Programs
250 University Ave
California, PA 15419
(724) 938-4000

Graduate Certificate Programs
1400 Montgomery Ave
Rosemont, PA 19010
(610) 527-0200

1801 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6096
(215) 204-7000

Texas

2008 Alumni Drive, Rusk 206
Nacogdoches, TX 75961
(936) 468-2011

2200 Campbell Stree
Commerce, TX 75429-3011
(888) 868-2682

Graduate Certificate Programs
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249-1644
(210) 458-4011

Utah

Graduate Certificate Programs
201 Presidents Circle, ROOM 201
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9008
(801) 581-7200

Virginia

Graduate Certificate Programs
5115 Hampton Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23529
(757) 683-3000

1000 Regent University Dr
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
(757) 352-4127

Washington

526 5th Street
Cheney, WA 99004-2496
(509) 359-6200

West Virginia

One John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755
(304) 696-3170

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.

Joel Gill
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