2024 - Best Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Degree Programs

Sometimes it can be appropriate to cut corners, but finding an psychology doctorate degree program is not one of those times. The steps you take to research the many online psychology doctorate programs matter, and that’s why we’ve developed methods to make sure you’re getting the most accurate information available. Any sources or schools listed in our guides are put through a rigorous process and checked and double-checked using our rankings methodology. If you’re curious about what makes our methodology so special, see our Rankings Methodology page for more details.

1.

University of Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN

The University of Indianapolis offers a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program through its Department of Psychology on its main campus. This full-time, five-year program integrates clinical training with research and emphasizes a practitioner-scholar model. Students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through the on-campus Psychological Services Center and the option to specialize in various areas, such as child and adolescent psychology or health psychology.

2.

University of Denver

Denver, CO

Students gain competencies in applying psychological assessments and interventions when they earn their in-person Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) from the University of Denver. Students complete community field placements and internships with a 100% match rate.

PsyD Programs
  • One of the oldest PsyD programs in the U.S.
  • Students complete a Clinical Competency Exam.
  • A final paper is required to graduate.
3.

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA

Dedicated to providing psychological therapeutics for underserved rural populations in the South, Georgia Southern University offers a Psy.D program. The in-person advanced degree focuses on preparing generalist practitioners in health service psychology.

PsyD Programs
  • Incorporates community engagements with rural clinics.
  • Students must complete a series of practicums.
  • A one-year clinical internship is required.

What Are the Various Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) Degree Specialties?

Earning your doctorate in psychology will open up the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of psychology. Here are some options for specialization for psychology doctorate students:

Can I Get a PsyD Online?

There are some colleges that may allow for the completion of some or portions of the PsyD degree online. This includes accredited programs designed to help students to complete their education while working or meeting other obligations.

PsyD vs. Ph.D. in Psychology

A PsyD education is a bit different than earning a Ph.D. in Psychology. Both educational paths are doctorate-level education. Typically, a Ph.D. path will prepare students to work in one of many areas of psychology, while the PsyD degree is designed more for those who just want to work in clinical environments, working hands-on with patients.

The Ph.D. path typically focuses on the following:

  • Significant research-based education
  • Education so students can work in clinical practice, research, or academia
  • Provides a wide range of clinical setting skills
  • More difficult to get into, though numerous programs exist

The PsyD path typically focuses on the following:

  • Education for those who want to run a practice or work directly with patients
  • Typically has a strong clinical focus with less research
  • Prepares students by teaching a wide range of clinical skills and working with patients
  • Takes less time to complete due to fewer research and statistics courses

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 PsyD Program?

Students completing a PsyD program are likely to spend a significant amount of their time focused on skill-building, though research may be a smaller component of the educational path. Without a doubt, this type of program is competitive and will be challenging as it is a terminal degree in the field. Typically, students will need to complete 119 credits, though programs differ.

Some of the most common courses for those in this field may include:

  • Adult psychopathology
  • Professional ethics
  • Assessment and intelligence testing
  • Child and adolescent development
  • History and systems of psychology
  • Interviewing assessment
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Clinical practicum

One of the keys to this program is that it does not typically require a significant amount of research. As a result of this, students are likely to have to complete a dissertation or may need to complete another project.

What Are the PsyD Admission Requirements?

Typically, schools will require students entering this program to have a master's degree in psychology. Many will require a 3.0 GPA or better, depending on the competitiveness of the program. Students often need to complete an interview with the faculty and submit a resume to showcase the work they have done to this point.

Often, there is the need to submit letters of recommendation from mental health professionals, a goal statement, and an outline of why a person should be considered for the position. Each school's requirements are a bit different, and some programs are more lenient than others available to students.

What Is the Length of a PsyD Program?

A typical PsyD program can be completed in four to six years. That is shorter than the typical Ph.D., which requires five to eight years in most cases. More so, there is often the ability to complete this education over time online, which could help to make it a bit easier for some students.

How Much Does a PsyD Cost?

Costs for a PsyD program range widely based on the school. Many students will need to consider the specific educational goals they have. Online programs are likely to cost much less. Overall, a private college or university is likely to cost about $34,000 a year for this educational path.

There are often options for financing your PsyD, such as applying for a loan (See FASFA for example) or a grant (see the Pell Grant for example).

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 PsyD Degree Programs

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

Jump to Your State Listings

California

10455 Pomerado Road
San Diego, CA 92131
(858) 635-4000

PsyD Programs
60 W Olsen Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-2787
(805) 492-2411

PsyD Programs
135 N Oakland Ave
Pasadena, CA 91182
(626) 584-5200

PsyD Programs
11139 Anderson Street
Loma Linda, CA 92350
(909) 558-1000

249 Lambert Rd
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 969-3626 x101

PsyD Programs
2075 E. Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92019-1108
(619) 201-8999

1950 Third St
La Verne, CA 91750-4401
(909) 593-3511

Colorado

1380 Lawrence Street, Lawrence Street Center, Suite 1400
Denver, CO 80217-3364
(303) 556-5600

PsyD Programs
2199 S. University Blvd
Denver, CO 80208
(303) 871-2000

Florida

PsyD Programs
150 West University Blvd
Melbourne, FL 32901-6975
(321) 674-8000

3301 College Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314-7796
(954) 262-7300

Hawaii

3140 Waialae Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816-1578
(808) 735-4711

1 Aloha Tower Drive
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 544-0200

Illinois

PsyD Programs
430 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605-1394
(312) 341-3500

Indiana

210 N 7th St
Terre Haute, IN 47809
(812) 237-6311

PsyD Programs
1400 E Hanna Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46227-3697
(317) 788-3368

Kentucky

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

901 S Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40203-2188
(502) 585-9911

1906 College Heights Blvd
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1000
(270) 745-0111

Maine

PsyD Programs
96 Falmouth St
Portland, ME 04103
(207) 780-4141

Maryland

4501 N Charles St
Baltimore, MD 21210-2699
(410) 617-2000

1525 Greenspring Valley Rd
Stevenson, MD 21153-0641
(410) 486-7000

Massachusetts

PsyD Programs
One Wells Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
(617) 327-6777

Michigan

26811 Orchard Lake Rd.
Farmington Hills, MI 48334-4512
(248) 476-1122 x100

Minnesota

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

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

PsyD Programs
720 Fourth Ave. South
Saint Cloud, MN 56301-4498
(320) 308-0121

2115 Summit Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55105-1078
(651) 962-5000

New Jersey

1000 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
(908) 737-5326

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

PsyD Programs
300 Pompton Rd
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 720-2000

New York

PsyD Programs
South Ave
Garden City, NY 11530-0701
(516) 877-3000

PsyD Programs
West 116 St and Broadway
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-1754

100 Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY 11549
(516) 463-6600

50 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
(646) 565-6000

North Carolina

PsyD Programs
Highway 107
Cullowhee, NC 28723-9646
(828) 227-7100

Ohio

PsyD Programs
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-1092
(513) 745-3000

Oregon

PsyD Programs
2043 College Way
Forest Grove, OR 97116
(877) 722-8648

Pennsylvania

PsyD Programs
Administration Bldg 600 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
(412) 396-6000

University Avenue and High Street
West Chester, PA 19383
(610) 436-1000

Tennessee

Texas

2700 Bay Area Blvd
Houston, TX 77058-1002
(281) 283-7600

Utah

351 West University Blvd
Cedar City, UT 84720
(435) 586-7700

Virginia

PsyD Programs
801 East Main St.
Radford, VA 24142
(540) 831-5000

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

Washington

PsyD Programs
2326 6th Ave
Seattle, WA 98121-1814
(206) 441-5352

West Virginia

1 John Marshall Dr
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.

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