What you’ll learn in this article…
- Ohio State, Case Western Reserve, and Ohio University rank among the state's top psychology programs for 2026.
- Online psychology degrees in Ohio start below $8,000 in average annual net price at several accredited institutions.
- Licensure as a psychologist in Ohio typically requires eight to twelve years of education and supervised experience after high school.
- APA accreditation at the doctoral level is the single most important factor for qualifying to practice independently in Ohio.
Franklin University charges $398 per credit for its online psychology degree, while Franciscan University of Steubenville charges $650 per credit for its online bachelor's in clinical psychology. That gap captures the central question for Ohio students in 2026: how much to pay for a degree, and whether it leads anywhere near licensure.
Ohio's online-friendly psychology programs run from graduate certificates in behavior analysis to bachelor's and master's programs. Public universities such as Kent State and Cleveland State generally post lower in-state tuition than the private schools. A low price means little if the program doesn't fit your goal, though. Tiffin's online master's in psychology is explicitly not a licensure track, and practicing independently as a psychologist in Ohio still requires a doctoral program in psychology.
2027 Best Psychology Programs in Ohio: Top Ranked Schools
These ten Ohio psychology programs range from a graduate certificate in behavior analysis to online bachelor's degrees in clinical, applied, and sport psychology. Every school on this list has a substantial online footprint, and several appear twice with offerings at different degree levels. Where graduation rates are shown, they describe the whole institution rather than the psychology program itself, because program-level completion data is not reported consistently.
Factors considered
- Pell Grant enrollment share
- Average net price after aid
- Retention and student-faculty ratios
- Online and hybrid program availability
- Degree level and program range
- On-time completion, weighted lightly
- Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Original research on individual programs
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University is a public institution in downtown Cleveland that delivers its psychology-adjacent training through a fully online graduate certificate in behavior analysis. The credential is built for working professionals in Ohio schools, developmental disability agencies, and clinical settings who need the coursework behind the BCBA credential. It stands alone as a post-baccalaureate certificate, so it cannot be combined with a CSU degree program.
- 21-credit graduate certificate in behavior analysis
- Seven courses, ABAI Verified Course Sequence
- Covers assessment, intervention, ethics, and supervision
- Prepares students for the BCBA credential
- 2.75 GPA minimum, with provisional admission below that
- 100% online; cannot be combined with a CSU degree
- Aligned with the BACB 5th Edition Task List
Graduate Certificate in Behavior Analysis — Online
Kent State University
Kent State University anchors one of Ohio's broadest public psychology offerings, and this entry covers two very different online paths: a bachelor's in sport, exercise and performance psychology and a master's in educational psychology with an optional gifted education concentration. The graduate program does not require a psychology major, which opens it to licensed teachers and career changers. Both programs run fully online with multiple start terms each year.
- 100% online Bachelor of Science, 120 credit hours
- Covers motivation, mental training, and stress management
- Includes practicum experience and sport injury psychology
- Prepares graduates for coaching roles or graduate study
- Ohio resident tuition about $53,700 for the full program
- Minimum 2.000 GPA required for admission
- 30-credit fully online master's with optional Gifted Education concentration
- Rolling admissions with fall, spring, and summer starts
- 2.8 GPA minimum and two letters of recommendation
- Psycholog undergraduate major is not required
- Prepares teachers and data analysts; six years to complete
- Priority deadline of January 1
Bachelor of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology — Online
Master of Education in Educational Psychology, Gifted Education Concentration — Online
Franklin University
Franklin University is a Columbus-based private nonprofit built around working adults, and it appears here with two separate online bachelor's degrees in psychology and applied psychology. Courses run in six-week blocks, tuition is locked at a flat per-credit rate from day one, and up to 90 transfer credits are accepted, so many students finish in under two years. The university also maintains articulation agreements with community colleges across Ohio.
- 120-credit online B.S.; finish in as few as 21 months
- $398 per credit with a locked tuition rate
- Seven concentration options, including forensic and industrial-organizational psychology
- Up to 90 transfer credits accepted; average of 66 awarded
- Eight start dates per year; one six-week course at a time
- On-site field experience plus capstone or thesis
- Military benefits accepted; financial aid available
- 120-credit online bachelor's with four concentration options
- $398 per credit under a tuition guarantee
- Capstone or practicum option with field experience
- Complete in about 21 months with eight start dates a year
- Focus on one class at a time
- Up to 90 transfer credits accepted; average of 66 awarded
Bachelor of Science in Psychology — Online
Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology — Online
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a large public research university with a health sciences footprint that shows clearly in its behavior analysis offerings. Both the online master's and the graduate certificate are ABAI verified course sequences aimed at Ohio's shortage of board certified behavior analysts in school districts, healthcare systems, and autism service providers. Online graduate students pay a single rate for these non-licensure programs, which narrows the usual in-state and out-of-state price gap.
- 30-credit master's completed in as few as five semesters
- 100% online, ABAI verified course sequence
- Prepares students for the BCBA exam
- 3.0 GPA minimum; no entrance exam required
- Three start dates per year; apply by August 1, 2026
- No built-in practicum; fieldwork arranged independently
- Application fee waived for fall 2026
- Dedicated enrollment and student success advisors
- Grounded in BACB ethical practice standards
- Covers behavioral assessment and functional behavior assessment
- Emphasis on prevention and early intervention
- Test optional admission with a 3.0 GPA minimum
- Curriculum includes IDEA and intervention planning
- Prepares graduates for education and clinic based roles
- 100% online with enrollment advisor support
Master of Education in Foundations in Behavior Analysis — Online
Graduate Certificate in Behavior Analysis — Online
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University runs one of Ohio's largest special education programs, and its applied behavior analysis coursework sits inside that framework. The online master's is an ABAI verified course sequence, while the shorter certificate covers much of the same ethics and assessment ground for students who want the credential quickly. Seven-week accelerated terms and multiple start dates are designed for working adults.
- ABAI verified course sequence in special education
- 100% online master's with asynchronous seven-week courses
- Finished in about two years with multiple start dates
- Prepares students for the BCBA credential
- Thesis or capstone option
- Quality Matters certified program
- Career paths in education and healthcare settings
- Seven-course certificate completed in one year
- 100% online and prepares students for the BCBA
- Sample coursework includes ethics and assessment
- Quality Matters Online Learner Support certified
- Faculty with real-world practice experience
- Career paths include consultant and school behavior specialist
Master of Education in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis — Online
Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate — Online
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Catholic institution whose online bachelor's in clinical psychology integrates the Catholic intellectual tradition with evidence-based coursework. The curriculum is deliberately structured as a pre-professional pathway toward graduate study in counseling or clinical psychology rather than a terminal degree. A 150-hour internship option and a senior thesis add applied experience.
- Online Bachelor of Arts grounded in Catholic intellectual tradition
- 61 to 66 major credit hours plus core requirements
- Coursework in abnormal, social, and biopsychology
- Optional 150-hour internship
- Senior thesis or seminar capstone
- Rolling admissions and a $0 application fee
- Fall, spring, and summer start terms
- $650 per credit; designed to prepare for graduate study
Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology — Online
Tiffin University
Tiffin University is a private institution in northwest Ohio whose online master's in psychology is a generalist, non-licensure degree. It suits students aiming at research, social services, human resources, or community college teaching, and it can also serve as preparation for doctoral study. Seven-week terms and six start dates a year keep the pace manageable for working adults.
- 41-credit online master's completed in about 18 months
- $635 per credit with seven-week course terms
- Six start dates per year
- Not a licensure track and does not lead to clinical practice
- Faculty all hold Ph.D.s
- Prepares students for doctoral study
- Coursework in developmental, cognitive, and neuropsychology
Master of Science in Psychology — Online
John Carroll University
John Carroll University is a Jesuit institution outside Cleveland, and its master's in applied behavior analysis blends online coursework with twice-monthly campus sessions. Fieldwork placements in hospitals, schools, and clinics give students supervised practice toward BCBA certification. Cohorts are small, and the program leans on Jesuit values of whole-person care.
- 39-credit hybrid master's completed in two years
- Online classes twice monthly plus in-person sessions
- Prepares students for BCBA certification
- Fieldwork in hospitals, schools, and clinics
- Rolling admissions with summer and fall starts
- 2.8 GPA minimum and two letters of recommendation
- Jesuit values of whole-person care
- Scholarships and financial aid available
Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis — Hybrid
Xavier University
Xavier University is a Jesuit institution in Cincinnati offering a short, fully online graduate certificate in neurodiversity with a focus on autism spectrum disorder. The nine-credit sequence is aimed at K-12 educators, school psychologists, and clinicians who need practical strategies and special education law rather than a full degree. It stacks into further graduate study if students choose to continue.
- 9-credit online certificate focused on autism spectrum disorder
- $660 per credit; bachelor's degree required
- Covers neurodivergent conditions and special education law
- Practical communication strategies for school and community settings
- No GRE required; small class sizes
- Jesuit Catholic values with a practice focus
Graduate Neurodiversity Certificate — Online
Kent State University at Trumbull
Kent State University at Trumbull brings the same online sport, exercise and performance psychology bachelor's degree to students in the Warren area, with regional-campus pricing that comes in below the main Kent campus. The 120-credit program is fully online and includes a practicum, and class sizes on the regional campus stay small. Part-time study is an option for students balancing work.
- 100% online Bachelor of Science, 120 credit hours
- Four years of full-time study; part-time options available
- Coursework in mental skills training, injury psychology, and ethics
- Includes practicum experience
- Ohio resident tuition about $612.62 per credit
- Minimum 2.000 GPA required
- Regional-campus pricing below the main Kent campus
Bachelor of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology — Online
Online vs. On-Campus Psychology Programs in Ohio
Ohio offers psychology programs in fully online, hybrid, and traditional on-campus formats, and each delivery mode comes with real tradeoffs. The right choice depends on your schedule, budget, career goals, and how much in-person interaction you need. Here is a practical breakdown of the advantages and limitations you should weigh before committing.
- Fully online bachelor's and master's programs from schools like Ohio University, Kent State, and Franklin University let you study on your own schedule without relocating.
- Ohio University charges a flat online tuition rate regardless of residency, which can save out-of-state students thousands of dollars compared to traditional campus rates.
- Kent State's online psychology programs show only a narrow gap between in-state and out-of-state per-credit costs (roughly $612 vs. $623), making them accessible to a broad applicant pool.
- Online formats often allow faster completion: some Ohio master's programs advertise 18-month timelines, while on-campus equivalents may take two years or more.
- The rankings on counselingpsychology.org include a program format indicator, so you can filter specifically for online, hybrid, or on-campus options that fit your situation.
- Doctoral programs and clinical practica almost always require campus presence; fully online PsyD or PhD options in Ohio are rare, so plan for in-person commitments at the advanced level.
- On-campus and hybrid formats offer stronger networking, faculty mentorship, and peer collaboration that are harder to replicate in asynchronous online courses.
- Practicum and supervised fieldwork placements are typically arranged locally, which can be more complicated for online students living outside Ohio or in rural areas.
- Some online programs, such as Tiffin University's M.S. in Psychology, explicitly note they are not clinical licensure tracks, so the degree may not qualify you for direct client practice.
- Hybrid programs that blend online coursework with periodic campus visits can create unpredictable travel costs that are easy to overlook when comparing sticker prices.
Most Affordable Online Psychology Degrees in Ohio
The table below ranks the most affordable online psychology programs in Ohio by net price, from lowest to highest. Net price is an institution-wide average that reflects what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied; your actual cost will vary based on your financial aid package, enrollment status, and residency. All programs listed are bachelor's level except for Cleveland State University, which offers a graduate certificate. One notable detail for out-of-state students: Kent State University's online psychology programs charge only about $10 more per credit hour for non-residents, making the in-state versus out-of-state gap far smaller online than it appears in the published sticker prices below.
| School | Program | Degree Level | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (Avg. After Aid) | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio University, Lancaster Campus | B.S. in Psychology | Bachelor's | $6,362 | $9,444 | $5,650 | Online |
| Kent State University at Stark | B.S. in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology | Bachelor's | $8,211 | $17,969 | $10,897 | Online |
| Kent State University at Trumbull | B.S. in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology | Bachelor's | $8,211 | $17,969 | $11,135 | Online |
| Kent State University at Geauga | B.S. in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology | Bachelor's | $8,211 | $17,969 | $12,044 | Online |
| Kent State University at Ashtabula | B.S. in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology | Bachelor's | $8,211 | $17,969 | $12,205 | Online |
| Kent State University at Tuscarawas | B.S. in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology | Bachelor's | $8,211 | $17,969 | $12,542 | Online |
| Kent State University at East Liverpool | B.S. in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology | Bachelor's | $8,211 | $17,969 | $13,392 | Online |
| Kent State University at Salem | B.S. in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology | Bachelor's | $8,211 | $17,969 | $13,799 | Online |
| Cleveland State University | Certificate in Behavior Analysis | Graduate Certificate | $11,297 | $21,107 | $14,764 | Online |
| Kent State University (main campus) | B.S. in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology | Bachelor's | $12,920 | $21,575 | $20,787 | Online |
Questions to Ask Yourself
Are you pursuing a path that requires licensure, such as clinical or counseling psychology?
Do you need a fully online format, or can you commit to on-campus attendance?
Is minimizing total cost your top priority, or is post-graduation earning potential more important to you?
Do you have a specific specialization in mind, such as industrial-organizational, clinical, or counseling psychology?
Psychology Degree Levels and Specializations Available in Ohio
Two-year associate programs and four-year bachelor's degrees represent opposite ends of the undergraduate spectrum, and understanding where each one leads is essential before you commit to a program. Ohio's psychology landscape spans the full credential ladder, from bachelor's through doctoral, and the programs in this ranking reflect most of that range.
The Degree Ladder in Ohio
Bachelor's-level programs make up the majority of options here. Ohio University-Lancaster, Franklin University, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Malone University, and multiple Kent State campuses all offer bachelor's degrees, with concentrations spanning general psychology, clinical psychology, applied psychology, and sport and exercise psychology. These programs typically require 120 credit hours and are designed as either launchpads for graduate study or entry points into human services, case management, and support roles. For a broader look at how these credentials compare nationally, our guide to different types of psychology degrees is a useful starting point.
Master's degrees appear at Tiffin University (a general M.S. in Psychology), Bowling Green State University and University of Cincinnati (both focused on Applied Behavior Analysis), and John Carroll University (Educational Psychology). Each of those graduate programs signals a different career trajectory. A master's degree in psychology in general or I/O psychology, for example, can qualify graduates for roles in human resources, organizational consulting, program evaluation, and research coordination. ABA-focused master's degrees prepare graduates to sit for the BCBA exam and work with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. The John Carroll M.Ed. in Educational Psychology is positioned explicitly as preparation for doctoral work.
Graduate certificates round out the picture. Case Western Reserve University offers a certificate in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Cleveland State University offers one in Applied Behavior Analysis, and Xavier University offers a neurodiversity-focused graduate certificate. These shorter credentials are best suited for professionals who already hold a degree and want to add a focused specialty, not for students building a primary credential.
What Each Level Can and Cannot Do for Your Career
If your goal is independent licensure as a psychologist in Ohio, a master's degree alone will not get you there. The Ohio State Board of Psychology requires a doctoral degree, either a Ph.D. or Psy.D., along with supervised postdoctoral hours and passage of the EPPP examination. A master's in psychology can support licensure in adjacent fields, such as professional counseling (which has its own licensure track through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, and you can explore masters in counseling Ohio options separately), but the title of "psychologist" is reserved for doctoral-level practitioners.
For roles like industrial-organizational psychologist, the master's degree is often sufficient for applied positions in business settings, though research-focused or consulting roles at senior levels increasingly prefer the doctorate.
Should You Start with an Associate Degree?
The short answer: an associate degree in psychology is rarely worth treating as a career credential on its own. Ohio community colleges do offer two-year psychology transfer pathways, but they exist to feed into bachelor's programs, not to prepare graduates for employment in psychology-adjacent roles. An associate degree signals foundational coursework, not professional readiness. If affordability is the concern, the stronger strategy is to complete the associate degree as a cost-saving first step and then transfer into one of the bachelor's programs listed here, rather than stopping at the two-year mark and expecting meaningful career traction in the field.
How to Become a Licensed Psychologist in Ohio
Earning your license as a psychologist in Ohio is a multistep process that typically spans eight to twelve years after high school. The pathway below reflects 2025-2026 requirements set by the Ohio Board of Psychology. Note that master's-level credentials such as the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) follow a separate, shorter track and do not authorize the title "psychologist."
Accreditation and Licensure: Which Ohio Programs Qualify
Which accreditation body determines whether your Ohio psychology program will qualify you for licensure? The answer depends on your degree level and career goal, but two organizations set the national standards: the American Psychological Association (APA) for doctoral psychologist training and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for master's-level counseling programs. Choosing a program with the right accreditation is the single most important decision you will make, because Ohio licensure boards rely on these credentials to determine eligibility.
APA-Accredited Doctoral Programs in Ohio
If you plan to become a licensed psychologist in Ohio, your doctoral program must hold APA accreditation. The APA Commission on Accreditation evaluates clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and school psychology doctoral programs nationwide. To find current APA-accredited programs in Ohio, visit the APA website and use the program search tool, filtering by state (Ohio) and program type. As of the 2025-2026 academic year, Ohio hosts APA-accredited doctoral programs at institutions including Kent State University, The Ohio State University, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, Wright State University, and Case Western Reserve University. Program types include clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and clinical child programs. Accreditation status can change, so always verify directly on the APA site before applying.
CACREP-Accredited Master's Programs for Counseling
Master's-level counseling students should focus on CACREP accreditation, which Ohio requires for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) pathways. CACREP accredits programs in clinical mental health counseling online programs, school counseling, career counseling, and other specializations. Check the CACREP directory on their official website to identify accredited programs at Ohio universities. Major Ohio institutions offering CACREP-accredited programs include Cleveland State University, Ohio University, University of Cincinnati, John Carroll University, and Xavier University, among others. Some schools offer multiple CACREP-accredited tracks, so review each program page carefully.
Verify Licensure Requirements and Program Status Directly
Accreditation alone does not guarantee licensure. Consult the Ohio Board of Psychology for psychologist licensure requirements, including supervised hours, examination requirements, and any additional state-specific criteria. For counseling and marriage and family therapy master's programs Ohio, visit the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board. Both boards publish detailed licensure pathways, application procedures, and contact information for questions.
Always verify accreditation status on the individual school's program website and contact program coordinators directly before enrolling. Accreditation reviews occur on multi-year cycles, and a program's status can be placed on probation or withdrawn. For national employment outlook and wage data across psychology occupations, refer to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), which publishes projections and median earnings by occupation and, in some cases, by state.
Choosing an accredited, licensure-track program is the single most consequential decision you will make as an aspiring psychologist in Ohio. Accreditation determines whether your degree qualifies you to sit for licensing exams and practice independently, so verify a program's current status directly with the accrediting body before you enroll.
Career Outcomes and Earning Potential for Ohio Psychology Graduates
Understanding what psychology graduates actually earn helps you weigh the return on your degree investment. The institution-level median earnings shown below reflect what all graduates of each school report earning ten years after enrollment, regardless of major. These figures come from federal data and capture a broad cross-section of alumni. For occupation-specific context, the national median wage for psychologists was $94,310 in 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with projected job growth of 6% through 2034. Ohio-specific wage figures by percentile are not included here because verified state-level BLS data for the current reporting period was not available at publication. Keep in mind that program-level post-completion earnings for many of these specific psychology programs have not yet been published, so institution-wide figures serve as the best available proxy.
Admissions Requirements and How to Apply to Ohio Psychology Programs
A 3.0 undergraduate GPA is the most common minimum you will encounter for both master's and doctoral psychology programs across Ohio, though some programs set the bar higher. Ohio University's Accelerated Pathway in Psychological Science, for example, requires a 3.2 GPA or a combination of at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA with a 3.5 in your most recent coursework.1 Doctoral programs at research-intensive institutions may not list a higher posted minimum, but admitted cohorts typically carry averages well above 3.0. Ohio State's PhD in Psychology lists a 3.0 minimum for Autumn 2026 admissions, yet competitive applicants usually exceed that figure by a meaningful margin.2
GRE and Test-Optional Trends
Since 2020, a growing number of Ohio programs have dropped the GRE as a hard requirement. Ohio State's general Psychology PhD no longer requires the exam for Autumn 2026 applicants, while its Quantitative Psychology specialization still does.2 This split illustrates a broader pattern: many programs have gone test-optional or test-free, but specific specializations and highly competitive doctoral tracks may still require or strongly recommend GRE scores. If you are applying to multiple programs, check each one individually rather than assuming a blanket policy.
Prerequisite Coursework
Regardless of degree level, expect to complete a core set of undergraduate courses before you apply. Common prerequisites include:
- Introductory Psychology: Nearly every program expects this foundational course.
- Statistics: A college-level statistics course, often specifically in behavioral or social science statistics.
- Research Methods: Demonstrates your readiness for graduate-level empirical work.
- Content Electives: Ohio University's accelerated pathway, for instance, requires three additional courses from areas such as developmental, social, cognitive, biological, or abnormal psychology.1
Programs may also ask for letters of recommendation and a personal statement outlining your research interests and career goals.
Thesis, Dissertation, and Clinical Requirements
What you complete beyond coursework depends heavily on the degree level and specialization. Master's programs in psychological science frequently require a thesis; Ohio University's accelerated pathway is one example.1 Doctoral programs virtually always require a dissertation, and clinical or counseling psychology doctorates add a predoctoral internship, typically lasting a full year. If you are weighing a counseling doctoral programs track, note that the internship requirement alone adds significant time to your schedule. Programs oriented toward research rather than clinical practice may substitute extended research practica for formal clinical hours, but a substantial independent research project remains the norm at the doctoral level. For a broader overview of what the full career trajectory looks like, our guide on how to become a psychologist breaks down each stage from undergraduate work through licensure.
Before you apply, map out each program's full set of requirements, from prerequisite courses through culminating experiences, so you can build a realistic timeline and avoid surprises after enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Psychology Programs
Choosing a psychology program in Ohio raises plenty of practical questions, from cost and accreditation to licensure timelines. Below are answers to the questions prospective students ask most often, drawn from current program data and Ohio licensing requirements.
- What is the #1 college for psychology in Ohio?
- Rankings depend on which factors matter most to you. In our 2026 analysis, Ohio University's Lancaster Campus earned the top composite score among online psychology programs, thanks to low net cost (approximately $5,650 for in-state students) and strong return on investment. For doctoral research prestige, Ohio State and Case Western Reserve are consistently cited. The best fit depends on your degree level, budget, and career goals.
- Does Ohio State have a good psych program?
- Yes. The Ohio State University is widely regarded as one of the strongest psychology departments in the Midwest, offering APA-accredited doctoral programs in clinical and counseling psychology along with robust research opportunities. Its size also means access to specialized labs and faculty across subfields like developmental, cognitive, and quantitative psychology. If doctoral-level clinical training is your goal, Ohio State belongs on your shortlist.
- How do you become a licensed psychologist in Ohio?
- Ohio requires a doctoral degree in psychology from a program that meets State Board of Psychology standards, typically an APA-accredited Ph.D. or Psy.D. You must then complete supervised experience (usually two years, including a predoctoral internship) and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). After submitting your application and fees to the Ohio Board, you receive your license. The full timeline from entering a doctoral program to licensure generally runs seven to nine years.
- What is the cheapest online psychology degree in Ohio?
- Among the programs in our 2026 data, Ohio University's Lancaster Campus offers one of the lowest price points at roughly $6,362 in-state tuition for its fully online B.S. in Psychology, with a net price near $5,650 after aid. Franklin University's online B.S. in Psychology charges $9,577 regardless of residency. Both are worth comparing in the affordability table earlier in this article for a side-by-side cost breakdown.
- Which Ohio psychology programs are accredited and lead to licensure?
- For doctoral-level licensure as a psychologist, look for APA-accredited clinical or counseling psychology programs. Ohio State, University of Cincinnati, Kent State, and several others hold APA accreditation at the doctoral level. For master's-level counseling licensure, CACREP-accredited programs are the gold standard. At the bachelor's level, regional accreditation (such as HLC) ensures your credits transfer, but a bachelor's alone does not qualify you for independent licensure in Ohio.
- Is a 2-year psychology degree worth it?
- An associate degree in psychology can be a smart, affordable entry point. It lets you explore the field, complete general education requirements, and transfer credits toward a bachelor's program, often saving thousands of dollars. However, most psychology careers require at least a bachelor's degree, and clinical or counseling roles demand a master's or doctorate. Think of a two-year degree as a stepping stone rather than a final destination.
- Can I earn a psychology master's degree entirely online from an Ohio university?
- Yes. Several Ohio universities offer fully online master's programs in psychology or closely related fields. Tiffin University, for example, provides a 41-credit M.S. in Psychology that can be completed in about 18 months with no campus visits. The University of Cincinnati and Bowling Green State University each offer online master's options in applied behavior analysis. Confirm whether a specific program includes a clinical licensure track, because not all online master's degrees do.
More Ohio Psychology Programs to Consider
Beyond the top-ranked schools, Ohio offers many other psychology programs worth exploring. Below is a directory of additional options, including online and on-campus programs at various degree levels.
- Graduate Certificate in Industrial Organizational Psychology
- M.Ed. in Educational Psychology
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
- Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
- Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
- Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
- Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
- Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
- Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
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