20 Best Online Doctorates in Psychology

Why opt for one of the best Online Doctorates in Psychology? The answer is simple. Substance abuse, mental health, and post-traumatic stress are just a select few experiences within the human condition that are more or less timeless. It’s a hard fall into these ways of being, and seeking help is often the best method of finding a way out. A psychologist is expected to be equal parts empathetic and educated, understanding the many ways that these experiences can take hold and knowing how to reverse the negativity it sheds on life. It takes a significant amount of work to arrive at the doctoral stage of this psychology training. But these days, you can achieve it on your own time, in your own space, with College Rank’s list of the 20 best online Doctorates in Psychology.   What is a Doctorate in Psychology Degree? A Doctorate in Psychology can take three forms: a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and Doctor of Education (EdD). The PhD is perhaps the most traditional form, involving extensive scholarly research and a dissertation to complete the process. The PsyD often requires less research and more clinical practice. The EdD is rooted in education and also uses a less clinically-based approach to curriculum and the final project. All three of these degrees are Doctorates and offer professionals the chance to further both their understanding of the field and their earning potential. Programs will train you in critical thinking, research, communication, writing, and plenty of other advanced methods for working with groups and individuals to improve lives. The timeframe for each will differ, but the opportunity to learn online means you can continue to work in your role while immediately implementing new methods into practice. Careers for Doctorate in Psychology Majors Obtaining a Doctorate in Psychology not only means you get to call yourself â€Å"Doctor,† but, in some cases, it puts you in the position to attain a Licensed Clinical Psychologist certificationa necessary step to becoming a psychologist. Most state licensing boards require a Doctorate in Psychology as a minimum prerequisite for this exam. While a Master’s degree may equip you to work as a therapist or counselor, the Doctorate puts you in a higher echelon of professionals and exposes you to even more opportunities in the field. With a Doctorate degree in Psychology, you’ll be able to work with various populationsdepending on where you decide to put your focuswhile in training. While a psychologist is the obvious career choice, there are also roles as counselors, social workers, and human resource managers (among others) that a Doctorate can consider. These jobs continue to be in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the job growth at 14% over the next decade, which is higher than the average growth rate. Online Doctorate in Psychology Salary Potential While it’s possible to succeed with just a Master’s degree, many opportunities in clinical counseling or school settings will require a Doctorate. It’s also essential for employers to see that you’ve had the extensive supervised practice (part of the Doctoral process) before putting you into sessions with patients of their institution. This degree simply increases your hireability and salary range. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the annual salary range for these roles is often around $100,000more than double the median wage across the entire economy. The highest paying roles are in government, with the earning potential in hospitals and schools close behind. Obtaining these types of salaries is not without upkeep. Many roles require a Doctorate degree, licensure, and subsequent continuing education. For more specific roles, like in couples counseling, substance abuse, or family therapy, you will be expected to obtain a related specialty certification from the The American Board of Professional Psychology. What are the Best Online Doctorates in Psychology Programs? We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. The editors of College Rank utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following three aspects: 40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni 30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and national accreditation for the 2019-2020 school year 30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school At College Rank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net. 1Texas Tech UniversityLocationLubbock, TexasAverage Net Price$15,820More Information You don’t have to come from a Psychology background in order to benefit from the Educational Psychology PhD from Texas Tech. The program’s broad approach explores educational foundations with a deep understanding and connection to quantitative and qualitative research. Above all, the goal is to develop and improve educational systems while respecting the inherent diversity. This blended program is guided by framework set by the American Psychological Association and influence from other educational accreditation institutions. The curriculum works through exploring core concepts, conducting and applying research, plus a practicum and residency requirement so students can both learn and exhibit the skills learned. Research of core education creates the bulk of this program. Courses in Foundations of Educational Research, Structural Equation Modeling, and Qualitative Research Methods (among others) are available to choose from to create your own schedule. Those with goals to teach or to conduct educational research will blossom with this curriculum. An area of emphasis can also steer this degree to your personalized goals. These concentrations can be in Education, Psychology, Human Development and Family Science, Computer Science, or Anthropology and Sociology. In its totality, this program will equip students with the tools to design effective and transformational programs based on data-driven research.