10 Fastest Accelerated PsyD Programs in 2025

PsyD programs can be completed in as little as 2.5 to three years at multiple schools, some of which enable students to complete their coursework online.

Accelerated PsyD programs can be advantageous, whether students are interested in deepening their understanding of mental health or becoming clinical psychologists or practitioner-scholar researchers. Whether seeking a PsyD in clinical psychology or a PsyD in neuropsychology, students can pursue evidence-based programs that meet their career goals. Continue reading to find out which universities offer hybrid and 3-year programs online.

What Is a PsyD Program?

A Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) is a top-level graduate degree focused on applying research and expertise in actual practice. These programs prepare students for licensure as psychologists, but not all programs are made for licensure tracks.

PsyD students can expect to have in-person practicum requirements, as these are vital in the development of PsyD skills. Programs that lead toward licensure have more hands-on requirements, whether throughout each term or at specific points along the program, and non-licensure programs are more likely to be the fastest PsyD programs.

How Fast Can I Earn My PsyD?

The time that it takes to earn a PsyD depends on your prior coursework and work history, as well as the program requirements and school term structure. A traditional PsyD program takes around five years to complete, following traditional semester lengths and without transfer coursework.

If you have related graduate coursework and/or a master's degree, you may be able to transfer in credits and decrease the number of classes that you need to complete. Schools that have shorter semesters (such as six or eight-week terms) are more flexible and often allow students to complete more credits per year. Using transfer credits and/or accelerated course terms are both avenues to completing 3-year PsyD programs online.

Fastest PsyD Programs

Some of the best PsyD programs online have accelerated options for students, whether students are pursuing licensure or non-licensure degree options. The top 10 PsyD doctoral programs with accelerated options are discussed below.

1. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) offers an on-campus doctorate in clinical psychology that is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Students with the equivalent of a master's degree in a related field can enter the accelerated program and complete their degree sooner.

Average in-state tuition: $470 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $1,174 per credit
Time to completion: Three to five years
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Austin Peay State University

Austin Peay State University (APSU) has a Doctor of Psychology in counseling psychology program that consists of three years of program coursework followed by a one-year internship. The program consists of 82 to 100 credit hours and offers an optional concentration in military personnel, veterans, and their families. Students may be able to have up to five courses waived with qualifying prior coursework.

Average in-state tuition: $488 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $776 per credit
Time to completion: Three to five years
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

3. Capella University

Capella University has a hybrid PsyD in clinical psychology program that consists of online classes, in-person sessions, and an internship. Students may be able to transfer in up to 30 quarter units, which is the equivalent of around 20 credit hours. The program is designed to support students pursuing licensure, combining expertise with real-world skills.

Average in-state tuition: $510 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $510 per credit
Time to completion: Three to five years
Accreditation: HLC

4. Walden University

Walden University offers two main programs for doctoral psychology students: a PsyD in behavioral health leadership and a PhD in psychology. The PsyD program is primarily online with a few in-person components, and offers concentration options such as health psychology and behavioral health management. The PhD program is entirely online, offers several concentration options, and has an accelerated format option that takes five terms to complete.

Average in-state tuition: $630 per quarter hour
Average out-of-state tuition: $630 per quarter hour
Time to completion: Two to five years
Accreditation: HLC

5. Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University (WCU) has a full-time, three-year PsyD in health service psychology that is designed to prepare students for licensure. All program components are in-person, providing students with a greater skillset in clinical practice. WCU has a flat-rate tuition model, meaning that students taking a full-time course load pay a flat tuition rate of $5,148 (in-state). A nine-credit-hour load would be $572 per credit, while a 12-credit-hour load would only be $429 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $572
Average out-of-state tuition: $1,167
Time to completion: Three years
Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Meridian University

Meridian University has a hybrid PsyD in clinical psychology program that is open to students with a bachelor's degree. Students who already have graduate coursework may be able to enter with advanced standing, decreasing the amount of coursework that is needed to earn the degree.

Average in-state tuition: $676 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $676 per credit
Time to completion: 33 to 48 months
Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

7. University of Arizona Global Campus

University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) has an online Doctor of Psychology program that offers concentration options such as mediation and conflict resolution, criminal justice, and industrial organizational psychology. Students complete coursework online through five or six-week class terms, and complete a total of 62 credit hours.

Average in-state tuition: $812 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $812 per credit
Time to completion: 2.5 to four years
Accreditation: WSCUC

8. Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific University (APU) offers an on-campus PsyD in clinical psychology that prepares students for licensure. The program consists of three years of coursework and a one-year internship, and allows students to choose from three different concentration options: integration of faith/spirituality and practice, diversity and justice, and systems approach (for family psychology).

Average in-state tuition: $1,160 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $1,160 per credit
Time to completion: Four years
Accreditation: WSCUC

9. The Wright Institute

The Wright Institute has a PsyD in clinical psychology that can be completed in three years of full-time coursework. Students may be able to waive some classes, but will follow a specific schedule of classes across the three-year curriculum. Tuition is a fixed annual rate, and students can opt to add a specialization to their PsyD degree plan.

Average in-state tuition: $33,527 per year (about $1,400 per credit)
Average out-of-state tuition: $33,527 per year (about $1,400 per credit)
Time to completion: Three years
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

10. The Chicago School

The Chicago School offers several Doctor of Psychology programs, including a PsyD in applied clinical psychology (online or in-person) as well as on-campus PsyD programs in:

clinical psychology (multiple states/locations)
clinical forensic psychology
school psychology

The applied clinical psychology program can be completed in three years, while the other options are more likely to take five years to complete.

Average in-state tuition: $1,633 to $1,815 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $1,633 to $1,815 per credit
Time to completion: Three to five years
Accreditation: WSCUC

How We Rank Schools

To provide you with the best program options, our team reviews specific criteria across many schools and programs. Our methodology includes reviewing elements such as clinical training requirements, enrollment options (full-time or part-time), and several other important aspects of PsyD programs.

Accreditation: All schools listed have institutional accreditation, and many of the programs are APA-accredited (they meet standards set by the American Psychological Association).
Program length: While traditional PsyD programs take about five years of full-time enrollment to complete, we specifically choose schools that have accelerated options (such as three years)
Program reputation and quality: Featured programs have experienced faculty members who integrate evidence-based knowledge and clinical skills into the graduate programs.
Affordability: Our team selects schools that offer cheaper tuition rates without sacrificing other important program elements (such as quality, flexibility, and outcomes).

FAQs About Accelerated PsyD Programs

There are several things that you should consider when choosing an accelerated PsyD program. Program options and requirements vary by school, but there are options available for students with a variety of backgrounds and needs. Key FAQs about PsyD programs are addressed in the sections below.

Can I Do a PsyD in Three Years?

Some schools offer 3-year PsyD programs online, while other schools offer accelerated on-campus options. Your eligibility for accelerated PsyD programs depends on your background, career goals, and the program that you choose.

The main avenues for completing a PsyD program in three years are: finding a program that is designed to be accelerated, transferring in prior coursework, and/or choosing a school with shorter terms that allows you to complete more courses each year. If you already have graduate coursework and/or related work experience, you may be able to waive some of the required classes in the PsyD program.

What Are the Admission Requirements for Accelerated PsyD Programs?

While many of the PsyD programs that are designed to be accelerated require a master's degree or qualifying prior coursework, students can still complete PsyD programs in a shorter timeframe without having any previous graduate credit hours. PsyD program admission requirements may include a GRE exam, letters of recommendation, specific prerequisites, and/or real-world experience in the field of psychology. However, these requirements vary, and there are PsyD options that do not require a GRE, professional experience, letters of recommendation, or high GPAs.

What Can You Do With a PsyD Degree?

A PsyD degree can be applied in several different fields, including community health, research/academia, clinical practices, and in business settings. Depending on career goals, you could utilize your PsyD in psychopathology, school psychology, and a variety of other professional psychology roles. PsyD graduates find positions in public and private practice, as well as in military positions at home and overseas.

Explore Online Doctorate Degrees

Learn.org offers top program lists for a variety of academic fields and degree levels. Explore our pages to discover other programs that align with your interests, and reach out to schools of interest to learn more.