How Long Does It Take To Get a Doctoral Degree in Psychology?

You've been working your way up the educational ladder and finally feel ready to pursue your doctoral degree in psychology, but you have questions. Specifically, you want to know how long it's going to take to complete your terminal degree.

There are two main types of psychology doctoral degrees. Doctor of Philosophy programs in psychology may take up to seven years or more to finish, while Doctor of Psychology programs usually take four to six years.

Read on to learn more about doctoral degrees in psychology.

How Much Time Does It Take To Complete a Doctoral Degree in Psychology?

The amount of time it takes you to graduate with your doctoral degree depends on the type of program you complete, whether you transfer credits or choose a specialization, how quickly you progress through the requirements, and other factors that can contribute to this timeframe.

Let's examine the two main types of psychology degrees and the typical time it takes to complete each one.

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

A Doctor of Psychology, or PsyD degree program, typically takes about four to six years to complete.

PsyD programs involve completing coursework, clinical experiences, and exams that prepare students to work as clinical psychologists and researchers. This type of psychology doctorate draws from existing research in the field, helping students learn to apply it to real-world settings.

Those with PsyD degrees can work in many settings and roles, including:

• clinical psychology
• school psychology
• counseling psychology
• health psychology
• psychology research

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology

A Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD program in psychology, is more research-intensive, as PhD students must spend time conducting original research and writing a dissertation. Due to their intense nature, PhD programs often take five to seven years or more to complete.

Psychology PhDs prepare students to work as college professors and researchers. They may also work in related fields like clinical settings, social work, healthcare, and other related career paths.

Students in PhD programs must complete coursework, qualifying exams, research, and a dissertation; in some cases, students may also need to complete a practicum or other hands-on clinical work.

Tips To Accelerate Your Doctoral Degree in Psychology

Though completing a doctoral degree quickly is nearly impossible, there are ways to speed up the process and graduate in a shorter timeframe.

Enroll in a Combined Master's and Doctoral Program

Some graduate schools allow you to work on master's degree and doctoral degree coursework concurrently. These combined programs enable graduate students to obtain both their master's and doctoral degrees faster than completing each degree separately.

Register for an Accelerated Doctoral Degree Program

Some doctoral degrees are designed to be completed in a quicker-than-average timeframe. These accelerated programs can be intense and require a lot of hard work, but they can help you shave a year or more off the total time you spend working toward your degree.

Don't Take Any Semesters Off

Many students choose to study part-time or take a semester off from time to time to rest from their degree program; however, if your goal is to finish quickly, commit to studying full-time year-round. Taking time off extends the length of time it takes to graduate.

Work Hard To Complete Your Thesis in a Shorter Period

PhD students often take three to four years to conduct research and perfect their research methods; however, you have the freedom to work at your own pace. If you want to graduate sooner, use this freedom to work extra hard at finishing your research experience and writing your thesis. You may be able to save some time this way.

Speak With an Academic Advisor

Finally, speaking with an academic advisor at your school can prove beneficial for speeding up your graduation time. If you communicate your goals to an advisor, they can provide helpful guidance on specific steps you can take to get through your program faster.

Colleges and Universities Offering Accelerated Doctoral Degree Programs Online

Now that you know about the different types of psychology doctoral degrees, let's look at some schools offering online programs that are either accelerated or offer self-paced options.

Note that while all of these programs are institutionally accredited, the American Psychology Association (APA) does not accredit online programs. This may affect your ability to pursue licensure in some states.

Walden University

Walden University offers a fully online, fast-track option for its PhD in psychology. In this program, students take a higher course load each semester and begin working on their dissertation much earlier than normal, helping them finish much sooner than they would in a traditional PhD program.

University of Arizona

The University of Arizona's Global Campus offers an online Doctor of Psychology. Students complete one course at a time in this program, but courses are offered in accelerated sessions ranging from six to nine weeks. Students also have the option to transfer up to 30 credits into the program, which can help them graduate sooner.

Liberty University

Liberty University's online PhD offers accelerated eight-week course sessions and the option to transfer as much as 50% of your total course requirements. You can study on your own time and take multiple classes at a time to graduate in an accelerated timeframe.

Capella University

Capella University offers an online PhD in psychology with various concentrations available. The program is highly flexible, with students having the option to study at their own pace and graduate sooner if they desire.

Regent University

Regent University offers an online PhD in counseling and psychological studies. This program offers a variety of concentrations, allowing students to specialize in an area of interest. It is designed to be completed in three years.