Best Accredited Online PsyD Programs in Illinois 2025

Online PsyD programs in Illinois give people the chance to pursue mental health careers in a flexible way. These programs can make your resume stand out.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be 42,000 new job openings each year in the mental health field over the next decade, meaning that earning a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree could lead to excellent job security. You even have the chance to earn an online PsyD degree in Illinois if you can't attend in-person classes.

Keep reading to discover the best accredited PsyD programs online.

Featured Online PsyD Programs in Illinois

To ensure you know which online PsyD programs in Illinois are worth your time and effort, we've made a list of some of the best institutions that you should check out.

1. The Chicago School

The Chicago School, formerly The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). If you're searching for 3-year PsyD programs online, you'll be happy to know that you can complete the majority of your degree online here. Keep in mind that you'll have to attend four residencies in person, though. It's one of the most accessible online PsyD programs in Illinois.

Tuition cost: $1,737 per credit hour
Program length: three years
Concentrations: applied clinical psychology, clinical psychology, clinical forensic psychology, and school psychology
Accreditation: APA

Featured Online PsyD Programs

You can still get an online PsyD degree in Illinois from the comfort of your home at other universities across the country. Here are some other institutions where you can get an online degree to become a clinical psychologist.

1. Walden University

Walden University's psychology program only requires two in-person residencies and is 83 to 98 quarter credits, depending on how you build your degree. However, you can do the majority of your work from home.

Students will take classes that focus on healthcare finance, behavioral health management, health psychology, and even social marketing strategies for public health leaders.

Tuition cost: $57,110 total
Program length: 2.75 years
Concentrations: behavioral health leadership
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Meridian University

Meridian University has students from all over the U.S. They've made licensure possible in many states, including Illinois, so you'll be able to start your own private practice.

You can look forward to taking classes on conflict and cultural transformation, models of self-identity, culture and the law, and more.

Tuition cost: $676 per credit
Program length: 33 to 48 months
Concentrations: 14 options, including business psychology, transformative leadership, developmental coaching, and transformative learning
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges

3. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona doesn't want its students to miss out on networking opportunities and real-world experience, so three in-person residencies are required to complete this online degree. Your first two years will involve learning about many subjects, such as evidence-based practice and biological bases of behavior. Your third and fourth years will focus more on planning and completing your doctoral project.

Tuition cost: $16,400 per year
Program length: four years
Concentrations: criminology and justice studies, health and wellness psychology, and sport and performance psychology
Accreditation: APA

4. Cappella University

At Cappella University, you'll become an expert on ethics, administering and interpreting tests, and using science and theory in your practice. You'll need to attend a few in-person residencies, but most of your degree will be done online. The coursework structure is designed to feel as manageable as possible so students can stay motivated each step of the way.

Tuition cost: $555 per credit
Program length: four to five years
Concentrations: school psychology and clinical psychology
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

PsyD Programs in Illinois

Doctoral students in Illinois can attend plenty of great universities in person as well. It's worth researching these institutions.

1. Wheaton College

Wheaton College is a great place to take in-person classes. Wheaton College breaks the PsyD program into categories like scientific foundations and psychological assessment, so it's easy for students to see which classes are required or elective. If you enjoy your family systems theory and therapy class, you might want to deepen your knowledge by taking a couple's therapy elective. Plus, this college has a 97.6% licensure rate.

Tuition cost: $1,385 per credit hour
Program length: five years
Concentrations: trauma-informed care, pediatric clinical psychology, neuropsychology, or couples and families
Accreditation: APA

2. National Louis University

Anyone who's looking for great clinical training will love National Louis University (NLU). Their diverse coursework makes it possible to thrive in any work setting. NLU's PsyD program explores many important topics, including health and dysfunction, clinical interviewing, statistics, and trauma psychology. If you're interested in gaining practical training, NLU's PsyD program prioritizes this.

Tuition cost: $1,162 per course
Program length: five years
Concentrations: client-centered and experiential psychotherapies, health psychology, trauma psychology, child and adolescent psychology
Accreditation: APA

3. Roosevelt University

Roosevelt University offers plenty of fascinating electives in the clinical psychology program. You can expect to learn about psychopharmacology, multicultural psychology, social justice, and more.

Roosevelt University only accepts 25 new PsyD students each year to keep classes small and supportive. This could be a productive environment for students who may need more guidance during their doctoral projects.

Tuition cost: $30,045 per year
Program length: five to six years
Concentrations: clinical child and family psychology and neuropsychology
Accreditation: APA

4. Adler University

Adler University will give you a well-rounded education so you can open a clinical practice after graduating. Adler University also boasts a 100% internship match rate, so you don't have to worry about missing out. While you won't have complete flexibility compared to a 100% online degree, Adler University caters to students by offering weekday and weekend classes at all hours.

Tuition cost: $1,879 per credit hour
Program length: five years
Concentrations: clinical neuropsychology, military clinical psychology, primary care psychology and behavioral medicine, traumatic stress psychology, and substance abuse treatment
Accreditation: APA

5. Midwestern University

Midwestern University's PsyD program uses the practitioner-scholar model, so you'll get lots of hands-on experience to boost your confidence. There are no concentrations available, but this high-quality, APA-accredited degree will still set you up for an incredible career as a clinical psychologist.

Your education will be built upon nine core competencies. From research to professional values, you'll have all the tools you need to succeed after graduation.

Tuition cost: $43,226 per year
Program length: five years
Concentrations: no concentrations available
Accreditation: APA

How We Rank Schools

Choosing your PsyD program can have a major impact on your career. From specializations to costs, there's a lot to weigh. Our team uses the following criteria to ensure you can access the finest programs:

Accreditation: Most schools have APA accreditation. Others have more location-specific accreditation, such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, but these universities are always prepared to help out-of-state students get their licenses.
Program reputation: These programs offer all kinds of appealing perks, such as fast-track graduation and dual master's and PsyD enrollment.
Tuition cost: These programs cost around $1,100 to $1,900, but all schools offer financial aid packages to lower these expenses.
Student outcomes: These universities have high rates of licensure and employment after graduation.

What Can I Expect From an Online Doctor of Psychology Degree Program?

Online PsyD programs put you in charge of your schedule, finances, and happiness. Since you can complete your work when it's most convenient, life doesn't have to slow you down. The best part is that the practicum is the same as in-person programs, so you never have to feel like you're missing out.

Types of PsyD Programs and Specializations

There are all kinds of opportunities for professional development within PsyD programs. People who are passionate about helping children can specialize in clinical child and family psychology or school psychology. Students can learn how to help families heal and identify and treat young students who may need help with their mental health.

Neuropsychology is another popular specialization. The coursework goes over how human anatomy impacts our behavior and how dysfunctions change the brain.

How Long Is an Online PsyD Program in Illinois?

It's possible to complete your online PsyD degree in three years, but it may be helpful to set yourself up for success with a five-year timeline in case your schedule is busy. Online universities want you to graduate, so you're allowed to take up to seven years to finish.

How Fast Can I Complete a PsyD Program?

Most students complete their PsyD education in five years, but some can take up to seven. If you're searching for the fastest PsyD programs, then The Chicago School's three-year program may be your top choice.

How Much Does an Online PsyD Program Cost in Illinois?

The Chicago School is the only online school in Chicago that offers an online PsyD degree, and it costs $1,737 per credit hour. While this is within the average range of in-person programs, you have to consider timelines. You'll end up saving more money enrolling in The Chicago School's fast-track program compared to in-person programs that take five to seven years to complete.

What Is the Cheapest Online PsyD Program?

Affordable PsyD programs make it possible to become a clinician without taking on tons of debt. The cheapest option is to find a school that offers dual master's and PsyD programs, such as Liberty University, so you don't have to spend money on two different programs.

Financial Aid for Online PsyD Degrees

Online PsyD degrees can be quite affordable if you're willing to set aside time to fill out your FAFSA form. This will unlock the potential for automatic scholarships, grants, federal aid, and work-study programs once you receive your acceptance letters.

Don't stop after your FAFSA form though. Keep digging for Illinois grant applications and apprenticeships that put more money in your pocket.

PsyD Program Admissions Requirements

Having a bachelor's degree usually isn't enough to start a PsyD program. While some schools offer dual master's and doctoral programs, most schools want their students to already have their master's degree. Each school has different GPA requirements, but you can expect a 3.0 minimum and a preference for 3.4 or higher.

Explore Online Psychology Doctoral Programs

Whether you're searching for online PsyD programs in Illinois or you're open to attending in-person classes, you've got plenty of options. With financial aid options and a variety of concentrations to choose from, your education can be tailored to your financial and career goals. If you want to ensure you're making the best choice for your future, be sure to browse our other programs and schools on Learn.org.