6 Best Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs Online 2025

Students who want to pursue a career path in clinical psychology must earn a doctorate degree. There are two types of doctorate degrees you can earn in psychology: a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology.

Both types can lead to licensure, but PsyDs focus more on clinical practice, while PhDs are more geared toward work in academia or research. Both types are available online; however, they aren't very common.

Even if you choose one of the best PsyD programs online, it may not lead to licensure. It's important to understand what your degree qualifies you to do. Keep reading to learn more about earning a PsyD or PhD in clinical psychology online.

Top Online Clinical Psychology Doctoral Degrees

In most states, to obtain licensure in clinical psychology, you must complete a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). However, the APA does not currently accredit fully online programs.

Because you can't currently have APA-accredited clinical psychology degrees online, most schools don't offer clinical psychology doctoral programs online. As a result, there are only a handful of options in the U.S., and we've highlighted them below.

1. The Chicago School

The Chicago School is a private, nonprofit university based in Chicago. It offers an online Doctor of Psychology degree in applied clinical psychology.

This three-year program includes courses on advanced legal and ethical principles, trauma and crisis intervention, and sports psychology. While coursework is online, the degree program does include practicum experience and an internship that must be done in person at a site near you.

• Average in-state tuition: $1,815 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,815 per credit
• Financial aid: The Chicago School accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers some institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Saybrook University

At Saybrook University, students can earn a PhD in clinical psychology primarily online. Optional specializations are available in fields like advanced psychological assessment, complex trauma and healing, and Jungian studies.

Saybrook University is a private, nonprofit health sciences school located in Pasadena, CA. Its PhD program takes five years of full-time study and includes online coursework and face-to-face clinical training.

The program accepts both bachelor's degree and master's degree holders. It may not qualify you for licensure; check your state's licensure requirements.

• Average in-state tuition: $1,487 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,487 per credit
• Financial aid: Saybrook University offers financial aid, including scholarships for graduate students. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC)

3. Fielding Graduate University

Fielding Graduate University offers a hybrid PhD in clinical psychology. Fielding is a private, non-profit graduate school in Santa Barbara, CA.

The program offers most courses through online learning but requires some on-campus seminars and residential sessions, as well as in-person psychological research and clinical training experiences. Most students finish in five to six years, and concentrations are available in forensic psychology, health psychology, neuropsychology, and social justice and diversity.

This program is the only APA-accredited hybrid clinical psychology program in the country. This means students should qualify to obtain licensure and become clinical psychologists.

• Average in-state tuition: $10,385 per term
• Average out-of-state tuition: $10,385 per term
• Financial aid: Fielding offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: WASCUC

4. Capella University

An online PsyD in clinical psychology is available through Capella University. It includes coursework on evidence-based clinical practice, research methods, theories of behavioral health, and more.

Capella University, a for-profit online school, is located in Minneapolis. While coursework is online, psychology students will need to participate in face-to-face residencies, clinical practicum, and internships. This program is not available to students in all states.

• Average in-state tuition: $555 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $555 per credit
• Financial aid: Capella University accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Walden University

Walden University is another for-profit online school headquartered in Minneapolis. It offers a PhD in clinical psychology through online learning. Courses cover topics like cognitive behavioral therapy, multicultural psychology, clinical psychopharmacology, and social psychology.

Students learn how to choose psychotherapeutic interventions for clients, develop research competencies, and gain critical thinking skills. In addition to online courses, in-person residencies and internships are required.

• Average in-state tuition: $535 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $535 per credit
• Financial aid: Walden University accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

6. California Southern University

Students at California Southern University can earn a PsyD online with a clinical specialization. The program takes four to five years to complete and includes online coursework and in-person clinical training.

California Southern University, a for-profit online school, is based in Chandler, AZ. Although its program is not accredited by the APA, it does meet the qualifications for licensure in several states.

• Average in-state tuition: $645 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $645 per credit
• Financial aid: CalSouthern offers payment plans and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the schools for this list, our methodology was to look for institutions offering online clinical psychology doctoral programs, then ensure they met the following standards:

• Accreditation: All schools on this list hold regional accreditation.
• Program reputation and quality: Every program prepares students for roles as clinical mental health or counseling psychologists.
• Online format: Although every program requires some amount of in-person work, all offer the majority of courses online.

How To Choose an Online Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Program

There are several things to consider when choosing an online doctorate in clinical psychology. These include:

• Your career goals: Some programs are approved for licensure, while others lead to other career paths in psychology but do not qualify for licensure.
• Degree type: PsyDs are for those wanting to go into professional practice as a clinical psychologist. PhDs are more for those looking for career opportunities in academia or research.
• Accreditation: Whatever school you choose should be regionally accredited. If your psychology program is accredited by the APA, that's an additional bonus; however, as mentioned, the APA does not currently accredit online degrees.
• Admissions requirements: Requirements vary between programs. Some require master's degrees, while others accept bachelor's degrees. Some just require your official transcripts, while others require GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and more.
• In-person requirements: All doctoral degrees in clinical psychology require some in-person experiences, but these requirements vary. For example, you may be required to meet on campus during your program, but if you live across the country, that may not be possible.
• Transfer credits: If you've already taken some doctoral-level coursework, choose a program that will accept these credits so that the time and money you've already spent don't go to waste.

FAQs About Online PhDs and PsyD Degrees in Clinical Psychology

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about online doctorate degrees in clinical psychology.

Can You Do a Clinical Psychology PhD Online?

Yes, you can earn a PhD in clinical psychology online. Saybrook University and Walden University both offer online PhDs in clinical psychology, while Fielding Graduate University offers a hybrid option.

What Can I Expect From an Online Doctorate Degree in Psychology?

The things you can expect from your online doctorate in psychology will vary slightly depending on whether you're earning a PsyD or a PhD. However, both programs will start with core courses in clinical psychology. Your program may also require some or all of the following:

• residency experience
• clinical training
• internship
• research project

If you're in a PhD program, you will likely need to complete your degree with a research dissertation project.

How Long Does It Take To Complete an Online Doctorate Degree in Psychology?

Both types of doctoral degrees take several years to complete. However, the length of time you can expect will depend on what type of degree you're earning and whether you're studying full-time or part-time.

PsyD degrees are shorter than PhDs. They usually take three to four years of full-time study, although some schools offer accelerated PsyD programs. For PhDs, meanwhile, you can often expect anywhere from five to seven years.

Explore Online Doctoral Degrees

Find the perfect online doctoral degree in clinical psychology by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to request information on admissions requirements, enrollment, and financial aid.