walden university online phd psychology

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• PsyD vs PhD

Walden University Online Psychology Doctorate Review

Walden University is a regionally accredited, online university that offers many master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology and related fields. Today, students from more than 100 countries and all 50 states pursue degrees online at this university. Other related degree subject areas are health sciences, counseling, human services, education, social work and public health. (Walden.edu).

Favorite Features

Ph.D. program is available in several popular concentrations

Do you have a specific area of psychology you intend to focus on in your doctoral program? Walden University probably has an option for you. Concentrations available are:

• Clinical psychology
• Developmental psychology
• Industrial and organizational psychology
• Accelerated psychology option
• Forensic psychology

Students also have the option to create a blended Ph.D. program in consultation with their staff advisor.

• Top 7 No GRE Online PhD in Psychology Degree Programs

Also, the university has a Psy.D. in Behavioral Health Leadership. With these many options at your disposal, you should be able to find a program that fits your career needs in psychology. If you have a similar interest, you also can take doctoral classes in social work, counseling and human and social services.

Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

One of the vital factors to consider, especially with an online college, is accreditation. A university that is accredited by a major accreditation agency has shown that it meets solid standards of quality. This means that your future employers should hold your degree in high regard, whether it was earned on campus or online.

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is recognized as a respected accreditation body by the US Department of Education.

Ph.D. in clinical psychology has both online and practical experience components

The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from this accredited university provides you with the skills and background to work as an educator, researcher, practitioner or consultant in many clinical environments or private practice situations.

This is a blended program that features mostly online doctoral courses in psychology, but also an academic year in residence, where the student is provided with crucial, hands on experience.

Scholarships and discounts are available for the Ph.D. program

Students can receive an $3000 grant and their first residency with no fee if you live in the United States and start the program within a specified period. Check site for details. (* Walden.edu ).

Strong student services staff at Walden

The university is known for providing students with exceptional student services. There is 24/7 technical support, as well as a writing center to assist with your dissertation, a large career services center and much more. Students in this program will never feel alone and without the help they need.

Many start dates available for Ph.D. in psychology program

Some universities offer only a handful of start dates for a doctoral program. Walden University offers many throughout the year, so you will always be able to find a start time that fits with your busy personal and professional life.

*Visit Walden University

Least Favorite Features

Ph.d. in psychology program has no accreditation.

Like many online psychology degree programs, this program is not accredited by a major accreditation body. The APA does not provide accreditation for online programs, so it is hard to know the level of quality the program has.

Program is expensive for an unaccredited online university

With the dissertation included, the total tuition for this degree can be nearly $70,000. This is a high price for a program that has no accreditation. It is possible some employers will question the value of the degree due to no program accreditation.

On time graduation rates are low

As with many online, for profit universities, the ontime graduation rate within four or six years is low. At Walden, it is only 20%. This means there are many students who either take many years to graduate, or drop out.

However, another point of view is that some students attend part time and may take more than six years to earn their degree.

The Details

• Year established: 1970
• Based in Minneapolis, MN

Degrees offered

• Ph.D. and Psy.D. in Psychology – 65 quarter credits required

Concentrations

• Full Ph.D. program – $70,000

Student Facts

• Average age of students is 39
• 52,000 students live in all US states and more than 155 nations
• University is #1 in the country for accredited universities that award Ph.D.s to African Americans
• Walden students loan default rate is 6.8%, which is well below the 12% average for the entire US
• Most students that are hired by companies have employers who say (97%) that they would hire another graduate from Walden University

*Indicates school is a Featured Partner.  Click here  for disclosure on Featured Partners. 

• About Walden University. (n.d.). Retrieved from  https://info.waldenu.edu/about-walden
• Walden University Graduation and Retention Rates. (n.d.).  https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/walden-university/academic-life/graduation-and-retention/
• Walden University Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved from  https://www.waldenu.edu/resource/walden-facts

PhD Clinical Psychology Field Experience: Find a Supervisor and Field Site

• Phd Clinical Psychology Practicum Timeline
• Plan for Field Experience
• Find a Supervisor and Field Site
• Application Process
• Course Success
• Supervisor Resources
• Forensic Psychology
• Previous Page: Plan for Field Experience
• Next Page: Application Process

Step 2: Finding a Supervisor and Field Site

The second step to your field experience journey is searching for and securing a field site and proper supervision for both your practicum and internship. To do this you should

• Know the requirements for both practicum and internship.
• Brainstorm possible supervisors and field sites. 
• Communicate with potential supervisors and sites.
• Get help if needed.

Practicum Field Site & Supervisor Requirements

Student and field site practicum requirements.

Students must complete, and field sites must offer, learning experiences that meet all of the following requirements:

• A minimum of 750 hours with 1 hour of supervision for every 10–15 hours worked;
• At least half of the supervision must be individual as opposed to group;
• No fewer than 200 hours of assessment services (diagnosing or defining problems through psychological assessment and measurement) and the formulation of intervention strategies; assessments must be supervised by a licensed psychologist and cannot be conducted via teletherapy and all assessments have to be on site;
• No fewer than 200 hours of direct intervention services, such as individual therapy or group therapy.
• The 350 additional hours can be devoted to case management, case management, case consultation, record keeping, and other related activities.
• Since COVID-19, teletherapy has become a tool for patients to receive mental health services; many field sites conduct teletherapy as part of their practice, and it can also be utilized for practicum experience, but it is the students’ responsibility to check with their  state boards  to determine how many hours will be allowed for teletherapy while at their practicum;
• Some states may allow fully remote practicums. Walden allows students to complete practicums in teletherapy, but only for the psychotherapy requirement associated with practicum. The assessment component of practicum must be done in person. Students must be registered for a minimum two quarters of practicum;
• If a student does not accrue the 750 hours in two quarters, they must remain enrolled a practicum course until the requirement is completed;
• Some states require practicum hours beyond Walden’s required 750 hours; therefore, if a student remains enrolled in practicum in order to fulfill the state’s licensure requirements, then the student must  be enrolled in a practicum course while completing those hours.
• Practicum must be successfully completed prior to internship; and
• Some states expect and require the presence of other practicum students at a site, therefore, students must check their  state licensure guidelines  to ensure that their field experience meets those requirements.
• Students may not use their employment to fulfill the practicum requirements. Practicum must be completed separately from the student’s employment.

Obtain Additional Practicum Experience

In general, the practicum should be focused on the development of a few discrete core skills rather than developing a broad range of skills. If students find it difficult to obtain the desired range of supervised practice in two terms of practicum, they should plan additional terms of practicum to obtain sufficient opportunities to develop needed skills. Investing too little time in developing skills during practicum may result in insufficient preparation for the demands of internship and subsequent practice.

Practicum Supervisor Requirements

• For the practicum, the primary supervisor should be a licensed psychologist. However, in certain instances, the supervisor can be any licensed mental health professional—including a clinical social worker, psychiatrist, licensed professional counselor, etc.—in the jurisdiction where the student will be conducting their practicum. If using a non-psychologist as a primary supervisor, the student must check with local state licensing boards to determine if this is acceptable as requirements may vary by state.
• When a nonpsychologist is used as the primary supervisor, a secondary supervisor who is a fully licensed doctoral-level psychologist is required to oversee the psychological testing and assessment work students are expected to do. All assessments must be supervised by a licensed psychologist. 
• The supervisor (s) must be actively employed by the field site for a minimum of 20 hours weekly.
• The site supervisor (s) must have an active and unencumbered license for independent practice in the state, district, or province where the student is completing the field experience. A provisional license will not be accepted.
• The site supervisor must have at least 3 years of experience with the setting and population the student will work with for the field experience.
• Students are responsible for ensuring the site supervisor meets any state-specific requirements.
• Site supervisors’ training and experience must be consistent with student and university goals for professional psychology field experience and field site requirements.

Internship Field Site and Supervisor Requirements

Prerequisites.

Students must complete all required course work, except the dissertation, before beginning an internship. For students commencing the program from Winter 2023 quarter onward, the internship can be commenced alongside 1 elective course. All core courses must be completed prior to the start of internship. Students should reference their degree plan (DegreeWorks) and the  Student Handbook . The only time students will be allowed to take a required, core course while completing an internship is when the required course has not been offered within a reasonable time frame (e.g., within the year before the planned internship). During the internship year, students should plan to devote their attention to their internship for 1 year (full time) or 2 years (part time). Students commencing the program from Winter 2023 onward will be expected to work on their dissertation alongside the internship as noted in the Program of Study.

Students who have completed their dissertation before the internship, or who defend their dissertation during the internship, are ready to graduate immediately after the internship is complete. After graduation, these alumni will be eligible to begin immediately accruing their postdoctoral hours toward licensure.

Student and Field Site Internship Requirements

• Students must register for a minimum of four consecutive quarters of the internship course and obtain a minimum of 12 credit hours of internship. The internship must completed during a full, 12 month, calendar year. If completing the internship part-time, it must be completed within 24 consecutive months.
• The field site should supply opportunities for a wide range of training duties designed to expand students’ skills and experience consistent with their Walden training and specialization.
• The field site must have a clearly designated doctoral-level staff psychologist who is responsible for the integrity and quality of the training program. The person must be actively licensed, certified, or registered with the State Board of Examiners in the jurisdiction where the program exists and be present at the training facility for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
• The internship must be for a minimum of 2,000 hours scheduled as either a full-time experience for 1 year (12 consecutive months),or a half-time experience for 2 years (24 consecutive month maximum). 
• Part-time internships may not exceed 2 calendar years or 24 consecutive months. Students must check their state psychology regulations to be certain about the maximum time allowable for a part-time internship. Some states may allow less than 2 years for part-time internships.
• Some states may require more internship hours. It is a student’s responsibility to know if they need additional hours to meet specific state requirements.
• Some states require that students have an approved dissertation proposal before they are allowed to start internship to advance their candidacy as an intern.
• Students typically spend 40 hours per week in their internship setting (or, alternatively, a minimum of 20 hours per week at the internship site, if completing a half-time internship over 2 years). Students who are unable to complete the required hours within four full-time terms will need to apply for another quarter of internship via Meditrek and then be registered for an additional term of internship until this requirement is successfully met.
• If students fail a term of internship,, hours accrued during the quarter will be forfeited, and will need to be repeated. If a student is terminated from an internship and can, therefore, not continue the internship at the site, the student must start the internship over because the experience must include a continuous year of full time or 2 years of half time in an organized training experience that is designed to provide students with a planned sequence of training experiences. The internship cannot generally be completed at multiple sites unless there the internship is done at a consortium, and may not have a break in the required time of 1 or 2 years.

Internship Site Supervisor Requirements

• The qualified internship site supervisor has a minimum of 3 years of experience within the field setting and with the population with whom the student will work; they are responsible for supervising a student’s work at that setting.
• The internship will required to have at least two doctoral level psychologists on-site.  One or more licensed doctoral level psychologists affiliated with the site must be designated as internship supervisors of the student. The primary supervisor must hold a PhD or PsyD degree in a relevant field, and be a licensed psychologist; however, in certain circumstances a licensed master’s-degree person can serve as a secondary supervisor for internship as long as the state allows this and does not require two doctoral level supervisors. Students need to contact their state board to confirm that  a secondary supervisor  with the master’s-level credentials will satisfy state requirements.
• Internship site supervisors must be in good standing with the licensure board or equivalent in the state or jurisdiction where they practice and have at least 3 years of postdoctoral experience. In the instance that a site supervisor is trained in a specialty that is different from that of the intern, students should also inquire of the state board whether this is acceptable under the licensure rules. Provisional licenses will not be accepted.
• Secondary site supervisors, also licensed, certified, or otherwise qualified in the jurisdiction in which they practice, are expected but not required. A minimum of 2 hours of individual supervision must occur each week addressing, in part, the delivery of psychological services rendered by the intern.
• The supervisor (or someone designated to cover for the supervisor) must be always on site with the student trainee. Trainees should never be working without a licensed professional on site to provide supervision and consultation.
• Students are expected to check with their licensing boards to ensure that the selected site supervisor meets any state-specific requirements for serving as site supervisor.
• The supervisor (s) must be actively employed by the field site for a minimum of 20 hours a week.
• At least 45% of the internship must include direct participation in activities, such as assessment/testing services, intervention services (individual and group), consultation services, teaching, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• At least 25% of the trainees’ time must be in face-to-face psychological services to patients/clients.
• A minimum of 2 hours of individual supervision must occur each week, with no less than 100 hours over the course of the entire internship, addressing, in part, the delivery of psychological services rendered by the intern.
• Students should demonstrate the professional competencies outlined in the Field Experience Manual during their field experience.
• If students anticipate circumstances that would cause an interruption in their internship either through voluntary or involuntary termination from an internship site, they should confer with the field placement coordinator prior to terminating their internship and before reenrolling for a subsequent term of internship. If there is a break in the student’s internship at any time during the internship the student will generally fail the course and lose all hours accrued at the internship site. If this occurs, a student development plan will be created by Walden’s administration and the student cannot pursue a new internship site or return to their internship until all remediation areas are met. Each student case will be reviewed individually to determine the best way forward.

Teletherapy

• Teletherapy is allowed as a part of the internship if the site provides adequate training on the proper use of teletherapy and teletherapeutic practices..
• Teletherapy cannot include assessment hours.
• Teletherapy can only include up to 50% of the  therapy hours accrued at the internship. Student must check their state board allowance for teletherapy. Each state is different.
• Students may not conduct teletherapy without the virtual or physical availability of the approved supervisor. Supervisors will be required to engage in observation of the student doing teletherapy.

Brainstorm Possible Supervisors and Field Sites

Use the resources below to brainstorm some possible sites to contact for your field experience.

Private practices Free clinics School districts University counseling centers General hospitals – Inpatient and Outpatient Units Rehabilitation Facilities Nursing homes Military hospitals and clinics Prisons Juvenile treatment centers Substance abuse treatment centers Residential treatment programs Community mental health centers Assisted living and skilled nursing facilities Domestic violence shelters

In your Meditrek account, you have access to a list of all the current affiliation agreements that Walden University has with field sites. 

To access the list:

• Log into Meditrek ( https://edu.meditrek.com )
• Select "Search Affiliation Agreements"
• Select "psychology" in the School dropdown. Also consider selecting other programs (Counseling, Social Work, Public Health) in this dropdown to see additional potentially viable sites. We don't recommend using the "Program" dropdown in most cases, as this may limit the options displayed more than necessary. 
• Enter your city and/or state to see the active agreements that Walden University has with potential field sites in your area.
• Before you contact the site, do an internet search to determine what type of organization it is and if they might have opportunities that would be appropriate for your psychology program.

Meditrek login issue? Contact Customer Care  

Utilize Professional Preparation Resources

These Professional Preparation resources may assist you in your search for a practicum/internship site. While they are not a required part of your application, it is recommended you review the resources.

Approach your field site and supervisor search with the same diligence you would when looking for a job. The search for a practicum and internship site and supervisor can benefit from the resources provided below.

Take steps to polish your image and shine through your professional brand. Watch this video to learn more:

For more information and career resources visit the  Career Planning and Development's School of Psychology Hub .

Build an impactful resume to communicate your academic and professional skills to employers:

• Review these Psychology samples for ideas on how to create or improve your resume (IMPORTANT: these templates are here to guide you; remember to use your own language when creating your documents):
• Psychology- Career Change Resume
• Psychology- Career Advancement Resume
• Visit SkillsFirst  to view additional resume samples. Tip: Refer to the  SkillsFirst Resume and Cover Letter Guide  for instructions on how to get started.
• Explore the  Resumes & More  tab for additional resume-writing tips, outlines, and videos. 
• Learn how to become a resume expert by completing the career workshop,  Build a High-Impact Resume .

You should begin the process of identifying potential field sites and supervisors for practicum and internship early. Networking options include, but aren't limited to:

• Consider joining state and/or local psychological associations and contact fellow members of those associations.
• Network with alumni associations from any previous schools you have attended.
• Reach out to Walden alumni generally and/or specifically to those who have graduated from your program.
• Look at the  Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers  (APPIC) post-match sites that are still looking for interns (Walden students are not eligible for the regular match, but they can apply for the sites during the post-match process).
• California students can contact California Psychology Internship Council (CAPIC,  https://capic.net/ ; although these placements are harder to secure).
• Try  https://www.internships.com/psychology .
• Pretend you are looking for paid employment as a psychologist to find sites posted who use psychologists and are likely to have some on staff who could supervise. Pretend you are seeking psychological services, and do a search to find places that provide the services in which you want training (e.g., Psychology Today online).
• Link through the APA website,  https://www.apa.org/education/grad/internship , or   https://www.internships.com/psychology .
• Try a general search on LinkedIn for someone who works at a site you are interested in.
• Search the web for possible sites in your local area.
• Reach out to your professional network: former & current colleagues and supervisors.
• Ask friends and family.
• Go to community events and network (e.g., health fairs) because they will have service providers onsite.
• Network with Walden University faculty members.
• Communicate with classmates who reside in the same area to see where they have found success.
• https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/careerservices/home
• https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/careerservices/jobandinternshipsearch
• https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/careerservices/socialandbehavioralscience/psychology

These tools can help you communicate with psychology professionals and potential field sites.

• Practice your  elevator pitch .
• Learn how to share the benefits of being a Walden psychology student .
• Prepare to communicate with potential field experience sites via phone, email, in-person, and online.

Marketing yourself to Potential Field Sites 

• Register on the  Walden Job and Internship Search Locator  job board.
• Access the  GoinGlobal  job search system using your Walden credentials.
• Use  interest-specific job boards  for Social and Behavioral Sciences to expand your field experience site search.
• Search for potential supervisors using the Meditrek database . 
• Review the  Career Planning Resources for Field Experience  page.

Get ready to show potential field sites that you are the best candidate for the opportunity you are seeking.

• Log into SkillsFirst  and use its Interviews module to practice your interviewing skills. Refer to the step-by-step  SkillsFirst Interview Questions Guide  to access 12,000+ interview questions.
• Learn more about effective interview strategies on the  Interviews tab .
• Read a blog story  on preparing for a variety of interview formats including one-on-one, group, and panel interviews.
• Watch the Interview Strategies video below to learn how to tackle tough interview questions.

Information to Provide to Prospective Field Sites

It will be important to communicate your program's requirements with your prospective field sites to ensure that they can meet your needs. You should review the Field Experience Manual to ensure that you are prepared to effectively communicate the requirements. Below are some resources that might be helpful to provide as well.

• Psychology Site Supervisor Website This website provides useful information and resources for supervising PhD Clinical Psychology students.
• Site Supervisor Benefits Provide prospective supervisors the benefits of supervising a Walden University student.
• Practicum Plan Commitment Form
• Internship Plan Commitment Form
• Office of Student Disability Services

Walden Resources

Departments.

• Academic Residencies
• Academic Skills
• Career Planning and Development
• Customer Care Team
• Field Experience
• Military Services
• Student Success Advising
• Writing Skills

Centers and Offices

• Center for Social Change
• Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services
• Office of Degree Acceleration
• Office of Research and Doctoral Services
• Office of Student Affairs

Student Resources

• Doctoral Writing Assessment
• Form & Style Review
• Quick Answers
• ScholarWorks
• SKIL Courses and Workshops
• Walden Bookstore
• Walden Catalog & Student Handbook
• Student Safety/Title IX
• Legal & Consumer Information
• Website Terms and Conditions
• Cookie Policy
• Accessibility
• Accreditation
• State Authorization
• Net Price Calculator
• Contact Walden

Walden University is a member of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. www.adtalem.com Walden University is certified to operate by SCHEV © 2024 Walden University LLC. All rights reserved.

Section 5: Tuition and Fees: Doctoral Tuition

• Section 5: Tuition and Fees
• Undergraduate Tuition
• Master's Tuition
• Education Specialist (EdS) Tuition

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Doctor of healthcare administration (dha), doctor of human services, doctor of information technology (dit) (quarter), doctor of nursing practice (dnp), doctor of public administration (dpa), doctor of public health (drph), doctor of social work (dsw), phd in clinical psychology, phd in counselor education and supervision, phd in criminal justice, phd developmental psychology, phd in education, phd in forensic psychology, phd in health education and promotion, phd in health services, phd human services  (previously phd in human and social services), phd in industrial/organizational psychology, phd in management, phd in nursing, phd in psychology, phd in psychology professional programs (clinical/counseling), phd public health, phd in public policy and administration, phd in social work, psyd behavioral leadership, doctor of business administration (dba) (semester), doctor of information technology (dit) (semester), doctor of business administration (dba) (quarter).

• Tempo Learning® Tuition
• Skills Courses
• Certificate Tuition
• Residency and Labs
• Program Fees
• Financial Aid

Tuition rates effective on or after February 26, 2024.

$645 per quarter credit hour for coursework

Tuition rates before February 26, 2024.

$630 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$745 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$730 per quarter credit hour for coursework (This rate applies only for students beginning August 30, 2021, and forward.)

$630 per quarter credit hour for coursework (This rate applies only for students beginning prior to August 30, 2021.)

$655 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$640 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$675 per quarter credit hour for cousework

$660 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$905 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$80 practicum rate

$880 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$670 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$655 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$620 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$610 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$650 per quarter credit hour for coursework 

$635 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$525 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$2,020 Internship

$515 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$1,980 Internship

$615 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$605 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$675 per quarter credit hour for coursework.

Fast-Track Option Tuition

$7,325 per term

$7,180 per term

KAM-Based Tuition (flat fee)

$5,600 per term

$730 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$5,490 per term

$7325 per term

$625 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$5,710 per term

$7,040 per term

Tuition rates effective on or after February 26, 2024

$765 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$735 per quarter credit hour for coursework (students who started prior to March 2015)

Completion Program Tuition

Tuition includes one required residency and one required dissertation intensive . Standard program fee still applies

Mixed-Model Tuition (flat fee)

$750 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$720 per quarter credit hour for course work (students who started prior to March 2015)

$790 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$775 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$685 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$650 per quarter credit hour for coursework

Tuition rates effective on or after January 8th, 2024 .

$1,025 per semester credit hour for coursework

Tuition rates before January 8th, 2024 .

$980 per semester credit hour for coursework

$1,060 per semester credit hour for coursework 

$1,060 per semester credit hour for coursework

$680 per quarter credit hour for coursework

• << Previous: Education Specialist (EdS) Tuition
• Next: Tempo Learning® Tuition >>
• Office of Student Disability Services

Walden Resources

Departments.

• Academic Residencies
• Academic Skills
• Career Planning and Development
• Customer Care Team
• Field Experience
• Military Services
• Student Success Advising
• Writing Skills

Centers and Offices

• Center for Social Change
• Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services
• Office of Student Affairs
• Office of Degree Acceleration
• Office of Research and Doctoral Services

Student Resources

• Doctoral Writing Assessment
• Form & Style Review
• Quick Answers
• ScholarWorks
• SKIL Courses and Workshops
• Walden Bookstore
• Walden Catalog & Student Handbook
• Student Safety/Title IX
• Legal & Consumer Information
• Website Terms and Conditions
• Cookie Policy
• Accessibility
• Accreditation
• State Authorization
• Net Price Calculator
• Contact Walden

Walden University is a member of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. www.adtalem.com Walden University is certified to operate by SCHEV © 2024 Walden University LLC. All rights reserved.

PhD in Psychology Further Your Understanding of Psychology

Degree Options

View Degree Options

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Understand the Human Experience from a Biblical Worldview with an Online PhD in Psychology

Do you want to deepen your knowledge in psychology and use your research to contribute to the field of understanding human behavior? Liberty University’s PhD in Psychology can provide rigorous research training that can better prepare you for a career in academia and research. An online PhD in Psychology is ideal for students who want to bring new knowledge of human behavior to the field and find new ways to help people heal, grow, and thrive.

Liberty’s PhD in Psychology is designed to prepare you to evaluate research and to understand the truth about human behavior from a biblical worldview. Our mission is to  Train Champions for Christ , and we fulfill this mission by training professionals to use science and biblical values to understand the full breadth of the human experience. Our unique, biblically-based approach to this field can help prepare you to make a positive impact on those you work with.

With Liberty’s PhD in Psychology, you can take part in optional face-to-face on-campus intensives that will allow you to meet faculty and other students while you develop your professional and research skills.

What Will You Study in Our PhD in Psychology Degree?

Liberty’s online PhD in Psychology is designed to build on your previous study and experience in human psychology and develop you into a researcher and psychologist who demonstrates ethical and academic excellence while integrating biblical values into your practice.

Through this program, you will:

• Learn how an appreciation of biblical values enhances psychiatric practice by putting human value at the forefront of technique and theory.
• Develop a grounded critical approach to psychiatric research and theory while integrating a biblical worldview into approaches to current issues in psychology.
• Master psychiatric research and writing techniques that can establish your work in the study of human behavior.
• Complete dissertation research through your program with mentorship from your professors so that you have the option to present research at conferences.

Through this program, you will be encouraged to become a thought leader on a variety of topics related to the human experience. Our goal is to help you venture into the world of psychiatric research and practice and offer insights based on biblical foundations of truth that can help people heal and thrive.

Featured Courses

• PSYC 510 — Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology I
• PSYC 710 — Psychological Research and Biblical Worldview
• PSYC 716 — Theories and Research in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• PSYC 775 — Teaching of Psychology

Degree Information

• This program falls under the  School of Behavioral Sciences .
• View the  Graduate Behavioral Sciences Course Guides   (login required).
• View the  PhD in Psychology Dissertation Handbook
• The online PhD in Psychology is a non-clinical, non-licensure program.

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Degree?

To help you meet your educational goals in a way that fits your life, our online PhD in Psychology provides scheduling flexibility and keeps affordability in mind. Our PhD in Psychology’s online format allows you to take your classes from home without traveling to campus. However, this program still provides a community of psychology professionals and the ability to take optional intensive courses to allow you to connect in person.

Throughout this program, Liberty incorporates a biblical worldview into your instruction. This perspective in your research and practical training in psychology can help you develop professional and academic excellence without compromising an ethical appreciation for human life. Additionally, our caring faculty are devoted to helping you grow personally and academically.

With our online PhD in Psychology, you can learn effective clinical techniques, essential behavioral theory, and develop your research and writing expertise. You can be equipped with a thorough understanding of human thought and behavior while developing your own research to further the field.

Earning a PhD in Psychology online with Liberty means that you will be trained to engage with research and psychiatric practice critically and biblically. If you are interested in becoming a thoughtful, articulate, and research-focused professional, then this is the program for you.

Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Potential Career Opportunities for PhD in Psychology Graduates

• Corporate psychologist
• Program or department head
• Project manager

Degree Options for Our PhD in Psychology Program

Focus your studies in psychology with a specialization.

Behavioral Health Leadership

Through the  PhD in Psychology – Behavioral Health Leadership , you can hone your research and leadership skills as you prepare to pursue administrative and management positions in mental and behavioral health organizations.

View the Degree Completion Plan .

Developmental Psychology

Through the online  PhD in Psychology – Developmental Psychology , you can learn about research theory related to human development, including cognitive development, social development, and language development.

General Psychology

The online PhD in Psychology – General Psychology provides an in-depth study of advanced psychiatric research and practice while giving you room to customize your course content.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

In the online  PhD in Psychology – Industrial/Organizational Psychology  track, you will study human behavior in organizations and the workplace. You will focus on deriving principles of individual, group, and organizational behavior and applying that knowledge to developing solutions for challenges in the workplace.

Social Psychology

In the online  PhD in Psychology – Social Psychology  track, you can learn about research and theory related to social processes and relationships, attitudes, and other constructs related to social psychology.

In the online  PhD in Psychology – Theology  track, you can learn how to study the Bible and integrate that study of the Bible with research in psychology to further your understanding of psychological concepts.

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for Our PhD in Psychology

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Contact information  for 2 recommenders is required (approved recommenders are the student’s former college professors or supervisors).
• Statement of Purpose  is required (1,000-1,500 words, double spaced).
• Departmental approval is required.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

[email protected]

Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

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Lynchburg, VA 24515

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there opportunities to interact in-person with peers.

You can meet faculty and fellow students in person through optional on-campus intensives.

Can I have an impact through this degree?

Through your dissertation, you can contribute to the understanding of human experience and behavior.

Inner Navigation

• What Will You Study?
• Potential Careers
• Specializations
• Tuition & Aid
• Admission Information

Have questions?

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