A PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree gives you the skills to assess and treat mental illness, abnormal behavior and many psychiatric problems. With your online degree in this field, you will work in a medical setting, private practice or possibly in an academic position at a college or university. Often, a clinical psychologist will work directly with patients, many of whom suffer from serious psychiatric problems.
Whether you obtain your doctorate in clinical psychology in person or online, know that the educational requirements to earn your degree are rigorous. Expect to spend four to six years in graduate school after you earn your bachelor’s in psychology.
Once you earn your PsyD or PhD, you will have greatly expanded work and research possibilities in the field of clinical psychology.
3+ No GRE Options for Psy.D. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
Walden University
Campus: Online
Type: For Profit
Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Per Credit Hour: $495
GRE Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site: |Tuition | Financial Aid
Saybrook University
Campus: Online
Type: For Profit
Accreditation: Senior Commission of Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Per Credit Hour: $22,560 per year
GRE Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site: |Tuition | Financial Aid
Basic Description of a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
An online clinical psychology doctorate is focused on the knowledge, experience and practical skills that you will need to enter professional practice. Most PhD and PsyD programs in this field will prepare you to sit for the licensure examination as a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, or a professional clinical counselor.
Most PsyD and PhD programs in clinical psychology require you to to finish at least a one-year internship during your doctoral program. The internship provides you with real-world clinical experience that you can apply to your career after you graduate.
YouTube Feature
Advice from Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Students
Where Can PsyD and PhD in Clinical Psychology Candidates Find Work After They Graduate?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs for clinical psychologists overall will increase by 6% by 2031, which is on pace with the average. BLS anticipates that there will be a greater demand for clinical psychologists in the healthcare industry; they will be needed to work on teams with physicians, social workers and other health professionals to provide effective, interdisciplinary treatments.
BLS also states that there are more than 181,000 psychologists working in the US as of 2021. BLS states that about 27% were self-employed in private practice, 27% worked in some type of educational service, and 26% worked for a healthcare organization. BLS also notes that many clinical psychologists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and community and mental health centers. There also are many growing job opportunities in colleges and universities, veterans’ centers, prisons, nursing homes and private companies.
According to BLS, the median salary for all clinical psychologists is $81,040 per year. For those in the top ten percent, which likely represents those with more than 10 years of experience and a PhD or PsyD, salaries come in at more than $133,890 per year.
Additional Resources:
- American Psychological Association
- Association for Psychological Science
- American Academy of Clinical Psychology
- American Board of Forensic Psychology
2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market estimates for Psychologists reflect national data, not school-specific information. Condistions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2023.
