It is possible to take part in online clinical psychology programs at either a master’s or doctorate level. It is important to understand, however, how these courses differ from traditional classes. Most of the time, the bulk of the coursework can be completed in your own time but there will generally be a requirement to have at least one on-campus residency in order to complete the degree, and it is likely that your class times will be synchronous. This means that you will attend a virtual classroom at the same time as your fellow students. As such, these degrees are slightly less flexible than other online degrees.
The structure of these degree programs is often fully arranged as well. This means that you do not have the freedom to decide which classes you want to take and when, as you would in a traditional degree. Furthermore, it is likely that you will be required to complete an internship, which could be a dissertation or thesis, particularly at doctorate level. This is why these degrees can often take upwards of four years to complete. It is very important that you only study with a university that is fully accredited, particularly if you study online.
Let’s take a look at five online clinical psychology degree programs available today.
#1 Capella University
Master of Science in Psychology
This degree has a clinical psychology specialization. The focus is on helping students be proficient in treating and assessing dysfunctional behavior. It does this through a combination of residency, online work and field experiences. It is a particularly good course for those who want to eventually achieve a Ph.D. or Psy.D., which is required in order to become a licensed counseling psychologist.
Tuition
$458 per credit over 70 credits
M.S. in Clinical Psychology
This degree has a strong focus on the biological, emotional and intellectual aspects of the human mind. Students will learn how to enhance the psychological health of the people and groups they will get to work with. The program prepares students to work in diverse settings, such as education, healthcare, business and government. It provides an excellent basis for those who want to go further in clinical psychology and it teaches them to apply both theory and practice. The degree includes a supervised field practicum.
Tuition
$26,600 for the full degree program, or $13,720 with maximum transferable credits.
Master of Arts in Counseling with Professional Counselor Eligibility
At Regent University, you can study towards an MA in Counseling. The degree integrates biblical studies in the curriculum, blending it with contemporary counseling techniques. This is designed to give people a balance, allowing them to find their spirituality in their practice. The degree is in preparation for positions such as school counselor, professional counselor or family and marriage therapist.
Tuition
$710 per credit hour and the expected credit hours are $710.
#4 California Southern University
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
The PsyD program is one of the most popular online programs offered by California Southern University. It allows students to advance the knowledge they already have and create this into a practical application in various specializations, such as human services, substance abuse and mental health counseling. The program includes a number of foundational courses, but students can also pick various elective courses, allowing them to emphasize their chosen specialization. The degree is available 100% online and is of the highest possible quality. It also allows students to apply for a California license to practice. If you study in a different state, you will have to check with your own licensing board to ensure the degree is valid.
Tuition
$395 for credit, or $26,070 for the full program.
Master of Science: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a fully online degree program that allows students to obtain licensure in the state of Pennsylvania. If you live in a different state, you must check with your own state board to see whether the Lock Haven accreditation is valid to get licensed. The program teaches you to practice mental health counseling, allowing to work with a wide range of individual and groups of people, as well as for a variety of different institutions. Some become independent practitioners, for instance, whereas others start to work in schools or hospital settings.
Tuition
The tuition for three credits, including fees is $1,794 for in state students and $2,654 for out of state students.
