List of Hybrid PsyD Psychology Degree Programs
The vast majority of Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degrees must be earned at traditional in-person colleges, universities and professional institutions. But a handful of organizations offer Psy.D. degrees that can be earned through a combination of online learning and in-person experience.
Let’s explore hybrid Psy.D. degrees you can earn to jump-start your career in psychology.
Capella University
Offered mostly online, Capella University’s Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology includes residency, practicum and internship requirements aimed at ensuring graduates are ready to work in the field of clinical psychology. Students also will be required to complete a dissertation as part of their degree track.
- Delivery method: Mostly online, includes some in-person coursework as well as practicum/internship
- Campus: Headquartered in Minnesota
- Total expected tuition: $78,300
- Degrees offered: PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Ashford University
A new Psy.D. being offered mostly online by Ashford University will allow students to choose between a diverse array of specialties within psychology, including health, educational leadership, criminology, mediation, sports and industrial-organizational. Most coursework can be completed online, but students must attend three in-person workshops and complete a dissertation.
- Delivery method: Mostly online, three in-person weekend workshops required
- Campus: Headquartered in California
- Total expected tuition: $76,404
- Degrees offered: PsyD
- Visit school: Click here
SEE ALSO: Ashford University Psy.D. Psychology Review
California Southern
CalSouthern’s Psy.D. can be completed entirely online if students don’t wish to add an internship year. While it’s not APA-accredited, the program was structured to meet the requirements for licensure in California, so even though it’s accessible to students everywhere, California’s rules were top of mind when the program was designed. A doctoral project is also required, which could come in the form of a dissertation or another research project.
- Delivery method: Coursework is entirely online, students can opt to add a full-time, one-year internship
- Campus: Headquartered in California
- Total expected tuition: $35,970
- Degrees offered: PsyD
- Visit school: Click here
SEE ALSO: California Southern Psy.D. Psychology Review
Alliant International University
The Alliant International University system is home to several APA-accredited Psy.D. degrees, but its entirely online offering in educational psychology hasn’t yet earned the APA’s seal. Still, the program offered through the California School of Education can be completed entirely online, ideal for students who can’t attend on a full-time basis.
- Delivery method: Online
- Campus: Headquartered in California
- Total expected tuition: $64,835
- Degrees offered: PsyD in Educational Psychology
- Visit school: Click here
SEE ALSO: Alliant International University Psy.D. Psychology Review
Alaska Pacific University
Alaska Pacific’s relatively new Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology is designed to be completed mostly online, though students will need to attend several three-day weekend intensives, and the program requires a dissertation and internship/practicum experiences. Students based in places other than Alaska may find the in-person commitments a challenge.
- Delivery method: Mostly online, includes in-person weekend intensives, practicum and internship
- Campus: Anchorage, Alaska
- Total expected tuition: $75,600
- Degrees offered: PsyD in Counseling Psychology
- Visit school: Click here
SEE ALSO: Alaska Pacific University Psy.D. Psychology Review
Is a Hybrid Program Right for You?
While a program that can be completed partially online is attractive for many, a few considerations are crucial before making your decision, including:
- Accreditation: None of the schools that offer programs mostly or entirely online are accredited by the American Psychological Association. This is meaningful for those who want to earn professional licensure, as some states do not confer licenses to those who don’t have APA-accredited Psy.D. degrees. Be sure to find out what the rules are in the state where you plan to practice before investing your time and money.
- Internship: Similarly, every state requires prospective psychologists to have postdoctoral (and usually predoctoral) internship experience, meaning that if the degree can be completed entirely online, it likely will not meet state requirements for supervised professional experience. These requirements range from about 1,500 hours up to 4,000.
- Dissertation: Many but not all Psy.D. programs require a dissertation or other major research project. If you’re considering a hybrid Psy.D. education, be sure to verify that you’ll be able to get the hands-on guidance and support you need to craft and defend your dissertation.
Conclusion
Earning a doctoral degree is an important step for those who want to pursue careers in psychology, and the Psy.D. has become the go-to degree for a variety of reasons. As the possibilities and promise of online education become more widely accepted, it’s likely even more institutions of higher learning will adapt their Psy.D. programs into a hybrid format.
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