These are PhD’s in the field of psychology, the study of the mind, and human nature. Doctorate degrees in psychology have become one of the more popular in universities all over the world. With greater understanding the benefit of advances in science, more people are becoming excited over being a part of figuring out why we do the things we do.

Are Online Doctorate Degrees in Psychology Real?

Yes, they are legitimate and perfectly safe. While you have probably heard disparaging things about online degrees in the past, that has become much less the case in recent years. Prestigious universities like Cornell have opened up online programs, and other schools have accredited programs as well.

What are the Benefits of Doctorate Degrees in Psychology?

With a masters, you can go halfway. You can get a job as a counselor or social worker, but that is a far cry from the work you can do with a PhD. Individual therapy and treatment is possible with a PhD, not to mention a higher salary. You can earn anywhere from $53,000 to $90,000 a year.

There are plenty of reasons for getting doctorate degrees in psychology. Learn more today.

What to Expect

The available online PhD programs in psychology vary depending on the institution, but all programs typically include both practical and theoretical study. The curriculum includes courses such as, human development, theories of personality, social psychology, and quantitative research. In addition, you will take classes related to your specific area of interest.  Specializations include clinical, counseling, school, industrial-organizational, developmental, social, and research psychology.

Online PhD programs in psychology usually take 3-4 years to complete with a part time commitment.  While most of the classes are online, most programs require a few short on- campus residencies.  The program culminates in the research, writing, and defense of a dissertation or professional journal article.

Career Opportunities

With all of the different specializations available, online PhD programs in psychology prepare graduates for many different career paths.  Graduates can work in different environments, such as a public school system, private sector, hospitals, outpatient clinics, or military veteran’s facilities. For those with a PhD, a career at university performing research or teaching is also an option.  Many students also go on to open their own practices. In general, employment in the psychology field is expected to grow faster than average.

While there are so many benefits of enrolling in one of the online PhD programs in psychology, earning your PhD will take a lot of hard work and dedication. With an online program, you can continue to work while attending school. Thus, you can apply what you are learning directly into practice immediately.