With the field of psychology continuing to grow, it comes as no surprise that professionals are clamoring to uncover what the best doctoral degree programs in psychology are in America. Many specialties are exploring how to make Americans happier and healthier, and perhaps even more productive. So higher ed institutions are beginning to provide affordable options. These options are for both pre-professionals and in-service professionals alike.
This ranking showcases a variety of programs that may be focused on general psychology or have a stated focus. All schools on this list are known to be the most affordable in the country. Some schools even fund a doctoral candidate’s education in exchange for help teaching undergraduate students. No matter what kind of program a professional is looking for, they will find it on this ranking.
Methodology
A ranking like this could not exist without first doing research. For this list, the information was provided by the National Center for Education Statistics and its publicly available College Navigator database, both of which can be found online. The initial group of 80 schools was established simply by searching for “best doctoral degree programs in psychology.” Each school was then researched independently based on several factors, including affordability. Several schools were noted for having the tuition funded by the school, so these were listed based on the ranking provided to the school by U.S. News and World Report. The final 10 schools are ranked based on the school’s total estimated in-state graduate tuition cost for the entire program.
10. Pennsylvania State University
College Park, Pennsylvania
Doctor of Philosophy in Developmental Psychology
Tuition: Paid by the University
One of the best doctoral degrees in psychology in the nation comes from Pennsylvania State University. This highly competitive program offers students comprehensive training in the scientific models and theories that inform developmental psychology. Lifespan development plays a large role in this field, although there are six different areas of specialization, including:
- Ecology of Development
- Perceptual and Cognitive Development
- Biological Basis
The program emphasizes an individualized plan of study. Students are encouraged to contact the school’s graduate admissions office to learn more.
9. (Tie) The University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Doctor of Philosophy in Developmental Psychology
Tuition: Paid by the University
The University of Virginia has an outstanding doctoral degree program. It focuses on developmental psychology and is often ranked in the top 10 programs of its kind nationally. This degree program does not offer a master’s degree along the way. Only students with a master’s degree are admitted into the program. Students will go through two mentors throughout their five-year plan. One mentor is for research projects and one is for their dissertation.
Students are required to teach undergraduate classes as part of having their tuition funded by the school. More information can be found by contacting the school’s graduate admissions office.
9. (Tie) Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois
Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology
Website
Tuition: Paid by the University
Students at Northwestern University can complete a doctoral degree in psychology that focuses on developmental psychology. This degree is fully accredited by the PCSAS and the American Psychological Association. The program focuses on both course work and practical experience, providing students with a chance to put their skills to use.
Students spend the first two years of the program focusing on courses that develop their skills. They then move on to practical experience and research. This degree requires:
- a minimum of 60 credit hours
- a dissertation
- a qualifying exam
9. (Tie) Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology
Tuition: Paid by the University
Duke University offers one of the best doctoral degrees in psychology in the nation. The clinical psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association and the PCSAS. The program is based on the scientist-practitioner model. It also incorporates the clinical science model of training.
Students can choose their own specific area of interest. Their mentor will match these interests. This is a five-year program that also requires a one-year internship. Other requirements include:
- a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework
- a dissertation
- a qualifying exam
7. (Tie) The University of Wisconsin at Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Tuition: Paid by the University
Students enrolled at the University of Wisconsin at Madison have the chance to complete a doctoral degree in psychology that was established over 100 years ago. This is a cohort degree that requires a minor specialization of the student’s choosing. The first year in the program is dedicated to coursework and the First-Year Project.
Students also have to take a set of qualifying exams before being allowed to proceed into practica and their dissertation. The dissertation is fully focused on a student’s stated area of interest and is the culmination of their degree.
More information can be found by contacting the school’s graduate admissions office.
7. (Tie) The University of California at San Diego
La Jolla, California
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Tuition: Paid by the University
The University of California at San Diego is home to a doctoral degree in psychology. The school fully funds tuition and offers doctoral candidates modest TA fees. In exchange, students can spend five years at the school earning their degree. This degree has several research interest areas, including:
- Linguistics
- Cognitive Science and Neuroscience, and more
All students are required to complete some research for their degree along with their coursework. This degree requires:
- a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework
- a dissertation
- a set of qualifying exams
5. (Tie) The University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Tuition: Paid by the University
The doctoral degree in psychology at the University of Minnesota is perfect for students interested in completing a general psychology terminal degree while doing research muscles in areas of interest to them. This program has a focus on hands-on research experience and graduate seminars.
This is a five-year program with an additional year for the full-time internship that students must complete to graduate. Students are required to complete:
- a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework
- a dissertation
- a set of qualifying exams
5. (Tie) Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Tuition: Paid by the University
Princeton University offers students the chance to complete a fully funded doctoral degree in psychology. This program is for students who wish to work as scholars in the field. There are a variety of concentrations available. Interdisciplinary programs that offer dual degrees are also available.
This five-year program requires that students complete:
- a minimum of 72 credit hours of coursework
- a dissertation
- a set of qualifying exams
Sample courses include:
- Responsible Conduct of Research
- Psychological Research
- Design and Interpretation of Social Psychological Research
4. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, Illinois
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Tuition: Paid by the University
Students enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have the opportunity to complete a doctoral degree in psychology that takes five years to complete. Students are required, as terms of having their degree funded by the school, to complete teaching experiences. Research is the main part of this program. Students are able to conduct their own research or work with a professor as an assistant researcher.
This degree requires:
- a minimum of 64 credit hours of coursework beyond a master’s degree
- a dissertation a set of qualifying exams.
2. (Tie) Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Tuition: Paid by the University
Yale University offers one of the best and most affordable doctoral degrees in psychology in the country. This program is fully funded by the school. In return, students act as Teaching Assistants and teach at the undergraduate level. This is a great teaching experience for any professional who wants to work as an educator. There are five concentrations, including Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology, among others.
The programs can be individualized even within the concentrations, so students are encouraged to speak with a graduate admissions advisor to learn more.
2. (Tie) The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Tuition: Paid by University
Students at the University of Michigan are offered the opportunity to complete a fully funded doctoral degree in psychology program. Students receive grants, work as teaching assistants or teach undergraduate courses in order to study for free.
This degree has six areas of concentration, including Social Psychology and Personality and Social Contexts, among others. The five-year degree is set up to provide students with coursework opportunities first, then research, and finally the dissertation. All students are required to complete:
- a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework
- a dissertation
- a qualifying exam
1. Stanford University
Stanford, California
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Tuition: Paid by the University
Stanford University is the home to one of the best doctoral degrees in psychology currently available. This fully funded program has five different concentration areas for students to choose from. Students can also opt to create their own concentration. This program requires students to teach as part of having their tuition funded by the school. It enables them to get real-world experience in the program before graduation.
This degree requires:
- a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework
- a dissertation
- a set of qualifying exams
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Career Options for a Ph.D. in Psychology Degree?
- Clinical Psychologist
- Private Practice Psychologist
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
- Senior Researcher
- Political Strategist
- College or University Professor
- Professional Consultant
- Forensic Psychologist
- Educational Consultant
- Human Resource Manager
- Experimental Psychologist
- Marketing Director
- Mental Health Clinician
- Developmental Psychologist
- Applied Researcher
How Much Can You Earn in this Field?
The current average starting salary for a psychologist is around $81,000 a year, depending on the region. A general psychologist can expect to make around $75,000 a year once they have experience. However, specialty psychologists can make upwards of $250,000. These numbers reflect the average and do not include overtime hours or bonus forms of compensation.
Professionals interested in working in general psychology can earn upwards of $85,000 a year when they have 10 years or more of experience under their belt. They make more money when they work as private psychologists. The salary can jump to $150,000 a year. Urban and metropolitan areas are where most of the money can be made.
However, specialty psychologists, such as psychiatrists or industrial-organizational psychologists, can make over $175,000 a year. This is due to the rigorous training they go through. Psychiatrists go through medical school. Industrial-organizational psychologists regularly complete a doctorate degree in their specialization prior to moving into private practice or consultation work.
What are the Various Disciplines of Psychology?
Psychology is a broad field that focuses on the study of human behavior and its relationship to the brain. As such, the main disciplines in this field are:
- psychology
- neuroscience
- chemistry
- biology
- lifespan development
- philosophy
- religion
- sociology
Each of these disciplines informs the field. however, more and more are being found as professionals research the field.
There are various sub-disciplines that, at the doctoral level, enable students to specialize. Some of these include:
- school psychology
- industrial-organizational psychology
- clinical psychology
- health psychology
- social psychology
Each of these sub-disciplines, although there are more, deal with specific sections of human behavior. This means that professionals will still focus on the main disciplines but will emphasize the impact that the broader disciplines have on their specialty.
What is Needed for a License as a Psychologist?
The educational and work requirements to become a psychologist differ based on specialty. Some students may find that a master’s degree is enough to help them earn licensure. Others, especially those who want to work as licensed psychologists, will need to meet the bare minimum prior to actually earning licensure.
The main requirements for becoming a licensed psychologist in America are:
- a doctoral degree in their specialty
- at least 3,000 contact hours in the form of a supervised apprenticeship
- a year or more of supervised work experience
As noted before, the amount of time in practicums and work experience are determined by the specialty.
Requirements for sitting for licensure also depend on the state. There is no national standard for licensure. Students will have to contact their resident state’s Department of Psychology to determine what they will need to qualify for licensure. Whatever the state says, the minimum for psychologists is at least a doctoral degree.
Work experience in this sense denotes work that is completed after earning a doctoral degree. This may be seen as an apprenticeship that takes place for between one to three years. After this is completed, students will become eligible to sit for licensure.
Earning licensure means that a student meets the requirements for licensure and completes the exam, which differs from state to state. Only after they have successfully passed and received notice from the Board of Psychologists can they name themselves licensed psychologists.
How Important is Accreditation for Psychologists?
Accreditation is critical in the psychology field, especially for students who wish to become licensed as psychologists or researchers. There are several reasons for this, including:
- being seen as ethical professionals
- learning what it takes to be a practicing psychologist
- being part of an elite group of individuals who care about the well-being of humans in America.
The American Psychological Association, also known as APA, is the leading accrediting association in America. It is also the one that awards licensure to practicing psychologists in the country. They pride themselves on a strong ethical and socially responsible standard, something that is seen as being embedded in all of the psychologists who have earned accredited degrees or licensure through them. This accreditation is the crowning jewel of psychology. Students who earned a degree accredited by the APA will be assumed to hold dear to the tenets that the association has put forth.
Practicing psychology is difficult, but accreditation makes it easier. Completing an accredited degree ensures that:
- students learn the basic and advanced fundamentals
- they are up-to-date on what is required in the field
- thy adhere to the standards that they are required to meet once they have completed their degree.
This is very rigorous and comprehensive. But it also enables professionals to walk into the workforce with a set standard that companies and other workplace settings can appreciate straight away.
Finally, earning an accredited degree is a symbol of ambition. Students who complete this degree are among an elite group of students. It’s difficult to find an accredited degree in the field that doesn’t have a reputation. This means that any student who makes it into a program that holds accreditation will fare much better in the workplace than those who don’t.
Accreditation is seen as optional, but it is definitely something that students should pay attention to. While these programs may be rigorous, the investment in the program is well worth it in the end. All students should seriously research APA-accredited doctoral programs in psychology to find the one that meets their needs.
Why is a Dissertation Required for a Ph.D. in Psychology?
Dissertations are often thought of as a traditional way for students to prove to the school and their mentors that they can articulate what they have learned throughout the course of study. However, this has changed in recent times. Dissertations can now serve as an entry point into a career for students or allow them to work up from the internship they completed at the school into a full-time career.
Dissertations are important in the field of psychology. As an ever-evolving field, psychology still has many sub-disciplines and issues that need to be researched. Dissertations are taken on by doctoral candidates with their own research interests in mind. The dissertation enables them to articulate their own perspectives and findings in that space. This may provide companies and other potential employers with a view of the value of an employee candidate before hiring them.
But psychology students gain much more than just job opportunities from a dissertation.
- they strengthen their communication skills through the oral defense of the dissertation
- they learn how to widen their research skills
- they can work with clients on a research project, and more
In fact, most students who complete a dissertation find that the process showed them their purpose in the field.
Doctoral psychology students will find that the dissertation process is integral to their ability to be seen as professionals in the field. No psychologist can move through the field without first understanding:
- how research is done
- how it can be applied to real life
- and how it can affect clients’ lives
If for some reason a dissertation is optional for a program, any serious student should undertake it. It will teach them infinite amounts of knowledge about the field. It will also teach them what their place is in the field.
Are Practicums or Internships Necessary for a Doctoral Program in Psychology?
Yes, work experiences, or practicums and internships, are required for most doctoral programs in psychology. This applies to both research and applied programs. Students at the doctoral level, regardless of their career path, will have to take part in some sort of internship. The type of work experience will depend on their degree and specialization.
For example, doctoral candidates who are working towards a practitioner or applied degree, such as a degree in clinical psychology, must complete an internship in the field. This is to prove to the school, as well as any licensure associations, that they understand the requirements of the field and can fulfill them in a real-world setting. The internship also applies to the student’s work experience requirement of licensure. Most settings for this type of internship happen in the real world, such as health care or government settings.
Students who wish to work in an academic or research field are most often required to complete a teaching practicum. This can come in the form of a teaching assistant program that allows a student’s tuition to be waived because they are working at the school. Other internships can come from working at research think tanks or other companies that require research assistants. While students in academic or research settings may not be looking for licensure, it is still necessary for their career, and so these work settings will help them when they graduate.
Internships also offer students more than just paid tuition and a modest stipend. Internships can also lead to full-time work, provided that students prove themselves in their job. The people that the students work for can also act as references after graduation, making it a worthwhile investment while they’re completing their requirements for graduation.
The psychology field is ripe with opportunities for practitioners, academics, and researchers alike. As a service-based industry, psychology’s main goal is to help the public lead healthier, happier lives.
If you’re interested in learning what the best doctoral degree programs in psychology are in America, this article should give you a taste of what is possible, and perhaps a glimpse into what your purpose and place in the field might be.
This concludes our ranking of the Top 10 Best Doctoral Degree Programs in Psychology.
By OPD Staff