Guided toward personal growth and enabled to drive positive change in society, our Ph.D. in Psychology online program synthesizes multiple disciplines of human behavior with humanistic psychology and offers you a unique journey through psychology’s highest scholarship.
Within the psychology doctorate curriculum, you will study the foundations of psychological research, qualitative and quantitative data collection, ethics and laws in behavioral science research, multicultural psychology, social change, creativity, consciousness, spirituality, psychophysiology, and more.
You will have the opportunity to customize your electives, selecting from a wide range of options to expand your horizons and meet a broad range of future professional opportunities, enriching the lives of individuals and communities.
This online psychology Ph.D. program is not a clinical psychology program, nor is it designed to prepare students for future professional licensure. Students interested in such programs should consider admission to the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology degree program.
Upon completing the online doctorate in psychology, you will have an enhanced skill set and deepened perspective to augment your current practice or career. Additionally, with the appropriate licensure, if necessary,* you may expand into other roles, including:
*Our online Ph.D. in Psychology program is not designed to prepare graduates to qualify for clinical licensure or certification.
Interested in a specialization in psychology? We offer multiple doctoral programs that may align more closely with your goals.
At a minimum, you must have received, or anticipate receiving prior to the start of the semester you are applying into, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university before applying for a doctoral degree at Saybrook. Applicants for the Psychology online doctoral degree must submit the following documents:
Saybrook University remains committed to keeping higher education affordable and accessible. Our Financial Aid Department is ready to offer guidance and support in determining suitable financial assistance tailored to your needs, including potential scholarship opportunities, grants, and more.
Saybrook wants you to have the information you need to make an informed decision about your academic and career aspirations. Our cost calculator provides an estimated cost of attending Saybrook to earn your Ph.D. in Psychology degree.
Is the Ph.D. in Psychology 100% online?Â
Yes. The Psychology Ph.D. curriculum is offered completely online. This program requires a synchronous Virtual Learning Experience for all students and offers a voluntary in-person Community Learning Experience for those who are interested.
How long does it take to complete the online Ph.D. in Psychology?
The online Ph.D. in Psychology degree requires 60 to 75 credits for completion. This is typically completed in five to six years. Â
Do psychology jobs require a doctoral degree?
The world of psychology is vast, as are the career path options. Depending on the career path you pursue, degree-level requirements will vary. Generally, 49% of workers within the psychology field hold an advanced degree, according to a 2022 study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How much do psychologists make?
Psychologists can work in academia, private practice, hospitals, rehab centers, wellness centers, and more. Depending on the place of work and the job title, the salary range varies. In 2023, the average salary for a psychologist was $92,740, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What is the difference between a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology?
Both doctoral programs offer in-depth research opportunities across various areas of human behavior and psychological science. The primary distinction lies in their focus: the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology includes hands-on clinical training, preparing students to deliver psychological care in real-world settings. In contrast, the Ph.D. in Psychology is geared toward those interested in advancing their knowledge through a flexible, research-focused online program, rather than pursuing clinical practice.
This three-credit course critically examines methods, relationships, ethics, multiculturalism, and evaluative processes of clinical supervision. Special focus is given to establishing a meaningful supervisor-supervisee relationship. While you will learn about different theoretical orientations that may inform their supervisory experience, you will be encouraged to consider your role in these relationships from a humanistic standpoint that will foster growth in the supervisor, supervisee, and your clients.
This three-credit cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) course will offer a review of key foundational theories and concepts, as well as methods of assessing, conceptualizing, and treating patients using CBT approaches. You will also learn about the efficacy and limitation evidence for utilizing CBT in treating symptoms of several disorders. In addition to learning the key concepts of CBT and practicing core skills, you will examine how CBT can be integrated with humanistic and other integrative therapy approaches.
This three-credit clinical course explores these recent trends that mirror aspects of the long-standing traditions of humanistic, transpersonal, and existential psychology in the integration of mindfulness-based meditation practices, spirituality, and religion and prayer in clinical practice. Through reflective inquiry, you will gain understanding regarding your own experience and views regarding these factors in therapy and how you might find yourself in relationship to them professionally.
Please refer to our academic catalog for more information on the Ph.D. in Psychology program.
Saybrook University prepares you to make an impact in a variety of high-demand psychology careers. Below, you will find possible career options and salaries associated with this online psychology doctoral degree.
Graduates of the psychology online Ph.D. may pursue careers as:
Source:Â Bureau of Labor Statistics annual data updateData is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to the online psychology Ph.D. degree program*. Saybrook University is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions specialist.
Our Ph.D. in Psychology program is a 100% online program. While the core of this program is completed asynchronously, there are some synchronous, online features designed to deepen your educational experience. We call this a Virtual Learning Experience (VLE). In addition to the VLE, you will begin your studies with a virtual Welcome Week. Welcome Week activities, including a program orientation, are held online during the week before the start of Fall and Spring semesters. All Psychology students will be required to attend only the five-day, fall semester Virtual Learning Experience (VLE) each academic year. The in-person Community Learning Experience (CLE) is also available for you to explore. The CLE is held every odd-numbered year. It is optional and not required to complete the program.
Saybrook’s Psychology faculty are practitioner-scholars dedicated to advancing their field through continued practice and comprehensive instruction. Meet some of our faculty members below.
Designed for those who wish to contribute creatively to improving the human condition. Students are encouraged to explore different approaches through interdisciplinary programs that combine complementary approaches—including meditation, nutrition, energy medicine, biofeedback, and spirituality—with more traditional forms of care.
