Best Online Doctorate in Counseling

A doctorate in behavior analysis qualifies graduates for research, academic, and leadership roles. Many psychology career paths require candidates to possess doctorates. For example, licensed psychologists and psychology professors typically hold Ph.D. or Psy.D. degrees.

During a doctoral program in behavior analysis, graduate students study applied behavioral science, experimental analysis, community health, and behavioral assessment. Coursework builds strong analytical and research skills. Doctoral students also gain clinical abilities through internships and practicums.

Earning a doctorate in psychology takes several years. Most Ph.D. programs take 5-7 years to complete the coursework, internship, and dissertation requirements. Psy.D. programs generally take a slightly shorter 4-6 years, including supervised clinical experience.

Admission requirements for behavior analysis doctoral programs vary among universities. Most doctoral programs in psychology require an accredited bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field for admission.

Applicants do not need master’s degrees in psychology to enter doctoral programs. However, many programs set prerequisite undergraduate coursework in psychology and statistics.

Each candidate typically must provide GRE scores, a resume, a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. Online programs often conduct interviews to determine fit.

Before pursuing an online doctorate in psychology, prospective doctoral students must find the right program for their needs and goals. Online programs prioritize flexibility, but applicants should consider whether their prospective programs feature any in-person classes or field experience requirements.

Other key considerations include cost, eligibility for in-state tuition or tuition deductions, and program length. Applicants can also narrow their options by exploring course formats, the number of required credits, and any additional fees. Additionally, psychology degree-seekers should look into specialization options, coursework requirements, and faculty.

Prospective applicants should research university and program accreditation before applying to doctorate in psychology programs. Accredited universities meet the highest standards for educating students and granting degrees. Accredited degrees meet the requirements for professional licenses and certifications.

The American Psychological Association (APA) grants accreditation to doctoral programs. However, APA only accredits programs with in-person components, including hybrid programs.

During a doctoral program in behavior analysis, each graduate student chooses a specialization area, such as neuroscience and behavior, the psychology of learning, or organizational behavior. Doctoral candidates strengthen their skills through specialized coursework and hands-on internships before completing dissertations.

An online doctorate in psychology requires a substantial time commitment. Earning an online Ph.D. in psychology typically requires at least five years for full-time students. Online Psy.D. programs generally take 4-6 years.

Several factors influence program timelines, including the total credits required, internship length, and enrollment status. Online psychology programs use synchronous and asynchronous course delivery methods.

Doctoral students can pay for their psychology degrees with a mix of scholarships, fellowships, savings, and loans. Online graduate students qualify for several forms of financial aid. The federal student aid program provides grants, loans, and work-study opportunities for graduate degree-seekers. Students qualify by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.

Graduate students can also find funding through private and local scholarships, private student loans, and institutional aid. Before taking out student loans, apply to scholarship, grant, and fellowship opportunities. Some doctoral programs also support graduate students with assistantships.

A behavior analysis degree can lead to diverse career opportunities. With a doctorate in psychology, professionals can work as behavior analysts, psychology professors, and school psychologists. They also pursue careers in community and social services. This section introduces salary data figures, projected job growth rates, and job duties for different career paths.

Median Salary (2024): $83,980
Projected Job Growth (2023-2033): 8%

College professors instruct undergraduate and graduate students. Psychology professors, for instance, teach courses on behavioral psychology, school psychology, and human development. Professors create syllabi, design lectures and assignments, and assess students. Most professors conduct research and publish their findings in scholarly journals.

Most tenure-track professor jobs require each candidate to possess a doctorate. Psychologists with Ph.D. degrees and individuals with a Psy.D. degrees can pursue academic roles. However, a Ph.D. typically provides more focused training for careers in academia.

Median Salary (2024): $94,310
Projected Job Growth (2023-2033): 7%

Behavior analysts assess clients and provide behavior therapy. They examine individual actions, interview clients and their families, and create treatment plans for different behavioral disorders. Techniques in behavior analysis include teaching clients strategies to modify behaviors, including potentially harmful behaviors.

Many behavior analysts specialize in working with people on the autism spectrum. Some behavior analysts specialize in working with children, while others work with adults. This career typically requires a graduate degree in psychology or a related field. Early career behavior analysts complete supervised clinical work to qualify for national certification. In some states, behavior analysts must hold a license.

Median Salary (2024): $51,760
Projected Job Growth (2023-2033): 13%

Social workers help clients manage challenges in their daily lives and behavioral issues. Clinical social workers, for example, diagnose mental and behavioral disorders. Social workers conduct assessments to understand client needs, develop plans and treatment options, and help clients access services.

Social workers also evaluate programs to identify areas for improvement. They manage services that treat clients, and some social workers offer psychotherapy. Clinical social workers must hold graduate degrees and complete supervised clinical experience to receive licensure.

Median Salary (2024): $94,310
Projected Job Growth (2023-2033): 7%

School psychologists promote productive learning techniques and help students address behavioral problems. They work with teachers and school administrators to create effective learning environments and improve teaching techniques. School psychologists also assess students, meet with parents to discuss emotional or behavioral issues, and study learning and behavior in educational settings.

This career path requires strong communication and analytical skills. School psychologists generally hold doctorates or education specialist degrees. Most school psychologists hold state licenses.

Median Salary (2024): $78,240
Projected Job Growth (2023-2033): 8%

Community health program directors manage programs that promote public health and wellness. They oversee staff, manage funding sources, and set departmental goals. These professionals also evaluate programs to determine whether they meet community needs. They suggest improvements to current programs and recommend new initiatives.

A community health program director often needs a graduate degree in a field related to their organization. Most also bring work experience in their field and strong leadership and communication skills. A community health program director does not need a license.

Professional organizations in psychology connect students with established professionals and help doctoral candidates transition into their careers. Many of these associations offer professional development resources, networking opportunities, and career guidance. They often provide student membership discounts, as well. Learn more about psychology professional organizations below.

I hold a Ph.D. in developmental psychology, having applied to both developmental and clinical psychology programs in order to study children’s emotions behaviorally.

Although I long favored clinical over developmental, when I had to choose, I chose research. I realized that I was less interested in cognitive than emotional behavior and clinical work than research. Even though I am a licensed clinician and enjoy using behavioral methods, I am also a teacher and researcher. What do people do that reveals feelings? What methodologies capture the person’s emotions in a behavioral world?

My graduate school professor, Dr. Harriet Rheingold, believed that simple research could answer complex questions. She studied behavior, without making assumptions as much as possible, and sought creative methodologies by which she challenged attachment theory and social behavior. Her focus — behavior first — has informed my work in the classroom, the lab, and the clinic, where at different times I have been a therapist, an expert witness for immigration cases, and a pediatric psychologist.

Most beneficial to me, oddly enough, have been classes in research methodology, animal behavior, and behavior analysis. Research methodology courses taught me to think in terms of frameworks and outcomes, animal behavior courses taught me to observe rather than anthropomorphize, and behavior analysis courses taught me to analyze behavior with the goal of improving lives.

Together, the breadth of these courses has taught me to pay attention to macro- as well as micro-level factors in behavior. Recent statistical advances are impressive (see, e.g., the analytic template to an outcome-wide approach, which can be used to assess complex causal effects, VanderWeele et al., 2020), but much more is needed.

One of the biggest challenges for me was making the leap from the undergraduate stance of receiving information to being responsible for one’s own learning.

Do not be afraid to explore unusual avenues or complex questions; rather, attempt to frame questions appropriately complexly while studying them simply.

Do not be afraid of statistics. I have seen students who fear math borrow its lens to transform what appears incomprehensible and unmanageable into something deeply understandable. Be willing to let this happen to you.