Online Psychology Degrees: The Accreditation Trap
The landscape of online education in psychology has shifted drastically. However, the regulatory bodies governing licensure have not moved as quickly.
The Accreditation Hurdle (Doctoral Level)
If you want to be a licensed clinical psychologist, your doctoral degree must typically come from an APA-accredited program (or CPA in Canada). Historically, the APA has been highly resistant to accrediting fully online doctoral programs because clinical skill evaluation requires in-person observation and residency components.
The Danger Zone
There are many for-profit institutions offering fully online PhDs or PsyDs in "Clinical Psychology" that lack APA accreditation. Graduating from one of these programs often results in $100,000+ of debt and an inability to get licensed in your state.
Online Master's Programs
The situation is different at the master's level. For counseling (LPC) and social work (LCSW), there are numerous reputable, fully accredited online programs.
| Degree Type | Required Accreditation | Viability of Online Programs |
|---|---|---|
| PhD/PsyD (Clinical) | APA | Extremely low. Hybrid models exist, but 100% online is rarely APA accredited. |
| MSW (Social Work) | CSWE | High. Many reputable universities offer 100% online CSWE MSWs. |
| MA Counseling | CACREP | High. Plentiful online options (practicum hours are done locally). |
FAQ
Usually, no. Even if the coursework is 100% online, accredited master's programs will require you to complete in-person practicum and internship hours at a clinic near your physical location.
Next steps: Review our Licensure guide to see if your state explicitly bans non-APA degrees.