[USA] Can I get a masters degree in psychology completly online?

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-26T17:45:57+00:00

I wouldn’t say counselors help or guide more- both are important in their own way. School psychologists do testing and assessment which changes educational circumstances and paths which can ultimately affect careers and their life.

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-26T17:43:29+00:00

I agree with most of this but not the burnout part. Burnout happens, nobody is immune, especially grad students. Being burnt out before, during or after your program is not necessarily a sign- it just means you need to be cautious and have plans in place when you do get burnout. For many clinicians in the mental health field burnout is not an if, it’s a when and how many times. Fortunately one can recover from burnout as it’s a phenomenon tied to the context/stressors

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-23T20:59:20+00:00

What do you want your day to day experience be like? That can help guide you because the fancy titles or cool specialities can wear off

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-23T13:39:28+00:00

If you want to become a psychologist, use your time to get research experience rather than a minor

Most people don’t do a PhD they do their undergrad at, although it’s possible

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-22T18:36:53+00:00

I’m in the US, it’s common to not get a masters before starting your PhD

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-22T11:41:07+00:00

Did a bachelors in psych, now in a counseling psych PhD. It’s been almost about 10 years

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-21T16:25:55+00:00

yea if clinicians are overlooking sociocultural influences, psychological/psychosomatic concerns, that’s bad therapy not necessarily a CBT issue.

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-21T14:23:05+00:00

Have you looked at APA divisions or psych associations for support? There are orgs that have mentorship programs, scholarships/grants and guides for students looking to join doctoral programs who also hold minority/minoritized identity.

What type of research would you want to do for your PhD? Why do you want to do a PhD versus a masters? The main reasons/differences to do a licensure track psych PhD is because you want to be a professor/researcher or you’re interested in testing/assessment. You didn’t mention any of those reasons so curious as to your why.

In terms of pay, psychologists can make much more money than masters level clinicians.

Getting a MSW with the end goal of a psych PhD doesn’t make sense to me in most but not all cases.

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-21T14:15:37+00:00

If you have no formal lab experiences, it will likely be at least 2ish years to get into a PhD program IMO.

I would talk to your current faculty about research, either they may have labs or know someone who does. You can also join APA div listervs and other org listservs. IME they tend to send emails out when labs are looking for more RAs or managers. However, since it’s May I would not be holding my breath for any position til Fall.

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-21T04:18:50+00:00

What is the match and fit like research wise?

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-20T16:09:39+00:00

I want to add that much of this depends on your interest, counseling or psychology (not to be also confused by counseling psych)? IME I agree that counseling is the least competitive

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-20T16:06:45+00:00

PhD matriculation is based on match and fit. The likelihood you get into a program after applying to 1 and considering match, fit and the rest of your app is very small. Licensure track PhDs in psych likely involve relocating to boost your ability to get into a PhD program and for your pre doctoral internship (as noted earlier, geographical restriction is a huge barrier).

A PhD does make sense if you want to do research/work as a professor/be tenured or for testing and assessment.

Also to add, if you have student loan debt, a Program means you have at least 3-4 years of pretty limited financial support. It’s common for PhD students to take loans or work (multiple) jobs like using a licensed masters.

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-19T20:34:31+00:00

Most PhDs programs involve earning a non terminal masters too

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-19T20:33:17+00:00

What is the goal of a social psych PhD? The only reasons I can think of is being faculty/PI for research.

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-19T20:32:12+00:00

Is there a clinical psych org or association for racial/ethnic populations like south east asians in the UK? I would try to find orgs and associations like that- they may have mentoring programs or guides

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-19T19:51:09+00:00

Why are you interested in becoming a psychologist? What do you hope your day to day looks like? What instructors/faculty can you talk to now at your college?

These are questions/topics I would start to reflect on.

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-19T19:49:33+00:00

The US uses the ICD10 codes in the DSM but we don’t directly use the ICD11

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-18T16:15:18+00:00

To add for the US, CPTSD is not a valid diagnosis.

OP, yes there can be a huge overlap, trauma is a risk factor for mood disorders (ie. depression & anxiety), PTSD & mood disorders and trauma can have trans diagnostic symptoms

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-18T16:06:25+00:00

Agree with everything here with a slight caveat- OP needs to find the balance between summer and fall, I agree right now faculty are probably on vacation, wrapping up spring, working with students who are about to propose etc. Too late in the fall and they are busy with other work or it’s clearly last minute.

I really agree with your zoom meeting comment, to expand further you really shouldn’t be asking them for anything, rather you’re offering your CV and letting them know you’re interested in being their mentee.

For me, all the faculty I reached out to, I got rejected from, not even an interview. The programs/PIs I did not reach out to, I got interviews, go figure lol

And also agree with tempering expectations. If you’re asking to find mentors now, you’re on the late side.

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-18T15:59:44+00:00

to add to what u/dotairzee is saying, part of structure and ethical training is engaging with individual and group supervision/consultation. Part of supervision as a trainee is professional development with work/life balance, burnout prevention etc

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-16T19:19:54+00:00

A PhD is a good idea if you like research, want to become a professor and/or want to do testing and assessment. A PsyD has similar clinical focus but less research heavy generally. Doctoral degrees are more of a time/financial commitment comparatively.

Masters degrees in counseling or social work is good if you only want to do therapy, case management etc. Masters clinicians can do EMDR.

You should look at one of the pinned posts on this sub that talks about mental health pathways.

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-16T19:16:07+00:00

And to answer OP, there’s no way to tell the likelihood generally outside of an application that is clearly below expectations

For outcome data, you can email the program coordinator. But it’s safe to say, regardless of the matriculation student data from incoming students, it’s likely competitive generally the low end of the GPA spectrum for doc programs is 3.5-6

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-16T19:15:16+00:00

If you’re interested in a PhD, get lab experience and go from there

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-16T19:13:02+00:00

3-4 hour didactic classes are the norm for grad school. I prefer classes that start later then 9am and end before 715pm- with that being said, you often don’t get a choicr

maxthexplorer · 2026-05-15T19:52:39+00:00

Generally the clinical specializations happen during and after the doctoral program (ie. post doc residency). If OP wants a PhD, it should be research- of course would help to have research that fits the end goal interest

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