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Clinical psychology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. It’s one of the largest specialty areas in the field, requiring knowledge in abnormal psychology, research methods, human behavior, and various treatment methods. Since this involves the direct diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues, it requires more than a bachelor’s degree for practice and employment.

Bachelor’s degrees in clinical psychology are seldom offered. Formal clinical psychology studies are available mostly on the graduate level. If you’re interested in a career in clinical psychology, you’ll need to first pursue a bachelor’s degree as a psychology major. Such a degree prepares you for a higher degree level, such as a master’s.

Other undergraduate majors or elective courses may also pave the way for graduate studies in clinical psychology. These include sociology with an emphasis on social work, or a degree in general counseling or substance abuse counseling.

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PROS

  • If you want to pursue a career as a clinical psychologist, you must first obtain a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. One of the pros of a bachelor’s degree in psychology include the ability to easily enter a graduate program and pursue career goals. A person with a bachelor’s degree can also expect to earn more money than someone who did not earn such a degree. Additionally, even if you decide not to move on to a master’s degree or doctorate, a bachelor’s shows that you are capable and can earn you access to entry-level positions in other fields such as human resource, writing, or accounting.

CONS

  • Many students will take on debt to earn their degrees. Depending on the amount borrowed, this can prove to be a significant financial burden. However, if a student intends to become a clinical psychologist, they must earn this degree and a master’s as well. Additionally, a degree in psychology is very focused, meaning that you may have access to entry-level positions in other fields, but it will take a lot of experience or a shift in education in order to move into a higher-level position in another field if you choose not to earn a master’s in psychology.

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Top 25 Best Online Bachelors in Clinical Psychology Programs

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1

Northeastern University

Score: 83.65

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $63,141
    • Out-of-State: $63,141
  • Net Price: $35,827
  • Acceptance Rate: 7%
  • Retention Rate: 97%
  • Graduation Rate: 91%
  • Total Enrollment: 30,013
  • Undergrad Students: 16,302
  • Graduate Students: 13,711
  • Grads Salary: $87,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Northeastern University
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2

University of Central Florida

Score: 79.37

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,368
    • Out-of-State: $22,467
  • Net Price: $13,108
  • Acceptance Rate: 41%
  • Retention Rate: 93%
  • Graduation Rate: 76%
  • Total Enrollment: 68,346
  • Undergrad Students: 58,662
  • Graduate Students: 9,684
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 29:1
  • University of Central Florida
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3

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Score: 72.88

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $32,630
    • Out-of-State: $32,630
  • Net Price: $25,310
  • Acceptance Rate: 67%
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Graduation Rate: 76%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,656
  • Undergrad Students: 2,785
  • Graduate Students: 871
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Franciscan University of Steubenville
4

Biola University

Score: 70.35

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $46,704
    • Out-of-State: $46,704
  • Net Price: $31,522
  • Acceptance Rate: 57%
  • Retention Rate: 84%
  • Graduation Rate: 72%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,387
  • Undergrad Students: 3,499
  • Graduate Students: 1,888
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Biola University
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5

Regent University

Score: 67.35

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $20,686
    • Out-of-State: $20,686
  • Net Price: $17,341
  • Acceptance Rate: 32%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 55%
  • Total Enrollment: 10,337
  • Undergrad Students: 4,541
  • Graduate Students: 5,796
  • Grads Salary: $63,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 21:1
  • Regent University
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6

Saint Leo University

Score: 66.43

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $28,360
    • Out-of-State: $28,360
  • Net Price: $20,390
  • Acceptance Rate: 80%
  • Retention Rate: 54%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 10,242
  • Undergrad Students: 7,320
  • Graduate Students: 2,922
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Saint Leo University
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7

Colorado Christian University

Score: 66.35

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $39,266
    • Out-of-State: $39,266
  • Net Price: $23,313
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 83%
  • Graduation Rate: 61%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,964
  • Undergrad Students: 7,602
  • Graduate Students: 1,362
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Colorado Christian University
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8

Judson University

Score: 66.04

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $30,910
    • Out-of-State: $30,910
  • Net Price: $19,268
  • Acceptance Rate: 58%
  • Retention Rate: 61%
  • Graduation Rate: 53%
  • Total Enrollment: 973
  • Undergrad Students: 798
  • Graduate Students: 175
  • Grads Salary: $64,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Judson University
9

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Score: 64.21

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,780
    • Out-of-State: $29,503
  • Net Price: $14,805
  • Acceptance Rate: 98%
  • Retention Rate: 63%
  • Graduation Rate: 29%
  • Total Enrollment: 16,995
  • Undergrad Students: 15,848
  • Graduate Students: 1,147
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
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10

Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Score: 63.59

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $40,408
    • Out-of-State: $40,408
  • Net Price: $32,801
  • Acceptance Rate: 83%
  • Retention Rate: 75%
  • Graduation Rate: 59%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,566
  • Undergrad Students: 4,158
  • Graduate Students: 408
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence
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11

Notre Dame College

Score: 62.71

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $32,606
    • Out-of-State: $32,606
  • Net Price: $20,151
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 42%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,444
  • Undergrad Students: 1,329
  • Graduate Students: 115
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Notre Dame College
12

Spalding University

Score: 61.39

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $27,850
    • Out-of-State: $27,850
  • Net Price: $26,539
  • Acceptance Rate: 98%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 45%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,532
  • Undergrad Students: 767
  • Graduate Students: 765
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Spalding University
13

Louisiana State University-Alexandria

Score: 61.09

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,050
    • Out-of-State: $14,650
  • Net Price: $7,274
  • Acceptance Rate: 58%
  • Retention Rate: 67%
  • Graduation Rate: 31%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,289
  • Undergrad Students: 4,289
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $53,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Louisiana State University-Alexandria
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14

Methodist University

Score: 59.71

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $39,664
    • Out-of-State: $39,664
  • Net Price: $28,129
  • Acceptance Rate: 76%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 41%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,811
  • Undergrad Students: 1,448
  • Graduate Students: 363
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Methodist University
15

Faulkner University

Score: 57.55

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $23,920
    • Out-of-State: $23,920
  • Net Price: $20,050
  • Acceptance Rate: 82%
  • Retention Rate: 63%
  • Graduation Rate: 33%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,817
  • Undergrad Students: 1,792
  • Graduate Students: 1,025
  • Grads Salary: $62,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Faulkner University
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Associate Vs. Bachelor in Clinical Psychology

What Clinical Psychology Bachelor’s Degrees are Available Online?

Psychology majors receive either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) upon graduation. The type of degree offered depends upon the college or university. In general, schools offered a BS in psychology place a greater emphasis on the sciences, with students required to take more courses in biology and related fields. These are the usual offerings, but there is a growing trend of colleges offering dual degrees that encompass both online bachelor’s and master’s degrees, allowing students to graduate in five years rather than taking the usual six to complete one and then the other.

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Psychology Programs Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for entering a degree in clinical psychology program includes a high school diploma or GED, along with high school transcripts. Most colleges or universities also require a minimum 2.5 GPA, though community colleges are usually less strict in their entry requirements than full four-year programs, but you can use them as a jumping off point to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Depending on the school, you should expect to submit between two to five letters of recommendation. Most schools also require SAT or ACT tests but set their own minimum acceptable scores. Most prospective students must also write a personal statement outlining their career goals and reasons for pursuing this major.

How Long Does it Take to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology Online?

If attending school full-time, you should earn your online bachelor’s in four years. Part-time students should earn their degree within six to eight years, depending on the number of courses taken per semester and whether they are willing to take summer classes.

Students with work or family obligations may take longer to earn degrees. For many of these students, enrolling in an online program or choosing a hybrid program with both online and in-class instruction is the most practical way to earn their degree.

Potential Careers in Clinical Psychology with a Bachelor’s Degree

There are relatively few career opportunities in the field for psychology students with only an undergraduate degree. However, there are jobs that new psychology or social work degree recipients can work in while pursuing a graduate psychology program. Such jobs include:

  • Activities Director
    These directors work in nursing homes, psychiatric institutions, community organizations, and other mental health-related positions. They plan and coordinate therapeutic and recreational activities for patients, among other things, and excellent communication skills are a necessity. The average salary for an activities director is $35,000.
  • Mental Health Counselor
    The BLS projects a 22% increase in this field over the next decade, far greater than average growth. Roughly 25% of the population deals with some form of mental illness or mental health issue. Some graduate programs require experience or internships in this field for consideration. The average salary for a mental health counselor is $43,000.
  • Rehabilitation Counselor
    This job involves helping people with clinical health, behavioral, or mental or emotional disabilities find employment, housing, medical care, and other needs. Demand for such employees is expected to grow 10% over the next 10 years, which is greater than average. The median annual salary for a rehabilitation counselor is $36,000.
  • Social and Community Service Managers
    These jobs are available work in government and non-profit agencies, as well as for-profit social service companies. An increase in the demand for substance abuse and mental health counseling, along with an aging population, should cause the field to grow by 17% during the next decade. This is much faster than average. The median annual salary for a social or community service manager is $67,000.
  • Social Worker
    These positions are available in various facilities including mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, and private practices. The BLS projects a 13% increase in the number of jobs available for social workers over the next decade, which is much faster than average. The median pay for a social worker is $50,470 per year.

Options to Advance

As noted, becoming a clinical psychologist requires an advanced degree. Undergraduates should seek internship opportunities in a clinical practice since this experience is often necessary when applying to graduate school.

After receiving their undergraduate degree, those interested in becoming a clinical psychologist can pursue a graduate degree. Each university has its own requirements and educational offerings. Some schools allow students with a bachelor’s degree to apply for an online doctoral program and begin studies without a master’s, while others require a student to have earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology before applying to a doctoral program. The student who has graduated with an online master’s degree may apply directly to a doctoral program or work in the field for a several years before pursuing this next step.

It can take up to a decade to receive a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, although many graduate students earn their doctorate within five to seven years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between a BS and a BA when it comes to a clinical psychology degree?

The short answer is yes. Those who are taking a general psychology program could probably take either one. However, if you wish to focus on clinical psychology, you should probably opt for a Bachelor of Science degree. A BA will prepare you for more education just fine, but a BS will do a better job of preparing you for a more research-based or clinical position.

Is a clinical psychology degree worth it?

This type of degree can certainly be worth it for those who are willing to complete the required education, which usually means going on to earn a master’s or even doctoral degree as well as your undergraduate degree. While many bachelor’s degree graduates make around $50,000 per year, those who are able to land clinical roles can start out earning as much as $100,000 per year. On top of that, you will have the joy of working in a helping profession, where you will be responsible for helping your patients or clients turn their lives around.

Are there negatives to being a clinical psychologist?

There are some things that can be difficult for those who work in clinical psychology. While you might be excellent with people, diagnosing, and research, that’s not all that is required of those who work in this field, especially if they choose to start their own practice. Clinical psychologists may also need to spend time focusing on billing issues, either with individuals or with insurance companies depending on your clients. This can definitely be a hassle, and it may not be something you are prepared for when you start up your own practice. Other issues may also include burnout. You’ll be dealing with clients on a daily basis who are facing some intense problems. If you aren’t good at separating your work and personal life, you might start to feel tired after doing this for several years. It’s important to know how much you can take and be prepared to do your best to avoid burnout.

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