Best Online Psychology Degree Programs in Connecticut (CT)
When it comes to finding the best online or on-campus psychology degree programs, Connecticut is a great place to be. Explore top programs and discover how earning a degree or certificate can help you launch or advance your career in a state with high demand for psychology professionals.
Connecticut is 48th among all states in terms of area, but it’s nothing short of an academic powerhouse. In fact, the state is home to over three dozen quality, fully accredited public and private colleges and universities. That includes one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious postsecondary institutions, Yale University.
With all that brain power, it’s no surprise that Connecticut colleges offer a wealth of psychology degrees and certificate programs. The problem, and it’s a good problem, is choosing the right program for you among the many top psychology programs in Connecticut. This guide can help by introducing you to the best psychology programs in Connecticut. It includes useful information about the many types of programs available, how to finance your education, what you can do career-wise once you’ve graduated, and more.
Top Online Psychology Degree Programs in Connecticut
Earning a college degree or certificate online is now commonplace since online students are assured of receiving the same level of academic quality as those in traditional campus-based programs. They also enjoy the study flexibility and other conveniences that come with distance learning. The Connecticut schools featuring fully or partially online psychology degree programs are ranked below to give you an idea of the current state of online psychology education in Connecticut and to help you decide if pursuing your psychology studies online will work for you.
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, Connecticut
Private
Post University
Post University is known for its substantial number of degree programs, including three in psychology-related fields, featuring 100% online coursework. Of particular note is Post’s BA in Psychology, which can be completed online or on-campus and includes:
- Online classes delivered in an asynchronous format.
- A 120-credit curriculum that typically takes four years of full-time study.
- Personal academic advisors are assigned at enrollment.
Post additionally offers an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling programs, both of which are entirely online with flexible class times.
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University offers what may be the most comprehensive list of online degree and certificate programs from a public university in the state. Included are four psychology-related graduate programs where:
- Students interested in the field of school psychology choose between the 32-credit MS in School Psychology and the 38-credit School Psychology Sixth Year Certificate programs.
- A Sixth Year Certificate program prepares students for State of Connecticut school psychology certification through one year of full-time study followed by a one-year, 1,200-hour internship.
- Related programs include an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis and a 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Addiction Counseling.
SCSU’s Department of Psychology also has a robust undergraduate program featuring several BS and BA degrees as well as several accelerated bachelor’s/master’s options. All these undergraduate programs are campus-based.
Types of Psychology Degrees You Can Earn in Connecticut
Connecticut colleges and universities offer a wide variety of psychology-related degree and certificate programs. Each program type is described below, along with examples of some of the top psychology programs in Connecticut, to help you determine which one is right for you in terms of where you are in your career now and where you want to go.
Undergraduate Psychology Degrees in Connecticut
Associate Degrees in Psychology
A two-year associate of arts (AA) degree in psychology prepares students for entry-level jobs (e.g., teacher’s aide, youth counselor, social services assistant, etc.). An AA in Psychology Studies Transfer degree also provides foundational coursework for earning a psychology bachelor’s degree. You must earn your psychology associate degree in Connecticut through the Connecticut State Community College system, and you can pursue your psychology associate degree either on-site or in a hybrid format through any of CT State Community College’s 12 campuses.
Accredited Connecticut Colleges with Associate in Psychology Degrees:
- CT State Community College Manchester (On-Campus or Hybrid)
- CT State Community College Three Rivers(On-Campus or Hybrid)
Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology
A bachelor’s degree in psychology prepares graduates for many entry-level jobs both directly and indirectly related to psychology in fields like social work, law enforcement, human resources, education, advertising, and public relations. It also prepares them to continue their studies at the graduate level in a psychology specialization. Psychology bachelor’s programs typically require two years of full-time study. Both online and on-campus formats are available.
Accredited Connecticut Colleges with a Bachelors in Psychology Degree:
- Charter Oak State College (Online)
- Post University (Online or On-Campus)
- University of Bridgeport(Online or On-Campus)
Graduate Psychology Degrees in Connecticut
Master’s Degrees in Psychology
Master’s degrees in psychology provide the knowledge and training needed to take on non-clinical roles in any of several specializations within the larger psychology field. Common specializations include clinical psychology, forensic psychology, school psychology, sport psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, and mental health counseling. Program lengths vary considerably depending on the program and study pace. Full-time and part-time programs are available, and two to four years is not uncommon.
Accredited Connecticut Colleges with a Master of Psychology Degree:
- Central Connecticut State University (On-Campus)
- Fairfield University (On-Campus)
- Western Connecticut State University (On-Campus)
PsyD Programs
The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree prepares graduates for top-level careers in clinical practice settings where they provide services directly to patients and clients as individuals, couples, and groups. PsyD holders usually pursue state licensure to become licensed psychologists.
Accredited Connecticut Colleges with PsyD Programs:
- University of Hartford (Online or On-Campus)
Psychology PhD Programs
The PhD in Psychology is intended for students seeking careers in scientific research and/or teaching at the postsecondary level. PhD students train in research methods, data collection, and statistical analysis to produce new scientific knowledge. Most PhD programs require a dissertation to demonstrate a student’s competency in advanced research.
Accredited Connecticut Colleges with Psychology PhD Programs:
- University of Connecticut (On-Campus)
Graduate Certificates
Psychology graduate certificate programs provide knowledge and training in a specialized area of psychology without the time and expense of taking on an entire graduate degree program. Admission requires at minimum a bachelor’s degree. Program lengths vary but typically require several months to a year and a half.
Accredited Connecticut Colleges with Psychology Graduate Certificates:
- Southern Connecticut University (Hybrid)
- University of Connecticut (On-Campus)
- University of Saint Joseph (On-Campus)
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Psychology Students in Connecticut
Practically no one today earns a college degree without financial aid, including students in any of the top psychology programs in Connecticut. Fortunately, qualifying Connecticut undergraduate and graduate students have access to an array of valuable funding resources. These include scholarships and grants, fellowships and assistantships (primarily for grad students), VA benefits, work-study jobs, employer tuition reimbursement opportunities, and the ever-popular student loan (particularly those available through the U.S. Department of Education).
There are many places to start your financial aid search, including the Connecticut Office of Higher Education and specific schools. Examples of schools with psychology program scholarships, grants, and other awards include the University of Connecticut and Eastern Connecticut State University. Find additional advice on funding help for your psychology education through resources like STEP’s financial aid and scholarship guides.
Job Outlook and Earnings Potential for Psychology Grads in Connecticut
The employment outlook for graduates of psychology programs in Connecticut is positive with earnings generally outpacing the national average. The median annual wages for clinical and counseling psychologists and school psychologists in Connecticut, for example, exceeded the national wages by over $22,000 and $12,000, respectively, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job growth is also good overall, though long-term growth estimates vary widely among job titles.
The chart below gives a detailed picture of the psychology job market in Connecticut for students earning a psychology degree from one of the many top programs. It includes job growth and earnings data for five common psychology occupations but keep in mind that actual earnings depend on factors like location, employer, and professional work experience.
| Job Growth Rate (2020-2030) | Average Annual Openings (2020-2030) | Annual Mean Wage (May 2022) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | 5% | 110 | $112,280 |
| Mental Health Counselors | 20% | 600 | $56,980 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 9% | 180 | $79,080 |
| Postsecondary Psychology Teachers | 10% | 110 | $98,950 |
| School Psychologists | 5% | 110 | $94,050 |
Sources: O*Net Online;Bureau of Labor Statistics
Connecticut Psychology Professional and Student Resources
- Connecticut Association of School Psychologists
This professional organization advocates for school psychologists in Connecticut. Free membership is available to students in Connecticut school psychology programs and includes professional development and network opportunities at association meetings and events scheduled throughout the year. - Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH)
The Connecticut DPH provides information on laws and regulations governing professional psychology practice in the state, including psychologist licensure and continuing education requirements, psychology technician practice, and more. - Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA)
An affiliate of the American Psychological Association, the CPA is the preeminent association of post-doctoral psychology professionals in the state. Undergraduate and graduate psychology students can join the CPA as student members. - Connecticut Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology (CSPP)
The CSPP welcomes membership from all mental health professionals, psychoanalytic candidates, and graduate students. Benefits include collegial support and networking opportunities, participation in regional study groups and the CSPP’s Mentorship Program, and more. - Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology
The honor society of psychology students, faculty, and alumni of four-year colleges and universities has active chapters on 16 Connecticut campuses, including Yale University, Quinnipiac University, Trinity College, and the University of Connecticut.