With more than three dozen public and private colleges offering psychology degrees and certificates, Connecticut provides diverse learning opportunities for students at every stage of their academic journey. If you’re interested in studying psychology, Connecticut has options to fit any career goal or personal interest. STEPS will help you navigate these choices by outlining program types, career paths, earning potential, and everything else you need to confidently select the online psychology program that’s right for you.Best Online Psychology Degree Programs in Connecticut (CT)
Psychology Associate Degrees in Connecticut
A two-year associate of arts degree in psychology in Connecticut must be earned through the Connecticut State Community College system. Available on site or in a hybrid format through CT State’s 12 campuses, this degree prepares students for entry-level roles. An associate degree also provides foundational coursework for earning a bachelor’s degree.
Connecticut State Community College
Connecticut State Community College’s Associate of Arts Transfer Degree in Psychology Studies is the perfect launching pad for earning your bachelor’s degree. In addition to completing general education requirements and preparing for transfer to a BA or BS program within the Connecticut State University system, you’ll learn about the terminology, research methods, and problem-solving skills used in psychology studies. While many courses in the program can be completed online, some must be taken on one of CT State’s 12 campuses.
Duration: Two years
Mode: On-campus, hybrid
Cost: $192/credit
Curriculum:
- General Psychology I & II
- Lifespan Development
- Abnormal Psychology
- Social Psychology
Psychology Bachelor’s Degrees in Connecticut
A bachelor’s degree in psychology prepares graduates for many entry-level jobs in fields like social work, law enforcement, human resources, education, advertising, and public relations, or to continue studies at the graduate level. Psychology bachelor’s programs typically require two years of full-time study. Both online and on-campus formats are available.
Post University
Post University’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology can be completed entirely asynchronously online, for flexibility to complete coursework when and how it suits your life. In addition to gaining a strong foundational psychology curriculum, students can choose from three concentrations: Applied Behavior Analysis; Human Development, Education, and Health; or Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Upon graduation, students are prepared for a range of roles, from case management to advertising and market research, or to continue onto a graduate-level program.
Duration: Four years
Mode: Online
Cost: $629/credit
Curriculum:
- Fundamentals of Psychology I & II
- Psychological Development Across the Lifespan
- Multicultural Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Theories of Personality
- Abnormal Psychology
- Learning Theory
- Neuropsychology I
- Research Methods in the Social Sciences
- Writing in the Behavioral Sciences
- Psychology Capstone
- 12 Concentration-Specific Courses
Psychology Master’s Degrees in Connecticut
Master’s degrees in psychology provide the knowledge and training to take on non-clinical roles in 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. Full- and part-time programs are available with completion in two to four years.
University of Hartford
In the University of Hartford’s Master of Science in Organizational Psychology program, you’ll learn the skills needed to create healthy workplaces. While the courses in this program are available online, you’ll need to complete your capstone course in person. However, if you’re already working in a professional role, you can do the work at your current job. With seven-week sessions, full- or part-time study options, year-round start dates, and asynchronous coursework, this is a flexible master’s degree option.
Duration: One to three years
Mode: Online
Cost: $748/credit
Curriculum:
- Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- Personnel Psychology
- Experimental Design
- Advanced Research Methods
- Capstone Project
- Seven Organizational Psychology Elective Courses
PhD, PsyD, and Graduate Certificates in Connecticut
A PsyD program prepares graduates for careers in clinical practice settings, while the PhD in Psychology is for students seeking careers in scientific research and/or postsecondary teaching. PsyD holders usually pursue state licensure to become a licensed psychologist. Graduate certificate programs provide knowledge and training in a specialized area of psychology without taking on an entire graduate degree program.
Southern Connecticut University
Southern Connecticut University offers a hybrid School Psychology, sixth year certificate that provides the necessary coursework and supervised fieldwork to prepare students for State of Connecticut Certification as a K-12 school counselor. The certificate program consists of one year of full-time continuous study, followed by a year-long internship. Candidates with 30 months of certified public teaching experience can waive 50 percent of the internship. To apply, students must have a master’s in helping professions or education-related areas.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $4,358/semester
Curriculum:
- Professional School Psychology Seminar
- Data-Based Decision-Making IV & V
- Internship in School Psychology
- Professional Internship Seminar in School Psychology
- Applied Behavioral Interventions in Schools
- School Consultation for School Psychologists
- Advanced Behavior Interventions
- Advanced Research Methods & Program Evaluation
- Advanced Consultation and Supervision
- Psychoeducational Interventions II & III
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FAQs From Connecticut Psychology Students
Is financial aid available for psychology students in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut undergraduate and graduate students have access to an array of financial aid resources. These include scholarships and grants, fellowships and assistantships (primarily for grad students), VA benefits, work-study jobs, employer tuition reimbursement opportunities, and student loans, 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.
Is a bachelor’s in psychology worth it?
It depends on your specific career goals, but keep in mind that a bachelor’s program in psychology gives you a strong grounding in the basics of the field and prepares you for entry-level jobs in many fields, including public relations, human resources, and case management. However, if you want to be a licensed clinical professional, you’ll need to pursue an advanced degree. In that case, a bachelor’s degree can provide a stepping stone to more advanced degrees in the field.
Can you get a psychology degree fully online?
Yes. Fully online psychology degrees in Connecticut are rare, but they do exist. You can get your associate of arts in psychology online from CT State, then transfer to a bachelor’s completion program at a state university. Or, you could earn your bachelor’s degree entirely online from a school like Post University. Master’s and doctorate programs are usually hybrid programs, because you’ll need to complete in-person clinical hours to prepare for graduation and licensure.
Is an online psychology degree credible?
Absolutely. If your online psychology program in Connecticut has received accreditation from a nationally recognized accrediting body, it is a credible degree. The regional accrediting body for Connecticut colleges and universities is the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). If you’re getting a graduate degree in psychology, check to make sure the degree program itself is accredited as well as the school. Look for accreditation from the American Psychological Association, Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council, National Association of School Psychologists, or Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System.
What jobs can I get with a certificate in psychology?
It depends on the type of certificate you get. If you’ve already graduated from a bachelor’s program, then a psychology certificate can give you a background in human development, assessment, and behavior that helps you get a job in social work, career counseling, case management, or human resources. Post-graduate certificates help students specialize in specific areas of psychology to prepare for professional opportunities in a specific field or area of focus.
Salary & Career Outlook for Psychology Graduates in Connecticut
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | Psychologists | $47,450 | $157,420 | $117,750 |
| Connecticut | Psychologists | $40,670 | $158,250 | $126,610 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | Psychologists | $29,350 | $164,980 | $132,810 |
| New Haven, CT | Psychologists | $40,670 | $149,640 | $122,780 |
Source: Psychologists, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Occupation | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Psychologists | 56,300 | 59,100 | 2,800 | 5.00% |
| Connecticut | Psychologists | 810 | 930 | 120 | 14.80% |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Resources for Psychology Students & Professionals in Connecticut
Whether you’re a psychology professional considering an advanced degree or a prospective student of online psychology programs in Connecticut, we’ve put together this resource list for you. Here you’ll find valuable information on professional associations, academic societies, and licensing laws and regulations to support your academic journey and professional growth.
- Connecticut Association of School Psychologists: This professional organization advocates for Connecticut school psychologists. Free membership is available to students Connecticut school psychology students and includes professional development and networking opportunities at association meetings and events 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 postdoctoral 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.
List of the Best Schools for Online Psychology Degrees in Connecticut
The Connecticut schools featuring fully or partially online psychology degree programs are ranked below to help you decide if pursuing your psychology studies online could work for you. We gave each school a score based on the factors that are most important to online degree-seekers: the number of available online programs, affordability, and student outcomes.
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, Connecticut
Private
