Best Online Psychology Degree Programs in Chicago, IL

Psychology Associate Degrees in Chicago

An associate degree in psychology can prepare you for any number of entry-level jobs with titles such as mental health technician, human services assistant, or child care worker. But most students who pursue a psychology associate degree do so as an affordable way to earn two years of general education and major-specific course credits before transferring to a four-year college or university to earn their psychology bachelor’s degree.

Psychology Bachelor’s Degrees in Chicago

The bachelor’s in psychology can be thought of as the foundational academic credential for a professional career in psychology, business, or any of several other fields. While entry-level employment abounds, it’s common for psychology bachelor’s graduates to continue on with their studies to earn a master’s degree for a career as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or a doctoral degree to become a licensed psychologist. Psychology bachelor’s degree programs typically require four years of full-time study.

Psychology Master’s Degrees in Chicago

If your career goals involve becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), then you’re going to need a master’s degree in psychology. A psychology master’s program also prepares you for clinical education at the doctoral level. In either case, psychology master’s programs typically provide education and training in any of several areas of specialization including (among others) clinical psychology, counseling psychology, organizational psychology, school psychology, and social psychology.

PhD, PsyD, and Graduate Certificates in Chicago

Study beyond the master’s degree in the psychology field means earning a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree, PhD in Psychology, or, in some cases, a psychology graduate certificate. Each credential type has its own requirements and purpose. The PsyD offers coursework in the application of psychology theory and clinical training to prepare students for top-level roles in clinical practice. The psychology PhD focuses on the creation of new psychology scientific theory and research to prepare students for positions in postsecondary education and advanced research. And graduate certificates in psychology offer current professionals a way to gain specialized training in a particular area of the psychology field to expand their knowledge base and practice.

FAQs for Psychology Students in Chicago

Can I get financial aid to help pay for my online psychology program in Chicago?

Like most other academic disciplines, a number of valuable financial aid resources are available to qualifying online psychology students in Chicago. Included are student loans, scholarships and grants, employer tuition reimbursement opportunities, fellowships and assistantships (for graduate students), VA benefits (for current and veteran military), and more.

Where can I find an internship or practicum site for my online psychology program in Chicago?

Most programs have developed relationships with internship and practicum sites near their campuses and throughout the state, and sometimes beyond. If you have the option or are required to locate your own, plenty of opportunities are available in the Chicagoland area with hospitals, mental health clinics, private practices, schools, and correctional facilities. A few examples include:

• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
• Counseling Center of Illinois
• JCFS Chicago
• Mind Body Co-op

What are the requirements for clinical psychologist licensure in Illinois?

The three main requirements for Clinical Psychologist Licensure in Illinois are:

• A PhD or PsyD degree in clinical psychology
• Passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)
• Completion of both a one-year doctoral internship and one year of post-doctoral training

Licensed clinical psychologists may additionally obtain Prescribing Psychologist or Prescribing Psychologist Mid-level Practitioner Controlled Substances licensure in the state by meeting additional education and clinical training requirements.

What Illinois license types are available to graduates of online psychology master’s programs in Chicago?

• School Psychologist: Requirements for school psychologist licensure in Illinois include a master’s or higher degree in psychology or educational psychology with specialization in school psychology, completion of both a 250-hour practicum in a school setting and 1,200-hour internship under the direction of a credentialed school psychologist, and possession of a valid Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential.
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT): Illinois LMFT licensure requirements include graduation from a regionally accredited master’s or doctoral program in marriage and family therapy or with equivalent coursework, passing the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Board (AMFTRB) exam, and completion of 3,000 hours of work experience.
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): LPC licensure in Illinois requires a master’s degree in counseling or equivalent from a properly accredited program, completion of 980 hours of supervised practice experience, and passing the National Counselors Examination (NCE).
• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC): Requirements for LCPC licensure in Illinois include a master’s degree in counseling or equivalent, completion of 3,360 hours of professional counseling work experience, and passing both the NCE and National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMCHE).

Will my Chicago online psychology degree qualify me for licensure in other states?

It likely will, but requirements vary from state to state. So, before enrolling in any psychology program, confirm that it will fill the academic requirements for the state licensure you require.

What to Expect as a Psychology Graduate in Chicago

Chicago-Area Resources for Psychology Students & Professionals

No one goes it alone when it comes to pursuing a psychology education and career. Multiple organizations and other support services are available to help you at all points along your academic and professional path, including the five listed below.

• Chicagoland Industrial Organizational Psychologists (CHIOP): The CHIOP connects industrial organization (I/O) professionals and students in the Chicagoland area to enhance the value of I/O psychology. Student memberships are available that offer benefits that include workshops, panel discussions, and networking and mentoring opportunities.
• Chicago Psychoanalytic Society: The Chicago Psychoanalytic Society aims to enhance knowledge of psychoanalytic ideas through educational, research, social, and consultative programs. Student memberships are available with benefits that include networking events, study groups, and more.
• Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA): A regional division of the American Psychological Association, the MPA strives to advance the science, teaching, and application of psychology throughout the Midwest. Graduate student memberships are available.
• National Alliance on Mental Illnesses Chicago (NAMI Chicago): NAMI Chicago is committed to supporting families and individuals impacted by mental health conditions, decreasing the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health, and advocating for the Chicago community.
• Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology: The honor society for psychology students aims to “encourage excellence in scholarship and advance the science of psychology.” Psi Chi chapters can be on college and university campuses throughout the United States and around the world, including nearly a dozen-and-a-half in the greater Chicago area.

Ranking the Best Online Psychology Programs in Chicago

With so many programs, it can be a challenge to determine which one is right for you. To help you in that regard, we’ve surveyed various Chicago-based colleges and universities currently offering online psychology programs and chosen what we believe to be some of the best, which we’ve listed in the rankings below. Factors considered in making our selections include proper accreditation, affordability, academic and faculty quality, study convenience, and access to useful student academic and career support resources.