As competition becomes increasingly intense for jobs in psychology, it is more important than ever for students to choose graduate psychology degree programs that provide an edge in the workforce. Although many practicing psychologists are deciding to put off retirement, and psychology jobs are growing at the rate of just three percent, the Center for Workforce Studies still reports that 5,000 new psychology doctorates are handed out annually. In order to help you get the most out of your training and beat out the competition for a limited number of jobs, we’ve identified a set of highly innovative graduate-level psychology degree programs for you to consider. Most of the programs described below assume that you’ve already earned a psychology master’s degree.
At this time, the three fastest growing areas of the field are thought to be neuropsychology, industrial-organizational psychology, and geropsychology, so we put special emphasis on including programs with offerings in those areas. In addition, our editors also sought to highlight the following types of programs.
1) Those whose faculty is among the most highly cited in the field.
2) Those that have shown exceptional progress in the area of diversity.
3) Those with at least some online offerings.
Since cost is a concern for many, we’ve sorted the list from high to low tuition based on data from the College Navigator.
To learn more about this list, please visit our page: How We Choose the Psychology Degree Programs We Consider to Be the Best
The 20 Most Innovative Psychology Degrees
Harvard University: Cambridge, MA
Department of Psychology
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
As a five-year degree with a primary focus on severe psychopathology, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program at Harvard has been ranked as the 14th best clinical psychology program in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. With unique accreditation through the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), the clinical psychology program is home to the most highly cited researchers in the top 100. With a long history at the forefront of the field producing world-famous researchers like B.F. Skinner, Gordon Allport, and George Miller, the Department of Psychology has been named #1 in the world for faculty scholarly productivity by the Times Higher Education.
Total program tuition: $125,814
University of Southern California: Los Angeles, CA
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Ph.D. in Clinical Geropsychology
As one of the first graduate psychology degree programs of its kind in the country, the Ph.D. in Clinical Geropsychology program focuses in the single largest growing psychology field for working with older adults. In addition, the Dorsnlife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences offers an online Masters in Applied Psychology with a concentration in Organizational Psychology, which is another major area of field growth. With a ranking in the top 50 most diverse schools by the U.S. News and World Report, USC also provides the valuable opportunity to pursue an innovative degree in the heart of the multicultural Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Tuition per unit: $1,733
Drexel University: Philadelphia, PA
Department of Psychology
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with Neuropsychology Concentration
With a commitment to promoting diversity within the field of psychology among traditionally underrepresented groups, the Drexel Department of Psychology is currently ranked 7th nationally among colleges offering doctoral clinical psychology programs by the U.S. News and World Report. Rooted in a scientist-practitioner model, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program offers an innovative concentration in Neuropsychology for preparation in one of the largest growing fields. At the undergraduate level, the Department also presents a B.S. in Psychology program fully online from the comfort of home with guidance by award-winning faculty.
Tuition per credit: $1,303
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: Chicago, IL
Division of Graduate Studies
Online Psychology Programs
Renowned for being an innovator in distance learning for the field of psychology for three decades, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology is a non-profit private accredited institution with over 4,500 students nationwide in more than 20 psychology degree programs fully online. Among the programs in the Division of Graduate Studies, students can pursue a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in the rapidly growing area of Neuropsychology on-campus in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., or New Orleans. From anywhere with an Internet connection, there is also a Ph.D. in International Psychology and Certificate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Tuition per credit: $1,492
University of Michigan: Ann Arbor, MI
Department of Psychology
Ph.D. in Biopsychology
Within the biggest growing psychological field, the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan offers a research-oriented Ph.D. in Biopsychology that was recently ranked as the 3rd best behavioral neuroscience program in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. In order to further investigate the relationships between the brain and behavior, the Department of Psychiatry also provides an innovative APA-accredited clinical neuropsychology post-doctoral residency program with the option to specialize in geriatrics. The University of Michigan has also ranked eighth in the number of highly cited researchers in the top 100 most influential scientific minds nationwide.
Total program tuition: $85,958
Pennsylvania State University: State College, PA
Department of Psychology
Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
In an effort to prepare students for positions in one of the fastest growing psychology fields for positions in industrial, governmental, consulting, business, and academic settings, Penn State has established an innovative Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology program. Although recognized for having the 30th best graduate psychology programs in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report, Penn State also offers an online B.A. in Psychology program through its high-tech World Campus. Furthermore, Penn State is home to the world’s first official fully online psychology club to provide students with a community for sharing ideas, enhancing leadership skills, accessing research opportunities, and supporting professional goals.
Tuition per credit: $998
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey: Newark, NJ
Department of Psychology
Graduate Program of Psychology
Within the Graduate Program of Psychology at Rutgers, students have the option to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Systems Neuroscience, Cognitive Psychology, Intradisciplinary Health Psychology, or Social Psychology. Regularly admitting underrepresented ethnic minorities, women, students with disabilities, first-generation college graduates, non-traditional students, and mid-career changers, Rutgers is currently ranked #1 in the United States for its campus ethnic diversity, with a high diversity index of 0.77 by the U.S. News and World Report. Centrally located in New Jersey with over 50,000 students, Rutgers boasts many internationally recognized scholars who have received prestigious honors.
Tuition per credit: $1,216
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities: Minneapolis, MN
Department of Psychology
Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Founded with a unique emphasis in one of the fastest growing fields in psychology, the Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology program at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities is focused on developing the research skills needed for the scientific study of the workplace. Not only was this program highly ranked within a recent study by the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology (SIOP), but it was also ranked #1 among I-O psychology doctoral programs nationwide by U.S. News and World Report. Within one of the world’s top psychology departments, there are also Ph.D. concentrations in six additional areas: Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Social Psychology, Clinical Science and Research, Counseling Psychology, Personality and Behavior Genetics, and Quantitative/Psychometric Methods.
Tuition per credit: $1,465
Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI
Department of Psychology
Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology
With a research focus on quantitative methods of psychology, Michigan State University offers an innovative Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology program that prepares graduates for research or faculty positions in academia for one of psychology’s fastest growing fields. In addition to being highly ranked within a recent study by the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology (SIOP), the Ph.D. has also ranked in a tie for #1 among I-O psychology doctoral programs nationwide by the U.S. News and World Report. For online graduate psychology degree learners, the Department of Psychology also offers a fully online M.A. in Program Evaluation degree with skill-building activities available on your own schedule, so if a master’s in psychology is what you’re looking for, be sure to check it out.
Tuition per credit: $786
Fielding Graduate University: Santa Barbara, CA
School of Psychology
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Neuropsychology Concentration
Featuring 600 hours of clinical practicum and a three-month internship under the supervision of a licensed clinical neuropsychologist, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program at Fielding Graduate University is focused on the fast-growing field studying the biological bases of behavior. As a “distributed learning program,” the innovative curriculum is designed to incorporate in-person and online delivery methods to accommodate adult learners balancing study with professional obligations. Fielding is renowned for offering the only APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral program in the nation to be selected as a Top 100 degree producer for minorities by Diverse Issues in Higher Education, as well as the only program of its kind to not require a specific physical location.
Tuition per credit: $813
Kent State University: Kent, OH
Department of Psychological Sciences
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology – Neuropsychology Concentration
The clinical psychology doctoral program at the Kent State University Department of Psychological Sciences boasts the distinction of being continuously accredited by the APA since 1968. Its curriculum has been modeled along the 40 guidelines established by the Houston Conference and APA Division to reflect the latest updates in this high-demand field. An active research program with multiple projects underway at all times ensures students have every opportunity for professional engagement. Other concentration options within the Ph.D. program are Adult Psychopathology, Assessment Psychology, Clinical Child Psychology, and Clinical Health Psychology.
Tuition per credit: $392
Xavier University: Cincinnati, OH
School of Psychology
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
Within its APA-accredited Clinical Psychology program leading to a Psy.D. degree, Xavier University offers three “areas of interest” concentration options: children and adolescents, individuals with severe and chronic psychopathology, and health care psychology in medical settings. Ranked among the best clinical psychology doctoral programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, the program consists of four full-time years in the classroom followed by an internship year. Xavier has offered an MS in Industrial-Organizational Psychology since 1962, and also offers an MA in General Experimental Psychology.
Tuition per credit: $850
University of Maryland: College Park, MD
Department of Psychology
Ph.D. in Psychology, Social, Decision, and Organizational Sciences with concentration in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
As one of the top 50 most diverse schools in the nation according to the U.S. News and World Report, the University of Maryland offers an innovative Ph.D. in Psychology Social, Decision, and Organizational Sciences (SDOS) program with a concentration in the rapidly growing field of Industrial-Organizational Psychology. In addition to being named among the 40th best psychology graduate programs in the United States, UMD features an inter-disciplinary Doctoral Program in Gerontology through a collaboration of the university’s six professional schools. With a faculty full of the world’s most influential scientific minds, the Department also presents a B.S. in Psychology for completion online.
Tuition per credit: $731
Colorado State University: Fort Collins, CO
Department of Psychology
Online Master of Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology (MAIOP)
For completion fully online from a distance anywhere in the world, the Online Master of Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology (MAIOP) program is designed to prepare students for becoming practitioners in one of the fastest growing psychology fields to study the behavior of individuals in business to improve performance. At the doctoral level, Colorado State also offers an on-campus Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with an innovative optional concentration in Occupational Health Psychology (OHP). With its commitment to ethnic and racial diversity, Colorado State is nationally acclaimed for being among the top 100 institutions for conferring the most degrees to minority students by Diverse Issues in Higher Education.
Tuition per credit: $770
University of Houston: Houston, TX
Department of Psychology
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Concentration in Clinical Neuropsychology
Featuring the Boulder Model of training with an emphasis on the integration of scientific and professional aspects of one of psychology’s fastest growing fields, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program at the University of Houston offers an innovative concentration in Clinical Neuropsychology for studying disorders of brain function. In addition, the University of Houston promotes an in-demand Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology program and an online B.A. or B.S. completion program in psychology at the undergraduate level. With its strategic position in the nation’s fourth most populous city near the Mexican border, UH is also recognized among the top 5 universities for campus ethnic diversity by the U.S. News and World Report.
Tuition per credit: $445
University of Kansas: Lawrence, KS
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dual-Title Ph.D. Program in Gerontology
Within the University of Kansas’ College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Dual-Title Ph.D. Program in Gerontology is available for master’s-level students who have been admitted to the doctoral program in Communication Studies, Psychology, or Sociology. As an innovative and affordable graduate psychology degree that blends study within the traditional discipline of gerontology and an inter-disciplinary field, the Ph.D. leads to career options within one of the largest growing fields of psychology to work with older adults. Renowned for being one of only 34 public research institutions in the Association of American Universities, KU is also recognized for having the 6th best clinical psychology program in the entire nation by the U.S. News and World Report.
Tuition per credit: $416
Illinois State University: Normal, IL
Department of Psychology
Master’s Degree in Industrial/Organizational-Social Psychology
In one of psychology’s biggest growing fields, Illinois State University offers qualified psychology graduate degree students the opportunity to pursue a two-year master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational-Social Psychology full-time. Not only has Illinois State been recognized for the 191st best graduate psychology programs by the U.S. News and World Report, but it has also become acclaimed for its diversity with 26% of its student body being from underrepresented minority groups. In fact, the Department of Psychology has established an innovative Diversity Task Force to actively pursue the recruitment and retention of students from diverse backgrounds in partnership with the American Psychological Association (APA).
Tuition per credit: $404
San Diego State University: San Diego, CA
Department of Psychology
Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
In partnership with the University of California at San Diego, the Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at San Diego State University has received full accreditation through the APA to prepare graduate students in the scientist-practitioner model with a concentration in the rapidly growing major area of neuropsychology. In addition to stealing the #1 spot on the best behavioral neuroscience degrees named by the U.S. News and World Report, SDSU is nationally acclaimed for being among the 50 most diverse schools in the United States with its location in sunny Southern California. All graduate psychology degree students are required to take a course on multicultural issues in their first semester and participate in clinical experiences at the SDSU Psychology Clinic with diverse community members of low socioeconomic status.
Tuition per credit: $347
University of North Dakota: Grand Forks, ND
Department of Online and Distance Education
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Forensic Psychology
Through the Department of Online and Distance Education, students at the University of North Dakota can pursue the Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology program almost entirely online with just one on-campus visit. Within another rapidly growing specialty area, the 30-credit program is focused on applying psychological theories and skills to solving issues related to the criminal justice system. With low in-state tuition guaranteed regardless of your state of residence, the innovative program builds the skills needed for addressing issues related to child custody, sexual harassment, domestic violence, parental alienation, malpractice, and more. Furthermore, the UND Quentin N. Burdick INPSYDE Program promotes diversity by preparing mental health providers to offer services to underserved Native American tribes across the Midwest.
Tuition per credit: $544
Widener University: Chester, PA
School of Human Service Professions
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with Neuropsychology Certificate Track
As the longest-running Doctor of Psychology program in the U.S., the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program at Widener University is well-known for having a Neuropsychology Certificate Track to prepare graduates as independent professional practitioners in one of the field’s fastest growing specialty areas. With the program’s focus on theories of brain function to design appropriate intervention strategies, students enrolled in this nationally-ranked program can benefit from hands-on experiences gained at the on-campus Neuropsychology Assessment Center (NAC). For studying human behavior and mental processes from a distance, Widener University also offers a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Tuition per credit: $1,455
Since competition is heating up within the field of psychology, innovative degree programs are stepping to the forefront in preparing graduate students for launching successful careers in today’s changing world. Enrolling in one of these innovative degree programs geared towards career growth in the 21st century can be the best way to advance your skills and make strategic career moves into one of the rapidly growing areas of psychology. Whether you are a recent graduate looking to increase your job prospects or a mid-career professional seeking to change paths, earning one of these innovative graduate psychology degree programs can unlock professional doors in specialty areas that are here to stay.
See also: 50 Most Affordable Selective Small Colleges for a Psychology Degree