Online Masters in Clinical Psychology

Editor’s Picks: Online Schools for Clinical Psychology

Value

The best online master’s degree in clinical psychology is at . This private, primarily distance education institution based in Minneapolis offers students well-rounded academic programs taught by experienced faculty members. With flexible degree tracks and strong financial aid awards, working adults are able to pursue further educational opportunities through Walden that may not have otherwise been possible. All programs are designed to focus on both theoretical and practical education, ensuring students are prepared for success as working professionals in their field. With all this considered, Walden University was awarded the top spot in this category.

Flexibility

was chosen as the top online master’s degree in clinical psychology for flexibility. All online classes at Capella are delivered in an asynchronous format. This means students do not have a specific time they must log in to the virtual platform to attend class. Instead, they can log in at any time, access assignments and reading materials, turn in work, and participate in discussion boards as fits with their personal and work schedule. Some course work can also be completed on tablet computers and mobile devices for added flexibility. For these reasons, Capella was selected as the best school in this area.

Financial Support
was also recognized as the best online master’s degree in clinical psychology for financial support. Federal financial aid, private loans, scholarships, and grant aid are all possible options for eligible Capella students. According to figures reported by the National Center for Education Statistics, 97% of students received some grant or scholarship aid for the 2010-2011 school year. In addition, approximately 84% of students took out federal students loans to help manage the cost of continued education. In 2009, the student loan default rate remained relatively low at 6.7%, demonstrating manageable repayment terms for the majority of graduates.

Student Engagement

The award for best online master’s degree in clinical psychology for student engagement was given to . A number of Walden’s online graduate programs earned recognition from U.S. News & World Report for their levels of student engagement and accreditation. A highly interactive virtual learning environment, smaller class sizes, and experienced instructors all help to distinguish Walden in this category. In addition, students can interact with their peers directly via chat, video conferencing, or locally organized study groups.

Faculty Credentials

was selected as the top online master’s degree in clinical psychology for faculty credentials. noted the school’s strong reputation in this category as part of their online graduate program rankings. The average instructor at Walden has several years of experience working with online students. In addition, the school places a great deal of importance on selecting professors who are both professionally and academically accomplished. This helps to ensure students receive practical instruction in their field along with learning theoretical concepts. With all this in mind, Walden ranked at the top of our list for faculty credentials.

New Online Student Orientation

The top online master’s degree in clinical psychology for new online student orientation is . Prospective students have the opportunity to complete a free one week mini-course before committing to enrollment. This will help students become familiar with the online learning platform and better understand what is expected of them as distance learners. Students can also take single courses at Capella to test out the online curriculum before enrolling in a full degree program. These options help to place Capella at the top of our list for this category.