phd online california

10 Best Online Doctoral Programs in California

California’s always been ahead of the curve, and that’s absolutely true of online PhD programs. From a state with two of the nation’s top public higher education systems, and enough elite private research universities to rival New England, it should be no surprise that there’s a wealth of top-ranked online PhDs. With an online PhD, students have no need to leave their current jobs, or relocate to earn their doctorate degrees; they don’t even need to be in California at all. From Education to Social Work, Nursing to Business Administration, Online PhD Programs is highlighting the Top 10 Best Online PhD Programs in California.

Featured Online Programs

1. university of southern california.

University of Southern California , located in Los Angeles, has a long-standing reputation for grounded, rigorous academics, and rich student life resources. Applicants have an average S.A.T. score between 1320-1480, and only 16% of applicants make it to becoming matriculated first-year students. In 2017, USC received $764 million in sponsored research funds, much of which supported graduate studies and PhD research projects.

The University of Southern California through the platform, USC Online, offers four fully online doctoral studies programs, including one in Physical Therapy, one in Social Work, and two programs that are focused in education. The two education focused online Ed.D programs are a Global Executive, Ed.D. and an Organizational Change and Leadership, Ed.D. The admission requirements for USC Online are nearly the same as the on campus graduate school, including that each program may require a little more or less than another. As for these four, they each require A bachelor’s and master’s degree, submission of a GRE , 3.5 or higher average post secondary GPA.

2. University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

The University of St. Augustine (USA) for Health Sciences is an advanced degree granting institution with four campuses across the country. They are the largest physical therapy university, and one of the largest health science focused universities in the the U.S. The four colleges they feature are the College of Rehabilitative Sciences, College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and Administration, Continuing Professional Education.

USAs main campus is located in St. Augustine, FL. Since 1988 campuses in Miami, FL, Austin, TX, and San Marcos, CA, near San Diego have also opened. They offer a range of academic programs for first-professional and post-professional students, including continuing education units, and continuing professional credits, along with master’s and doctorate degrees. Much of the course work St. Augustine’s offers can be completed as hybrid online programs, including their Doctorate degrees in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nurse Practitioner, and Education for those who wish to teach in healthcare education, administration, or leadership. Each program can be completed between 2.5 and 3 years, at full time status.

3. California Southern University

California Southern University , located in Costa Mesa, was established in 1978 as an institution geared towards non-traditional adult learners, by offering both affordability and flexibility in their fully online academic programming. They offer high quality associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in select topics. They also offer flexible payment options, including interest-free opportunities that make studying on a budget possible. They are regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission. Students can get started in their program immediately upon enrollment, as there is no semester structure or even entrance exams.

California Southern University offers three online Doctorate programs including the Doctor of Business Administration, a Juris Doctor, and a Doctor of Psychology. All of these opportunities are considered applied or professional doctorates, meaning they are designed to be applied to theoretical and practical settings in the professional realm, and less oriented towards research and scholarly practice.

4. California Coast University

California Coast University was established in 1973, as a distance learning institution in Santa Ana, California. Even today, their classes can be taken is correspondence format or online, without the option of traditional classroom study. CCU is fully accredited by the Distance Education Accreditation Commission, and they are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Much of their programming is designed for mid-career adults to deepen their skillset and climb professionally, while requiring the flexibility of self paced coursework.

CCU offers three doctorate programs that are achieved entirely online and self-paced – in fact, the required coursework does not even correspond to semesters. To enter any of these programs students must have a completed masters degree or significant coursework graduate coursework that can be applied to one of the disciplines. The three programs include a Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology , a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership , and a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration .

5. California Baptist University

California Baptist University was established in 1950 as a liberal arts private Christian University, in affiliation with the California Baptist Convention. They are located on a 75-acre campus is Riverside, California, in buildings known for their mission revival architectural style. Service is a tenant embedded in their mission, and many students engage in service projects overseas, facilitated by the university, in the summer months. CBU is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CBU has extensive online and professional programming, including two doctorate programs that can be achieved entirely online; these include the Doctor of Business Administration and the Doctor of Public Administration programs. Both courses of study are designed towards building comprehensive leadership in a variety of sectors, including non-profits. The program can be completed in as little as three years, which includes the dissertation components. The Business Administration program prepares students to be flexible and adaptable to change, while the Public administration program engages students to be leaders finding creative solutions to global societal problems.

6. Sofia University

Sofia University was founded in 1975, under the original name, The Institute for Transpersonal Psychology. In 2012, they changed their name to Sofia University, the word sofia, meaning ‘wisdom’ in Greek. Though their roots are embedded in education surrounding psychological and spiritual modalities of counseling, with their new name change, several paths of study in computer science and human-computer-interaction have been added to their degree availabilities as well. That being said, many of their new opportunities are relevant to the Silicon Valley, which is appropriate, as their campus home is located in Palo Alto, California.

Beneath the programming umbrella at Sofia University are four programs, which include the School of Transformative Education, The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, The School of Technology and Engineering, and The School of Business and Social Entrepreneurship. One of the exciting programs Sofia offers is the Online Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology with a concentration in Transpersonal Psychology. Though the program is primarily online, residential seminars are required for completion. Students will have access to advisement and support as they thoroughly throw themselves into psychological research.

7. Adizes Graduate School

Adizes Graduate School was founded with a unique mission that includes producing a large interdisciplinary base of theory that can lead to new organization leadership and growth in an ever-changing society. This interesting example of a post secondary experience only has two fields of study which include an academic and a clinical program, both of which tie into the vast discipline of consulting. Each division at Adizes has a number of professional programs that are based on building skills and theories of change, which includes scientific, philosophical, and coursework related to the humanities. Students graduate with the ability to successfully enter the fields of consulting or education.

In line with their approach, Adizes offers a fully online PhD program in Organizational Transformation , that is unlike any other of its kind. Students entering the program must either have a masters degree, or have undergone 30 units of graduate credit. Each student will have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on capstone project, where they design a prototype of transformation on and individual, organizational, or societal level.

8. California State University, Fresno

Fresno State offers an online Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree as a joint venture with nearby San José State University. The entire program can be completed online, as technology training is a large part of the DNP program. Although the program is administered fully online, students will be required to attend an intensive course prior to each semester of the program and held alternatively between Fresno and San José campuses. The intensives are mandatory and range from 1 to 3 days, depending on the course work being administered. The DNP program at Fresno State is intentionally designed so that students can work full-time and, pending the sites permission, can complete their doctoral project on work done at their employment site.

9. Southern California Seminary

Southern California Seminary is an affordable private institution of higher learning with a foundation of biblical teachings that integrate the ideology of the Shadow Mountain Community Church. Institutionally, they emphasize programming in behavioral science and theology, offered in English, Spanish and Korean. All of their programming is faith-based, with connections to biblical texts, including their many fully online options.

SCS has two doctorate degree programs that are primarily online. The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) is offered with “high-touch” interactive online coursework, with the addition of a two-week per year intensive residency. The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) was created to give students ministry opportunities within their local church, the option of private practice counseling, or work within institutional settings. The coursework that is mainly presented online, with the exception of one residential class and lab experience. Students will also undergo regular evaluations with professors in person, which will determine the students’ status within the program.

10. CSU Channel Islands

CSU Channel Islands is the colloquial way of referring to California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI), the baby of the 23 school California State University System, with its founding in 2002. Much of their mission includes offering integrative and experiential learning opportunities for all of their students, many of which include service, the cornerstone of their mission. 64% of their student body are women, and 59% are first generation college students, which clearly defines the institutions commitment to diversity.

In the summer of 2016 CSUCI began chartered their Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership , is the first program in the CSU system that is delivered fully online. The program is committed to developing leaders in the praxis of democracy and social justice, and is in collaboration with CSU Fresno. There are two opportunities for specialization, which include P-12 Education Leadership and Post Secondary Educational Leadership, which can include community college administration and leadership.

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Top 20 Best PhD Programs in California [Online and On-Campus] 2024

Is a PhD worth it? There’s no doubt that completing a doctorate involves a huge amount of time, effort, and dedication. Even more so than a demanding master’s like an MBA . However, with competition in the job market only increasing, many ambitious professionals will find this qualification invaluable for advancing their careers. For certain positions in various sectors like research and academia, a PhD is essential.

There are countless options for California students looking to pursue a doctorate , even with PhD distance learning. Here are the best PhD programs in California, both on-campus and online!

Below is a list of the best Ph.D programs in California. The list includes both on-campus and online program options.

Table of Contents

Best On-Campus Doctorate Programs in California

The university of southern california, rossier school of education.

Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Education Policy

Acceptance rate: 16%

The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles founded in 1880. Its doctorate in urban education policy centers on research that promotes excellence in education. Students are fully funded  for four years of study through teaching and research assistantships.

University of California Los Angeles

Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program (MBIDP)

Acceptance rate: 14.3%

UCLA is a public land-grant research university that was established in 1919 and has an acceptance rate of 14.3%. UCLA’s MBIDP program is designed to transform students into scientific leaders in molecular biology. Tuition is fully supported  for all five years of the program through various financial aid  options.

California State University Long Beach, Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Nurse Anesthesia

Acceptance rate: 42.1%

CSULB is the second-largest of the California State University (CSU) system of 23 colleges. Its DNP equips students with advanced knowledge that is relevant to clinical settings. The program runs for at least two years, with the post-baccalaureate option taking three years. The tuition  is $7,635 per semester with financial aid  available as grants, scholarships, and loans. This is one of the best doctoral programs in California for nursing students.

San Diego State University

Joint Doctoral Program (JDP) in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)

Acceptance rate: 37%

San Diego State University was established in 1897, making it the third-oldest institution in the California State University system. This joint doctoral program is offered in collaboration with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Students are awarded a joint degree from both universities and study subjects from the electrical, electronics, and computer engineering fields at both institutions. The tuition  is $2,082 per credit hour and financial support  is available for eligible students.

University of California Irvine

Ph.D. in Public Health

Acceptance rate: 30%

UCI is a public land-grant university located in Irvine, California, and has an overall acceptance rate of 30%. Its PhD in Public Health program aims to prepare students to research and identify vulnerable populations and formulate strategies for disease prevention. Most coursework can be completed in two years and students can progress to doctoral candidacy in the third year. Various financial support  options are available.

University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design

Ph.D. – City and Regional Planning

Acceptance rate: 17.5%

The University of California Berkeley, founded in 1868, is a public land-grant research university. This PhD aims to make you an expert in urban planning through rigorous training and advanced research. The tuition  for the five-year program is $5,721 per semester, with financial aid  available in various forms for each year.

University of California Santa Barbara

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

University of California Santa Barbara is a part of the University of California system and has been teaching since 1891. This doctorate aims to equip students with computer science expertise that they can apply to research, teaching, and leadership positions in academia, government, and business. The program can be completed in four to six years and you can find tuition details on the university’s cost of attendance page . Scholarships and other financial aid  options are also available.

Stanford University, School of Humanities and Sciences

Ph.D. in Political Science

Acceptance rate: 5%

Founded in 1885, Stanford University is a private research university with one of the largest campuses in the country. The Ivy League university’s doctoral program in political science is known for creating exceptional scholars in the field. The program runs for five years and there are multiple funding options  to cover full tuition throughout.

San Jose State University, Department of Audiology

Doctor of Audiology

Acceptance rate: 67%

San Jose State University is a public university that the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education (WSJ/THE) ranking put at number 8  in the country for diversity. Its four-year Doctor of Audiology program makes students experts in the diagnosis and treatment of auditory ailments, like mixed hearing loss and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder. The program covers various scientific aspects of audiology through coursework, clinical rotations, and research. You can find tuition and fee information on the Bursar’s Office page  and financial aid through the school’s Financial Aid and Scholarship Office .

Southern California Seminary

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Acceptance rate: 100%

Southern California Seminary is located in El Cajon, California, with its main campus in San Diego. It accepts 100% of student applications, though the graduation rate is 33%. The school’s DMin program allows professionals already in the ministry to take their careers to the next level through one of the three streams: Christian Leadership, Biblical Exposition, and Christian Education. It can be completed in three years on-campus, with online options also available. Tuition details are listed on the Student Accounts page  and loans, grants, and work-study options are available through the SCS Financial Aid office .

Best Online PhD Programs in California

Looking to save time and money in transportation? Need a more flexible schedule? Then check out some of these top online PhD programs in California.

University of Southern California

Ed. D. Organizational Change and Leadership

USC is the oldest private research university in California, founded in 1880 and based in Los Angeles, California. The university’s Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership is one of the best online PhD programs in Southern California. The program aims to equip students to transform organizations in the fields of education, industry, and government into competent, effective, and adaptable entities. Tuition details can be found in the USC catalog  and financial aid  is also available.

Trident University International, The College of Health and Human Services

Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (Ph.D. HS)

Acceptance rate: 49%

Trident University International is a fully online university that has been teaching since 1998. It is a relatively small university headquartered in Cypress, California. Its online PhD program in California in Health Sciences helps students to become competent leaders, scholars, researchers, consultants, and teachers in the healthcare sector. Tuition  is $990 per credit, but the university strives to make the program affordable to all through various financing options .

California Southern University         

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Acceptance rate: 13%

CSU, located in Costa Mesa and founded in 1978, offers online programs in a range of disciplines. CSU’s DBA program is designed to turn students into leaders with high-level decision-making skills and can be completed fully online in four years. While trying to keep the tuition  affordable at $545 per credit, the university doesn’t provide any significant forms of financial aid. However, there are discounts  for alumni, veterans, and their family members.

California State University Fresno, Kremen School of Education and Human Development

Doctor of Education (Ed. D) in Educational Leadership

Acceptance rate: 90%

CSUF is a public university located in Fresno, California that follows the CSU system. CSUF’s online EdD program  is designed to prepare working professionals for leadership positions in P12 schools and district or community colleges and can be completed in three years. Tuition  is $5,919 per term, with fee waivers and scholarships  available for students.

San Jose State University (with Manchester Metropolitan University)

Gateway Ph.D. in Library and Information Management

San Jose State University is the oldest public university on the West Coast, founded in 1857. It offers a Gateway PhD in Library and Information Management in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University . a public university in Manchester, England. This online program prepares students to become leaders, faculty, and researchers in the field of library and information science . It is one of the few PhD programs in California that will give you a UK degree without being a UK resident and allows you up to seven years for completion. Tuition  is set by Manchester Metropolitan University.

The University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Online Doctorate of Social Work (DSW)

The University of Southern California is a world-renowned private research university with nearly 50,000 enrolled students. Its online PhD in Social Work allows experienced professionals to develop the necessary skills to come up with solutions to the challenges faced by disadvantaged and marginalized populations. The program is typically completed in nine semesters, or seven semesters on the accelerated track. You can find tuition details in the program catalog  and financial aid  options are available.

Capella University

DHA (Doctor of Health Administration) in Health Care Leadership

Capella University is a predominantly online university headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, but accepts online students nationwide. Its fully online DHA program prepares leaders to face challenges in the complex and constantly changing healthcare field. Tuition  will depend on how long you take to complete the program as well as a few other factors, and students can access federal financial aid .

Grand Canyon University, College of Doctoral Studies

Education Specialist (Ed. S.) in K-12 Leadership

Acceptance rate: 81%

Grand Canyon University was the largest Christian university in the world in 2018 with 70,000 online students as well as on-campus students. It is a private, for-profit university based in Phoenix, Arizona. However, Californian students will find its Education Specialist doctorate accessible, as an online program in a nearby state. This Ed.S. helps working education professionals to advance their careers through leadership courses with a focus on instruction. Tuition  for the 30-credit program is $702 per credit, and there are various scholarship opportunities .

Concordia University Irvine, Townsend Institute

Ph.D. Counselor Education & Supervision

Acceptance rate: 78.2%

Concordia University is a Lutheran private university with both online and on-campus students and offers a range of fully online programs across various disciplines. Its online PhD degree in Counselor Education & Supervision equips professionals with advanced skills in counseling, teaching, serving, and advocating based on biblical principles. You can complete the 60-unit program in three to four years at a cost per unit  of $995. The university offers federal funding  options for students.

Liberty University

Ph.D. in History

Acceptance rate: 50%

Liberty University is a non-profit private Christian university spread over a 7,000-acre campus in Lynchburg, Virginia. However, Californian students have the option to study their PhD in History fully online within an average of four years and the university is accredited in all 50 states. This program equips students to take their careers to the next level in the education, archeology, politics, research, and government sectors. The university strives to keep tuition  affordable and around 80% of students receive financial assistance  or scholarships .

Key Takeaways

A PhD will make you an expert in your field with a specific set of advanced skills that will set you apart from other professionals. This will not only be beneficial to your career but can also be helpful in other parts of your life. A doctorate sharpens your critical thinking skills and gives you deep insight into virtually everything.

If studying a full-time, in-person PhD programs in California aren’t viable for you, you can find an online PhD in California with flexible scheduling.

If you’re still not sure which PhD program is right for you, take a look at our guides to the top 20 online PhD programs , the cheapest online PhD programs , and the top 10 highest paying PhD degrees .

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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UCLA Graduate Programs

Doctoral Studies

The doctoral experience.

We offer six types of doctoral degrees in over eighty fields of study. Most of our doctoral degrees are PhDs; we also offer a Doctor of Education, Doctor of Environmental Science and Engineering, Doctor of Public Health, Doctor of Musical Arts, and Doctor of Nursing Practice.

COMPLETE COURSEWORK AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Doctoral programs vary widely in the number of required courses as well as additional requirements. Most programs use the first year to prepare students for their chosen field. Some programs conduct an end-of-the-year exam for each first-year cohort, while others evaluate student by courses, papers, and projects completed in that first year. In addition to being assigned a Student Affairs Officer (SAO) by your program, you’ll also mutually choose your Faculty Advisor. Generally this is a natural process where a student’s and a faculty member’s interests and areas of specialization align. This relationship is an important one, which lasts well beyond a student’s tenure at UCLA. In your first year, you’ll take courses with a wide variety of faculty and make lasting friendships with your cohort.

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FIND FORMS FOR DOCTORAL STUDENTS

We’ve assembled all UCLA-wide forms that may be useful to a graduate student on a Master’s track in one place:  Forms for UCLA Doctoral Students . Your specific program may provide additional forms for your use. Here are some of the most common.

• Language Petition
• Nomination of Doctoral Committee
• Reconstitution of Doctoral Committee
• Graduate Degree Petition
• Leave of Absence
• In Absentia

KNOW YOUR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

To keep on track, a Doctoral student must meet specific requirements for a student’s program.

Type the name of your program to jump straight to its requirements:

Your Program Requirements cover most things a current student needs to know in order to graduate on time.  Our FAQs  answers a few common questions about program requirements. Any outstanding questions can be answered by your program through their website or from your Student Affairs Officer (SAO).

If your program offers a Master’s Degree along the path toward a Doctorate, you’ll be required to initiate a specialized process and meet criteria specific to your program.

NOMINATE YOUR DOCTORAL COMMITTEE

During your second or third year, you’ll begin assembling (nominating) your Doctoral Committee. Your committee is comprised of 4 or more faculty members (3 or more faculty members for professional (non-Ph.D.) doctoral committees) who are experts in your field who can guide you in your research. Some committee members will be on-campus while a few may be located at another academic institution. All committee members will be responsible for reviewing your work periodically, advising you on your direction and independent research, assessing your university oral qualifying exam, and approving your dissertation.

On occasion, your committee will fall out of compliance, in which case you’ll be required to  reconstitute your Doctoral committee . Common reasons include when one of your committee members leaves her or his post at UCLA or when you or a current committee member decides that you’ll benefit more by working with a different faculty member.

For more about your doctoral committee, see the Graduate Council’s guide  Graduate Student Academic Rights and Responsibilities  and  Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA .

• Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution
• Professional (Non-Ph.D.) Doctoral Committee Policy
• Nomination of Doctoral Committee
• Reconstitution of the Doctoral Committee and/or Change in Final Oral Examination Requirement

ADVANCEMENT TO CANDIDACY

Becoming a doctoral degree candidate is not a given. The first phase of your doctoral program is supervised by a faculty advisor or guidance committee. Your program will administer the written, and in some cases the program’s oral qualifying, exam after you complete courses and other preparatory work recommended or required by your program

Your doctoral committee may also require additional written exams. Only upon satisfactory completion of the written and oral qualifying requirements may you advance to candidacy. A student must also have met language requirements for advancement. This accomplishment generally happens between your second and fourth year.

CONTINUE PROGRESS TOWARD YOUR DOCTORAL DEGREE

With the guidance of your Doctoral Committee, you’ll conduct fieldwork, research, writing, and independent study all the way up through your dissertation.

While you’re completing your degree, keep an eye on your future. Be sure to participate in the great career and professional development events and resources at UCLA.

DEFENDING YOUR DISSERTATION

Some programs require you to present your dissertation to your doctoral committee in a time-honored event called the final oral examination (or final defense). To find out if your program has this requirement, consult your program requirements for the year you were admitted (see KNOW YOUR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS above).

FILE YOUR DISSERTATION

You will complete an approved doctoral dissertation that demonstrates your ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in your principal field of study.

CELEBRATE YOUR GRADUATION

Doctoral Degrees are awarded four times a year, and are integrated into a single commencement—called the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony—held once each year at the beginning of June.  UCLA Graduate Commencement for Doctoral Students  is where you’ll find info about tickets, locations, schedule, parking, and dress code (including caps and gowns). For information on commencement ceremonies hosted by various graduate departments and programs, search for your program on this year’s schedule .

YOUR FUTURE

Once you graduate, our support continues. You’ll find great resources, guidance, career support, and opportunities to network with fellow graduates through  UCLA’s Alumni Association .

To network with fellow alumni and learn about meetups and events, like our UCLA Alumni Facebook page . and follow UCLA Alumni on Twitter .

(714) 547-9625

Doctoral Online Degree Programs

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DISTINGUISH YOURSELF WITH AN

Online doctoral degree.

Ready to take your education to the next level but aren’t willing to put your life on hold? Then California Coast University’s online doctorate degree programs may be just right for you.

When you decide to pursue a doctorate degree from an accredited online school, such as California Coast University, you’re taking the first step toward making your educational dreams come true. And if you attend CCU, you don’t have to stop living your life to make that happen.

Ed.D. Program Requirements:

California Coast University understands that applicants have a wide variety of educational backgrounds and skill levels and that the program may not be a good fit for everyone. With this, the University wants each applicant to be fully informed and aware of the program requirements prior to enrollment.

For additional information on Ed.D. Program Requirements, click here

For the application process, candidates must:

• Have professional experience working in a position related to education – a minimum of three to five years of professional experience. 
• Submit a resume for review prior to acceptance.
• Have earned a master’s degree in education, or another field may be considered.
• Submit a writing sample prior to acceptance.

For the Ed.D. program, students must:

• Have internet access to complete research requirements for the program.
• Complete a Qualifying Examination and Comprehensive Examination.
• Complete four writing assignments - 3 - 4 pages for each of four units (16 writing assignments total per course).
• Complete a doctoral dissertation and oral defense based on original research in the field of education.
• Students complete a total of 66 semester units for the Ed.D. degree program.

YOU Benefit With CCU

Our low-cost and flexible programs are:.

• 100% Online

Learn more about some of the reasons why students choose CCU...

We offer 3 different doctorate degrees in education. CCU’s online doctorate degree programs are built with your busy life in mind. You can work on your online doctorate degree courses when and where it’s most convenient for you. At night, during the day, on weekends, whichever option fits your busy schedule.

Take a few minutes to look over our online doctorate degree programs highlighted below, then contact our admission representatives to get started today!

• Flexible programs designed to fit into your busy schedule.
• Low tuition with interest-free payment plans as low as $150/month.
• Self-paced study with no group projects, set meeting times, or exam dates.
• No classroom attendance requirements.
• Qualified faculty and student service staff available to assist you throughout your program.
• Textbook rental library.
• Company tuition reimbursement program available.
• 10% Tuition Discount for Active Duty Military, Veterans, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, and CCU Graduates.
• Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

Awesome! Good program that allowed for flexibility. Sandra Horton,  Ed.D. in Educational Administration, Class of 2022 

Total Courses:

Total units:.

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• Associate Degrees
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$150 Per Month

• Make a payment of $500.00 toward the total tuition for the program in a single payment by the date of acceptance. The remaining balance will be paid at $150.00 per month , beginning one month from the official enrollment date. No interest will be charged on the unpaid balance.

$175 Per Month

• Make a payment of $300.00 toward the total tuition for the program in a single payment by the date of acceptance. The remaining balance will be paid at $175.00 per month, beginning one month from the official enrollment date. No interest will be charged on the unpaid balance.

$0 Per Month When Paid In Full

• Make a payment for the full tuition amount for the degree program in a single payment by the date of acceptance.

Why California Coast University?

California Coast University has been a pioneer in distance learning since its founding in 1973. CCU has consistently met the needs of professional men and women whose geographic, professional, or personal time limitations kept them from completing their education at a traditional brick and mortar school. We pride ourselves on quality, affordability, and flexibility for our students.

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Learn more about California Coast University and our various programs!

Designed For You

The California Coast University online doctorate degree program was designed for complete flexibility for the student. All courses are self-paced and completed 100% online.

• Affordable Tuition with Interest-Free Payment Plans Low tuition with interest-free payment plans as low as $150/month.
• Self-Paced, Online Courses Flexible programs designed to fit into your busy schedule. Self-paced study with no group projects, set meeting times, or exam dates.
• Start Anytime The program is not structured in semesters, quarters or terms. It is designed to allow students to begin their online studies at any time of the year.
• 10% Tuition Discount* CCU offers a tuition discount for Active Duty Military, Veterans, Law Enforcement, Firefighters, Government Employees, and CCU Graduates . We also offer a 10% discount for Corporate Partner employees . For more information on how to become a Corporate Partner, see our Corporate Partnership Information Page. *Employment verification is required. Offer good for students who enrolled after January 2024 and were offered discount at time of enrollment. Offer is not retroactive for students already enrolled. Discount and/or prices subject to change and/or cancellation at any time without notice. This offer cannot be combined with any other discount(s).

We understand that making the choice to start or finish your degree is a big decision.

Contact us today and we can help answer any questions you may have. Or, if you are ready to start, apply now!

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UCLA Anderson Ph.D. program

Where Brilliant Minds Break Through

Professor Chris Tang, prolific researcher in Management and Operations, with Rob Richmond, researcher in foreign currency investment.

Welcome to UCLA Anderson’s Doctoral Program — the first step in pursuing an academic career in management.

From the dean of our program.

"On behalf of our faculty, thank you for visiting the UCLA Anderson Ph.D. program! If you're serious about advancing our understanding of business disciplines through rigorous research, I invite you to explore everything our Ph.D. program has to offer. You'll have the opportunity to train with world-renowned scholars and alongside the next generation of researchers. In that pursuit, you will have UCLA's resources and strengths as a world-class research institution available to you."

Join us as we expand the boundaries of business knowledge. Apply to become one of tomorrow's leading scholars today.

Professor Stephen Spiller Associate Dean and Director Ph.D. Program UCLA Anderson School of Management

World-Class Faculty

Meet The Students

Graduate success stories.

Kevin Huang ('22) Assistant Professor, CUHK-Shenzhen

Noncompliance with SEC Regulations: Evidence from Timely Loan Disclosures

Jon Bogard ('22) Assistant Professor, Washington University in St. Louis

Target, distance, and valence: Unpacking the effects of normative feedback

Nur Kaynar Keles ('22) Assistant Professor, Cornell

Discovering Causal Models with Optimization: Confounders, Cycles, and Feature Selection

Geoff Zheng ('20) Assistant Professor NYU Shanghai

Growth Options, Incentives, and Pay for Performance: Theory and Evidence

Sebastian Ottinger ('21) Assistant Professor CERGE-EI

The Political Economy of Propaganda: Evidence from US Newspapers

Daniel Walters  ('17) Assistant Professor INSEAD

Investor memory of past performance is positively biased and predicts overconfidence

Marissa Sharif (’17) Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School

The Effect of Categorization on Goal Progress Perceptions and Motivation

Marco Testoni  ('19) Assistant Professor Tilburg University

The market value spillovers of technological acquisitions: Evidence from patent-text analysis

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Welcome to Pepperdine Online Graduate Programs

Advance What Matters Most to You

Since our founding in 1937, Pepperdine University has had one mission: to strengthen students for  lives of purpose, service, and leadership  in a learning environment where academic excellence is rooted in a heritage of faith.

Pepperdine Online is the latest evolution of that mission. From Malibu to every corner of the globe, our online graduate programs in business, law, and psychology are preparing students for purposeful work  and  purposeful lives. We invite you to learn more about our world-class online programs and what it means to be a part of our extraordinary Pepperdine Waves community.

Caruso School of Law

Equipped to Lead. Empowered to Serve.

The Pepperdine Caruso School of Law prepares lawyers, mediators, and other champions of justice with the rigorous legal training they need to tackle the conflicts of today. Pepperdine Caruso Law’s dispute resolution program is consistently ranked among the top 2 in the United States. 1

Discover Online Law Programs Discover On-Campus Law Programs

Online Programs

• Master of Legal Studies • Master of Dispute Resolution • Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Become a Catalyst for Inspiration and Change

The Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology helps shape altruistic individuals into scholar-practitioners that improve and enrich the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

Discover Online Psychology Programs Discover On-Campus Psychology Programs Discover Online Education Programs

• Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology • Master of Arts in Psychology • Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis • Master of Science in Education

The Pepperdine Online Student Experience

At Pepperdine Online, students receive a distinct online education rooted in both tradition and transformation. Our values-based approach to education is combined with 21 st -century learning best practices to create a sophisticated online experience that promotes deep thinking, purposeful reflection, and meaningful connection.

Collaborate in Real Time: Live Classes

Attend weekly live classes in an environment where rich discussion and debate are encouraged, and collaborative tools—like polling and small breakout rooms—are integrated into the online classroom.

Connect It Back to the Big Picture: Engaging Course Work

Complete interactive modules, watch video lectures, and read case studies that challenge you to think critically about what you have learned and how you can apply it to real-world, values-driven work.

Meet Your Faculty and Peers in California: In-Person Experiences

Collaborate with classmates and get to know Pepperdine faculty in an entirely new way as you work in-person to tackle an intensive project. Most Pepperdine online programs feature in-person immersions or residencies.

Connected to Everything Pepperdine

Our digital campus is a virtual extension of the rich Pepperdine culture and campus. It’s intuitive, engaging, and designed to keep you connected to everything and everyone you need access to, from course work to student support—and, of course, your Pepperdine peers and faculty—from wherever you are, on any device.

I feel like I’m a part of the university as if I were attending classes on campus.”

Denis McDaniel, Director of Sales and MLS Student

Your Learning, Your Way

Studying late? Toggle to dark mode. Curious about a specific topic? Search video transcripts. Need help? Support is one button click away.

Our admissions team provides one-on-one tours of the digital campus. Contact the admissions team today to schedule a tour.

Passionate and Purpose Driven. Just Like You.

Pepperdine’s distinguished faculty members are renowned leaders in their fields who are hardworking and passionate about their work and their students. Our professors teach because they want to—not because they have to—and they see sharing knowledge and mentoring students as not just work, but a noble pursuit and responsibility.

Jeffrey R. Baker, JD – Caruso School of Law

Jeffrey R. Baker, clinical professor of law, assistant dean of clinical education and global programs, advocate for domestic violence justice, and recipient of the  Montgomery Advertiser’s  Martin Luther King Spirit Honors Award and the Justice for Victims Award.

View more Caruso School of Law faculty.

Thema Bryant-Davis, PhD – Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Dr. Thema Bryant is currently a tenured professor of psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University, where she directs the Culture and Trauma Research Laboratory. 

View more Graduate School of Education and Psychology faculty.

Student-First Support and Services

We are here to support you every step of the way—before, during, and beyond your journey as a Pepperdine student.

Admissions and Application Support

Admissions is your dedicated team for help with questions about the program, the online experience, financial aid, or upcoming deadlines. They can also provide details of any upcoming events—like faculty or student webinars—you may want to attend.

Advising and Student Support

A dedicated student support advisor will support you throughout the entire program, helping you adapt to student life, answering questions about the curriculum, and guiding you on the path toward graduation.

Get in touch today. Contact our admissions team by phone or email.

One-click access to  24/7 tech support  is available to all students from the digital campus.

Prepare for Life After Pepperdine

Pepperdine’s career services team offers career resources and advising to help you achieve lifelong professional success.

• Meet one-on-one with an executive coach  to talk about your goals, get help with your resume, or prepare for the big day with a mock interview.
• Gain 15-month access to LinkedIn Premium Career,  which gives you direct access to hiring managers, salary insights, and more.
• Make invaluable connections with other alumni through Pepperdine’s global online community on  PeppConnect .
• Access Pepperdine job boards  with listings from organizations that are looking to hire Pepperdine alumni.
• Attend Pepperdine virtual networking events,  as well as any upcoming events in your area.

Make Waves with Us

At Pepperdine, our more than 130,000 alumni are servant-minded leaders who are creating real change—not just in their organizations, but their communities, too. When you become a Pepperdine Wave, you become part of that legacy, and you join a community that will empower you to pursue your life’s purpose.

As Pepperdine Waves, serving others is fundamentally part of who we are, and we know that knowledge calls, ultimately, for a life of service.”

Jim Gash President and CEO

We Hope You’ll Join Us

Great things are happening at Pepperdine—and we’re just getting started. Select from the programs below, then request information and connect with admissions by filling out the form at the top of the page.

1   U.S. News & World Report , 2024 Best Law Schools Rankings   arrow_upward Return to footnote reference

Request More Information

• Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
• Areas Of Study
• Humanistic Psychology And Humanistic Clinical Psychology

Degree Requirements: Bachelor’s or master's degree

Completion Time: 5 years (full-time status)

Earned Credits: Entering with a bachelor’s degree: 103–109 credits. Entering with a master’s degree in psychology or related field: 100–106 credits

Preparing students to sit for licensure in many states, Saybrook University's online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program is specifically focused on the knowledge and practical skills needed to enter professional practice. Students enrolled in this program develop the ability to conduct ethical and effective psychotherapy based on psychological research rooted in multicultural and humanistic-existential psychology. Though not required, students can focus their studies further by using electives to declare certain specializations. There are other specializations from other degree programs that are also open to clinical psychology students. The specializations students can declare include:

• Advanced Psychological Assessment* (APA) ( *open to CP students only )
• Applied Psychophysiology (APH)
• Complex Trauma and the Healing Process (CTHP)
• Consciousness Spirituality Integrative Health (CSIH)
• Creativity Studies (CS)
• Existential and Humanistic Psychology (EHP)
• Jungian Studies (JS)

Going beyond the mechanics of the body and brain, this program focuses on a holistic view of clients in a broader social and system context—directing students toward the person-centered and interpersonal dimensions of psychotherapy that are at the heart of therapeutic effectiveness.

Like the M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology degree programs, the clinical psychology degree program is grounded in existential, humanistic, and transpersonal psychology, seeking to apply such principles in all areas for clinical practice and research. More specifically, Saybrook’s clinical program is rooted in humanistic psychology and studies human experience in deeply subjective, historical, contextual, cross-cultural, and spiritual contexts. Each program is designed for graduates to promote health and wholeness as practitioners who are positioned to effect positive change through service and leadership in their chosen clinical field.

Saybrook University’s Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) but does not have programmatic accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA). The hybrid online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program may not meet year-in-residence requirements of some state professional licensing boards or agencies. To be eligible, graduates should consult their individual state licensing boards for any additional state-specific requirements.

Saybrook University’s Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology aligns with program requirements for professional licensure in several states. You will find more information on licensure on the professional licensure and certification disclosures page .

More program information can be found in our academic catalog .

“Grounded in humanistic principles, we are interested in fostering the ‘fullness’ of the clinician, aligning who they are with how they practice, in the healing process of populations being served.” —Dr. Theopia Jackson, chair,  clinical psychology degree program

Find Your Community at Saybrook

Residential Orientation (RO)

All new students in the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program begin their studies with our one-time, two-day Residential Orientation (RO). ROs are held two days ahead of the Residential Learning Experience (RLE) at the start of the fall and spring semesters in California.

Residential Learning Experience (RLE)

Clinical psychology students participate in two five-day required Saybrook Residential Learning Experiences (RLEs) per year for the duration of the program (one at the beginning of the fall semester and one at the beginning of the spring semester). Students are required to attend the RLEs throughout their degree matriculation to ensure that they acquire ample residential hours required by states for eligibility for licensure.

If a student must miss an RLE due to a documented medical emergency or other approved reason, the student must notify the department chair or associate chair in advance. Students will be expected to make up a missed RLE, which is to be preapproved by the department chair. Failure to meet the residential requirement may delay graduation.

Students intending to earn their license in Washington State are required to attend an additional mid-term RLE held in Washington each term of enrollment. This requirement is due to Washington State expecting more in-person hours than the fall/spring RLEs afford.

Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined here .

PSY3045: Supervision in Clinical Psychology

Clinical supervision is a necessary aspect of training for clinicians. Through supervision, a clinician-in-training gains necessary clinical competencies in order to ensure that trainees’ clients receive effective and ethical service. This course critically examines methods, relationships, ethics, multiculturalism, and evaluative processes of clinical supervision. Special focus is given to establishing a meaningful supervisor-supervisee relationship. While students will learn about different theoretical orientations that may inform their supervisory experience, they will be encouraged to consider their role in these relationships from a humanistic standpoint that will foster growth in the supervisor, supervisee, and their clients. They will be asked to explore ways of navigating and growing from supervisory relationships that may be challenging or uncomfortable. In addition, students will be encouraged to reflect on their current progress, as well as goals in their own development as clinicians. Though open to all students, this course satisfies the Clinical Interventions III/IV requirement in the Clinical Psychology degree program, with Clinical Interventions I & II as prerequisites. Note: This course is open to CP students only. (3 credits)

PSY6070: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Applied within a Humanistic and Integrative Approach

This cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) course will offer a review of key foundational theories and concepts, as well as methods of assessing, conceptualizing, and treating patients using CBT approaches. Students will also learn about the efficacy and limitation evidence for utilizing CBT in treating symptoms of several disorders. In addition to learning the key concepts of CBT and practicing core skills, students will examine how CBT can be integrated with humanistic and other integrative therapy approaches. Though open to all students, this course satisfies the Clinical Interventions III/IV requirement in the Clinical Psychology degree program, with Clinical Interventions I & II as prerequisites. (3 credits)

PSY6050: Mindfulness and Spirituality in Clinical Practice

Mindfulness-based therapies are now accepted as “empirically supported” treatments and are often treatments of choice in mainstream clinical and medical settings. In addition, the prior mainstream taboo regarding spiritual and religious dimensions of life in psychotherapy has been supplanted by the publication of a plethora of texts published by the APA and others regarding the integration of these dimensions in clinical practice. This clinical course explores these recent trends that mirror aspects of the long-standing traditions of humanistic, transpersonal, and existential psychology in the integration of mindfulness-based meditation practices, spirituality, and religion and prayer in clinical practice. Through reflective inquiry, students will gain understanding regarding their own experience and views regarding these factors in therapy and how they might locate themselves in relationship to them professionally. Though open to all students, this course also satisfies the Clinical Interventions III and IV requirement in the Clinical Psychology degree program, with Clinical Interventions I & II as prerequisites. (3 credits)

No FAQs found.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Program

Q: What is an Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology ?

• A: An Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology trains students in the practice of presenting psychological research, preparing them for clinical psychology practices in the professional world. The Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology offers an education with a wide range of career options, including teaching, clinical patient care practice, clinical psychology research, and more. 

Q: Is the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology 100% online? 

• A: Yes! The Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology curriculum is offered completely online. However, there are both Residential Orientations and Residential Learning Experiences that students must attend as an academic requirement. 

Q: What are the requirements for completion of the Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology ?

• A: Students in the Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program must complete the degree  program and coursework required by their chosen state. States also have licensing requirements beyond a program’s graduation requirements that may, depending on the state, include postdoctoral supervised experience, continuing education credits, examination(s), background check, and application for license.

Q: How long does it take to complete the Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology?

• A: The Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology degree can be completed in five years with full-time student status. 

Q: What specializations are offered for the Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology ?

A: Specializations within the  Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology include Advanced Psychological Assessment* (APA) (*open to CP students only), Applied Psychophysiology (APH), Complex Trauma and the Healing Process (CTHP), Consciousness Spirituality Integrative Health (CSIH), Creativity Studies (CS), Existential and Humanistic Psychology (EHP), and Jungian Studies (JS).

• Trojan Stories

Doctor of Social Work online

The online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers an advanced practice degree in social change and innovation for agency and community leaders and entrepreneurs.

The program prepares experienced professionals with the skills to develop practical, applied solutions to large-scale social challenges that directly impact vulnerable, marginalized or otherwise disadvantaged populations.

As a student in our online DSW program, you will develop characteristics of both practitioners and scholars. By adopting the disciplinary habits of scholars through rigorous inquiry and use of methodological tools associated with leading and managing innovation and change, you will become an effective social change leader.

Program Overview

As a DSW student, you will complete 42 units of coursework focused on three areas:

• Problem definition within the Grand Challenges for Social Work
• Innovative design
• Executive leadership in human service organizations and community contexts

The DSW program can be completed in nine semesters, or 36 months. Students focus on the Capstone Project for the last three semesters.

The curriculum includes Design Laboratory for Social Innovation I and II, where you will incorporate models from your courses to address one or more of the 14 Grand Challenges in Social Work, as defined by the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.

• Strategic Innovations for the Grand Challenges
• Leading and Managing Large Complex Systems
• Data-Driven Decision Making in Social Services
• Leading Public Discourse
• Communication and Influence for Social Good
• Design Laboratory for Social Innovation I
• Financial Management for Social Change
• Design Laboratory for Social Innovation II
• Application of Implementation Science
• Executive Leadership
• Capstone Project

As a student, you will complete a capstone project that demonstrates your abilities and results in a prototype — such as a business plan, large contract proposal, or organizational redesign plan — that is ready for public communication and implementation. This project will require you to demonstrate and apply social innovation in the context of the diverse knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout the program.

Similar to a dissertation, the capstone provides you with a guided opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and understanding that you have acquired throughout your course of study. You are expected to identify a problem of importance connected to the Grand Challenges and develop an innovative proposal for an immediately actionable social change effort in that challenge area.

Career Outcomes

Completion of the DSW program at USC prepares individuals for leadership and management roles within a variety of settings. Read more about the social innovators graduating from this program and their diverse professional backgrounds in business, military, health care and public policy.

Related Online Graduate Programs

Molecular and Cell Biology

Doctoral Program

The Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley offers a Ph.D. program focused on the molecular mechanisms inherent to life. This program integrates research with a modern training curricula, teaching, and career mentorship. Our Department is highly interdisciplinary - comprising the Divisions of Cell Biology, Development & Physiology, Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Molecular Therapeutics, Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology, and Genetics, Genomics, and Development – and this is reflected in our students and training. The program is also highly collaborative with related programs and Institutes on campus, thus allowing students the flexibility to explore all aspects of modern biological research. Please click on the links below to learn more about our areas of research on the main department website or use the menu at the top to navigate to areas of interest within the graduate program.

Cell Biology, Development & Physiology

Immunology and molecular medicine, biochemistry, biophysics & structural biology, molecular therapeutics, genetics, genomics, evolution, and development.

PhD in Clinical Psychology

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Fielding’s doctoral program in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association. It is the only distributed learning program accredited by the APA. The Psychology PhD serves adults, many of whom who have trained or worked in the mental health field. Our unique distributed learning model blends the best of in-person learning opportunities with digital formats.

Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

For questions regarding the Clinical Psychology PhD Program contact [email protected].

About the Clinical Psychology Program

Application requirements.

Earning your doctorate in Clinical Psychology includes online and in-person seminars, meetings with faculty and other students in your region, weeklong residential sessions, as well as research and clinical training experiences.

The unique mix of online and residential learning provides flexible opportunities for individuals with career, family, and community responsibilities to achieve their advanced educational goals. Faculty are active scholars and practitioners with a wide variety of expertise, making it possible to offer training in a variety of therapeutic orientations and specialized concentrations in some of the most exciting growth areas of psychology.

• Conferred Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Online Application Form
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Statement of Purpose
• Critical Thinking Writing Sample
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• Official Transcript
• No GRE Required

Start your application NOW!  

Apply now for fall 2025, student admissions, outcomes, and other data.

In accordance with requirements of the American Psychological Association (APA), Fielding Graduate University provides Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data pertaining to the education of our graduate students.

The Fielding Experience

• Become a member of a dynamic and diverse community of colleagues
• Interact with and learn from our expert faculty located all across the country
• Attend monthly professional development seminar in your geographic area
• Engage with alumni, faculty, and other students at sessions

Mission & Aims of the Program

Fielding’s APA accredited Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program is strongly aligned with the university’s mission to create a more humane, just, and sustainable world, and the university’s values that include academic excellence, community, diversity, and social justice.

Consistent with these values, a core mission of our program is to foster the inclusion of students from under-represented populations. These populations include students living in small communities, rural, or remote locations of the United States, students currently in the military or spouses of military members, adult learners with families, and students whose ongoing participation in their current communities cannot be halted for doctoral study elsewhere. These are student populations who are often unable to enter the field through preparation at a traditional university campus, yet these are the future psychologists for which the discipline and profession have expressed an urgent need.

In addition, our program aims to graduate entry-level scholar-practitioner psychologists who bring social justice values to their work as licensed health service professionals. Consistent with this overarching aim, we have four specific aims for our students, which must be achieved by the time of graduation.

• Students will demonstrate doctoral-level discipline-specific knowledge that represents the scientific and theoretical knowledge areas of the discipline of psychology (i.e., history and systems of psychology and the affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, and social bases of behavior).
• Students will demonstrate doctoral-level conceptualization, evaluation, analysis, and integration of discipline-specific knowledge across the curriculum.
• Students will demonstrate doctoral-level ability to understand and critique research; design, conduct, analyze, and communicate theoretically informed research; and conduct research in a manner that is culturally sensitive and consistent with legal code and ethical standards, including the APA ethics code.
• Students will demonstrate doctoral-level competence in the profession-wide competencies, including conducting an evidence-based diagnosis, assessment, and psychotherapy; and applying theory and research to develop case conceptualizations, treatment plans, and interventions that are consistent with legal and ethical standards and individual and cultural diversity factors.

Serving adults, many of whom have trained or worked in the mental health field, our unique distributed learning model blends the best of face-to-face learning opportunities with digital formats.

Faculty are active scholars and practitioners with a wide variety of expertise, which allows us to offer specialized concentrations and training in a variety of therapeutic orientations.

Geographic Eligibility

The program only considers applicants who reside in the contiguous United States and Canada. The program is not available to those residing internationally (except Canada). Applicants from Alaska and Hawaii may be considered pending confirmation of their ability and resources to attend local professional development seminars in contiguous U.S. on a regular basis, access to acceptable practicum training sites, and ability to relocate for internship. (Contact [email protected] to be put in touch with the Program Director for consideration prior to applying.)

Due to state licensing requirements, graduates of the program are not eligible for licensure in Oklahoma. For licensure information on your particular state of interest, please visit our Professional Licensure page [CLICK HERE].

School of Psychology News

The latest news, announcements, and special events from Fielding’s School of Psychology.

Dr. Lauren Mizock Appointed 2024-25 Ruthellen Josselson Chair in Qualitative Inquiry

By Kaylin Staten | 2024-07-08T11:18:31-07:00 July 8th, 2024 |

Fielding University Press’ Struggling with Infertility Explores Devasting Effects of Infertility

By Kaylin Staten | 2024-05-10T07:48:56-07:00 May 10th, 2024 |

AWC-SB Honors Four Leaders in Education at Fielding Graduate University Sponsored Women of Achievement 2024 Awards Luncheon

By Fielding News | 2024-05-09T08:50:53-07:00 May 9th, 2024 |

Why Choose Fielding for Your Psychology Degree?

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Online Doctor of Education (EdD) Programs in California

There are currently eight schools in California that offer EdD programs online: California Baptist University, California State University Channel Islands, Fresno State, Loyola Marymount University, National University, San Jose State University, the University of Massachusetts Global Campus in Irvine, and the University of Southern California. Students who are interested in earning their EdD online from a school in California can choose from programs that focus on areas such as Organizational Change and Administration, Educational Leadership for Equity and Justice, Organizational Innovation, and Organizational Change and Leadership. Additionally, depending on the program they select, students can also select further specializations or concentrations like K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings, Sport and Athletic Management, Learning Analytics in Higher Education, International Education and Globalization, and Community College/Higher Education Leadership.

All of the schools listed on this page are non-profit universities regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Schools in California with Online EdD Programs

California Baptist University , located in Riverside, offers an online EdD in Organizational Change and Administration through its Department of Online and Professional Studies. This program is comprised of 56 credits and follows a cohort model, with 100% online classes spanning eight weeks. The curriculum for the online EdD in Organizational Change and Administration focuses on organizational strategy and leadership, human resources management, data-informed program planning and innovation, fostering multiculturalism and diversity, contemporary organizations and their structures, and advanced qualitative and quantitative research. After completing their main courses, students progress to their dissertation work, where they examine a research question that is relevant to their place of work and desired impact on educational and/or organizational settings. There is no residency requirement for this program.

California State University Channel Islands has an online EdD in Educational Leadership for Equity and Justice with specialization options in P-12 Leadership and Community College Leadership. This program is delivered almost entirely online, though students are required to attend one-week residencies every summer during their enrollment. Students must complete 60 semester credits to complete this doctoral program, with 18 credits of foundational core courses that cover diversity, equity, and inclusion; social justice; leadership for transformational change; equitable assessments and using program evaluations for accountability; and equity-focused educational reform. There are also 19 credits of required research methodology courses, followed by specialization courses that students choose in consultation with their advisors, but which can include classes on disabilities studies, human resource administration, educational technology, early childhood education leadership, community college administration, and higher education fiscal planning. For their culminating experience, students create and present an e-portfolio before embarking on a dissertation through which they examine a problem of practice relevant to their professional interests.

California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) offers an Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership through its Kremen School of Education & Human Development. The program can be pursued in one of two specializations: PK-12 Educational Leadership or Community College/Higher Education Leadership. A total of 60 units are required to earn the degree, which is designed to be completed in three years of full-time study. The curriculum is comprised of nine core courses, seven specialization courses, and 12 hours of dissertation units, and students complete their course of study in cohorts of 10 to 12. While the majority of coursework is delivered online through the Canvas learning management system, the program does include three on-campus residencies on the Fresno State campus, each approximately one week in length.

Loyola Marymount University offers an online EdD in Educational Leadership for Social Justice, which can be completed 100% online and is designed to be completed within three years of full-time study. This program is comprised of 46 credits, and includes courses that cover topics such as leadership for social justice in educational settings, transformational leadership for improving student achievement, education policy, fiscal and human resources management, and research for educational improvement. In their third year of the program, students focus on their dissertation, through which they examine a social justice-focused problem of practice and receive guidance and support from faculty through research and dissertation seminars, as well as a doctoral colloquia.

National University in La Jolla offers an online Doctor of Education through its Sanford College of Education. This program offers 15 different specialization options, including Curriculum and Teaching; Early Childhood Education; E-Learning; English Language Learning; General Education; Instructional Leadership; International Education and Globalization; Leadership in Higher Education; Nursing Education; Organizational Leadership; School Safety, Security, and Emergency Management; Social-Emotional Learning; Special Education; Sport and Athletic Management; and Trauma-Informed Educational Practices. The fully online program boasts weekly start dates (every Monday), asynchronous instruction, no group assignments, and no campus visit requirements. This online doctoral degree consists of 16 courses (48 credit hours) and is designed to be completed in 40 months. It also features an All But Dissertation (ABD) option for students who have completed most or all of their EdD coursework at another institution, but who have not completed their dissertation. This ABD track, which National University calls the Dissertation Completion Pathway, gives students intensive support and an accelerated sequence of classes that help them get back on track with their dissertation and earn their doctorate degree.

The Sanford College of Education also offers an online Doctor of Education in Organizational Innovation. This program features 100% online coursework that utilizes both synchronous and asynchronous components. There is a mandatory three-day summer orientation that students are strongly encouraged to attend in-person; however, students who are unable to travel for the orientation can request to complete their orientation synchronously through Zoom. The nine-course, 81-unit curriculum is designed to prepare professionals with the advanced knowledge necessary to facilitate innovation and enact positive change in any organization, and includes courses in areas such as theories and methods of inquiry, knowledge management for innovation, theory and application of innovation within organizations, emerging issues and trends in education and other organizational contexts, and collaboration and ethical practice. For their final graduation requirement, students complete a Culminating Project that emphasizes action research as a way to address a problem of practice relevant to their current and/or desired work setting. Students can expect to finish the program in three years, but have up to seven years to complete their required Culminating Project.

Finally, National University has a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and an online Doctor of Education in Instructional Design, both of which are comprised of 54 credit hours and require the completion of 18 courses. The online EdD in Educational Leadership is an approximately 35-month program, and is designed for those interested in obtaining advanced knowledge and skills related to leading in a variety of educational settings, from the PK-12 system to corporate learning environments. The Instructional Design program, which also takes 35 months to complete, helps prepare students to develop and manage advanced educational or training programs for schools, businesses, government, the military, and more. Both programs are delivered entirely online, and students are not required to visit campus at any point during their studies. In addition, both the online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and the Doctor of Education in Instructional Design have ABD tracks for qualified applicants.

San Jose State University has an online EdD in Educational Leadership that prepares students to promote collaborative learning and equity-oriented decision-making in educational organizations and other learning communities. This program consists of 60 units, which students can complete over the course of three years or 9 semesters of full-time study. Courses in this program cover topics such as organizational behavior and change, educational policy and school reform, assessment and evaluation, education and leadership in global contexts, communication for educational leadership, and systems thinking for leadership in complex contexts. Upon completing their content coursework, students embark on research methodology courses that cover qualitative and quantitative methods before they delve into several proseminars that are designed to prepare them for their dissertation work. The dissertation consists of 12 credits of independent research under the supervision of a faculty chair and committee, wherein the student investigates an education issue or problem and develops, implements, and evaluates a tactical solution. While this program is delivered online, students have the option to engage in a two-week global experience that is designed to expand their perspective on education structures, customs and cultures, access, and equity.

The University of Massachusetts Global Campus , which formerly operated as Brandman University and whose administration is located in Irvine, California, offers an Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership. This program is comprised of 57 total course credits, with students taking classes in organizational communication, conflict management, team management, transformational leadership, strategic thinking, education assessment and accountability, diversity and multiculturalism in leadership, innovative and sustainable change, assessment and accountability in education, and educational and organizational resource management. In addition, students take advanced qualitative and quantitative research courses to prepare them for their work on their dissertation. The program requires two in-person immersion sessions on the Irvine campus and has both virtual and in-person cohorts that meet two times per term. In-person cohorts are formed throughout California near University of Massachusetts Global Campus’s campus locations depending on the number of students.

The University of Southern California’s (USC) Rossier School of Education, located in Los Angeles, offers a total of three EdD degree tracks online. The first option is a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership with a concentration in K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings. Comprised of 43 units, this primarily online program is designed to be completed in three years, and includes one two-day immersion on the USC University Park Campus, where students attend orientation events and meet their classmates and instructors face to face. After that, they begin a 15-course curriculum, featuring courses in topics such as Foundations of Urban Education, Resourcing Schools for Equity and Excellence, Leadership Enactment, Education Policy and Politics, Advanced Research Methods, and Leading for Instructional Improvement.

USC’s other online offering is an EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership (OCL) with two different program tracks: one that requires a master’s degree and one that only requires a bachelor’s (although applicants must have significant professional experience in leadership roles). Students entering the program without a master’s degree can expect to complete their EdD in four years, taking the full 60-unit OCL curriculum. Those already possessing a master’s are admitted to the program with advanced standing status, and are only required to take 43 units over three years in order to earn their degree. Both pathways include courses such as Creativity and Innovation, Leadership, Diversity, Accountability, Education Performance Problems, Using Communication to Facilitate Organizational Change, and Evaluating and Assessing System Outcomes. While the majority of the OCL program is delivered online, it does include one mandatory two-day orientation event on the USC campus.

Online EdD Programs in California

Below is a list of all the online EdD programs offered by schools in California. To learn more about any of these degree programs, click on the corresponding program name below to visit the school’s website.

California Baptist University

Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Change and Administration (Masters to Doctorate)

California State University Channel Islands

Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Equity and Justice with Specializations in P-12 Leadership and Community College Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)

California State University, Fresno

Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership (with Focus Areas in PK-12 Educational Leadership, and Community College/Higher Education Leadership) (Masters to Doctorate)

Loyola Marymount University

Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Social Justice (Masters to Doctorate)

National University

Online Doctor of Education (EdD) (with Specializations in Curriculum and Teaching; Early Childhood Education; E-Learning; English Language Learning; General Education; Instructional Leadership; International Education and Globalization; Leadership in Higher Education; Nursing Education; Organizational Leadership; School Safety, Security, and Emergency Management; Social-Emotional Learning; Special Education; Sport and Athletic Management; and Trauma-Informed Educational Practices) (Masters to Doctorate)

Online Doctor of Education (EdD) - Dissertation Completion Pathway (with Specializations in Curriculum and Teaching; Early Childhood Education; E-Learning; English Language Learning; General Education; Instructional Leadership; International Education and Globalization; Leadership in Higher Education; Learning Analytics in Higher Education; Learning Analytics in K-12 Education; Nursing Education; Organizational Leadership; School Safety, Security, and Emergency Management; Social-Emotional Learning; Special Education; Sport and Athletic Management; and Trauma-Informed Educational Practices) (All But Dissertation)

Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)

Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Dissertation Completion Pathway (All But Dissertation)

Online Doctor of Education in Instructional Design (Masters to Doctorate)

Online Doctor of Education in Instructional Design - Dissertation Completion Pathway (All But Dissertation)

Online Ed.D. in Organizational Innovation (Masters to Doctorate)

San Jose State University

Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)

University of Massachusetts Global

Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)

University of Southern California

Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings Concentration (Masters to Doctorate)

Online EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)

Online EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership (Bachelors to Doctorate)

Computer Science PhD

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) offers two graduate programs in Computer Science: the Master of Science (MS), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Master of Science (MS)

The Master of Science (MS) emphasizes research preparation and experience and, for most students, is a chance to lay the groundwork for pursuing a PhD.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Berkeley PhD in EECS combines coursework and original research with some of the finest EECS faculty in the US, preparing for careers in academia or industry. Our alumni have gone on to hold amazing positions around the world.

Contact Info

[email protected]

215 Cory Hall

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 9, 2024

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

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• Best Online Health Science Ph.D. And D.H.S. Programs

Best Online Health Science Ph.D. And D.H.S. Programs Of 2024

Published: Mar 13, 2024, 11:37am

The U.S. healthcare system can be difficult to navigate, often requiring patients to advocate for themselves in times of need. Health science is a healthcare discipline in which professionals seek to improve clinical care, education and administration, prioritizing quality care and making it easier for everyone to navigate our complicated systems.

If you’re interested in a flexible health science degree at the doctoral level, you can earn an online health science Ph.D. or an online Doctor of Health Science (D.H.Sc.). These terminal degrees prepare graduates to work in high-level administrative, managerial and research roles in the healthcare industry.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about health science doctoral degrees, including tuition, accreditation and our ranking of the 10 best doctoral programs in the field.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• 6,290 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
• 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

Our Methodology

We ranked 11 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering health science Ph.D. and D.H.S. programs online in the U.S. using 15 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes and student experience. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites.

Data is accurate as of June 2023. Note that because online doctorates are relatively uncommon, fewer schools meet our ranking standards at the doctoral level.

We scored schools based on the following metrics:

Student Outcomes:

• Overall graduation rate
• Median earnings 10 years after graduation

Affordability:

• In-state graduate student tuition
• In-state graduate student fees
• Alternative tuition plans offered
• Median federal student loan debt
• Percentage of students in federal student loan deferment

Student Experience:

• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Availability of online coursework
• Total number of graduate assistants
• More than 50% of graduate students enrolled in at least some distance education

Credibility:

• Fully accredited
• Programmatic accreditation status
• Nonprofit status

We chose the 10 best schools to display based on those receiving a curved final score of 61% or higher.

Find our full list of methodologies here .

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Best d.h.sc. and ph.d. in health science online degrees, should you enroll in an online health science doctoral program, accreditation for online health science ph.d. and d.h.sc. programs, how to find the right online doctorate in health science for you, frequently asked questions (faqs) about online health science ph.d. and d.h.sc. programs, mcphs university, touro university worldwide, pacific university, rush university, liberty university, university of the pacific, university of south dakota, faulkner university, university of bridgeport, purdue university global, featured online schools.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial credit and much more by clicking 'Visit Site'

Graduate Tuition

$1,110/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

Overall Graduation Rate

MCPHS University , headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, features an online Doctor of Health Sciences with concentrations in health systems administration, educational leadership and global health. This 54-credit degree prepares students for professional roles in education and leadership.

After completing core coursework in innovative healthcare technology, patient-centered care and population health, students engage with a three-part capstone experience spanning nine credits. Each online learner pays a $525 tech fee in their first semester.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: N/A
• Degree Credit Requirements: 54 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare research methods, innovative healthcare technology
• Concentrations Available: Health systems administration, educational leadership, global health
• In-Person Requirements: No

$700/credit

At Los Alamitos, California-based Touro University Worldwide (TUW), students can pursue an online Doctor of Health Science with a tech-centric curriculum. The 48-credit program uses asynchronous delivery for maximum flexibility, along with accelerated courses, allowing learners to graduate more quickly.

TUW’s D.H.Sc. program suits professionals looking to pursue leadership roles in health-related contexts. Graduates go on to become health administrators, nutritionists, physical therapists and mental health specialists. This program does not provide certification or licensure, however; it instead develops the managerial skills for administrative positions in health settings.

• Application Fee: $25
• Degree Credit Requirements: 48 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated, full-time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Epidemiology, health informatics
• Concentrations Available: N/A

$7,731/semester

The Doctor of Healthcare Science at Pacific University , based in Forest Grove, Oregon, serves advanced healthcare workers looking to take the next step in their professional journey. Most coursework is delivered asynchronously, with some set class times for certain real-time lectures.

Though there is no dissertation requirement, each student completes a scholarly project and presents their findings virtually. To qualify for the D.H.Sc. program, each candidate must work in a healthcare position in education, community health or direct patient care.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
• Application Fee: Free
• Degree Credit Requirements: 36 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare operations management, human resource management in healthcare

$1,046/credit

RUSH University , located in Chicago, Illinois, offers an online Ph.D. in health sciences that delivers an interdisciplinary approach through classroom learning, professional development opportunities and research experience. Graduates can qualify for positions improving the quality of care for various healthcare providers.

Throughout the program, students receive mentorship from health sciences professionals. Along with an optional independent study course worth up to 12 credits, each student completes a dissertation research class and a comprehensive exam to conclude the program.

• Application Fee: $50
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Leadership theory, composition for effective professional writing

$650/credit

Based in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University features an online Ph.D. in health sciences that takes just three years to complete. Learners can choose from concentrations in exercise and sport science and trauma-informed care, or they can design an individualized pathway.

Liberty delivers coursework asynchronously, allowing students to complete assignments on their own schedules. The program culminates in a dissertation course in which each student researches an original topic of their choosing.

• Degree Credit Requirements: 60 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare delivery systems, risk management in health sciences
• Concentrations Available: General, exercise and sport science, trauma-informed care

$1,000/credit

The online Doctor of Health Science from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, features asynchronous coursework, which is ideal for working professionals and learners with busy schedules. This program suits healthcare professionals currently working in academic and clinical environments who are looking to advance to administrative positions.

Students can choose from healthcare leadership and educational leadership pathways. Though this program does not include a dissertation or thesis, each learner completes nine credits across three doctoral project courses, which may be submitted for presentation or publication.

• Degree Credit Requirements: 27 to 36 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Foundations of behavioral science, healthcare leadership
• Concentrations Available: Clinical leadership, educational leadership

$470/credit

The University of South Dakota (USD), located in Vermillion, features a 75-credit online Ph.D. in health sciences with a teaching focus. The teaching core includes nine to 15 credits of prescribed and elective courses, including a three-credit practicum where students apply their knowledge under supervision in real-world settings.

The remainder of the curriculum focuses on research, leadership and health services delivery. Though USD delivers coursework remotely for this program, students must attend in-person residencies, an orientation and a dissertation bootcamp, in addition to completing their practicum.

• School Type: Public
• Application Fee: $35
• Degree Credit Requirements: 75 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Leadership in healthcare, managing health services resources
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for field experiences

$780/credit

At Montgomery, Alabama’s Faulkner University , students can pursue an accelerated online Ph.D. in health sciences and graduate in just 18 months. The program uses five-week courses and rolling admissions to meet this timeline. After completing 30 credits in one year, students complete a 15-credit dissertation process over a six-month period.

Coursework explores topics such as clinical statistics, instructional methods for health professionals, health promotion and quantitative research methods. Each online student pays a $75 distance learning fee per semester.

• Application Fee: $75
• Degree Credit Requirements: 30 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Evidence-based practice, qualitative research methods

The online Doctor of Health Sciences from the University of Bridgeport (UB), headquartered in Connecticut, takes a big-picture view of public health concerns in underserved communities. Learners can choose from clinician, nutrition and education concentrations to align their studies with their prospective professional roles.

The program culminates with a dissertation project. After receiving topic approval, each student works with an advisor to approach their dissertation as a systemic review, a meta-analysis, a literature review or original research.

• Degree Credit Requirements: 57 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Global health issues, healthcare informatics
• Concentrations Available: Clinician, nutrition, education

Headquartered in Indiana, Purdue University Global delivers an online Doctor of Health Science that allows students to earn “microcredentials” throughout the curriculum. These microcredentials cluster similar classes to develop familiarity and expertise in specific topics, such as health science, health informatics and global health.

After completing the program’s required coursework, each learner engages in an applied project in which they identify a real-world issue in administration, healthcare delivery or higher education and research potential solutions. Purdue Global charges all online learners a flat, per-credit tuition rate, regardless of their state residency status.

• Application Fee: $60
• Degree Credit Requirements: 88 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Advanced health policy, advanced health leadership
• Concentrations available: N/A

Online college can provide several benefits over in-person learning, such as increased flexibility and affordability.

However, since online programs tend to involve less structure than their in-person counterparts, learners must be organized and carefully manage their time. Synchronous coursework mirrors the in-person learning experience with set class times, while asynchronous delivery allows students to watch recorded lectures and complete assignments on their own time.

Online doctoral degrees may still have on-campus requirements, such as intensives, orientations or dissertation defenses. Ensure you can commit to visiting campus as needed.

College accreditation indicates that an institution or a degree program has received approval from a third-party accrediting organization. These accreditors evaluate schools and programs for factors such as curricular offerings, student outcomes and faculty expertise. Accreditation occurs at the institutional and programmatic levels.

The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognize the following organizations to provide institutional accreditation:

• Higher Learning Commission
• WASC Senior College and University Commission
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• New England Commission of Higher Education

Attending an accredited school is required if you want to pursue federal student aid or qualify for certain professional certifications. To check on the accreditation status of any prospective school, use CHEA’s directory tool.

Programmatic accreditation does not exist for health science programs at the doctoral level.

Here’s how to narrow down your options as you consider online health science doctoral programs:

Consider Your Future Goals

Your professional goals should help determine your program choice and whether you earn a Ph.D. or a D.H.Sc.

For example, some health science graduates aim to work in positions that require extensive research experience, such as college-level educator roles. Ph.D. programs are more research-oriented, so if you plan to teach after earning your doctorate in health science, consider prioritizing Ph.D.s in health science.

On the other hand, if you want to apply your doctorate in a public health role , the more practice-based D.H.Sc. might be more suitable.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

Higher education requires a significant financial investment. Among the schools on this list, total tuition ranges from about $23,000 on the low end to more than $61,000, averaging roughly $41,160 for a full doctorate in health science.

To help fund your doctoral studies, submit the FAFSA ® to ensure your eligibility for federal student aid. You can also look for private loans, scholarships from third-party organizations, and fellowships or assistantships from your prospective institution.

Scholarships are provided by schools and independent organizations based on factors such as identity, merit and need. These forms of aid do not require repayment. In assistantships and fellowships, students work professionally with their schools to offset tuition costs.

Can you get a Ph.D. in science online?

American schools generally do not offer Ph.D. programs in science on campus or online. There are other science-related doctoral programs, however, which may feature online delivery.

Are online Ph.D. programs legitimate?

As long as they come from accredited institutions, online Ph.D. programs hold the same level of prestige and legitimacy as their on-campus counterparts.

How long does it take to get a Ph.D. in health sciences?

A health science Ph.D. typically takes four to seven years to complete.

Can I finish a Ph.D. in two years?

Most Ph.D. programs take longer than two years. Some schools, like Faulkner University, use accelerated delivery for students to complete their Ph.D.s in around 18 months. Other doctoral programs, like Doctor of Health Science degrees, generally take less time than Ph.D. programs.

Matt Whittle has experience writing and editing accessible education-related content in health, technology, nursing and business subjects. His work has been featured on Sleep.org, Psychology.org and NurseJournal.org.

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Nav-main-mobile, vanguard university, header-utility-container, drawer trigger, nav-sub-horizontal, nav-breadcrumb, master of science in clinical psychology.

A t Vanguard University, we are known as one of the leading clinical psychology master’s programs in California.

Our Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Psychology program is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in varying theoretical and clinical modalities that will help you choose and develop your clinical and professional identity. Throughout your studies, you’ll gain the tools and techniques to work with those who struggle with behavioral, cognitive and emotional challenges. 

Designed with working professionals in mind, the clinical psychology master’s program is offered on campus or online. In the on-campus program, located at our convenient Santa Ana campus , take coursework in tracks varying from two to four years, with classes available in the late afternoon and evening. In the online program, you’ll learn from the same experts who teach our on-campus courses while having the resources and support to find success. 

This program meets the education requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and/or Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC) in the state of California.

• Application Deadline: Fall - July 1st Spring - October 1
• Number of Units:  61-66
• Cost per Unit: $840
• Time to Degree: 2-4 years

Pricing is based on the current academic year and is subject to change. Scholarships or partner discounts may be available. 

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Why earn your ms in clinical psychology from vanguard university.

The MS in Clinical Psychology program equips its students to serve with excellence as Christian mental health professionals by providing the highest quality of rigorous academic training, guided professional development and integrative faith-based learning in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Practicum & Licensure

A culture of mentorship, program learning outcomes, program formats, christ-centered education, hands-on experience.

During the program, you will complete a practicum placement at sites such as college counseling centers, substance abuse treatment centers, community counseling centers or others such as the  Journeys at Vanguard  counseling center, located on the campus. The program will support and assist you in securing a placement at one of our more than 60 partner sites. If you are interested in becoming a partner site, please see our colleague resources for more information. 

Clinical Skill Development & Practicum

• You will gain practical experience beginning your first semester in our clinical psychology degree as you meet with Vanguard University undergraduate volunteers and practice the clinical skills you’re learning in class. This applied experience will prepare you for your practicum placements and help you grow as a clinician.
• You will complete supervised field experience at your practicum placement and begin earning hours towards licensure.
• Required personal therapy will give you the opportunity to be engaged in the therapeutic process as a client.

Accreditation/Program Approval

Our degree fulfills all academic requirements that are set forth by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) (Business and Professions Code of California Section 4980.36). The program also offers additional coursework for students interested in dual licensure as both an MFT and a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). With this additional coursework, the degree also fulfills all academic requirements that are set forth by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for both licenses (Business and Professions Code of California Section 4980.36 and 4999.33). You can see our most recent pass rates for the licensing exams on the  BBS website .

Vanguard University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

American Psychological Association (APA) Accreditation – APA only accredits doctoral level programs in psychology. Since our program is a Masters level degree APA does not accredit us.

The program emphasizes mentoring and individual attention from faculty and staff in an environment that facilitates development of a cohesive and supportive community. We continue to support students in their career journey after Vanguard and maintain alumni groups and resources . 

Upon completion of the MS in Clinical Psychology  program, you will be prepared to:

• Core Knowledge of Psychotherapy.  Apply fundamental knowledge within the field of clinical psychology and psychotherapy to the treatment of individuals, families and groups.
• Diversity.  Demonstrate and apply cultural competency and sensitivity in the psychotherapeutic process.
• Integration of Faith.  Demonstrate and apply the integration of faith in the psychotherapeutic process.
• Clinical Skills.  Demonstrate effective clinical techniques within a therapeutic relationship.
• Communication.  Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills as it specifically pertains to the field of psychotherapy.
• Professional/Personal Qualities.  Develop the professional and personal qualities that are intimately related to effective psychotherapy, including competence, acceptance, curiosity, caring, integrity, sensitivity, flexibility, insight, compassion, and personal presence.

Whether you’re studying on campus or online, our MS in Clinical Psychology is designed with the purpose of providing you with personalized attention. Both track schedules are convenient for working professionals with tracks varying from two to four years, and courses are offered in the late afternoon and evening. You’ll greatly benefit from our small class sizes which average 12 students.

In addition, you will have opportunities to connect and network with classmates, faculty and staff outside of class time. We offer an environment that facilitates the development of an inclusive and supportive community—giving you a strong support system and sense of community throughout your studies.

Online Track

Our online Master’s in Clinical Psychology program is available for residents of the state of California. Most courses are eight weeks long. Learning online will give you the best of both worlds—flexible online coursework and live class time with other students and faculty on a weekly basis.

On Campus Track

Our on-campus program offers 16-week courses on our Santa Ana Campus. Learning in person provides ongoing interaction with your faculty and classmates, and allows for spontaneous discussions, meals together, and making connections in between classes.

What Will My Class Schedule Look Like?

The 3-year track is the most popular with our students and consists of 7.5-10 units per semester, in both the afternoon and evening. For all track options and sample schedules, see our Sample Curriculum Schedules page . 

At Vanguard University, you will experience personalized instruction paired with a strong spiritual foundation that fosters knowledge, cultivates character and deepens faith. Our Christian professor-mentors will prepare you to make meaningful contributions in your profession and community, equipping you to lead a Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service.

Get Started at VU

My favorite part of the clinical psychology degree program was the small class sizes; you get to have a close relationship with your professors and peers. Wherever you see yourself in the mental health field, Vanguard will prepare you for the journey. And if you’re looking for integration of faith in the classroom, this is the program for you. Now in private practice—not too far from campus—I am constantly being reminded of lessons and clinical skills that I learned at Vanguard.

Jacqueline Islas, MS '12 Alumna

Featured Courses in the MS in Clinical Psychology Program

Clinical foundations i.

Clinical and theoretical foundations of the field of clinical psychology are presented with an emphasis on Client-Centered therapy and the development of beginning level skills. Course includes  supervised experience which will be used in assessing eligibility for trainee status.

Psychodynamic Theory and Treatment

A study of the theories and processes of therapy based on the psychodynamic modality. Emphasis is placed on understanding a client's internal dynamics. Application is made in relation to theoretical and DSM diagnoses, assessment and treatment of individuals as well as an understanding how this approach can be utilized in multiple settings and with multiple populations.

Cognitive-Behavioral Theory and Treatment

A study of the theories and processes of therapy based on the cognitive-behavioral modality. Focus is placed on how belief systems interface with behavior and emotion. Application is made in relation to theoretical diagnosis, assessment and treatment of individuals, particularly with anxiety based or related conditions.

Psychology, Theology and Spirituality

Explores the integration of psychology, theology, and spiritual formation and how it affects the mental health of the client. Consideration given to the role of the therapist and the therapeutic relationship with an emphasis on the Christian faith.

Where can I Work with a MS in Clinical Psychology?

Our clinical psychology graduate program will help you pursue a fulfilling career as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and/or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Graduates of our master’s in clinical psychology program work as mental health clinicians, providing assessment, diagnosis, case management and therapy. You may also want to read this helpful article on career outlooks  for clinical psychology. 

Community Counseling Centers

County Mental Health Agencies

Foster Care/Adoption Agencies

Substance Abuse Treatment Centers

Private Practice

Psychiatric Hospitals

Rehabilitation Centers

Group  Homes

We recognize that our clinical education is rigorous, and we ensure that you have faculty who are dedicated to supporting you as soon as you begin your graduate coursework. Our program respects diversity and promotes an inclusive community. We focus on the therapeutic relationship, understanding counter-transferential and transferential data and learning in an experiential manner.

Brenda Gesell, PhD Program Director

Meet more Clinical Psychology Faculty

MS in Clinical Psychology Admissions Requirements

Application & admissions info, what to expect, admissions requirements - domestic applicants.

The university requirements for program admission below must be met before an application is considered complete.  

• Online application for admission
• Non-refundable $45  application fee  
• Request Official Transcripts from  any  colleges or universities attended. Vanguard graduates need only request transcripts from institutions attended after Vanguard.
• Any program-specific supporting materials (see below)

Required Supporting Materials

Applicants for the MS in Clinical Psychology  should also submit the following:

• References: (3) letters of recommendation from people who can speak about various aspects of your suitability, such as academic ability (professor), professional performance (i.e. work performance), clinical/leadership/relationship ability, or other relevant experience. The recommender cannot be a family member or friend.
• Personal Statement (750 words): Provide a detailed statement describing your significant life experiences and how they have lead you to pursue a degree in Clinical Psychology. In addition, discuss your future plans and professional goals as a result of obtaining this degree.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae: Provide a detailed resume or curriculum vitae listing all employment, experience, education, training, etc.

Prerequisite Courses or Requirements

Applicants should also have completed:

• Introduction to Statistics
• Psychopathology or Abnormal Psychology
• Developmental Psychology or Human Development
• Counseling Theories or Theories of Personality

It is required that all prerequisite courses have been completed with a grade of B- or better. For assistance with questions regarding prerequisite requirements or whether any exceptions would apply, please email [email protected] .

Submission Instructions

All supporting documents should be submitted to the Graduate & Professional Education Office:

If possible, please submit transcripts electronically (e.g. Parchment). Unofficial transcripts and test scores* (with student name, test date and subscores), may be scanned and emailed. 

• Electronically through Parchment
• Email:  [email protected]
• Mail/Drop-Off: ATTN: Vanguard University Graduate & Professional Education 55 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626

*GRE Test scores are not required for admission into programs and are not considered in evaluating applications.

Admissions Requirements - International Applicants

To apply for a degree program at Vanguard, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and any program-specific admission requirements specified above.

• Evalution of Official Transcript(s):  All transcripts reflecting prior coursework must be submitted. Transcripts must be evaluated, not just translated, by an official agency.
• Official TOEFL ( Test of English as a Foreign Language ) Scores:  The minimum TOEFL score requirement is 80 on the web version. If English is the primary spoken language and medium of instruction at the institution(s) attended and at least two years of full-time study occurred at such institution(s), the TOEFL may be waived.
• Affidavit of Financial Support: If supported by personal and/or family funds, submit this form with an original bank statement in U.S. currency reflecting bank balance availability of the total amount listed below. If sponsored by a government or other official agency, an official letter stating that the funding and/or scholarship is valid for use at Vanguard University must be submitted. Please contact [email protected] to obtain the Affidavit of Financial Support.
• Copy of Valid Passport
• Students applying within the U.S. must submit copies of their visa , I-94 , and if on a student visa, copies of their I-20 A-B Form .

All materials must be received in the Admissions Office by the appropriate deadline:

• Fall semester - June 1  |  Spring semester - October 1

International students must be enrolled full-time within their program. For information on specific unit requirements, please contact the Graduate & Professional Education Office at [email protected] . International students are not eligible for any financial aid with the exception of institutional talent scholarships.

For current tuition rates and fees, please visit Account Services .

Scholarships

Vanguard University offers graduate academic scholarships for the biotechnology, clinical psychology, education, leadership studies, organizational psychology, and theology programs. These 10-15% tuition scholarships are based on cumulative undergraduate GPA calculations.  You will automatically be awarded a scholarship if you qualify. Vanguard University also offers a colleague discount for the MSN and post graduate certificate programs and the Ministry Grant for applicants working full time in ministry as ordained or licensed ministers or missionaries. Please ask your admissions counselor for more information.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is offered through the FAFSA application. Please see the  Financial Aid  page for further information and talk to your admissions counselor. 

Once an applicant’s file is complete, with all required items submitted, the file is forwarded to the department for review and potential admissions interview invitation.

From there, the Office of Graduate & Professional Education will inform the applicant of their admissions decision via email with a) a program acceptance to the university, or b) a program denial with recommendations for improving their file for potential resubmission. 

Admissions Deadlines

Applications are accepted year-round. Priority and standard deadlines for specific academic terms can be viewed on the graduate admissions page . 

Have Questions?

Fill out the request information form or reach out directly to one of our team of dedicated admissions counselors. 

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Phone: 714.966.5499

Email:   Graduate Admissions Email

Campus Locations

The Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions is located on Vanguard's main campus in Costa Mesa. 

The Clinical Psychology program's administrative and faculty offices and on campus classes are located on Vanguard's Santa Ana campus at  3000 W MacArthur Blvd, Ste 200, Santa Ana, CA 92704 .

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Online Doctor of Philosophy in Petroleum Engineering

The Online Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Department of Petroleum Engineering is a research degree awarded to students after the exhibition of significant and valuable contributions in a specific field of petroleum engineering. This degree is designed for professionals aiming to become leaders and innovators in the energy sector. Graduates will gain access to a prestigious network and the skills needed to tackle complex industry challenges and drive sustainable energy solutions.

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Why choose Engineering Online

Advance your career with our Engineering Online program! Backed by the university's esteemed reputation and national recognition in engineering education, you'll engage directly with industry leaders and a rigorous curriculum. Beyond graduation, tap into the extensive Aggie Alumni Network, offering invaluable connections to propel your career forward.

Engineering Online Benefits

Degree Details

• The Online Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering is a 64-credit hour degree. Before beginning the program, students must have completed a Master of Science (MS) degree with a thesis. During the program, students must also complete a departmental qualifying exam, preliminary exam, proposal, and dissertation. The Qualifying Exam (QE) is required for all PhD students within the first year of study, and students may be required to take the exam on campus. The exam results let us know their suitability for conducting research and continuing their education in our program.

Course Information

Requirements.

• The minimum course requirement for the Ph.D. degree is eight courses (24 credit hours) with at least four courses in petroleum engineering (PETE). 
• Your graduate committee is in total charge of the courses on your degree plan. In general, you should take 1/3 course work and 2/3 research/seminar courses.
• Include a minimum of two, but not more than four, courses from outside the petroleum department. 
• Two credits for PETE 684 and PETE 692 courses are used for internships. 
• Undergraduate courses are taken only with the pre-approval of your graduate advisor. 
• Agree on at least four committee members, with a minimum of one from outside the petroleum department and a minimum of two petroleum faculty, including your chair. 
• File a degree plan before the beginning of your third semester and no later than 90 days before your final oral examination. 
• Take your Ph.D. qualifying examination within one year of entering the program. 
• Submit the results of your preliminary examination to the Graduate and Professional School at least 14 weeks before your final examination date. 
• Your preliminary exam should be both oral and written, unless your committee member chooses to waive the written part of the examination. 
• You must have an average GPR of 3.0 for all courses on your degree plan before you take the final exam. 
• Complete your dissertation and final exam. 
• Complete all your degree requirements within 10 years 

Course Catalog

Graduate Application Requirements

Current a&m students - quick admit, application portal.

The Texas A&M University Petroleum Engineering program is a great choice for anyone interested in a career in the oil and gas industry. It provides a great education with countless opportunities.

Degree Highlights

Related degrees.

International Petroleum Management Certificate

Online Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering

Engineering online resources, prospective students.

Interested in an online Master of Engineering degree in petroleum engineering? Here are a few things you need to know about our program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover answers to frequently asked questions tailored to assist you in making informed decisions regarding your education with Engineering Online.

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We have delivered online education since 1995, so we have plenty of experience helping students complete our program successfully.

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To calculate cost, select the semester you’ll start, choose Engineering from the drop-down menu, and slide Hours to how many you’ll take each semester. Your total cost is Tuition and Required Fees + Engineering Program Fee (Remote).

Questions? Email [email protected] .

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Purdue Global Law School full-time Juris Doctor program receives approval from California State Bar

Committee’s decision will allow students to graduate 16 months earlier

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —

A vote by the State Bar of California’s Committee of Bar Examiners will allow  Purdue Global Law School  to add a full-time Juris Doctor program option to its existing part-time JD program.

The vote, which passed unanimously June 21, gives Purdue Global Law School students the flexibility to graduate in as little as 32 months, approximately one-third faster than the current 48-month part-time program.

“We are grateful to the Committee of Bar Examiners for allowing us to offer even more flexibility for our students,” said  Martin Pritikin , dean and vice president of Purdue Global Law School. “This is another historic moment for us. Four years ago, we became one of the first online law schools to be fully accredited in California. Now we’re the first online law school to be approved to offer a full-time JD program in addition to our existing part-time JD program.”

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While campus-based law schools have long been permitted to offer full-time programs, this marks the first time a fully online law school has obtained such approval from California. Prospective students may begin enrolling in the new full-time option 90 days after approval, starting Sept. 19. The first full-time cohort will begin classes in January 2025.

“There may be many people — from recent college graduates to empty nesters and retired civil servants — who can devote themselves to their studies full time, but who want or need the flexibility to study online due to geography, budget or other life circumstances,” Pritikin said. “Allowing an online law school to offer the same program options that campus-based law schools offer furthers the goals of making legal education accessible and affordable, which helps make legal services accessible and affordable as well.”

Purdue Global Law School’s recent  first-time bar pass rate  in California ranked as the highest reported first-time pass rate of any California-accredited school.

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PhD student accused of killing friend's baby faces death penalty if convicted

Pittsburgh prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the case of a woman accused of killing a 6-week-old baby and injuring his twin brother in June, a new court filing shows.

Nicole Virzi, 30, a PhD student, was charged with homicide and multiple counts of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children. The charges stem from an incident in June when Virzi was babysitting the twin boys of a couple she knew in Pittsburgh.

According to a criminal complaint, Virzi called the police on the night of June 15, claiming that one of the twins had fallen from a bassinet. The baby, named Leon Katz, was rushed to a nearby children's hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The next evening, Virzi discovered injuries to Leon’s twin brother, including scratches, bruising and swelling. After the second baby was taken to the hospital, doctors found the injuries sustained by both twins were neither natural nor accidental.

An examination by the medical examiner's office revealed that Leon had suffered from a severe skull fracture and multiple brain bleeds, with the cause of death determined to be blunt force trauma to the head, resulting from homicide.

Virzi, who had been staying at an Airbnb property in Pittsburgh, told police that Leon was in a bouncer seat when she left the room to get him a bottle. She then heard the baby screaming and found him on the floor before she contacted police. Virzi also alleged that Leon's twin brother got a scratch to his face when she tried to put him in a car seat and he flailed his arms.

The twins' parents denied inflicting any injuries on their children.

The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office cited torture as one of the aggravating factors justifying its pursuit of the death penalty.

Virzi’s defense attorney, David Shrager, told NBC News that Virzi was close friends with the twin’s parents and maintains her innocence.

“This was not the direction we hoped the case would go,” Shrager said. “We strongly disagree with the allegations made by the DA’s office regarding the death penalty. We will of course be litigating this case aggressively until the truth comes out.”

Virzi was pursuing her doctorate at the University of California, San Diego. According to the university's website , she was studying behavioral medicine in the joint doctoral program in clinical psychology.

She is being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bond.

Pennsylvania is one of 27 states where the death penalty remains legal. Over 100 people remain on death row in the state — including just one woman — but no executions have been carried out since 1999.

When Gov. Josh Shapiro took office last year, he a nnounced that he would not issue any execution warrants during his term. He called on the General Assembly to abolish the death penalty, saying, "The Commonwealth shouldn't be in the business of putting people to death."

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Christopher A. Voigt, PhD

Pushing the scale of genetic engineering.

Application of synthetic biology to address humanity's greatest challenges in manufacturing, environment, health and agriculture.

Genetic engineering is undergoing a revolution, where next-generation technologies for DNA and host manipulation are enabling larger and more ambitious projects in biotechnology. Automated DNA synthesis has advanced to where it is routine to order sequences >100,000bp where every base is user-specified, the turnaround time is several weeks, and the cost is rapidly declining. Recently, this facilitated the synthesis of a complete 1 Mbp genome of a bacterium and its transfer into a new host, resulting in a living cell. However, while whole genomes can be constructed, the ability to design such systems is lagging. The focus of my lab is to develop new experimental and theoretical methods to push the scale of genetic engineering, with the ultimate objective of genome design. This will impact the engineering of biology for a broad range of applications, including agriculture, materials, chemicals, and medicine.

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Prof. Voigt obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics at the California Institute of Technology. He continued his postdoctoral research in Bioengineering at the University of California, Berkeley. His academic career commenced as an Assistant and Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of California-San Francisco. Chris Voigt joined the Department of Biological Engineering at MIT as Associate Professor in 2011.