grand canyon university phd in psychology

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Grand Canyon University Psychology PhD Review

Completing a doctoral program is a challenging-yet-rewarding accomplishment that represents reaching the heights of academic achievement. While many Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs are based in traditional modes of education, some students may not be able to access the old forms of education.

Fortunately, an increasing number of colleges and universities are offering online Ph.D. programs, such as the online Ph.D. in Psychology offered at Grand Canyon University. Let’s take a look at what prospective students need to know about their options at GCU.

About the Program

Before diving into the benefits and drawbacks of earning an online Ph.D. in Psychology at GCU, let’s study the basic facts surrounding the institution.

• Institution type: Private, for-profit
• Main campus: Phoenix
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Tuition and fees

• Total expected tuition: $41,700
• Per credit-hour tuition: $695

Degrees & requirements

• PhD degrees offered: Online PhD in Performance Psychology, Online PhD in Cognitive Psychology, Online PhD in Counselor Education, Online PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Online PhD in Psych Tech
• Number of credit hours required: 60 (includes dissertation)
• Application method: Online
• Admission requirements: Master’s degree with GPA of 3.4 or higher, transcripts for all levels of education
• Admissions office address: 3300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017

Biggest Pros

What factors make GCU’s online Ph.D. in Psychology programs appealing for the average student?

Online delivery method

Particularly for students who either have no educational options in their state or who simply cannot afford to relocate to another city or state to attend a Ph.D. program, online education is a very attractive prospect. Not only does an online Ph.D. program open education up to more students, but it allows learners a wide degree of flexibility, ensuring their education fits into their lives, not the other way around.

SEE ALSO: Most Affordable Online PhD in Psychology Programs

Several degree options

GCU students can choose from several possible online Ph.D. tracks — cognitive psychology, counselor education, industrial-organizational, performance and psych tech. Most of these programs represent rapidly expanding and very popular fields in psychology, particularly I-O and cognitive psychology. This means students can remain on the cutting edge of the field.

Affordability

Compared to most other Ph.D. in Psychology programs, GCU’s online Ph.D. is quite affordable, with expected total tuition costs reaching to about $41,000. Other programs in the space, even many that are offered online, can cost upwards of $100,000 or more.

Faith tradition

GCU’s connection to the Christian faith is a very strong selling point for many students. While psychology scholars are not required to be Christians, all courses and programs center that faith tradition.

Biggest Cons

What factors work against Grand Canyon’s appeal to the average Ph.D. in Psychology student?

Lack of APA accreditation

Grand Canyon University’s online Ph.D. in Psychology program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, but it has not earned the stamp of approval from the American Psychological Association. The APA is the gold standard of accrediting bodies in psychology education, and graduates may have a hard time finding employment or earning state licensure, though how big a problem this is will depend on a student’s individual career ambitions.

No internship requirement

While students are required to complete a dissertation project as part of their online psychology Ph.D. from GCU, there are no requirements to complete an internship. So for students who want to go on to work directly with patients and clients, they will need to find another source of that hands-on experience.

Not designed for licensure

We’ve touched on this already, but GCU’s online psychology Ph.D. options are not designed to provide the foundation for licensure in any state, and the university makes this clear through its informational offerings.

The Bottom Line

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide if earning an online Ph.D. in Psychology from Grand Canyon University could be right for you.

An online Ph.D. isn’t ideal for every student, but for those learners who need a wide degree of flexibility and want to be able to fit doctoral education into their lives, GCU’s online Ph.D. options are attractive and affordable.

Additional Resources

• GCU Tuition and Fees
• Performance Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Counselor Education
• Industrial-Organizational

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Grand Canyon University

Studying Counseling and Psychology at GCU

Grand Canyon University appears in our ranking of the  20 Best Master’s in Pastoral Counseling Online Degree Programs.

Grand Canyon University offers a rich array of degree programs through nine colleges that include business, nursing, science, engineering, education, fine arts, and theology. Their Humanities and Social Science College offers excellent on-campus and online degrees in psychology and counseling at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The counseling degree is recommended for those who want to work one-on-one with clients or with groups. The psychology degree is recommended for those who want job flexibility that leads to different career paths.

The Bachelor of Science in Counseling is for those who want to help clients overcome problems. This degree comes with a specialization in Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse which is designed to help graduates serve clients, facilitate treatment, implement crisis intervention and understand substance use disorders. Completion of this degree in counseling qualifies most students to pursue some type of licensure, but this depends on the student’s state certifying board.

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree helps prepare graduates for a variety of job opportunities through understanding human behavior, cognitive processes, cultural factors and social environments. The Bachelor of Science in Psychology coursework is based on the educational objectives established by the American Psychological Association (APA). There is a degree emphasis available in Performance and Sport Psychology that is perfect for those who want to become trainers, coaches, educators and health care professionals in the athletic world.

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program is for students who want to become independent, licensed counselors. This degree gives students the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to professionally guide clients who are struggling with a variety of social, behavioral and emotional challenges. Graduates are taught ethical standards, professional guidelines, research findings, intervention methods, theoretical foundations and counselor-client relationship models.

There are online bachelor’s degrees available in Sociology and Behavioral Health Science. There are many graduate certificates in psychology and counseling available. This includes a graduate certificate in health, forensic, gerontology, life coaching, human factors and industrial and organizational psychology. There are online and on-campus Master of Science degrees in Trauma, Mental Health Counseling available with specializations in Christian Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy and Childhood and Adolescence Disorders.

About Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a Christian university located in Arizona. They are private, non-profit and one of the largest Christian universities in the world. Grand Canyon University was established in 1949, but they have become an active academic center in Phoenix campus for students and the community. Grand Canyon University is a member of NCAA Division I. Their sports teams are members of the Western Athletic Conference. They have about 20,500 on-campus and 70,000 online students for a total of about 90,500 students.

Featured Programs

The university offers about 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees through nine diverse colleges. These include the Colleges of Education, Business, Fine Arts and Production, Humanities and Social Sciences, Nursing and Health Care Professions and Science, Engineering, and Technology.

Grand Canyon University recently was sold and privatized, but it changed back to non-profit in 2018. The university has invested millions of dollars to improve academic quality, campus infrastructure, and student experiences. This has resulted in better labs, libraries, classrooms, residence halls, residence halls, and student support centers. The university spent over $150 million dollars in 2006 on campus enhancements.

For example, there is a new soccer stadium as well as new facilities for tennis, baseball, softball, and volleyball team members. There is also a new engineering building for STEM majors and new on-campus apartment residences. The university has also revamped their online degree program in order to meet the growing needs of non-traditional, working adults around the country and the world.

Grand Canyon University Accreditation Details

Grand Canyon University’s accreditation is through The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Grand Canyon University Application Requirements

Grand Canyon University maintains an acceptance rate over 40 percent. The typical incoming freshman will have a 3.5 GPA. The minimum age for admission consideration is 16 years old. Admissions counselors look for applications who have impressive interests, diverse perspectives, progressive growth and enthusiasm for learning. High school graduates must have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.0 with a qualifying standard ACT score of 19 or SAT score of 1380.

The university integrates positive and uplifting concepts from the Christian faith into campus policies and life, but there are no religious requirements for prospective students. Unless of course, the student is a Christian theology major. There are additional admission requirements that vary based on the academic level, degree program and learning platform.

Graduate applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college with at least a 2.8 GPA. Those who do not meet this low GPA requirement may be eligible for admission if they submit standardized test scores (500 for the GMAT and 1,000 for the GRE).

Grand Canyon University Tuition and Financial Aid

Most students who attend campus will pay $8,700 every year in tuition because there are many scholarships available. These can reduce the costs of tuition for many by almost half. The average annual tuition rate without scholarships or grants is around $16,500. This rate has remained consistent for many years because the university is committed to affordable education. On-campus students will spend around $7,500 for residency and $1,630 for other fees. Traditional undergraduates will spend $687.50 per credit for the first 11 credits.

Online and evening rates for non-traditional students depend on the degree program. Most online and evening undergraduate programs cost from $395 to $470 per credit. Online graduate classes will cost from $340 to $670 per credit. A few online and professional studies programs charge $515 per credit, such as the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program. Doctoral programs are usually $650 per credit. Active duty military members will be given a special discount rate.

Grand Canyon University is an excellent educational choice for local and international students because they offer affordable degrees within a value-rich environment. Grand Canyon University’s major and programs can be accessed here through their Academics page.

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Grand Canyon University Master’s in Psychology

Psychology is a program of study at Grand Canyon University. The school offers a master’s degree in the area. Here, you’ll find out more about the major master’s degree program in psychology, including such details as the number of graduates, ethnicity of students, related majors and concentrations, and more.

You can jump to any section of this page using the links below:

• Graduate Cost
• Online Learning
• Student Diversity
• Focus Areas

Featured Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

MS in Psychology

Our Master of Science in Psychology program is designed to extend your knowledge and discipline in psychology, preparing you for a wide variety of professions and contexts.

MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Become a champion of change and take your first step toward licensure as a clinical mental health counselor with this specialized and CACREP-accredited online clinical counseling master's from Southern New Hampshire University.

How Much Does a Master’s in Psychology from Grand Canyon University Cost?

Grand canyon university graduate tuition and fees.

Part-time graduates at Grand Canyon University paid an average of $585 per credit hour in 2019-2020. This tuition was the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. The following table shows the average full-time tuition and fees for graduate student.

Related Programs

Learn about other programs related to <nil> that might interest you.

MS in Psychology - Forensic Psychology

Understand the intersection of psychology and the law with this online forensic psychology graduate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

MS in Psychology - Industrial-Organizational Psychology

In our Master of Science in Psychology program, you can prepare for the rapidly changing professional landscape of the 21st century, which has led to a growing demand for individuals with a formal psychology background.

Does Grand Canyon University Offer an Online Master’s in Psychology?

Looking for online learning options? Good news, you can take online classes in the psychology master’s degree program at Grand Canyon University. To see if the school offers distance learning options in other areas, visit the Grand Canyon University Online Learning page.

Grand Canyon University Master’s Student Diversity for Psychology

Male-to-female ratio.

Women made up around 79.5% of the psychology students who took home a master’s degree in 2019-2020. This is about the same as the countrywide number of 80.6%.

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

Around 49.2% of psychology master’s degree recipients at Grand Canyon University in 2019-2020 were awarded to racial-ethnic minorities*. This is higher than the nationwide number of 35%.

Master’s in Psychology Focus Areas at Grand Canyon University

Psychology students may decide to major in one of the following focus areas.

*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

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• O*NET Online

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PhD in Psychology from Grand Canyon University (GCU)

Discussion in ' General Distance Learning Discussions ' started by DoctorPhD , Jan 4, 2012 .

DoctorPhD New Member

Hi, everyone. I'm thinking about signing up for Grand Canyon University's PhD in General Psychology with an emphasis in industrial and organizational psychology. It is 100% online and costs about $38,000. Does anyone have any feedback regarding this program? College of Doctoral Studies | Grand Canyon University - general page Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Grand Canyon University - program-specific page  

Koolcypher Member

Grand Canyon is a fine school, they have a B & M campus in Arizona, a nice plus. I considered them for my Ph.D sometime ago. If I do ever decide to obtain a doctorate degree, GCU will be on my list. Other members here will probably give you a better perspective on Grand Canyon , I know that some members here are currently, or have pursued, degrees from this school. Good choice!  

emmzee New Member

GCU is not APA accredited, so you'll need to determine whether having a non-APA doctorate will end up limiting your future options. If you determine that having an APA accredited degree isn't necessary, then GCU sounds like a decent school.  

StefanM New Member

emmzee said: ↑ GCU is not APA accredited, so you'll need to determine whether having a non-APA doctorate will end up limiting your future options. If you determine that having an APA accredited degree isn't necessary, then GCU sounds like a decent school. Click to expand...

Bruce Moderator

Ah thanks for the clarification!  

I'm not too concerned about the APA accreditation, as I am not pursuing a clinical psychology track. However, the bit about re-specialization is very interesting...provides a great avenue in the future if I change my mind. Thanks! Basically, I did a search for distance learning or very limited residency psychology PhD programs. GCU was the only one with a campus and NCAA sports team. The cost seems reasonable, too, relatively speaking. I can't help but think there is some kind of catch? I don't like the fact that GCU is owned by a for-profit corporation (it used to be non-profit, but the trustees had financial problems and sold out). Also, it looks like only about 4,000 students are on-campus, and the other 36,000 are distance-learning students. Furthermore, I'm not too fond of the school's very sales-oriented/telemarketing recruiting tactics. Additionally, the Department of Education's Financial Aid website shows that the graduation and retention rates for all students combined is in the 25-29% range. Any thoughts?  

Steve King Member

Bruce said: ↑ The GCU program is in general psychology which doesn't qualify for licensure in any state, so the lack of APA accreditation isn't that big a deal. Click to expand...

Posted in error.  

Thanks for the info on re-specializing in clinical psychology - that leaves another option down the road! I did a search for psychology PhD programs with little to no residencies. GCU is the only school with a B&M campus and NCAA sports teams. The tuition is also the lowest. There has to be a catch - what is it? While I am attracted to the program, things I'm not too happy with are: - Owned by a for-profit corporation - Heavy sales-oriented/telemarketing-type recruiting tactics - Only about 4,000 students are at the B&M school; the other 36,000 are distance learners (and this relates to the above two points) - The FAFSA website shows graduation and retention rates in the 25-29% rate (this also relates to the above points) So, what do you all think? What are some reasons for choosing other schools, such as NCU, Capella , or Walden? I know about Fielding, but unfortunately, it's not viable for me since I work full-time and because the program is too expensive.  

So, what do you all think? What are some reasons for choosing other schools, such as NCU, Capella , or Walden? I know about Fielding, but unfortunately, it's not viable for me since I work full-time and because the program is too expensive. Click to expand...

Steve King said: ↑ The Commonwealth of Virginia offers licensure, and in many situations requires state licensure, for psychologists even if they aren't clinical or counseling psychologists. DoctorPhD expressed an interest in industrial/organizational psychology. Virginia puts I/O psychologists in the category of applied psychologists for purposes of licensure. Graduation from an APA approved program is not required (for the reasons previously mentioned). The education requirements for each state is available online. Here are Virginia's as an example of what states may require. 18VAC125-20-55. Education requirements for applied psychologists. A. The applicant shall hold a doctorate from a professional psychology program from a regionally accredited university which meets the following criteria: 1. The program is within an institution of higher education accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education , or publicly recognized by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada as a member in good standing. Graduates of programs that are not within the United States or Canada must provide documentation from a credential evaluation service acceptable to the board which demonstrates that the program meets the requirements set forth in this chapter. 2. The program shall be recognizable as an organized entity within the institution. 3. The program shall be an integrated, organized sequence of study with an identifiable psychology faculty and a psychologist directly responsible for the program, and shall have an identifiable body of students who are matriculated in that program for a degree. The faculty shall be accessible to students and provide them with guidance and supervision. The faculty shall provide appropriate professional role models and engage in actions that promote the student's acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies consistent with the program's training goals. 4. The program shall encompass a minimum of three academic years of full-time graduate study or the equivalent thereof. 5. The program shall include a general core curriculum containing a minimum of three or more graduate semester hours or five or more graduate quarter hours in each of the following substantive content areas. a. Biological bases of behavior (e.g., physiological psychology, comparative psychology, neuropsychology, sensation and perception, health psychology, pharmacology, neuroanatomy). b. Cognitive-affective bases of behavior (e.g., learning theory, cognition, motivation, emotion). c. Social bases of behavior (e.g., social psychology, group processes, organizational and systems theory, community and preventive psychology, multicultural issues). d. Psychological measurement. e. Research methodology. f. Techniques of data analysis. g. Professional standards and ethics. B. Demonstration of competence in applied psychology shall be met by including a minimum of at least 18 semester hours or 30 quarter hours in a concentrated program of study in an identified area of psychology, e.g., developmental, social, cognitive, motivation, applied behavioral analysis, industrial/organizational, human factors, personnel selection and evaluation, program planning and evaluation, teaching, research or consultation. Click to expand...

Bruce said: ↑ If those are the only requirements, Virginia is the only state I've seen that doesn't require supervised internship hours for licensure. Click to expand...

Steve King said: ↑ That's a great point, Bruce. These are by no means the only requirements for licensure as a psychologist in Virginia. To be licensed in Virginia, psychologists must also complete a supervised internship / practicum and pass a national exam. The list I posted showed only the education requirements for applied psychologists. Clinical and school psychologists have even more requirements for the kinds and numbers of courses they are required to pass. Click to expand...

japhy4529 House Bassist

japhy4529 said: ↑ These are the requirements for Applied Psych (e.g. Psychologists who do not intend on seeing patients). I would imagine that that is the reason for the lack of internship requirements. Interesting though. I've never seen anything like this before. Most states only license clinical, counseling and school psychologists. Click to expand...

Thanks for the replies so far. Steve King asked how I intend to use the PhD in I/O psychology, should I be fortunate enough to attain one. It would mostly be a personal achievement. It may also provide some type of post-retirement opportunity in training research/management (more likely) or HR/business consulting (much less likely), but that's not my main motivation for seeking a PhD. I am not looking to provide therapy or counseling to individual clients.  

To clarify, for Tom and Bruce, anyone who wishes to "engage in the practice of...psychology" must be licensed in Viginia. This includes applied psychologists who don't see patients, like industrial/organizational psychologists. The exceptions, which I mentioned previously, are very limited. DoctorPhD mentioned "personal achievement," which I can relate to because I considered an online psychology degree several years ago. It is very important to look at your state's regulations regarding the profession. Otherwise, you might not take enough of the right courses to meet your state's licensing requirements. Without licensure, you might not be able to even use the title "psychologist" in any professional setting (depending on your state's regulations). I can't imagine the frustration of successfully completing a PhD in psychology and then being barred from calling yourself a psychologist in any professional settings.  

DoctorPhD said: ↑ Thanks for the replies so far. Steve King asked how I intend to use the PhD in I/O psychology, should I be fortunate enough to attain one. It would mostly be a personal achievement. It may also provide some type of post-retirement opportunity in training research/management (more likely) or HR/business consulting (much less likely), but that's not my main motivation for seeking a PhD. I am not looking to provide therapy or counseling to individual clients. Click to expand...

japhy4529 said: ↑ I would like to suggest that you look into options outside the U.S. For example, University of South Africa (UNISA) offers a number of masters and doctoral programs in I/O psychology and Consulting Psychology . Tuition is extremely inexpensive. Click to expand...

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