Degrees & Certifications:

The Psychology degree family includes a bachelor's degree and Ph.D. in psychology, as well as graduate programs in educational measurement, quantitative psychology, and statistics.  Bachelor’s degree holders often work in human services, education, or business, while those with advanced degrees may become licensed psychologists, psychometricians, educational researchers, or data analysts in healthcare and academic settings. Please note that working as a licensed psychologist requires earning a doctoral degree in psychology.

Psychology

Psychology provides a critical foundation for understanding human behavior and mental health, but if your goal is to become a therapist, a career path in social work may be the faster route. In the psychology track, you would need to acquire your doctorate to provide therapy in Ohio. Social work programs often offer more direct clinical training and licensure pathways that allow you to begin practicing as soon as acquiring a bachelor in social work degree.

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DEGREES & CERTIFICATIONS

    • Description: The Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology is an undergraduate program. A BA in psychology includes more liberal arts courses, such as communication, philosophy, and ethics, preparing students for careers in counseling, social work, teaching, and more. A BS in psychology includes more math and science courses, such as statistics, quantitative research, and data analysis, preparing students for careers in research-related fields, such as psychology or other related disciplines. Please note that a bachelor's degree in Psychology, while useful for a variety of behavioral health careers, does not lead directly to a credential that allows practicing as a therapist. Clinical psychologists must attain doctoral degrees.

    • Program Duration:  4 years (full-time), or longer for part-time. Evening, weekend, online, or part-time classes are available at some programs to support working adults.

    • Prerequisites: High School Diploma or GED. Some programs may require specific high school coursework in science and mathematics.

    • Certification & Licensure: Graduates are not eligible for psychology licensure.

    • Description: This trio of degrees prepares individuals for careers in psychiatric research or epidemiology: 

      • Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Measurement: Provides training in the foundations of research methodology, educational measurement, and program evaluation. 

      • Master of Science (MS) in Quantitative Psychology: Provides basic and advanced statistical knowledge and skills, plus the proficiency to analyze and apply data in a variety of social science-related data situations that are necessary for many public and private sector jobs in education and industry, as well as for pursuing a doctoral degree.

      • Master of Science (MS) in Statistics: Can act as either a terminal degree or as a stepping-stone to a PhD program. Areas of statistical science, may include the development of novel statistical theory and methodology, Bayesian statistics, spatio-temporal statistics, statistical learning and biostatistics.

    • Program Duration: 2 years (full-time), or longer for part-time. Evening, weekend, online, or part-time classes are available at some programs to support working adults.

    • Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate coursework in mathematics and statistics may be required.

    • Certification & Licensure: None.

    • Description: The Ph.D. in Psychology and the Psy.D. in Psychology can both lead to work as a licensed psychologist. 

      • Ph.D. in Psychology: Prepares graduates to conduct research, teach, and provide clinical services. It emphasizes research and scholarship, and develops students' critical thinking and analytical skills. Coursework focuses on specialized areas, such as neuropsychology or forensic psychology. The Ph.D. typically requires intensive research and dissertation work as well as practicum experiences and internships. Graduates can work as a Clinical psychologist, Forensic psychologist, Industrial/organizational psychologist, or Sports psychologist, among other specialities.

      • Psy.D. in Psychology: Prepares students to provide services to individuals, groups, and organizations. The program comprises coursework, practicums, and a full-time internship accredited by the APA. Psy.D. coursework covers a range of topics, including research design, statistics, human development, and courses specific to a concentration (such as forensic psychology). Graduates can work in mental health settings, medical settings, neuropsychology departments, schools, academia, or private practice.

    • Program Duration: 5-7 years for Ph.D. in Psychology. 4-5 years for Psy.D. in Psychology. Full-time, on-campus program with required clinical placements.

    • Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field.

    • Certification & Licensure: Graduates are eligible for licensure as psychologists through the Ohio Board of Psychology, contingent upon postdoctoral supervised experience and passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

    • Description: This quad of degrees prepares individuals for careers in psychiatric research or epidemiology:

      • Ph.D. in Educational Measurement: Prepares students to become experts in research methodology, measurement, and evaluation. Courses cover topics such as test theory, instrument development, and statistical analysis.

      • Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology: Prepares students to conduct research and design methods to measure human behavior. This field combines psychology and math to study and model psychological processes. Courses cover topics such as statistics, math, and psychometrics. 

      • Ph.D. in Statistics: Focuses on the theory and application of statistics. Graduates with a Ph.D. in statistics can work in academia, government, financial services, and bio-pharmaceutical industries.

      • Ph.D. in Educational Statistics and Measurement: Educational Measurement and Statistics can be combined into a single degree, which provides graduates with the knowledge and experience necessary to research existing analytical techniques, as well as to develop and apply new methodologies in educational measurement and statistics.

    • Program Duration: 3-6 years for a Ph.D. in Educational Measurement. 5-7 years for a Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology. 3-4 years for a Ph.D. in Statistics. 4-5 years for a Ph.D. in Educational Statistics and Measurement.

    • Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, statistics, or a related field. Master’s degree optional. Undergraduate coursework in mathematics and statistics may be required.

    • Certification & Licensure: None.

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Learn More:
Affordable Pathways & Funding Options
Certifications, Credentials & Licensure

Next Steps Checklist: 
Step 1 : Determine Your Pathway
Step 2: Research & Select a Program
Step 3: Check Admissions Requirements
Step 4: Apply for Financial Aid
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Step 6: Complete Entrance Requirements
Step 7: Begin Program & Stay on Track
Step 8: Graduate & Apply for Licensure

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Where to Study in Ohio

WHERE TO STUDY IN OHIO

Some public universities also have regional campuses that are comparable to community colleges in programs, costs, and access.

COMMUNITY & SPECIALIZED COLLEGES

  • Cuyahoga Community College

    • Location: Cleveland, Highland Hills, Parma, and Westlake, OH

    • Programs Offered: AA in Psychology

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Lorain County Community College

    • Location: Elyria, OH

    • Programs Offered: BA in Psychology

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnership: Cleveland State University – LCCC students can pursue a BA in Psychology through a combination of courses taken at LCCC that are either LCCC courses taught by LCCC instructors or CSU courses taught by visiting CSU instructors.

    North Central State College

    • Location: Mansfield, OH

    • Programs Offered: AA in Psychology

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Stark State College

    • Location: North Canton, OH

    • Programs Offered: AS in Psychology

    • Delivery Format: In Person

  • Owens Community College

    • Location: Perrysburg, OH

    • Programs Offered: AA/Psychology Transfer Pathway

    • Delivery Format: In person

    • Partnerships: 90% of Owens' Psychology courses are part of the Ohio Transfer Module

    Terra State Community College

    • Location: Fremont, OH

    • Programs Offered: AAS/Psychology Pathway

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnerships: Ohio Guaranteed Transfer Pathway - Guarantees any Ohio public university will accept and apply all coursework as part of a degree pathway toward a bachelor's degree.

  • Columbus State Community College

    • Location: Columbus and Delaware, OH

    • Programs Offered: AA in Psychology

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Marion Technical College

    • Location: Marion, OH

    • Programs Offered: AS with a concentration in Psychology, 3+1 BS in Psychology

    • Delivery Format: In person, hybrid, or online (final year at Franklin University is online)

    • Partnership: Franklin University - Students can earn 30 hours toward a BS in Psychology at Marion Tech and complete their final year at Franklin University.

  • University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College

    • Location: Rio Grande, OH

    • Programs Offered: AA in Psychology, BS in Psychology

    • Delivery Format: In Person

  • Clark State College

    Sinclair Community College

UNIVERSITIES & OTHER COLLEGES

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. If you notice any errors or outdated information, please contact accounts@mhaadvocacy.org so we can make the necessary corrections.