Psychology certificates

While psychology remains a lucrative field for aspiring counselors, therapists, and psychologists, a psychology professional certificate program can be a valuable addition to your résumé. Browse some of the top psychology certificate programs below.

Browse psychology certificates

Young man in therapy. A young man sit on a sofa in a therapist office against female counselor

Why earn a psychology certificate online?

Explore specialty psychology topics

Dive into real-world topics that can help you specialize and stand out in your psychology career.

Add expertise to your résumé

Develop positive psychology, resilience, and conflict management skills you can use in various industries.

Go beyond a graduate degree

Learn about areas of psychology you may not have studied in detail during your graduate coursework.

Browse psychology certificates

What you'll learn

What you’ll learn in a psychology certificate program depends on your chosen program. Some topics covered in psychology certificate programs include:

The influence of sex, gender, and sexual orientation on
Positive psychology research applications
Analysis and modeling in psychological research
Conflict management styles and real-world applications
How psychology plays into climate change and eco-anxiety

Programs can generally be completed within 6–12 months and require around 2–6 hours of weekly coursework. The cost per program is typically between $180–$550, which makes a psychology certificate a low-cost way to add specialized skills to your résumé.

What can you do with a certificate in psychology

Enhance your existing psychology knowledge

There are numerous ways to apply a psychology certificate to your career. If you’ve earned at least a master’s degree in psychology or a related field, a certificate program can allow you to explore specialty areas that you didn’t get to study in your graduate program. This can benefit you if you’re already in a psychology-related role and want to learn more about a particular topic.

Explore a potential new career in psychology

If you’re interested in pursuing a psychology career but aren’t ready to commit to a degree program, a psychology certificate program can allow you to explore topics without committing much time or money.

Apply psychology knowledge to a different career

Finally, you may consider earning a certificate in psychology if your line of work correlates with psychology principles. For example, someone in may want to learn more about how people think, feel, and behave to design more impactful campaigns.

Become a psychiatric aide or technician

Some certificate programs can help you become a psychiatric aide or technician. These professionals monitor, help, and oversee medications for people with mental, emotional, or developmental conditions. Duties typically include assistance with clients’ daily activities and medication management.

Required education and/or license: Psychiatric technicians need a one-year postsecondary certificate or associate degree, while psychiatric aides need at least a high school diploma. Check with your state for licensure requirements.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) median annual salary (2023):$39,160
BLS projected annual job growth (2023–33): 13%

Careers in psychology that require further education

Mental health and substance use counselor

Required education and/or license: You need a (or a related subject) and a licensed professional counselor (LPC) license to become a mental health and substance use counselor.
BLS median annual salary (2023): $53,710
BLS projected job growth (2023–33): 19%

Marriage and family therapist

Required education and/or license: You need a (or a related subject) and a marriage and family therapist (MFT) license to become a marriage and family therapist.
BLS median annual salary (2023): $58,510
BLS projected job growth (2023–33): 16%

Clinical psychologist

Required education and/or license: You must earn a doctoral degree and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology before practicing clinical psychology.
BLS median annual salary (2023): $92,740
BLS projected job growth (2023–33): 7%

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a psychology certificate and a certification?

A certificate is a credential earned after completing a course or program through a university. A certification is awarded by professional organizations and certifies the recipient’s proficiency in a topic.

Certificates are voluntary and allow learners to gain expertise without earning an entire degree. Certifications are typically standardized and require an official examination.

Are psychology certificates worth it?

Psychology certificates can add value to your career journey in many ways. They can enhance your résumé, help you apply psychological principles to other fields, explore different careers without committing much time or money, and study a particular topic without enrolling in a degree program.

How long is a positive psychology certificate?

A positive psychology certificate program typically takes around six months to complete. Most edX psychology certificate programs take less than a year.

What can you do with a positive psychology certificate?

A positive psychology certificate can help you incorporate positive psychology principles into your career, whether you’re a counselor, therapist, psychologist, motivational speaker, coach, or anyone who wants to help people become their best selves.

Published July 8, 2025