Best Online Master’s in Psychology Programs
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Earning a master’s in psychology can open doors to a wide range of careers focused on helping others navigate life’s challenges. It can also serve as a pathway toward a doctorate, the minimum educational requirement for becoming a licensed clinical psychologist.
If you are juggling personal, family, or work responsibilities, an online master’s in psychology program offers the flexibility of graduate study without the need to attend classes on campus.
Explore our guide to the best online psychology master’s programs, discover what to expect in your online studies, and see where this degree can take you after graduation.
10 Best Online Master’s in Psychology Programs
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,147
- Out-of-state$6,647
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled6,060
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
University of Louisiana at Monroe
- Monroe, LA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,788
- Out-of-state$17,888
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled8,272
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,100
- Out-of-state$32,400
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled39,622
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,450
- Out-of-state$15,450
- Retention Rate60%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled184,099
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
Arizona State University
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$11,308
- Out-of-state$13,512
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled66,062
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment98%
- AccreditationYes
Pepperdine University
- Malibu, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$65,990
- Out-of-state$65,990
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled9,545
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
University of Idaho
- Moscow, ID
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,540
- Out-of-state$25,776
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled11,849
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
Fayetteville State University
- Fayetteville, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$1,000
- Out-of-state$5,000
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled6,847
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment87%
- AccreditationYes
Lynn University
- Boca Raton, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$41,200
- Out-of-state$41,200
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled3,501
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
Fort Hays State University
- Hays, KS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,437
- Out-of-state$15,615
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled12,843
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
Why Pursue a Master’s in Psychology Online?
A master’s requires a major investment in time and money but can lead to significant professional and personal rewards. Choosing an online program may make it easier to achieve your goals. Before enrolling in a program, consider how you might benefit from a psychology degree at the master’s level and the reasons for getting your degree online.
Benefits of a Master’s Degree in Psychology
More career opportunities:
A master’s in psychology opens more doors for advanced careers than a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Advanced roles can be found in therapeutic or counseling settings and areas outside of psychology, including human resources and marketingHigher salaries:
Earning a master’s degree in general, including one in psychology, increases your earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for master’s degree-holder is nearly $1,200 more monthly than someone with only a bachelor’s degree.Foundation for doctoral studies:
A master’s degree increases your admission chances and preparation for doctoral studies. A doctorate in psychology helps you qualify to practice as a licensed psychologist, earning the top salaries in the field.Personally rewarding work:
A psychology master’s degree qualifies you for an array of fulfilling careers. These careers can help you positively impact people’s lives and advocate for mental health awareness.
Reasons to Get Your Master’s Degree Online
Flexibility and convenience:
An online master’s degree allows you to access course materials according to your schedule, helping you balance your educational goals with your personal and work commitments.Wider access to degree programs:
The expansion of online degrees enables you to pursue your master’s at schools nationwide, including many top-tier private and public institutions. An online master’s may offer specializations that interest you but are unavailable at programs closer to your residence.Cost savings:
Distance learning may help you reduce the overall cost of your education by saving housing and commuting expenses. Some online programs offer discounted tuition or virtual course materials, saving you the money spent on textbooks.Time management skills:
Mastering time management skills, including discipline, self-motivation, and responsibility, is essential to successful online learning and will serve you well in the workplace.
What to Expect in an Online Master’s in Psychology Program
Master’s in psychology programs train you in research methods, ethics, behavioral assessment, and experimental design. You take a mix of core courses and specialized courses in their concentration areas.
Most programs require clinical counseling or psychology work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or counselor. As a graduate student, you may also complete master’s thesis projects or exams.
Earning a master’s degree in psychology typically takes two years for full-time students. Some online programs offer part-time or accelerated options.
Concentrations
The American Psychological Association (APA) recognizes 54 divisions of psychology. Many psychology master’s programs offer specializations in these divisions, such as those highlighted below.
- Behavioral Psychology: Graduates of these programs can pursue careers as marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and applied behavioral analysts.
- Forensic Psychology: Graduates of a master’s in forensic psychology program can pursue careers such as victim advocate, court liaison, or counselor for people in the justice system.
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology: With this concentration, graduates can pursue careers like training and development specialists, hiring managers, and human resources specialists.
- Child and Adolescent Psychology: This concentration helps graduates enter careers as school counselors, family counselors, and postsecondary psychology teachers.
- Counseling Psychology: Graduates with this concentration can pursue careers as mental health counselors, bereavement counselors, crisis response counselors, and substance use counselors.
Courses
- Counseling Theories and Therapy: This course covers psychoanalytic, cognitive, behaviorist, interpersonal, humanistic, existential, biological/genetic, and social psychological theories.
- Psychopathology: This overview of psychopathology includes behavioral, developmental, biological/neurological, and social/cultural approaches and the theories of the etiologies of psychopathology
- Developmental Psychology: This course explores the life span in human development from birth through death, examining physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth.
- Research Design and Analysis: This introduction teaches students basic research design and the conceptual basis for statistical applications.
- Psychological Assessment: Students in this course learn to administer personality, intellectual, and industrial/organizational assessments and evaluate the use of assessment data.
Accreditation for Online Master’s in Psychology Degrees
Attending an accredited master’s in psychology program is essential to earning a valid degree that licensing boards, doctoral programs, and employers recognize. Failing to do so can create problems when you try to transfer credits, qualify for licensure, and compete for jobs.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs primarily accredits counseling degree programs. This organization accredits master’s and doctoral programs, while the APA only accredits doctoral psychology programs. You can use the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to verify that a school or program holds proper accreditation.
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Psychology?
A master’s degree often serves as a stepping stone to a doctorate, preparing you to become a licensed psychologist. However, you can enter the workforce directly after earning a master’s in psychology to pursue careers in various areas, including counseling, social and community services, criminal justice and law, and industrial-organizational settings. A master’s also prepares you for careers outside psychology in human resources, marketing, and public relations.
Common Career Paths
A master’s in psychology offers concentrations that prepare you for careers that match your interests. While not definitive, this list of potential careers highlights the variety of professional opportunities you can enter with a master’s degree.
- School Counselor: School counselors provide guidance and support to help K-12 students create academic plans, overcome academic and interpersonal challenges, and explore career choices. Many school districts require a master’s to practice as a licensed school counselor; some states may require a teaching certificate.
- Behavioral Counselor: Behavioral counselors conduct assessments and develop treatment plans to help clients manage or change their behaviors, including conditions such as addictions, eating disorders, and phobias. This career requires a master’s in psychology and, depending on state regulations, a specific license to practice as a professional counselor or clinical professional counselor.
- Mental Health Counselor: Mental health counselors assess and treat clients with emotional and mental health disorders, using multiple techniques to address a wide range of issues such as anxiety, anger management, and depression. These positions usually require a master’s degree and the appropriate licensing examination to become a state-licensed mental health counselor or professional counselor.
- Training and Development Specialist: Training and development specialists create, plan, and administer training programs for businesses and organizations to improve employee skills and organizational performance. While you may enter this field with a bachelor’s degree, many employers prefer to hire master’s degree holders with training management or talent development certifications.
- Survivor Advocate: These advocates use their crisis intervention, advocacy, and case management skills to assist survivors of crime. They help clients find needed resources and accompany them through criminal justice proceedings. Earning a master’s degree and certification in survivor assistance or advocacy can qualify you for more advanced positions.
Salary and Job Outlook for Graduates of Master’s in Psychology Programs
The overall employment outlook for graduates of online master’s in psychology is promising, although earnings depend on several factors, including years of experience, type of employer, and location. Median salaries for the most common psychology careers employing master’s degree graduates range from $53,000-$68,000 annually.
| Career | Employment (2023) | Median Annual Salary (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| School and Career Counselors | 360,800 | $65,140 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | 76,000 | $63,780 |
| Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | 449,800 | $59,190 |
| Training and Development Specialists | 420,100 | $65,850 |
| Human Resources Specialists | 933,700 | $72,910 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology Master’s Degrees
Graduate-level counseling and psychology programs both emphasize assessment and treatment plans. However, there are some key differences. A master’s in psychology degree focuses on behavioral research, psychopathology, and cognitive processes. Yet, a master’s in counseling degree might focus on community mental health, social justice, research, and the socio-emotional well-being of individuals, families, and groups.
A master of arts in psychology rests on a strong liberal arts foundation, while a master of science focuses on the scientific method and empirical investigation. The MA emphasizes cultural and social approaches to clinical and counseling psychology, while the MS provides training in research methodology, statistics, and evidence-based inquiry.
In most psychology fields, you need a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. degree to use the title of psychologist and practice as a licensed psychologist. However, you may qualify for a position as an industrial-organizational psychologist or a sports psychologist without earning a doctorate. Master’s degree-holders find employment in various settings, including counseling, social services, human resources, and criminal justice.
Both the MA and the MS in psychology require approximately 60 credits and take around two years of full-time study. The curriculum covers counseling applications, theory and methods, diagnosis, assessment and treatment, and ethics. Most programs require a fieldwork or internship component.
Gaining admission into a master’s in psychology has become increasingly competitive. At the best schools, the number of applications greatly exceeds the number of admitted students. A strong undergraduate record in science, math, and writing strengthens your chances for admission. A GPA above 3.5 and upper-tier GRE scores give you a competitive edge. Clinical, research, and volunteer experience can also distinguish you from other applicants.
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