Best Online Master’s Degrees in Psychology
Master’s degrees in psychology help prepare students for advanced study in one of today’s most popular and important disciplines. Learn how these programs work, and how online learning from top schools can move your career forward.
Psychologists play key roles in a variety of careers, from mental health counseling to brain research to marketing. A top-notch education is the first step toward attaining a satisfying, well-paying psychology career. We’ve compiled the best in class of online psychology master’s degree programs to help you get started on your search for a high quality psychology education for the 2024-2025 school year.
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Public
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Private
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, Indiana
Private
Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America
Santa Fe Springs, California
Private
Bay Path University
Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Private
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota
Public
Adams State University
Alamosa, Colorado
Public
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi
Public
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Private
Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, Colorado
Private
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Private
California Institute of Integral Studies
San Francisco, California
Private
Tiffin University
Tiffin, Ohio
Private
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Public
University of Southern Maine
Portland, Maine
Public
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Private
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Private
Ferrum College
Ferrum, Virginia
Private
Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas
Public
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Waxahachie, Texas
Private
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
Public
University of West Alabama
Livingston, Alabama
Public
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, Indiana
Public
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
Private
Marian University
Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin
Private
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Providence, Rhode Island
Private
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, Texas
Public
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Public
Brescia University
Owensboro, Kentucky
Private
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Public
Baker College
Owosso, Michigan
Private
Texas A&M University-Central Texas
Killeen, Texas
Public
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Public
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, California
Public
Missouri State University-Springfield
Springfield, Missouri
Public
National Louis University
Chicago, Illinois
Private
Indiana Institute of Technology
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Private
Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas
Public
Touro College
New York, New York
Private
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, Illinois
Public
American International College
Springfield, Massachusetts
Private
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, Florida
Private
In Focus: The Online Master’s Degree in Psychology
Psychology students should be no strangers to careful research and assessment before drawing conclusions. This practice applies to choosing the right online psychology master’s program, too. Getting familiar with program curricula, available specializations, learning outcomes, cost and other important factors before applying to a program is key to finding the right program for you. These questions and answers can help you weigh your options and make an informed decision.
What do you learn in an online master’s program in psychology?
Because studies in psychology can be applied to a wide range of careers and advanced degrees and areas of study, there can be significant variety in online psychology master’s degree program content. However, many programs have core learning outcomes courses and areas of focus that students can generally expect to see or experience in their program, such as behavior analysis, practical application of theory and developing research plans.
Each program is different, but there’s a good chance that students will be exposed to these common learning outcomes in their psychology master’s degree programs:
- Research practices and techniques: In-class study of social science and behavioral science research techniques, including research design and quantitative and qualitative methods, can be put into practice during internships, culminating research projects and professional research work.
- Clear communication: Strong written and oral communication skills are used to clearly communicate and explain complex psychological concepts to peers, researchers and clients.
- Ethics in psychological practice and research: A solid understanding of common and difficult ethical dilemmas and best practices in psychology can serve students throughout their research, clinical and consulting careers.
- Creative thinking and problem solving: Whether in marketing, behavioral analysis, social services, clinical counseling or other psychology roles, assessing problems and working through them to find solutions is key.
- Theory and application: A variety of psychological theories may be explored along with how those theories may be applied in different practical settings, like clinical practice and marketing. These can vary by specialization.
Common Master’s Courses in Psychology
What specializations are available for a psychology master’s?
Psychology master’s degree programs are excellent for delving deeper into psychology related topics that interest you. Master’s degrees are available for general psychology, but those looking to specialize their studies to pursue specific career paths can look for schools that offer specialized tracks and programs of study for psychology students.
How long it takes to earn your online master’s degree in psychology
Online master’s degrees in psychology can typically be completed in about two years, although some programs offer accelerated tracks, giving students the option to earn their degree in a little over a year. Students who want a lighter per-term course load can expect their degree to take longer. Certain specialties and tracks that prepare students for professional certifications can take longer to complete as well. Keep in mind that not all degree programs offer both full-time and part-time options.
Some schools require students to finish their psychology master’s within a certain period of time, like five years, so be sure to check with your program when determining the right course load for you. Also consider how long your capstone or any required internships and practica might take, as this can extend your degree’s completion time.
Can you get into an online psychology master’s program?
Admissions requirements for psychology master’s degree programs can vary by school, but there are typically some common requirements to look for:
- A 4-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school
- An application with an application fee
- Transcripts showing coursework and GPA
- Minimum GPA requirements
A 3.0 is a common minimum GPA requirement for online psychology master’s programs, but this can vary, so be sure to check for school- and program-specific requirements. In addition, psychology programs may only allow you to apply after you’ve been accepted at the institutional level and have taken a specified number of courses. This means you would need to apply to the school and submit a separate application to your master’s program.
If you don’t have a background in psychology, you may be required to take foundational courses in areas like statistics, research methods and general psychology before being fully admitted into an online psychology master’s program. Some programs also require GRE scores and letters of recommendation, so be sure to check application requirements in advance so you have time to gather all of the necessary materials.
The cost of an online master’s in psychology
Multiple factors can affect the cost of an online master’s in psychology. The per-credit price tends to hover between $450 and $650, but financial aid, program location and your course load can all have an impact on the bottom-line cost of earning your degree.
Prospective students should be sure to check whether or not their online psychology program differentiates between in-state and out-of-state students. Some schools have separate price tiers, even for online programs.
Here’s a sample of online master’s in psychology program costs:
Can you earn an online master’s degree completely online?
Most online master’s degree programs have required internship or practica components that give students hands-on experience in applied research or applied psychology. These typically must be completed in-person but do not necessarily require campus visits. However, some programs do require residencies, where students must complete some of their credit hours in person with other members of their cohort. Students may also need to present their culminating research or capstone projects in person at their school’s campus.
Does an online master’s in psychology prepare you for state licensure?
Some online psychology master’s programs prepare students to sit for state licensure exams, but not all of them. Because licensure requirements vary by state, it’s difficult for online programs to build their curricula around every state’s requirements. However, some indicate which licenses their programs focus on and which states accept their curricula. Students looking for licensure preparation should read program descriptions carefully, as they will indicate whether or not the program prepares for state licensure.
How to Fund Your Online Master’s in Psychology
Before enrolling in an online psychology program, students should make sure they have a solid plan for financing their education. Costs can vary between programs and specializations within the same school, so careful research can help, as can taking advantage of financial aid resources on and off campus.
Accreditation for Online Master’s Degrees in Psychology
Students should make sure the school offering their psychology master’s degree is accredited. Attending an accredited school is important for psychology students who may need to have an accredited education in order to pursue licensure or apply for advanced degrees.
Accreditation is an optional review process that assesses a school’s quality and efficacy based on a board-determined set of standards. Accreditation can be institutional or programmatic. While there is no widely recognized accrediting body for psychology degrees at the master’s level, students can check to see if the school offering the program is regionally accredited at the institutional level. Regional accreditation by CHEA is one of the most widely recognized forms of accreditation in higher education.
What’s Next? After Your Master’s in Psych
Because master’s level work in psychology goes deeper than undergraduate study and allows for specialization, an online master’s in psychology can lead to a huge variety of careers. Those who want to pursue clinical practice will need to take state licensure exams, but plenty of other career paths are also available to those who want to use their psychology knowledge outside of clinical practice and aren’t seeking licensure.
What can you do with an online master’s in psychology?
While a bachelor’s in psychology can provide a good foundation in psychology theory and practice, many more career options open up with a psychology master’s degree. As more people and industries realize the significant role psychology plays in health, education, workplace efficiency and social services, psychology careers will continue to be in demand. Between 2018 and 2028, psychology careers across all specializations are expected to increase 14 percent, which is considerably faster than the national average.
Specific demand will depend on your specialty, research and work experience, location and prospective industry. For instance, industrial and organizational psychology is a growing field, but because of the high number of qualified candidates, competition for jobs will likely be tight. On the other side, an aging population lends good opportunities for psychologists who work with the elderly, and those professionals are expected to be in high demand.
Because job prospects for psychologists are generally good, there are many different career and educational paths students can research and explore.
What can you earn with a psychology master’s?
The earning potential for those with master’s degrees in psychology is wide-ranging and depends on specialty, location and experience. In general, earnings for psychology and related careers are good, and high wages can be had in unexpected places. Clinical, counseling and school psychologists, for instance, can find the highest paying positions at child day cares centers.
The following table can give an idea of the variance in earnings for different areas of psychology.
| Career | Median National Annual Salary (2019) | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologist | $78,200 | $45,240 | $132,670 |
| Industrial / Organizational Psychologists | $92,880 | $51,080 | $197,700 |
| Forensic Psychologist* | $101,790 | $46,100 | $129,530 |
*Salary information from BLS entry: “Psychologists, All Other”
Continuing Education & Related Degrees
Psychology programs attract people with a wide range of academic and professional interests, but it might not be the best fit for everyone. Whether you’re looking to further your career with more in-depth study, pivot into a related field or explore psychology-adjacent academic programs, there are plenty of degrees to consider. The options below may be better suited to your goals and interests.
Continuing Education for Master’s Graduates
Students and professionals looking to advance their education to pursue psychology research and education careers or further their expertise for clinical applications may consider enrolling in a psychology PhD program. This terminal, research-oriented degree lends opportunities to gain in-depth knowledge on specific topics in psychology, such as cognitive psychology or counseling psychology.
A PsyD can be an excellent option for psychology professionals who want to advance their knowledge and skills for professional practice. Like the PhD, the PsyD is a terminal doctoral degree, but rather than a strong focus on research and theory, the PsyD tends to take a hands-on approach and focuses on practical applications.
Related Degrees to Check Out
Students who are interested in working with communities and vulnerable populations may consider earning a master’s degree in social work. These programs tend to incorporate psychological theory and practice but may focus more heavily on advocacy, inciting systemic change, client management and connecting populations to community and government resources to make sure their needs are met and their issues are addressed.
A master’s in counseling can be a great degree for students who want to learn how to help clients work through their problems and make positive behavior changes. Counseling programs often contain elements of psychological study, but they may focus less on why a person feels or behaves in a certain way and more on the actionable solutions and improvements that can alleviate those feelings and behaviors.
