The psychology field gives you the opportunity to work with individuals, groups, companies to create positive outcomes through the understanding of human behavior. Besides the typical counseling and therapy careers you might expect, psychology degree holders often find careers in consumer research, forensics, and human resources. Earning a master’s degree in psychology online is a flexible way to make all of these professional options possible, including becoming licensed to clinically treat others depending on state-specific requirements.
But how do you find a program that matches your career goals, budget, and learning preferences? This guide can help you find the right online master’s in psychology. Start with our ranking of the top online programs in 2024 and continue on to explore program details, specializations, financial aid, and more.
Best Online Master’s Degrees in Psychology for 2024
Unlock the mysteries of the mind with the best online master’s degree programs in psychology for 2024. Whether you aspire to delve into research, counseling, or organizational psychology, our rankings addresses your concerns about program quality, accreditation, and costs.
Western Michigan University offers an MA in Industrial Organizational Behavior Management for students with backgrounds in psychology. This program focuses on training students in behavior analysis to address organizational improvement needs in a variety of industries. Students choose between two tracks: a practicum option, preparing them for immediate workforce entry, and a thesis option, designed for those planning to pursue doctoral studies. This program combines practical experience with academic rigor, making it ideal for career advancement or further academic pursuits. Applicants need bachelor’s degrees with a minimum of 18 credit hours in psychology coursework.
Program Highlights:
Master of Arts in Industrial Organizational Behavior Management
- Credits: 36
- Length: Two years
- Mode: Hybrid
- Accreditation: HLC
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
Tiffin University’s fully online MS in Psychology can be completed in just 18 months. The program curriculum covers key areas of knowledge in the field, like developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, and neuropsychology. At Tiffin, each course in the psychology MS was developed by and is taught by faculty members with PhDs in the field. After graduation, students are qualified to teach psychology at most colleges or to obtain doctoral degrees. This program has exceptional flexibility, including the option to take a break if needed, which makes it suitable for students balancing various commitments.
Program Highlights:
Master of Science in Psychology
- Credits: 37
- Length: 18 months
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: HLC
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
The Master’s in Applied Psychology from Liberty University offers a flexible and fast path to a master’s degree. Each course is available online in an accelerated 8-week format, so students can graduate in just 18 months. Students learn to apply psychological theories in diverse settings, including schools, corporations, and clinical environments as non-licensed counselors. Students choose from four unique specializations: general psychology, developmental psychology, industrial/organized psychology, and public mental health. Each course is presented from a faith-based, Christian worldview, making it ideal for those in search of an education that aligns with their spiritual values.
Program Highlights:
Master’s in Applied Psychology
- Credits: 36
- Length: 18 months
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | WSCUC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | WSCUC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NWCCU |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | WSCUC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | ABHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NWCCU |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NWCCU |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Inside 3 Accredited Online Psychology Master’s Programs
Choosing to enroll in an online master’s in psychology program brings up lots of questions. What types of courses will I take? Which areas can I specialize in? How long will it take to finish? And how much will it all cost? To help you answer these questions and give you a better idea of what to expect as a grad student, we’ve spotlighted three quality online psychology master’s programs.
Fort Hays State University (FHSU)
Fort Hays State University offers many academic programs in the field of psychology. At the master’s level, two of them are offered online. These include the Master of Science (M.S.) in clinical psychology and the online school psychology program.
The M.S. in clinical psychology consists of 62 credits, 15 of which are for practicum and internship academic credit. Most of the other degree requirements can be completed online. However, students must also complete five-day workshops during two summer semesters. Most students can complete their degree in two years, after finishing four semesters of coursework and two semesters of internship. Upon completion, graduates will be eligible for licensure in the state of Kansas.
The online school psychology program is similar to the M.S. in clinical psychology in that most classes can be completed online, although students will need to complete one five-day on-campus workshop. This program offers the M.S. and the education specialist (Ed.S.) academic credentials.
Saint Leo University
The Saint Leo University online master’s in psychology allows students to take advanced courses in psychology on a wide range of subjects and topics. In addition to classes on psychology topics, like social development and psychotherapy, students will also gain research and data analysis skills.
Students must complete 36 credits to earn their degree. Each class consists of no more than 15 students, which maximizes the attention and time faculty can provide. Students will complete their coursework during one eight-week class at a time.
The final academic requirement consists of a capstone project. Students will choose a research topic that interests them, conduct the research, then collect and analyze the data. This project will allow the chance to demonstrate what they’ve learned, including ethics, statistical analysis, and writing skills.
This program does not contain an internship component. Therefore, on its own, it will not prepare students for licensure.
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho’s master’s in psychology human factors degree program looks at human motivation and behavior from both a physical and psychological perspective. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on research, with a hybrid of psychology and engineering theories and principles. Potential classes in this degree program may include:
- Engineering Psychology
- Sensation and Perception
- Research Methods
- Cognitive Psychology
- Ergonomics and Biomechanics
Students can customize their degree in two ways: They can complete a thesis or take a comprehensive exam, or they can focus their research on any number of specializations, such as:
- Computer security
- Advanced displays for aviation and process control
- Human-computer interaction
- Physiological indicators of stress and workload
- Sound perception
The curriculum can be completed either on-campus or fully online. However, many students will choose to complete an internship to gain valuable real-world experience. Students often find positions working in the research or engineering fields after they graduate.
Find Online Psychology Master’s Programs in Your State
Common Qualities of the Best Online Psychology Master’s Programs
The best online master’s in psychology program for one individual may not be the best program for someone else. Yet there are certain similarities that the best programs usually share. When deciding among online master’s degree programs in psychology, it’s a good idea to look for programs that have accreditation.
Accreditation: Proper accreditation ensures that the degree you’ve earned meets certain quality standards. This means it will be recognized by others, including other schools, employers, and financial aid providers. To find out if a school of interest is accredited, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Student Support Services: The best psychology masters programs online offer students programs and experiences to receive the support they need, whether it’s support with learning technology, internships, help with program requirements, or whatever else a student might need. Even though you are attending your program online, you should look for a school that supports its online students as much as it supports their students attending campus programs.
Hands-on Learning and Internships: Any online master’s in psychology program you are considering attending should have a robust internship and hands-on learning component. Students should have the opportunity to participate in active, in-person and live video chat seminars, workshops, demonstrations, and more. Students should also have the chance to take what they’ve learned in class and apply those lessons and experiences to clinical and internship opportunities.
Why Earn an Online Master’s in Psychology?
A master’s degree in psychology offers a well-rounded education that can prepare students for a variety of positions in many different fields, even those unrelated to psychology. It can also begin the academic training needed to become a counselor, psychologist, or therapist. There are several advantages that come with earning an online master’s degree in psychology.
Convenient Learning
Many online psychology programs at the master’s level are 100% online. That means no on-campus visits or other in-person requirements are needed to graduate. Students not only have the flexibility to learn from home, but due to the asynchronous nature of most curriculums, they can complete their coursework at their chosen pace as well as at a time of day that’s most convenient for them.
Licensing
Each state has its own requirements to become a licensed therapist, counselor, or psychologist. In most states, a graduate degree is required. Sometimes it needs to be a doctorate. Sometimes it can be a master’s degree that’s required before a professional can start seeing clients or using certain professional titles.
Specialize
One of the biggest ways graduate degrees stand out is the opportunity to specialize. The curriculum of a bachelor’s degree focuses on introducing the basic concepts, while the master’s degree allows students to not just learn high-level concepts, but spend time concentrating on an area of specialization.
What You’ll Learn in a Psychology Master’s Program
With so many options and choices available in online master’s degree in psychology programs, the curriculum in one school can vary significantly from that in another school. For example, one program will require a thesis, while another requires a capstone project or comprehensive exam. But there are still many similarities among programs in terms of classes.
Popular Courses
Psychology of Personality
This class will give students a better understanding of the basics of human motivation, thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Topics addressed include overviews of various psychological theories, like biological, behavioral, social-cognitive, and psychoanalytic. Students will also learn about assessment methodologies and how culture affects personality.
Diversity and Ethics
This class will use the APA Code of Ethics to create a solid understanding of ethical behavior in psychological research, testing, and treatment. It will also cover the importance of diversity in psychological studies and how personal biases can affect research results and the treatment of clients.
Experimental Methods
Psychology is research-heavy, which requires students to obtain extensive training in how to design, conduct, and analyze studies and experiments. This class covers these concepts, but also teaches students how to collect and interpret data, in addition to effectively conveying findings in scientific reports and articles.
Lifespan Development
The human mind changes over time, both through experiences and biological shifts. This course will examine the human brain over the lifespan and incorporate both classical theories and more recent research findings to explain how the brain changes over time.
Thesis
The thesis is a research project a student designs and carries out under the supervision of a faculty member. The process will take place over the course of the progression through the program. Students may start out learning the basics of thesis research through observation, then discuss potential topics with a faculty advisor. Finally, the student conducts the research, writes a paper, and defends the thesis before graduating.
Popular Specializations for Online Psychology Master’s Degrees
Many master’s programs will have several specializations available that will either provide the requisite academic training necessary to begin a career in psychology or lay the foundational groundwork for additional training, whether at the doctoral level or in real-world practice. Here’s a good overview of the specializations commonly found at the master’s level.
Clinical Psychology
The clinical psychology specialization starts the preparation process to become a licensed clinical psychologist. Depending on the program and state where the student wants to practice, the master’s degree will prepare them to start working with clients or prepare them for a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.
Learn more about earning your clinical psychology master’s online.
Counseling Psychology
One of the more popular specializations, this prepares students to work with clients who have mental health, family, or emotional challenges. The curriculum will include training in crisis intervention, psychological assessment of specific disorders, and trauma management. Students can also focus on a sub-specialty, such as substance abuse, mental health, or family counseling.
Learn more about earning your master’s in counseling psychology online.
Educational Psychology
This branch of psychology studies children in an educational setting to help develop, enhance, and streamline teaching and learning methods, cognitive development, aptitude assessment, and learning outcomes.
Learn more about earning your online master’s in educational psychology.
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology combines psychology and the criminal justice system. By completing this specialization, students will learn the science behind the mind of key figures in the legal setting, such as witnesses and defendants. Classes will address topics like social psychology, human motivation, courtroom psychology, and courtroom procedures.
Health Psychology
As we learn more about the human body, the mind-body connection, and social determinants of health, the emerging field of health psychology prepares graduates for roles that positively influence those choices and foster the body’s full potential. For students who are passionate about psychology, public health, and mental and physical health, a master’s in health psychology online prepares you to impact health policy on a local, state, national, or even international basis.
Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology
The I/O psychology concentration examines psychological principles and theories that apply to the workplace. Classes will cover talent identification, employee motivation, group dynamics, and human personality. This specialization is perfect for students who wish to work in human resources or another personnel development field.
Learn more about earning your online master’s in industrial organizational psychology.
Neuropsychology
This branch of psychology focuses on studying the intersection between brain functioning, mental processes, and behavior. Neuropsychology is a great field for someone interested in a traditional scientific approach to human patterns and behavior.
Social Psychology
This concentration examines the behaviors of individuals and groups by focusing on the feelings, thoughts, attitudes, and cultures of the individuals and group. The goal of this specialization is to not just gain an increased understanding of how people think and interact, but also what changes can be made to improve society as a whole.
Learn more about earning your online master’s in social psychology.
What You Can Do with a Master’s Degree in Psychology
While most counseling and clinical psychologist positions will not be available to those with a master’s degree, there are many careers in psychology and therapy available. Some positions require the statistical and analytics training that comes with obtaining a master’s degree in psychology. All these positions can be found in private industry or practice, pay well, and often require an online master’s degree in psychology.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
These specialized psychologists take the theories and concepts of human psychology and apply them to the workplace. Industrial-organizational psychologists often work with companies and their human resource departments to improve the productivity and happiness of workers. An online master’s in psychology is needed to provide this type of advice to leaders of organizations.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
$45,860 | $219,810 | $197,700 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Mental Health Counselor
Mental health counselors work with individuals and groups to help them cope with mental health issues. These issues can include depression, grief, stress, and relationship concerns, among others. To become a mental health counselor, a master’s degree in mental health counseling or psychology is typically required.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
$36,700 | $53,710 | $89,920 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Family Therapist
The role of a family therapist is to help families deal with their relationship issues. This will involve having clients talk about their problems, helping them work through challenges, and referring them to other mental health professionals if necessary. Because helping clients can involve methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, graduate training that comes with completing an online master’s degree in psychology is extremely helpful.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
$39,090 | $58,510 | $104,710 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Survey Researcher
Survey researchers focus on designing and conducting surveys. They collect and analyze data and assess the effectiveness of their surveys. Having a solid understanding of statistics, probabilities, and carrying out research studies is imperative to succeed as a survey researcher. Much of the curriculum in a psychology master’s degree online program will teach these skills.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
$30,790 | $60,960 | $107,790 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts examine markets to determine the feasibility of successfully selling a product or service in those markets. They often help companies understand their customers, including how they think, what they want, and what motivates them. Given the psychological component to this work, an online master’s degree in psychology is very helpful.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
$40,040 | $74,680 | $137,040 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Costs and Financial Aid for Online Master’s Degrees in Psychology
The online master’s in psychology can be helpful for opening doors in the field of psychology, but it requires a notable amount of time, effort, and most importantly, money. To pay for this degree, most students will need financial assistance. Sources of financial aid include fellowships, scholarships, grants, student loans, work study, and even employer tuition assistance. To learn more about the financial aid possibilities to help you attend a psychology master’s program online, see our financial aid page.
How Affordable Your Online Master’s in Psychology Could Be
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Total Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
36 | $720 (est) | $25,920 | |
60 – 75 | $420 | $25,200 – $31,500 | |
36 | $565 (full-time) and $615 (part-time) | $20,340 (full-time) and $22,140 (part-time) |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psychology Master’s Degrees
Some programs will prepare students to become licensed psychologists or licensed psychotherapists, but it depends on state requirements and the program’s curriculum. If the program leads to licensure, it will typically contain in-person field work or internship requirements. As a result, these master’s in psychology programs cannot be completed fully online.
Another key point is that licensure at the master’s level does not lead to licensure as a clinical psychologist. Instead, it may be what some states call “Master’s Level Psychologists.” A doctoral degree (plus several years of training and passage of an exam) is required to become a full-fledged psychologist.
What are the admissions requirements for an online master’s in psychology?
Each program will establish its own admission requirements based on internal academic philosophies and the expectations required of students. However, psychology masters programs online will usually require applicants to submit the following:
- Official transcripts showing completion of bachelor’s degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA.
- Letter of intent or personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Application
- Application fee
- Curriculum vitae or resume
Some programs may also require applicants to submit GRE test scores, a writing sample, or have a prior bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field.
How long will it take to finish my master’s in psychology online?
The time it takes can vary widely. Many online master’s in psychology programs will consist of 30 to 60 credits, depending on the area of focus. Flexible learning options allow students to take courses on a full-time or part-time basis. While some full-time students can finish their degree in about a year, most students will take roughly two years.
Can I earn a master’s in psychology completely online or do I need to visit campus?
Some online master’s degree in psychology programs are fully online, allowing students to complete their program with no campus visits or field experiences required. Programs that offer the opportunity to focus on a sub-specialty in psychology, like clinical psychology, may have supervised internship or practicum curriculum requirements that must be completed in-person.