A bachelor’s degree in psychology is a great way to begin your academic journey leading to a career as a professional psychologist. But to take the next big career step, you’ll need a master’s degree. And there’s no more convenient and affordable way to earn your master’s than through a quality, accredited Georgia online master’s in psychology program.
Before choosing your program, though, there are plenty of questions you’ll need to answer, like:
- Which specialization in the field of psychology do I want to pursue as a career?
- How do I find the online master’s in psychology in Georgia that best meets my academic interests and professional goals?
- What are the elements that make an online degree program the best choice in terms of cost, study convenience, academic content, and student support?
- Is a license required in Georgia to practice in my chosen psychology field? If so, will I need to continue my studies and earn a doctorate to qualify?
- What will the job market look like for me once I’ve earned my psychology master’s?
This guide will help you answer all of these questions and more. So, if you’re ready to turn that dream of becoming a psychology professional into reality, keep reading to discover how you can do it by earning one of the best online master’s in psychology in Georgia today.
Spotlighting GA’s Top Online Psychology Master’s Programs
One way to learn what to expect in your psychology master’s studies is to take a look at what top programs offer. We’ve surveyed available online master’s in psychology programs in Georgia and spotlighted three of the best below. We considered a number of important program elements, such as accreditation, affordability, quality faculty and curriculum, study convenience, and the availability of student support services. Here’s who’s leading the way in online psychology master’s programs in Georgia for 2024.
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia in Athens offers three specialized options for its online Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Psychology degree. All three options are offered entirely online. Program lengths may vary, but most students will complete their studies in about two to three years of part-time study.
First, the MEd in Educational Psychology – Applied Cognition & Development (34 credits) is designed for students interested in how human cognitive, developmental, and motivational processes impact education and practice. Students also select a secondary focus in development of high intellectual capability, qualitative approaches to education, learning with technology, or learning across the lifespan.
Meanwhile, the MEd Educational Psychology – Gifted & Creative Education (37 credits) looks at the methods of nurturing and developing creativity and giftedness through research, instruction, and service. Finally, UGA’s MEd in Educational Psychology – Quantitative Methodology (34 credits) provides students with advanced knowledge and skills in all aspects of qualitative methods to become effective practitioners of statistics, psychometrics, measurement, and assessment.
Wesleyan College
Wesleyan College is a private, women’s college located in Macon. You do not have to be a woman, however, to be admitted into its hybrid-format Master of Arts (MA) in Industrial-Organizational Psychology program. The program is offered in a “fast-track” format in which students complete two classes (one full-term and two half-term) each semester allowing them to earn their degrees in 18 months.
All courses are available in hybrid format with students attending one in-person class weekly on Tuesday nights, except during the summer session when classes are online. As part of the curriculum, students complete practicum/internship experiences with program-affiliated businesses and agencies in the local community area.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree and evidence of preparation for graduate-level study in the form of either GRE scores or an academic paper written for a prior course. Other application submittals include a statement of purpose, current resume or CV, and two letters of recommendation. The current estimated total program cost (tuition and fees) is $22,250.
University of West Georgia
Study convenience and flexibility are key features of the Master of Arts in Psychology program offered by the University of West Georgia. With an emphasis on diversity and student interaction, the program takes a humanistic psychology approach that integrates theoretical and historical foundations, experiential applications and dimensions, and self-reflection and personal growth.
The curriculum is primarily in person and students can complete all degree requirements entirely face-to-face by attending classes on UWG’s Carrollton campus. Depending on the specific courses selected, students have the option to take some courses fully or partially online and can tailor their studies to focus on an area of concentration.Full-time and part-time study is available, students can select a thesis or non-thesis option.
Another major feature of UGA’s MA in Psychology program is its affordable public university tuition rates. Waivers for out-of-state residents are available, as are assistantship opportunities for qualifying students.
Exploring Georgia’s Different Online Psych Master’s Programs
Traditional Psychology Master’s in Georgia
To accommodate working students with full-time jobs, online master’s programs are typically offered either exclusively part-time or with a part-time option. It’s not uncommon, though, for programs to offer full-time study options as well, often in the form of self-paced coursework. Examples include the two programs linked below. Students in online psychology master’s programs in Georgia should expect to invest two years (or longer if writing a thesis) to complete a full-time program; see below for some exceptions.
Noteworthy Traditional Psychology Master’s Programs:
No-GRE Psychology Master’s in Georgia
In the past, taking a standardized graduate school admissions exam such as the GRE was practically a given. That’s no longer the case, though, with many schools (including the University of Georgia and Wesleyan College programs spotlighted above) taking a more holistic approach to admissions and making submittal of GRE scores optional. Other online master’s in psychology programs in Georgia, like the two mentioned below, have no GRE requirements. Just remember that if your program allows the option of submitting GRE scores, only do so if your scores are high enough to clearly boost your chances of acceptance.
Noteworthy No-GRE Psychology Master’s Programs:
Accelerated Psychology Master’s in Georgia
When it comes to college degree programs, the term “accelerated” can mean a number of things. Most often, it’s used to designate a program that allows students to complete their studies at an accelerated pace, meaning a shorter than usual total program length. This may be accomplished by taking more courses each semester or including summer sessions, along with typical fall and spring semesters.
If you are seeking an accelerated format for your online master’s in psychology program, however, you’ll likely need to look outside of Georgia’s borders. The lone possible exception is Wesleyan College’s Industrial Organizational MA program, spotlighted above, described as “fast-track” and completed in 18 months.
Noteworthy Accelerated Psychology Master’s Program:
Part-Time Psychology Master’s in Georgia
As you might have guessed by now, part-time formats are by far the most common for online master’s in psychology programs in Georgia, as well as the most popular format with their students. There are a number of factors that can impact total completion times for part-time programs, including the specific field or concentration track, clinical hour requirements, and thesis requirements. Except for thesis completion, most Georgia online psychology master’s students will likely finish all degree requirements with two or three years of part-time study.
Noteworthy Part-Time Psychology Master’s Programs:
What You Can Do with a Psychology Master’s Degree in Georgia
There’s a variety of subfields within the larger field of professional psychology practice. As a result, there’s a wide variety of occupations for psychology master’s degree holders as well. Many specific jobs, particularly those requiring state licensure, require a doctoral degree. But there are also lots of high-quality positions open to those with psychology master’s degree, too.
We’ve listed below three occupations commonly filled by master’s in psychology degree holders, along with current Georgia salary data from the U.S. Department of Labor for each. Keep in mind that what you’ll actually earn in your psychology job will depend on factors such as your specific job title and employer, geographic location, and level of professional psychology work experience.
Child, School, or Family Social Worker
Child, school, and family social workers provide assistance and services aimed at improving the personal and academic wellbeing of children in a wide variety of circumstances and settings. Specific services often include assisting with adoption arrangements, finding foster homes for abused and abandoned children, providing counseling for delinquency, truancy, teen pregnancy, and more. Common job titles include, case worker, case manager, child protective services social worker, school social worker, and youth services specialist.
| Career | 10th Percentile Pay | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
Social Worker | $36,910 | $55,180 | $74,920 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage and family therapists provide counseling services to individuals, couples, families, and their loved ones to help improve their mental health and relationships. MFTs often treat clinical issues such as depression, anxiety, and other individual psychological problems, as well as child-parent and marital problems. MFTs are typically employed in hospitals and clinics, substance abuse treatment centers, and in private practice.
| Career | 10th Percentile Pay | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
Marriage and Family Therapist | $41,400 | $57,870 | $104,430 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Substance Abuse or Mental Health Counselor
Substance abuse counselors (aka addiction counselors) provide professional care and treatment to patients suffering from substance abuse disorders (drug and alcohol abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders). Behavioral disorder and mental health counselors focus on providing treatment for a range of behavioral and mental health issues (depression, anxiety, anger management, eating disorders, etc.) to improve mental and emotional wellbeing.
| Career | 10th Percentile Pay | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
Substance Abuse or Mental Health Counselor | $31,990 | $48,290 | $80,020 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Psychologist Licensing in Georgia: Steps & Considerations
Obtaining a standard psychologist license in Georgia, as in almost all other U.S. jurisdictions, requires a doctoral degree in psychology. However, there are several psychology-related occupations below that require only a master’s degree for licensure to practice in the state.
Marriage and Family Therapist
There are two types of MFT licensure in Georgia. Applicants may first apply for an Associate MFT license, which requires a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or related subject with equivalent coursework, including a one-year practicum (minimum 500 hours of direct clinical experience), a registered contract to gain post-graduate supervision and experience, and passing the Board-approved MFT exam. Requirements for obtaining a Marriage and Family Therapy License include completing all AMFT license requirements and a total of three years (two years for AMFT license holders) of post-master’s clinical experience.
Social Worker
There are also two types of social worker licensure in Georgia: Master Social Worker (MSW) and Clinical Social Worker (CSW). Both licenses require a master’s degree in social work or related discipline and passing the Board-approved social worker exam. Once these qualifications are met, an applicant may be issued their Master of Social Work license. Obtaining a Clinical Social Worker license requires meeting all requirements for MSW licensure plus completing 120 hours over three years of supervised post-master’s professional experience.
Professional Counselor
There are also two types of professional counselor licensure in Georgia. The Associate Professional Counselor license requires a master’s degree in counseling or applied psychology that includes a minimum 600 supervised internship or practicum hours, obtaining a contract for post-master’s clinical experience, and passing the Board-approved competency exam. The Professional Counselor license requires meeting all of the requirements for the Associate Professional Counselor license and four years (or three years if master’s internship or practicum hours are completed) of post-master’s supervised professional counseling experience.
Obtaining a School Psychologist Professional Certificate in Georgia requires, among other things, completion of a specialist or doctoral degree. However, individuals with a master’s in school psychology can, in some cases, obtain a Non-Renewable Professional Certificate that is valid for three years. The Non-Renewable Certificate allows its holder the time to complete a specialist or doctoral degree program and obtain the full Professional Certificate.
For more on psychology licensing and practice in Georgia, visit the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists website.
Budgeting for Success: Funding Your Online Psychology Master’s in Georgia
A major concern of any prospective college student is how to pay for their education. There’s no way around the fact that college is expensive. But cost doesn’t have to be prohibitive. By combining an affordable degree program with the right funding plan, earning a psychology master’s in Georgia is within financial reach. Of course, your funding plan will likely include financial aid. The good news is that the full range of financial aid resources is available to qualifying online Georgia master’s in psychology students. Resources include scholarships, fellowships and assistantships, employer tuition assistance, work-study, student loans, and more.
To give you an idea of what you might expect to pay for your online master’s in psychology in Georgia, we’ve listed the current tuition costs for three programs discussed in this guide. As for funding, a great place to start your financial aid search is on the Georgia Student Finance Commission website.
Potential Cost an Online Psychology Master’s Degree in Georgia
| School | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Estimated Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
34 | $650 | $22,100 | |
34 | $629 | $21,386 | |
33 | $241 – $935 | $7,953 – $30,855 |
Common Questions About Georgia’s Online Psychology Master’s Programs
How do online master’s in psychology programs in Georgia assess applicants, and what factors are considered during the selection process?
Specific admissions requirements for online master’s in psychology programs in Georgia vary from school to school. You’ll find there are several foundational requirements that almost all programs share.
- Bachelor’s Degree
All Georgia psychology master’s programs require applicants to possess a bachelor’s degree earned through an accredited college or university. Most programs will accept bachelor’s degrees in any major with some exceptions. South College’s MS in Psychology program, for example, requires a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a closely related discipline. However, South College applicants with a non-psychology bachelor’s or who do not meet the minimum undergraduate GPA requirement (see below) may still be admitted conditionally and must complete three psychology courses with a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be fully admitted into the program. - Minimum GPA
In addition to having a bachelor’s degree, applicants to online master’s in psychology programs in Georgia must meet given minimum cumulative grade point averages on their undergraduate coursework. Specific minimums vary from 2.5 to 3.0. Schools like South College may also make accommodations for applicants not meeting stated minimums. - GRE/GMAT Scores
GRE or GMAT scores may or may not be required. Schools that do not require them may accept them optionally and consider them in their admissions selection process. - Other Common Application Requirements
You can also expect schools to require submittal of one or more of the following: letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a current resume. Applicants who pass the initial screening process may also be asked to interview with members of the selection committee.
What are the common specializations for online psychology master’s programs in Georgia?
As mentioned earlier, there are several specialized areas in the larger psychology field where you can focus your master’s studies. Some of the most popular include clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, and forensic psychology.
Those seeking online study in a Georgia psychology master’s program, however, will find their specialization options limited to only a few, such as Wesleyan College’s MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and the University of Georgia’s MEd in Educational Psychology. And students in UWG’s MA in Psychology program can tailor their study for specializations in Pedagogy (for those interested in teaching) Pre-Clinical or Pre-Doctoral (for student preparing to earn a psychology doctorate), and several others.
How long will finishing my master’s in psychology degree in Georgia online take?
The time it will take you to earn your online master’s in psychology in Georgia will depend on several factors, including total number of semester or quarter credits, study pace (full-time, part-time), and thesis completion if required. Each program is different, and requirements can affect completion time.
For example, Wesleyan College’s MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology is designed to be completed with only 18 months of part-time study, while part-time students in one of the University of Georgia’s fully-online MEd in Educational Psychology programs, or in UWG’s MA in Psychology program may spend up to three years or more completing all degree requirements.
Are there fully online psychology master’s programs available in GA, or is campus attendance required?
Fully online study for a master’s in psychology in Georgia is limited to South College’s MS in Psychology program and the three specialized areas of study available in the MEd in Educational Psychology program offered by the University of Georgia. For all other programs, campus attendance is required but may differ.
For example, on-campus attendance in the Industrial-Organizational MA program at Wesleyan College is limited to a single evening class each week, while students in the MA in Psychology program at UWG will attend the bulk of their classes on-campus with the option of completing some coursework either fully or partially online.
Are psychology internships or practicums required in online master’s programs in Georgia?
Field experiences such as internships and practicums offer students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on practice in their chosen psychology field. Some, but not all, online master’s programs in psychology in Georgia include practicum experiences. In most cases, completion of a practicum experience is part of programs in areas of the psychology field that require state licensure for practice.
Examples of Georgia online psychology master’s programs with practicum requirements include the Pedagogy and Pre-Clinical specializations in the MA in Psychology program at the University of West Georgia, the MEd in Educational Psychology – Gifted & Creative Education program at the University of Georgia, and the MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology program at Wesleyan College.
Key Resources for Georgia Psychology Students and Professionals
- American Counseling Association of Georgia
The ACA of Georgia is a non-profit association representing professional counselors and counseling students in all specialty fields working or residing in Georgia. Membership benefits include participation in professional development and networking events held throughout the state. Membership in the ACA of Georgia is free, but you must be a member of the national association. - Georgia Association for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (GAIOP)
The GAIOP is an organization of hundreds of Georgia professionals in the industrial-organizational psychology field. School Scholarship membership is free and available to undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in I-O psychology degree programs. Student benefits include workshops, networking opportunities, and more. - Georgia Psychological Association (GPA)
State affiliate of the American Psychological Association. The GPA offers a wide variety of benefits and resources to support the academic and professional pursuits of its members. Full membership requires a doctorate in psychology, but student memberships are available to undergraduate and graduate students taking psychology courses. - Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
State of Georgia agency that oversees the professional practice of psychologists working in the state. The Board administers professional licensure of psychologists in a range of specializations, including clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work, and more. - Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology
An affiliate of both the Association of College Honor Societies and the APA, Psy Chi is an organization of students and others dedicated to recognizing excellence in psychology scholarship and the support of the academic and professional pursuits of its members. Psi Chi chapters are currently in operation on over 30 college and university campuses in Georgia, including the University of Georgia and Wesleyan College.