Are you eager to take the next step in your psychology career but have hesitations about graduate school? Perhaps you want to switch careers and become a psychologist but can’t take on-campus classes. Schools with online master’s in psychology in Michigan are helping busy adults like you take that next step through flexible programs that let you continue your career, spend time with your family, and balance other life responsibilities all while earning a graduate degree.
It’s normal to have questions about earning an online master’s in psychology in Michigan, whether it’s about how much you’ll pay for tuition, what you’ll earn after you graduate, the quality of online graduate programs, or which universities are best. Before you enroll in any online psychology master’s program in MI, it’s important to have all the information you need to make wise and confident decisions. This guide helps answer your questions, so you can make a wise and confident decision. Keep reading to start your journey towards earning an online master’s in psychology in Michigan today.
Spotlighting Michigan’s Best Online Psych Master’s Programs
Three of the top online master’s in psychology in Michigan with the affordability, flexibility, and student support you need to begin or advance your psychology career are spotlighted below. These top-rated Michigan schools with high-quality online master’s in psychology programs give you a standard for choosing the program that’s best for you.
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University’s Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Psychology Online features a variety of captivating courses on basic concepts in educational psychology, human development, and the mental health of educators. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAEP), the program’s 30 credit hours include a six-hour seminar in educational psychology and a final project. Students develop into effective educators within 20 months by examining the cognitive and social aspects of the learning process. This master’s comes in at an affordable $15,360 total for the degree.
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University offers both a practicum option and a thesis option in its Industrial Organizational Behavior Management (IOBM) MA program. Where the practicum option prepares students to enter the workforce after they graduate, the thesis option prepares them for doctoral training to pursue academic or research careers. Both options are offered in-person and hybrid. This MA program requires 36 credit hours that involve extensive applied experiences with a variety of companies ranging from small businesses to large corporations. GRE scores are required for acceptance, and applicants must have bachelor’s degrees with a minimum GPA of 3.0, 18 credit hours in psychology, and three credit hours in statistics.
Baker College
Baker College’s Industrial/Organizational Psychology empowers students to excel in human resources (HR). In this online Master of Science (MS) program, students learn to apply the principles of psychology to organizational success in any business, nonprofit, or government entity. This MS program is shorter than most with students earning the required 36 credit hours in two years on average. While this program does not prepare students to work as mental health professionals, it teaches the skills needed to excel in human resources by learning how people think and behave within workplace and professional settings. In addition to listening to lectures and reading and writing assignments, students are led by working professionals who teach them how to apply psychological principles to real-world situations.
Types of Psychology Master’s Degrees Available in Michigan
Traditional Online Psych Master’s Programs
Traditional online master’s in psychology programs in Michigan are designed for busy adults who want to boost their careers and specialize. Online learning gives master’s students in Michigan the flexibility to work within their busy schedules, whether they have career or family responsibilities. Traditional programs for an online master’s in psychology in Michigan typically take three to four years.
Michigan’s Notable Traditional Psychology Master’s Programs:
No-GRE Online Psych Master’s Programs
If you’re haunted by the idea of standardized tests or simply can’t afford to take the GRE, no-GRE online psychology graduate programs in Michigan might be right for you. Though these programs do not require the GRE for admission, expect accredited programs to be competitive and provide the same quality education as programs requiring the GRE.
Michigan’s Notable No-GRE Psychology Master’s Programs:
Accelerated Online Psych Master’s Programs
An accelerated online master’s in psychology in Michigan allows you to earn your psychology degree quicker than in other programs, often in a year or two. These graduate programs are fast-paced, and you still earn a quality education.
Michigan’s Notable Accelerated Psychology Master’s Programs:
Part-Time Online Psychology Master’s Programs in Michigan
Part-time online master’s in psychology in Michigan let you maintain your lifestyle while earning a quality education. These programs provide flexibility and accessibility to busy adults who want to advance their careers but cannot return to school full-time. While these programs are less common than traditional online programs, they have become more available as the demand for online education has grown in Michigan and nationwide. The length of these programs varies, but they can take twice as long as full-time programs to complete.
Michigan’s Notable Part-Time Psychology Master’s Programs:
Making a Difference in Michigan: Impactful Psychology Careers
When most people think of psychologists, they think of mental health counselors and therapists. However, an online master’s in psychology in Michigan leads to many other career opportunities, typically with a pay bump, as well. The degree primes graduates to elevate their careers and earn more money by working as forensic psychologists, social science researchers, psychiatric nurses, and industrial-organizational psychologists who work to improve employee well-being and organizational structures.
Graduates from online master’s in psychology work in Michigan’s mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, and even corporations and government agencies. A master’s degree in psychology allows graduates to target their desired areas of specialization, so they qualify for more advanced roles that make a bigger impact on people in the areas that matter most to them.
Mental Health Counselor
As a mental health counselor, you know how to read human behavior. Earning your master’s degree in psychology from an online program in Michigan equips you with the skills to understand the human mind to help people manage their mental health challenges.
| Career | 10th Percentile Pay | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
Mental Health Counselor | $36,700 | $53,710 | $89,920 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Earning an online graduate degree in industrial-organizational psychology allows you to improve organizations from within. You learn to apply psychological principles to the workplace with a focus on improving employee and organizational efficiency and well-being. Master’s programs in industrial-organizational psychology in Michigan teach you advanced principles in research methods, personnel assessment, and organizational behavior.
| Career | 10th Percentile Pay | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $45,860 | $147,420 | $219,810 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Forensic Psychologist
An online graduate degree in psychology prepares you to apply psychological principles to Michigan’s legal and criminal justice systems where you treat people with legal issues. By studying psychological assessments, legal processes, and criminal behavior, the degree prepares graduate students to excel in the field of forensic psychology.
| Career | 10th Percentile Pay | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
Forensic Psychologist | $47,450 | $117,750 | $157,420 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Steps to Obtaining Your Psychology License in Michigan
There’s more to becoming a licensed psychologist in Michigan than earning a master’s degree from an online graduate program. To obtain your license, you also need to meet specific educational and license requirements as directed by the State of Michigan.
First, you must complete 2,000 post-graduate supervised hours of clinical experience and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and background check. Then, you need to apply for licensure through the Michigan Board of Psychology by submitting academic transcripts, exam scores, and proof of supervised hours plus paying the required fees. The steps for obtaining a psychologist license in Michigan include:
- Earning bachelor’s and master’s psychology degrees.
- Completing 2,000 post-graduate, supervised hours.
- Passing the EPPP.
- Applying for licensure through the Michigan Board of Psychology.
Paying for Your Online Psychology Master’s Program in Michigan
Before you enroll in an online master’s in psychology in Michigan, research and understand the total financial commitments of earning a graduate psychology degree in the Great Lakes State. Creating a plan for your financial commitments and having financial aid lined up allows you to study without too many additional distractions.
While researching, find out what kinds of financial aid you are eligible for. Options include private and university scholarships, fellowships, grants, work-study, and employer tuition assistance. The University of Michigan, for example, offers two graduate awards that include the Center for Education of Women (CEW) Scholarship, and Michigan State University offers three internal opportunities for graduate students and provides a list of external funding resources. Fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – being sure to learn how to avoid any mistakes with your FAFSA – and read university websites to see what awards you may qualify for.
Tuition Comparison: Online Psychology Master’s in Michigan
| School | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Estimated Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
36 | $600 | $21,600 | |
48 | $868.75 | $41,700 | |
30 | $512 | $15,360 |
FAQs: Online Michigan Psychology Master’s Programs
Are specific prerequisites or qualifications needed for admission to an online master’s in psychology program in Michigan?
While admission requirements vary among universities, common criteria you can expect when you apply for an online master’s in psychology in Michigan include:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- A GPA of at least 3.0
- Letters of recommendations
- Personal essay or statement of purpose
- GRE scores
- A resume
- Academic transcripts that show completion of prerequisite courses
What are the common specializations for online psychology master’s programs in MI?
Because there’s a demand for psychologists in the U.S., earning a master’s degree in psychology from an accredited program in Michigan can qualify you for a variety of roles depending on your specialization. Specializations include clinical psychology, counseling, school psychology, social psychology, forensic psychology, and organizational psychology. While you can find work in Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree prepares you for more advanced roles with higher pay, working in areas you’re most passionate about with the type of people you most want to help.
What factors may impact the length of time needed to complete the online graduate psychology program in Michigan?
A variety of factors impact the length of time needed to complete an online master’s in psychology in Michigan. These include program and graduation requirements, a specialization, and the structure of the program (e.g., credit hours required, thesis, etc.). Structure also includes whether you choose to study full-time or part-time and if you enroll in an accelerated program. Full-time programs take three to four years to complete while accelerated options can take as little as one year. Part-time programs usually take twice as long as full-time programs.
Is it possible to earn a master's degree in psychology through 100% online study in Michigan, or do I need to visit the campus?
While hybrid programs require you to attend campus for some in-person components, Michigan’s fully online master’s in psychology programs do not require you to visit campus to earn your degree. Examples of such programs include Eastern Michigan University’s Master of Arts in Educational Psychology Online and Baker College’s asynchronous online Industrial/Organizational Psychology MS.
Are psychology internships or practicums required in online master’s programs in Michigan?
Many online master’s in psychology programs in Michigan require students to complete internships and practicums to gain real-world experience. For example, students in Baker College’s asynchronous online Industrial/Organizational Psychology MS must complete at least 160 hours of graduate-level internship experience related to the field to graduate.
Resources in Michigan for Psych Students and Professionals
- Michigan Psychological Association (MPA)
MPA works to improve the health of Michiganders by advancing psychology. The organization aims to serve as the primary professional home for Michigan psychologists with a wealth of resources that include the organization’s advocacy center and job listings. - Michigan School Counselor Association (MSCA)
This organization promotes academic excellence in school counseling by strengthening the skills of professional school counselors. MSCA hosts the Clay Scholarship for graduate students, various events, a job board, and other opportunities. - Michigan Association of School Psychologists (MASP)
MASP empowers school psychologists through leadership, legislative advocacy, and professional training. It hosts events and promotes organizational news to promote best practices in academic achievement, positive behaviors, emotional development, and mental health. - Michigan Mental Health Counselors of Association (MMHCA)
MMHCA develops and empowers the mental health profession in Michigan. It hosts events and student videos and offers memberships for mental health counselors. - Michigan Board of Psychology
This state organization regulates psychology licensing in Michigan. It determines the requirements for licensure and offers updates on key issues within the psychology profession.