With an average salary of $117,750 and a projected growth rate of 5-8% through 2032, neuropsychology is an excellent career path for people interested in learning how brain functions impact our emotions and behaviors.
To enter the field of neuropsychology, you’ll need to earn at least a master’s degree — and, depending on your intended career, a PhD. While many master’s students prefer online programs thanks to their many advantages, the hands-on nature of neuropsychology curriculum means you’ll be hard pressed to find a fully online master’s program.
If you have your heart set on an online neuropsychology master’s, you still have some options. Below, we highlight two top online master’s programs to consider. Later, we dive into curriculum, potential costs, and career outcomes.
Best Master’s in Neuropsychology: Online Programs in Detail
You may be wondering what your options are if a fully online neuropsychology master’s degree isn’t available. Don’t worry — you have a few paths to consider. Below, we’ve chosen two top schools offering online master’s degrees related to neuropsychology. With that said, let’s dive into today’s top online master’s programs for neuropsychology students.
University of Oregon
If you’d like to earn a psychology master’s online that’s neuropsych-focused, the University of Oregon offers an online master’s degree in psychology that teaches a foundation of both neuroscience and psychology. The program is designed to prepare students for their PhDs by conducting original research on a chosen topic for their capstone project. In addition to neuropsychology foundations, curriculum focuses on trauma, adversity, resilience, intervention, and innovative approaches in psychology.
The UO online program takes about two years, with 18 courses and 49 credits. Six of those total credits are electives. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, letters of recommendation, a short essay, resume, writing sample, and official transcripts. Tuition is $607 per credit or about $34,500 total. Fees are estimated at about $780.
University of Florida
Another option for neuropsychology students is to pursue an online master’s degree in biomedical neuroscience, like the one offered by the University of Florida. This fully online program aims to teach students how functional and pathological changes affect brain function and cause disorders, addictive behaviors, and other conditions. The course is 30 credits total, taking place over 2-3 years. It also includes a biomedical neuroscience capstone project that must be completed before graduation.
Tuition for the online UF program is $550 per credit, or about $16,500, with fees estimated at about $1,100. Students need to have completed a bachelor’s degree and have a minimum 3.0 GPA during that university experience. Advanced coursework with a B grade or better in biology, chemistry, neuroscience or physics must also be demonstrated.
Advantages of Earning a Master’s Degree in Neuropsychology Online
Earning an online master’s degree is an attractive option if you are looking to advance your career without having to relocate or take time out from employment. Here are some of the clear advantages of learning online.
What You’ll Learn in Neuropsychology Master’s Programs
The exact coursework you’ll encounter in a master’s degree program will vary based on your specialization and the educational institution you attend. However, most master’s degree curricula for the neuropsychology discipline will include core courses similar to the ones listed below.
Psychopathology and Diagnosis in Counseling
This course helps you develop diagnosis skills using the DSM-5, the established standard manual for making a diagnosis. It can also help you apply diagnostic information to current events; research clinical, developmental, and family systems; and recognize the onset and dynamics of common psychiatric disorders.
Theory and Technique of Substance Abuse
This course is an introduction to addiction and substance abuse. You will learn the effects of addiction on relationships, jobs, and community as well as current treatment options and the counselor’s role in recovery.
Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling
This course provides a critical understanding of American Counseling Association ethical standards and how they apply to treatment. You will also review ethical decision-making models and the major ethical and legal issues involved in the practice of professional counseling.
Multicultural Counseling
This course introduces the process of providing counseling from a multicultural perspective in a diverse society. You will develop an understanding of how social/cultural identity issues and tensions impact counseling, how power and privilege can affect therapy alliances and outcomes, and the nature of microaggressions. The counseling profession’s value of social justice advocacy for clients is also examined.
Psychopharmacology
This course explores the role of medication in mental health treatment. You will learn the indications and contraindications for psychopharmacological medications used with mental health and substance use conditions in adults and children. It also goes into ways to consult with clients and medical professionals about medication-related issues.
Accreditation for Neuropsychology Graduate Programs
Make sure you choose a master’s degree program that is currently accredited by one or more of the following recognized organizations:
- Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), founded in 1978, promotes best practices for marriage and family therapy educational programs through the establishment, review, and revision of accreditation standards and policies, and the accreditation of graduate and post-graduate educational programs.
- Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), founded in 1981, provides accreditation to graduate-level counseling programs that prepare learners to become licensed professional counselors in settings such as schools, private practice, government, mental health organizations, and human services.
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), founded in 1952, exists to advance excellence and innovation in social work education and research by providing leadership, ensuring quality in teaching and learning, and strengthening the capacity of our member institutions.
What Can You Do with a Neuropsychology Master’s Degree?
There are several strong career paths you take by earning a master’s degree online in neuropsychology. In the clinical world, neuropsychologists evaluate patients’ functions such as attention, concentration, learning and memory, among others.
These valuable members of a medical team are there to give diagnoses and treat a variety of conditions related to neurology, such as addiction, nervous system injuries, head trauma, or diseases such as dementia.
There is also a potential research component to earning a master’s degree in this field. Neuropsychologists can be called upon to conduct research for universities or business that are hoping to treat neurological conditions more effectively in certain populations, such as the elderly or children.
This specialty also may be counted on to educate future psychology students, medical staff, or other academic researchers in the latest available methods to help people with neurological conditions.
As far as settings go, there is more than just academia for someone with a master’s degree in neuropsychology. Overall healthcare centers, private practices, pharmacological businesses, and rehabilitation centers all have a place for a person with this type of specialty.
Tuition and Financial Aid for Online Master’s in Neuropsychology
Most online master’s degree programs in neuropsychology accept some combination of scholarships, tuition discounts, military education benefits, federal student loans and grants, state-level funding assistance, private student loans, and employer tuition assistance.
It is important that you apply for financial aid at the same time you apply for admission, or at least immediately after you are accepted. The earlier you apply, the more you may be eligible to receive help, and you can make more informed decisions about paying for your education once you know what you qualify for with financial aid.
Nearly all educational institutions require financial aid applicants to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, even if you are not applying for federal loans. FAFSA processing applies a standardized calculation to determine financial need for purposes of awarding certain scholarships, tuition waivers, or similar financial aid.
How Much Can Your Online Neuropsychology Master’s Program Cost?
Costs will vary substantially based on whether you attend a public or private school or live in the same state as a public school. It can also be affected by your area of specialization and whether your program includes a clinical internship or practicum. Below are three examples.
The tuition listed below for Arizona State University is for an online master’s degree in Psychology with no practical component. For Butler and Pepperdine, the tuition listed is for an online master’s degree in a discipline requiring a clinical internship or practicum.
| School | Program | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oregon | Master’s in Psychology | 49 | $607 | $29,743 |
| University of Florida | Master’s in Biomedical Neuroscience | 30 | $550 | $16,500 |
What is the Difference Between a Graduate Neuropsychology Certificate Program and a Master’s Degree?
Both a master’s degree and a graduate certificate program offer valuable opportunities, but their distinctions necessitate careful consideration before making a choice.
The master’s degree signifies a postgraduate academic accomplishment focused on broad expertise within a specific field or discipline. While the specific requirements for a master’s degree can vary, most programs mandate the completion of 10 to 12 courses.
A graduate certificate is an academic credential provided by a university, emphasizing specialized knowledge within a particular area. Graduate certificates are a more time- and cost-efficient option, typically requiring the successful completion of just three to five graduate-level courses. This format enables people to acquire specialized skills without the extensive coursework, clinical practicums, or internships associated with a master’s degree.
What Are the Admissions Requirements for an Online Master’s Degree in Neuropsychology?
Admission requirements for online master’s degree programs vary depending on the specific university and program in which you are interested. However, here are the most common requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Minimum GPA
- GRE or GMAT Scores
- Interview
- Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV
- Transcripts
As soon as you decide to enroll with a university, contact its admissions office or program for the most up-to-date and accurate information on admission requirements and the application process.
Will It Take Long to Finish My Neuropsychology Master’s Online?
How long it takes to complete your online master’s degree depends on the specific program in which you are enrolled, your area of specialization, whether you are attending part-time or full-time, and whether you are forced by finances or other responsibilities to delay program components such as a clinical practicum. Check with the admissions counselor at your preferred program to calculate the expected duration based on your proposed attendance schedule.
Can I Earn My Master’s in Neuropsychology 100% Online, or Do I Need to Take Classes on Campus?
As mentioned above, finding a 100% online program in neuropsychology is tricky due to the experiential nature of the curriculum. However, the programs featured here are great options for online master’s students. Another option would be to search for hybrid programs in your area, which would include some on-campus and some online learning.