Does the thought of leveraging your insights into human behavior and psychology to improve lives excite you? If so, you may be interested in pursuing an online master’s in psychology in New York.
New York is a mecca for diversity, giving it an undeniable appeal for anyone interested in studying the nature of the human mind and helping people better their lives.The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports job opportunities for psychologists are expected to rise by 6% between 2021 and 2031, which is faster than the national average.
So whether you’re looking to take the first step to earning your doctorate and becoming a clinical psychologist, enhance your current career, or switch careers altogether — an online master’s in psychology in New York can give you the training and knowledge you need to take your career to the next level.
Of course, with so many programs available, it’s normal to have questions. Below we’ll cover all the basics, from cost to accreditation and beyond. Keep reading to find the program that’s right for you.
College Spotlights: 2024’s Best Online Psychology Master’s in NY
We know that sifting through hundreds of search results can be overwhelming. To save you the headache, below you’ll find three top online graduate psychology programs in New York. While each of these programs is unique, they all share core features of affordability, student support, and flexibility to fit your life and career goals.
Franklin University
In Franklin University’s 100% online Master of Science in Business Psychology, you’ll study consumer behavior and psychology, which you can leverage toward any number of careers in business, marketing, and sales.
In this 36-credit program, you’ll learn from active practitioners, a contemporary curriculum, and the latest neuroscience to become an expert in analyzing human behavior to develop solutions for business problems and goals. Tuition is $670 per credit, and most students complete their degree in 14 months.
At Franklin University, you can also pursue micro credentials — short, skill-specific recognition that enables you to demonstrate your competency in a distinct area. Related to psychology, you can earn a micro credential in either Business Psychology Foundations or Organizational Psychology. These can be shared via digital badges, creating your own unique portfolio of in-demand skills.
The City University of New York (CUNY)
CUNY’s 36-credit Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology program will equip you with a deep understanding of human behavior and motivation along with strong research and communication skills. CUNY does not require a GRE score to apply. However, students should have completed courses (with a grade of B or better) in Introductory Psychology, Research Methods, and Statistics.
In addition to courses on the psychology of learning, biology of behavior, social psychology, advanced research methods, and more, you’ll also complete a capstone project. This project is designed to give you first-hand experience to thoroughly prepare you to succeed in your future career.
You’ll pay $565 per credit. Students are encouraged to apply for CUNY’s Human Services Career Advancement Scholarship, the City of New York’s landmark new program focused on creating a qualified pipeline of human services professionals.
New York University (NYU)
With NYU Steinhardt’s 60-credit MA in Mental Health Counseling, you’ll study human psychology across life spans and learn techniques to help clients enhance their health and happiness.
A unique facet of this degree is its format. During your 21 months of study, you’ll complete:
- 60 graduate-level credit hours of live, online classes
- Interactive simulations in a counseling lab
- A 100-hour practicum in a mental health setting, including 40 hours of direct practice
- A 600-hour internship at an NYU-approved clinical location, including 240 hours of direct practice
- A three-day, on-campus immersion in New York City
Tuition is $2,101 per credit. NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development also offers an MPCAC-accredited online master’s degree in school counseling. Use this guide to determine which degree program is right for you.
New York’s Various Program Options: Master’s in Psychology
Traditional Online Psychology Master’s Programs
A traditional psychology master’s program refers to a full-time degree program. You may be best suited for a traditional or full-time online master’s in psychology in New York if you want to complete your degree as quickly as possible and aren’t balancing a full-time career or family responsibilities. While the length of degree completion varies depending on the school, many full-time online graduate psychology programs in New York can be completed in about two years.
NY’s Noteworthy Traditional Psychology Master’s Programs:
No-GRE Online Psychology Master’s Programs
The GRE is a standardized test that’s often required for admission into graduate school programs. If you haven’t taken the GRE, don’t worry — plenty of programs don’t require submission of GRE scores. But that doesn’t make them any less prestigious. You can still find no-GRE programs that are regionally accredited, meaning they’ve been independently assessed to meet the standard for education.
NY’s Noteworthy No-GRE Psychology Master’s Programs:
Accelerated Online Psychology Master’s Programs
If you want to complete your master’s program quickly, you may be interested in an accelerated program, which takes less time than traditional programs. These classes often go year-round, meaning you won’t have summer breaks, and some are bachelor’s programs that add a year to earn a master’s degree.
Accelerated programs aren’t for everyone, as they typically require full-time availability. For this reason, accelerated programs are ideal if you have a flexible schedule where you can commit full time to your studies.
NY’s Noteworthy Accelerated Psychology Master’s Programs:
Part-Time Online Psychology Master’s Programs
If you’re searching for a part-time online psychology master’s program in NY, you’re likely looking for a program you can complete a few classes at a time. Part-time programs are best if you’re also juggling a career or family responsibilities, allowing you to complete your degree on your schedule.
When exploring the psychology master’s program that’s right for you, remember that a part-time program will expand your degree completion timeline, potentially taking three to five years.
NY’s Noteworthy Part-Time Psychology Master’s Programs:
Making a Difference: Impactful NY Careers for Psych Master’s Grads
Earning your online master’s in psychology in New York will prepare you for a wide range of careers where insight into human behavior, motivation, decision-making, and perception is involved. Additionally, a master’s degree can make you a more competitive applicant and land you higher salaries in your desired career.
By earning this degree, you’ll have the skills to pursue careers in marketing, human resources, academic or career counseling, family services, rehabilitation, public affairs, and more. Below are three careers and their salaries to give you a sense of the opportunities that could await you.
Social Worker
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs for social workers are expected to increase by 7% between 2022-2032, meaning now’s a great time to start your education to become a social worker.
Social workers help individuals and families cope with everyday issues. If you choose to become licensed as a social worker after earning your master’s in psychology, your day-to-day work could include administrative work, communicating between agencies, counseling families through abuse, neglect, mental health issues, substance dependence, and more. Social workers often specialize in areas that may include family services, hospitals, veteran affairs, juvenile offender units, or schools.
| Career | 10th Percentile Pay | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
Social Worker | $39,580 | $63,770 | $104,580 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Executive Coach
Executive coaches leverage their insight into human learning, performance, and motivation to help executives and managers improve skills, enhance performance, and overcome internal and external obstacles preventing them from achieving their goals.
The daily responsibilities of an executive coach could include hosting workshops, identifying and providing resources to clients, one-on-one coaching, personal development, and more.
| Career | 10th Percentile Pay | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
Executive Coach | $60,394 | $96,461 | $162,239 |
Source: Salary.com, 2024
Human Resources Analyst
An online master’s in psychology earned in New York will give you the skills to succeed in a high-paying career as a human resources analyst or specialist.
As an HR analyst, your responsibilities will center on improving employee well-being, retention, and performance. Relying on data to make evidence-driven decisions, you’ll develop and employ strategies to help solve interpersonal disputes, facilitate effective training during onboarding, and screen and place new employees. You may also specialize in workflow analysis and planning, risk management, employee relationships, training and development, and more.
| Career | 10th Percentile Pay | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
Human Resources Analyst | $62,245 | $76,058 | $91,930 |
Source: Salary.com, 2024
Steps to Earn Your Psychology License in New York
Completing your online master’s in psychology in New York is a great first step to becoming a psychologist. However, in order to practice as a psychologist, you’ll need to complete a few additional steps.
The New York State Education Department reports that you must have completed a doctoral degree in psychology — either a PhD or PsyD — that is registered by the New York State Education Department , determined by the Department to be a qualified equivalent program, or accredited by the American Psychological Association. New York State-approved doctoral programs in psychology will include that information on their website or course catalog, or you can browse the Office of Higher Education’s Inventory of Registered Programs to explore which doctoral programs are accredited.
Beyond your doctoral degree, you must complete two full years, defined as 1,750 hours per year (or the part-time equivalent), of supervised experience. You also must complete coursework and training in identifying and reporting child abuse through an approved training provider.
Finally, you must earn a minimum score of 75 on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). New York state only requires you to pass the EPPP Part 1 for licensure.
View the psychology state licensing map to explore guidelines by state.
Tuition and Aid: Online Master’s in Psychology in New York
If you plan to earn your online master’s degree in psychology in New York, it’s important to budget for the total cost of your education in advance. Many institutions offer financial aid to support students in completing their chosen master’s degree path.
For instance, you may apply for federal student loan support through the FAFSA. You may also want to apply for school-specific or state-sponsored scholarships. You can search for a work-study position in your online program — which allows you to cover the costs of your education through part-time work while you complete your degree — but these are far more common in on-campus programs.
How Much Will Your Online Psych Master’s Cost in NY?
| School | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Estimated Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
36 | $1,040 | $37,440 | |
60 | $2,101 | $126,060 | |
36 | $470 | $16,920 |
Frequently Asked Questions: Online Psych Master’s in NY
What are the general admission prerequisites and guidelines for pursuing an online master’s in psychology degree in New York?
While programs may vary, generally, you’ll need to have earned an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field and have taken core psychology classes.
Other requirements may include:
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Your undergraduate transcript
- A personal statement of intent
- Letters of recommendation (typically 1-2)
- Current resume or CV
- A TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score for candidates who did not complete their undergraduate degree in the United States
What are the common specializations for online psychology master’s programs in New York?
When completing your psychology master’s program online in NY, you’ll often have the opportunity to specialize in a unique area of psychology that interests you. These specializations can help further prepare you for advancement in your chosen career path, lending you specific skills to work with unique populations or in distinct environments.
Common specializations include:
- Marketing Psychology
- School Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Organizational Psychology
- Mental Health Counseling
- Substance Abuse Counseling
- Clinical Psychology
What factors may impact the length of time needed to complete the online graduate psychology program in New York?
One of the benefits of completing your master’s through online graduate psychology programs in New York is the flexibility of scheduling. When taken full time, many programs can be completed in 14-24 months.
If you’re planning to work while pursuing your master’s degree, or if you’re the primary caregiver in your home, you may benefit from a part-time schedule. But these programs may take three to five years to complete, as you’ll be able to adapt the timing of the program to fit your schedule.
Can I earn a psychology master’s degree 100% online in New York?
Most of the online graduate psychology programs in New York we’ve listed can be completed entirely online. However, some are hybrid programs that require occasional or routine campus attendance.
For instance, New York University’s program is almost entirely online, with the exception of one immersion experience. This three-day intensive is designed to help students practice the skills learned online in a supervised, real-world environment.
Adelphi University offers a more traditionally hybrid program, in which some courses can be taken online while others must be attended in person.
Are psychology internships or practicums commonly required in online master’s programs in New York?
Psychology internships or practicums will sometimes be required and included in your online psychology master’s program in NY. These internships and practicums give you first-hand experience under supervision, allowing you to apply learning to real-world situations.
Many programs offer student support services to help you find an internship with the right location and schedule to meet your lifestyle, learning goals, and needs.
Psychology Resources for NY Students and Professionals
- Association of State and Provincial Psychology Board
The ASPPB is the organization that provides the licensing exam to become a psychologist and may provide resources to help you prepare. - New York Association of Black Psychologists – NY ABPsi
This Facebook group provides an inclusive and supportive space for Back psychologists in New York to discuss key topics, highlight unique opportunities, and encourage professional practice. - New York Association of School Psychologists
The NYASP serves as a resource for school psychologists, lending support, insight into evolving topics, and opportunities to continue their education and improve their practice. - New York State Education Department
This website gives you all the information you need about New York State’s requirements to become a licensed psychologist. - New York State Psychological Association
The NYSPA serves as a professional association for psychologists in New York. Here you’ll find ongoing events, insurance providers, professional resources, career support, and more.