Best Online Psychology Master’s Programs with No GRE Requirement

Bachelor’s Degree

As with practically all master’s degree programs, no-GRE online master’s in psychology programs require that an applicant possess, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. International students may be admitted with a degree from a foreign academic institution comparable to a U.S. bachelor’s degree, as determined by the psychology master’s program. Almost all programs accept bachelor’s degrees in any major.

Minimum GPA

All online no-GRE psychology master’s program requirements include a stated minimum cumulative grade point average (3.0 is most common) on previously completed college coursework. Typically this applies to undergraduate coursework. However, some programs include all previous college coursework, including any graduate level courses even if you weren’t formally admitted to a graduate program. Applicants unable to meet the minimum GPA requirement may, in some cases, still be allowed to apply to a psychology master’s program by meeting other criteria, such as submittal of GRE scores.

Prerequisite Coursework

Although most no-GRE online master’s in psychology programs accept students regardless of their bachelor’s degree discipline, applicants are often required to demonstrate foundational knowledge and skills related to the study of psychology on the master’s level. This most often takes the form of prerequisite introductory coursework in psychology as well as subjects such as research design, statistics and data analysis, and even engineering and economics. Some programs, such as the applied positive psychology degree at the University of Pennsylvania, accept GRE scores or evidence of practical experience in lieu of the prerequisites.

Written Statements

Statements of purpose, personal statements, and answers to essay questions are typically required components of your application to a master’s in psychology online program with no GRE. These statements offer admissions committees what is likely the best opportunity to evaluate the personality and talents of applicants to determine whether they will be a good fit for their psychology master’s program. These pieces of the application package also act as samples of the applicant’s writing abilities. It’s crucial to devote the time and effort necessary to get your written statements right.

Our guides on “How to Write a Winning Graduate School Personal Statement” and “How to Write an Exceptional Graduate School Admissions Essay” offers loads of useful information and advice on creating effective written statements.

Additional Requirements

Check the specific requirements of your chosen program to guarantee the submission of all necessary documents and avoid any omissions. Some of the most common application requirements and considerations for no-GRE online psychology master’s programs include the following:

• You’ll need to submit official transcripts for all previous undergraduate and graduate programs and courses. They should be sent directly from the institutions where you earned them. You can request them through each school’s websites or by contacting the schools.
• Submit two or three letters of recommendation from professionals familiar with your academic or work experience. Refer to our letters of recommendation guide for tips on obtaining high-quality letters. Keep in mind that the more time you give your references to write your letters, the better the letters will be.
• Include a current CV or resume summarizing your relevant experiences and achievements. Consider using a professional resume service, or at least a good proofreader, to look over your resume with a critical eye.
• Non-native English-speaking international students must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting approved test scores like TOEFL.

For additional information and advice on getting accepted into your no-GRE online psychology master’s program, be sure to visit our detailed guide “How to Get into Grad School: Guide for New Master’s Students.”