Find your perfect college degree
A master’s degree in psychology is typically a two-year program after a bachelor’s degree that serves you better career opportunities. Typically, you can choose between a Master of Science and a Master of Arts.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics sees a 6% uptick in the employment of Psychology degree holders between 2022 and 2032. Getting an advanced degree is the first step to securing the best-paying jobs in psychology.
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Overview:
Some Ph.D. and PsyD programs nowadays no longer require a master’s degree, which is why some students are caught in a dilemma on whether or not they should get a master’s degree. However, since doctoral degrees are generally more expensive and longer, pursuing a master’s degree is the safest option.
Methodology
Online Master of Psychology programs are best for working professionals. The best of these programs have the same requirements as their on-campus degrees, including a dissertation or a thesis. Graduate students are also required to pursue an internship in a specialized area.
The following programs are offered by highly reputable US graduate schools that have the following features:
- Flexible schedules that accommodate working professionals,
- Core psychology courses and specializations that equip students with advanced skills and competencies,
- Conducted via well-known Learning Management Systems (LMS) for a positive online study experience,
- Readily accessible coursework, online resources, and study tools,
- Financial aid opportunities,
- Regional accreditation,
- Affiliation with psychology organizations
To learn more, see our Methodology page.
Best Online Master’s in Psychology Degree Programs
LeTourneau University
Longview, Texas
Online Master’s in Psychology
LeTourneau University’s 100% online MA in Psychology is a non-licensure degree that offers flexible scheduling for busy adult students. This program is best for students who want to pursue customizable degree and develop advanced research skills collaborating with experts.
Core courses include counseling psychology, counseling techniques and skills, integrative theology for counselors, family assessment, and lifespan human development. Elective courses cover research methods, abnormal psychology, and diverse population.
- Credit Hours: 39
- Program Duration: 2 years
- Tuition: $625 per credit hour
- Graduation Rate: 50.9%
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire
Online Master’s in Psychology
Southern New Hampshire University’s online MS in Psychology program focuses on psychological theories and mental and emotional disorders. Students can earn this Master’s in Psychology degree at their own pace.
Students can pursue a general psychology track or a concentration in Child And Adolescent, Developmental Psychology, or Industrial-Organizational Psychology. Regardless of track/concentration, the online program will end with a seminar and a capstone built around a faculty and peer-reviewed psychology project.
- Credit Hours: 36
- Program Duration: 1-2 years
- Tuition: $637 per credit hour
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas
Online/Hybrid Masters in Psychology
The online/hybrid MS in Psychology at Fort Hays is ideal for students who want to work in educational settings. Its School Psychology focus strongly helps professionals understand more about the human behavior and health psychology of students.
Due to its hybrid nature, students are still required to attend a 5-day training at the FHSU during the summer semester. Interested applicants must have high GRE scores.
Online students can choose from the program’s separate Program Tracks. These tracks have varying loads each semester and different course sequences that result in different program lengths.
- Credit Hours: 36
- Program Duration: 2-3 years
- Tuition: $319.45 per credit hour
- Graduation Rate: 57%
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Saybrook University
Oakland, California
Online Master’s in Psychology
Saybrook University online MA in Psychology program focuses on providing students an experiential learning curriculum promoting life-saving transformative changes in people. It is designed for students who want to pursue nonclinical careers and those who want to build on their existing licenses.
In addition to learning essential psychology traits, students can specialize in any of these areas:
- Creativity, Innovation, and Leadership
- Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health
- Existential, Humanistic, and Transpersonal Psychology
- Psychophysiology
- Generalist (combination of four specializations)
- Credit Hours: 32-35
- Program Duration: 2-3 years
- Tuition: $1,590 per credit
- Graduation Rate: 90%
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges – Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Palo Alto University
Palo Alto, California
Online Master of Science in Psychology
Palo Alto’s online MS in Psychology, designed for working and transitioning professionals, is known for its synchronous evening classes: faculty-hosted conference calls, discussion threads, and Zoom. This psychology program offers four concentrations:
- General psychology.
- Forensic psychology
- Ph.D. Prep
- Tech and Mental Health Psychology
The Ph.D. candidates can start their doctoral degrees as second-year students after completing a week-long intensive course on campus.
- Credit Hours: 37.5-47
- Program Duration: 2 years
- Tuition: $912 per credit hour
- Graduation Rate: 82.6%
- Accreditation: WSCUC
Keiser University
Several locations in Florida
Online Master’s Degree in Psychology
The MS in Psychology program at Keiser University prepares students for career opportunities in assessment, teaching, or consulting. This is a research-based program that serves as a foundation for doctoral studies. It teaches students about psychological principles, theories, and diversity through multicultural research methods.
- Credit Hours: 36
- Program Duration: 2-3 years
- Tuition: $13,536 per semester
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Online Master of Science in Psychology
Regent University’s MS in Psychology offers eight different sessions that start at different times all year, making it a perfect choice for students who require flexibility in their academic schedule. The curriculum allows students to have an overview of a doctorate degree in basic applied psychology.
There are six concentration students can choose from:
- Marriage & Family
- Addictions
- Doctoral Preparation
- Cyberpsychology
- Industrial-Organizational Psychology
- Leadership Coaching
- Credit Hours: 39+
- Program Duration: 2 years
- Tuition: $695 per credit hour
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
Online Master’s in Psychology
Students looking for an accelerated program can pursue Pepperdine’s online MA in Psychology degree, which can be completed in as quick as 18 months. Students can customize their study plans and will not be required to complete clinical training.
Students will learn the core psychological concepts and the theories most clinical psychology practitioners use in real-world situations. The curriculum explores emotional and mental health disorders and research methods.
- Credit Hours: 36–48
- Program Duration: 18-24 months
- Tuition: $1,875 per unit
- Graduation Rate: 86.1%
- Accreditation: WSCUC
Here’s a recap of your best Online Master of Psychology graduate schools:
| Online Master of Psychology Graduate School | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
| LeTourneau University | $625/credit hour | 50.9% |
| Southern New Hampshire University | $637/credit hour | 39% |
| Fort Hays State University | $319.45/credit hour | 57% |
| Saybrook University | $1,590/credit | 90% |
| Palo Alto University | $912/credit hour | 82.6% |
| Keiser University | $13,536/semester | 56% |
| Regent University | $695/credit hour | 59% |
| Pepperdine University | $1,875/unit | 86.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the fields of Psychology?
Psychology offers diverse services, requiring career choices based on goals and interests. Common psychology programs include ten types, providing a variety of options.
- School Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Child/Adolescent Development Psychology
- Clinical Health Psychology
- Clinical Neuropsychology
- Marriage and Family Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Rehabilitation Psychology
- Addiction Psychology
- Sports Psychology
For your Master’s, are online Psychology degrees worth it?
Pursuing a master’s in psychology program is a matter of personal choice. If you wish to advance your career path, especially if you’re into human resources, education, social work, or public policy, but you don’t have the luxury of time to enroll in a traditional on-campus setup, enroll in Master’s in Psychology programs that are internet-based.
Many schools today also let you earn your master’s in Psychology online in as quick as 15 months.
Convenient and flexible graduate programs are worth your time and save you money!
Can you enroll in a Master’s in Psychology program if your undergraduate Bachelor’s is not in Psychology?
While this will generally depend on the program, most schools today allow students to enroll in a master’s degree without a bachelor’s in psychology degree.
Do you need a GRE score before enrolling in an online Master’s in Psychology?
For the most part, you need to secure your GRE (Graduate Records Exam) score, although this is not always the case. Instead of asking for the GRE score, there are schools that only need alternate tests, while others will not even ask for it.
Aside from an online Master’s in Psychology, what instruction method can you choose?
While enrolling in psychology online is the most convenient choice, especially for working professionals, you can still go for the traditional college experience and enroll in classroom-based lectures. The hybrid class, a combination of on-campus and online coursework, is also a good choice.
Key Takeaways
Whether you wish to become one of the most in-demand marriage and family therapists or concentrate on educational psychology, organizational psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology, the field of psychology plays a crucial role in one’s mental health and is continuously one of the most in-demand professions in various industries.
In some specializations, you may also be required to earn a Ph.D. in the field of Psychology.
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