Consider earning an online psychology degree if you seek a flexible pathway to various psychology-related careers or a foundation for doctoral studies. Our guide helps you choose the best online master's in psychology program to fit your needs and professional goals.
Explore the benefits, costs, requirements, and career potential of this versatile degree.
Popular Online Psychology Master's Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Master's in Psychology for Affordability
Why Get an Online Master's in Psychology Degree?
Is a graduate degree in psychology worth it? Earning your master's has many benefits. This degree can broaden your employment and salary prospects, serve as a stepping stone for doctoral studies, or lead to fulfilling careers helping people improve their daily lives.
Earning your master's online makes it easier to balance your personal and work responsibilities while preparing for a variety of careers in counseling, social services, human resources, and criminal justice.
How Much Does an Online Master's in Psychology Cost?
Paying for graduate school can be challenging, but you can find ways to reduce costs. Tuition and fees make up the biggest percentage of your educational expenses. The annual average cost for graduate tuition and fees in 2021-22 at public schools was $12,596, compared to $28,017 at private institutions. Fortunately, some master's programs offer discounted tuition for online students or charge less expensive in-state tuition rates regardless of where they reside.
Applying for scholarships, grants, and loans can help you lessen the cost of your degree. Make sure to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for federal loans and government-sponsored grants.
How Much Do Psychology Master's Graduates Make?
How much you can earn with your psychology master's degree depends on several factors, including your specialization, type of employer, and location. To become a clinical or counseling psychologist, you need a doctorate to apply for a state license. However, a master's degree qualifies you for many well-paying opportunities.
For substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, who often enter the field with a master's degree, the median annual salary is $59,190 as of May 2024, with the highest paid earning $98,210. A master's in psychology can also prepare you for non-clinical careers in the social services, nonprofit, or research fields. Social services managers earn a median annual salary of $78,240.
Common Courses in Online Master's in Psychology Programs
Each master's program determines its own requirements, but the typical curriculum comprises foundational coursework and electives, specializations, and internships or practicum experiences. Common core coursework covers topics in psychological theories, research methods, psychopathology, assessment and evaluation, and ethics. You can expect to take courses like the ones listed here:
Research Methods
This course addresses the types of research methodologies used in psychology, experimental and nonexperimental design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation. Students learn to design their own research studies, develop and test hypotheses, and collect and analyze empirical data.Psychological Assessment and Measurement
This seminar introduces the principles and practices of psychological assessment. Students learn how to administer, score, and interpret results using different types of assessments, including intelligence tests, personality inventories, and neuropsychological measures.Psychopathology
This course examines the major categories of psychopathology as presented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Students learn about definitions of normality/abnormality and evidence-based approaches to assessment and intervention.
Psychology Certifications and Licensure
If you plan to practice as a psychologist and use the title of psychologist, you need a doctoral degree and a state-issued license. While licensure regulations vary by state, master's graduates can become licensed counselors and therapists by fulfilling state-specific requirements. Licensed professional counselors typically complete a specific number of field hours, pass a national exam, and, in some cases, pass a state exam on ethics and legal considerations.
You can obtain voluntary certifications to demonstrate your expertise in specialized practice areas, such as mental health or substance abuse counseling. Certifications set you apart from other job candidates, help you move ahead in your career, and boost your earning potential. The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) offers two popular certifications available to master's graduates.
National Certified Counselor
The NCC credential requires a master's or doctorate in counseling from a CACREP-accredited program or an institutionally accredited program approved by the NBCC. The program must include at least 48 semester hours in specific counseling-related areas and at least six hours of supervised field experience. All candidates for NCC certification must complete postgraduate work experience in clinical counseling.
Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Candidates for the CCMHC certificate must already hold the NCC credential. You need to complete 60 credits in graduate coursework that includes advanced clinical skills, addictions or substance use counseling, and human sexuality counseling. In addition to fulfilling 3,000 hours of clinical experience and 100 supervision hours, you also must pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master's in Psychology Programs
Choosing the best online master's in psychology depends on your personal needs. Find out if courses are available entirely online or in a hybrid format, whether the program requires in-person components, and the possibility of completing field placements close to home. Always pay attention to indicators of program quality, such as accreditation, specialization offerings, and graduation rates.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Affordable Colleges Online.
