Whether you’re interested in how psychology impacts the learning ability of young students, why consumers choose certain products over others, or what inspires peak performance for athletes, an online master’s in psychology can offer you answers and prepare you for a variety of rewarding careers.
To help you find a program that meets your specific career goals, this guide showcases colleges with this year’s best online psychology master’s programs for. Schools that ranked highest offered multiple specialization options, highly flexible scheduling, and robust support for online students. Review the full rankings list below to see which colleges topped our list and see if one has the degree and features you’re looking for.
Best Online Master’s Degrees in Psychology for 2024
We have ranked the top schools below. Our Rankings Data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES.) Click the About the Ranking link below for more information about our methodology.
- Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Assign Weightings
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
- For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
- Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
- Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
- Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
- Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
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Fort Wayne, INPrivate not-for-profit $$$
The Master of Science in Psychology program from the Indiana Institute of Technology is specifically designed for current professionals who want to take the next step in their career by obtaining an education that sets the foundation for additional graduate training, such as earning a doctoral degree. In fact, the curriculum meets the American Psychological Association Commission’s Accreditation Educational Guidelines for graduate education transfer to doctoral programs, making it certain for graduates to be able to continue their education by getting an another advanced degree. The vast majority of the classroom learning can be completed online, but if students need to access key services like career services, on-call customer service, or nearby service centers, they will have to access the campus for these in-person supports.
Program Highlights:
MS in Psychology
- Credits: 33
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $525.00/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: HLC
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
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Alva, OKPublic $
The Master of Science in General Psychology at Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a 100% online program. Using a combination of Zoom and online coursework, students can earn their graduate degree in psychology without having to complete any in-person class learning requirements. Even though there are no on-campus requirements, students are still expected to meet the rigorous academic expectations. These include completing a capstone and thesis. To further learning flexibility, students can choose from a number of electives in psychology. To help choose the right ones to meet their professional and academic goals, students have one-on-one meetings with faculty members. This personalized attention extends beyond course selection to enhance a student’s experience through the entire program.
Program Highlights:
MS in General Psychology
- Credits: 34
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $273.75/credit (in-state); $551.75/credit (out-of-state)
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: HLC
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
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Tiffin, OHPrivate not-for-profit $$$
The Master of Science in Psychology program from Tiffin University is specifically designed to accommodate the busy graduate student who desires an in-depth education in the mental processes of people and why they behave the way they do. This program can be completed 100% online and has six start dates throughout the year. Another major feature of the Master of Science in Psychology program from Tiffin is the self-paced learning, allowing students to attend full-time and graduate in about 18 months or attend part-time and graduate in about 30 months. After completing this program, students will have a wide array of job prospects, including teaching, research, human resources, and academic advising.
Program Highlights:
MS in Psychology
- Credits: 37
- Length: About one to three years
- Cost: $600.00/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: HLC
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
-
Albany, NYPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Educational professionals seeking the next step in their careers should strongly consider the Master of Science in Education Counseling program from the College of Saint Rose. The curriculum is offered fully online, meaning there are no campus or in-person requirements. However, students can take one or more classes in-person to create a hybrid program if they’re interested in on-campus instruction. Students can also choose to obtain their professional teacher certification while completing this program, or if they’re already licensed teachers, they can complete the program to become educational psychologists or researchers. Self-paced learning is also an option, allowing students to graduate in less than 18 months as full-time students or about two years as part-time students.
Program Highlights:
MS in Education Psychology
- Credits: 30
- Length: About 18 to 24 months
- Cost: $846.00/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
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Portland, MEPublic $$
The University of Southern Maine’s Master of Science in Educational Psychology has several special factors that make it unique among the many master’s level psychology programs available. The program is 100% online and consists of both synchronous and asynchronous courses. This provides the convenience of online learning from anywhere and at any time, but also allows for real-time learning opportunities with classmates and professors. For students who want to take some classes on campus, they can turn the 100% online program into a hybrid program, where they take both on-campus and online courses. The program offers a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis for students who plan on becoming Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
Program Highlights:
MS in Educational Psychology
- Credits: 36
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $432.00/credit (in-state); $1,250.00/credit (out-of-state)
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: NECHE
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
-
Longview, TXPrivate not-for-profit $$$$
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
-
Vermillion, SDPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
-
Mississippi State, MSPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Moscow, IDPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Muncie, INPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
-
Fresno, CAPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
-
Fayetteville, NCPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
San Angelo, TXPublic $
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
21/1
-
Las Vegas, NVPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
-
Tuscaloosa, ALPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
20/1
-
Boca Raton, FLPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Livingston, ALPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
-
Hays, KSPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
-
Fort Collins, COPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Greeley, COPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Richmond, KYPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
-
Memphis, TNPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Killeen, TXPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
-
Monroe, LAPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
-
College Station, TXPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
-
Rolla, MOPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
-
Saint Leo, FLPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Manhattan, KSPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
-
Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profit $$$$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profit $$$$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
11/1
-
Grand Forks, NDPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Boca Raton, FLPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
22/1
-
Ypsilanti, MIPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
-
Tallahassee, FLPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
21/1
-
Auburn, ALPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
20/1
-
Athens, GAPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Lake Charles, LAPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
21/1
-
Shippensburg, PAPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
-
Kent, OHPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
21/1
-
Miami, FLPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
25/1
-
Knoxville, TNPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Denton, TXPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
26/1
-
San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profit $$$$
Online Programs
4
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
-
University Park, PAPublic $$$$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
-
Miami, FLPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
-
Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profit $$$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
21/1
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Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
Affordability
Support Services
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024
Key Learning Outcomes of an Online Master’s Degree in Psychology
When examining prospective master’s in psychology programs, you’ll notice that programs often vary in their goals, outcomes, and curriculum. Because top psychology programs utilize guidelines through accrediting bodies like the American Psychological Association, though, you’ll also see commonalities among the various online programs.
From establishing a foundation of essential psychology concepts to the professional ethics that guide psychology professionals, we highlight some of the standard learning outcomes found in most psychology master’s programs.
Essential Psychology Concepts
Students in a master’s in psychology program build a working knowledge base of the discipline’s core concepts, its scientific principles, and a specialization area. Specializations include academic areas like organizational, educational, and clinical psychology. You’ll also learn about current trends in the field and how to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.
Scientific Understanding
While you won’t use beakers and microscopes, scientific practices still inform the field of psychology. Throughout a psychology master’s, you’ll absorb and practice essential scientific techniques while simultaneously learning how to assess complex science-based literature. While honing your scientific skills, you’ll also be challenged to think critically, creatively solve problems, and realize the practical applications of psychology and how it can impact various communities.
Professional Ethics and Social Responsibilities
Graduates from master’s in psychology programs demonstrate a deep understanding of the professional ethics that inform the discipline, regardless of area of specialization. This is especially vital when handling complex issues involving diverse groups and individuals, and you’ll be challenged to gain a well-rounded cultural competency that’s rooted in cultural humility. You’ll also learn to understand the ways that culture can influence psychology in both you as a practitioner and in the individuals, groups, and communities you serve.
Communication
A master’s in psychology graduate program also gives extensive practice in varying communication skills. Whether interpersonal, oral, or written, you’ll demonstrate communication competencies that prove vital to nearly any career. Throughout your master’s program, you’ll master APA style, adjust your ideas to accommodate various contexts and audiences, and utilize technology to enhance communication. You’ll also work closely with your cohort, collaborating and communicating while completing and presenting group projects.
Courses You’ll Likely Take in an Online Psychology Master’s Program
Before enrolling in a master’s in psychology program, it’s essential to understand the inner workings of each prospective program. Even though requirements vary among programs, you’ll likely find some similarities, especially in core classes. The classes discussed below give you an idea of the standard psychology courses you’ll likely encounter when completing your online psychology master’s program.
Foundations of Psychology
This online introductory class prepares you for the rigorous coursework you’ll encounter throughout your degree. You’ll explore the key concepts that inform psychology while honing your reading, writing, and analytical skills. This course also provides a broad view of the field’s academic and professional elements.
Research Methods in Psychology
Learning the ins and outs of psychology research is a vital part of any psychology master’s degree. This course examines and practices the methods employed in psychological research. In addition to learning the theoretical underpinnings of psychology research, you’ll apply various techniques, explore research design, and learn how to analyze complex data.
Theories of Personality
This online offering challenges you to examine the evolving theories, practices, and research in personality psychology. It explores how theories of personality have changed through history and gives an understanding of influential figures like Sigmund Freud and William James. It also discusses how personality studies influence diverse and underserved populations.
Professional and Ethical Issues in Psychology
Those working in psychology practice a unique set of ethics, rules, and guidelines that inform both competent practice and rigorous scientific work. This class familiarizes you with the professional standards, ethics, regulations, and laws pertaining to mental health practitioners and researchers. It also teaches you to apply ethical principles to contemporary, real-world challenges.
Social Psychology
This course provides you with a comprehensive view of the foundational theories and research methods in social psychology. It examines how emotions and behaviors are impacted by other people, groups, and society. Additionally, you’ll encounter topics like prejudice, discrimination, social perception, violence, and romantic relationships. This class challenges you to see how real-world issues can be viewed through the lens of social psychology.
Cognitive Processes
This online class offers a survey of cognitive processes and explores vital elements like language, memory, and thought. When digging into the essential aspects of cognition, you’ll encounter topics like decision-making, neuroscience, and language, all while applying theoretical concepts to real-world instances. In addition to foundational topics, you’ll be introduced to other cognitive sciences, including linguistics and neuroscience.
FAQs About Getting Your Psychology Master’s Degree Online
Finding the right psychology master’s online program is essential for reaching personal and professional goals, so taking the time to research programs is important. Earning a master’s in psychology also requires a significant investment of time and money, making it even more crucial to choose the right program. The following section highlights seven of the most pressing questions our readers have about this graduate track to help make sure you’re getting the best information to make an informed decision.
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Can I earn my master’s degree in psychology completely online, or will I need to visit campus?
When pursuing your master’s in psychology, online programs offer a flexible delivery that allows you to complete coursework at your own pace while simultaneously keeping up with the responsibilities of work and home. Some online programs require in-person orientations, some mandate once-a-semester weekend meetups, some require in-person internships, and some are entirely online. When checking out prospective programs, be sure to inquire about any in-person requirements.
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What career opportunities are open to me with a master’s degree in psychology?
While a doctoral degree is required to become a licensed school or clinical psychologist, a master’s in psychology can still open many career doors since graduates have honed a unique and marketable set of skills that apply to numerous fields.
Jobs in business, healthcare, and both the public and private sectors rely on the skills you’ll develop while earning your online psychology master’s degree. Common careers for psychology grads include:
- Addiction counselor
- Human resources manager
- Industrial Organizational psychologist
- Marriage and family therapist
- School counselor
- Social service manager
- Social worker
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What accreditation should an online master’s psychology degree program have?
When sorting through your list of potential online master’s in psychology programs, prioritize colleges and universities with institutional accreditation. Formerly known as regional accreditation, institutional accreditation means a school meets rigorous standards and ensures that you’ll get your money’s worth.
Also seek out online psychology programs that hold programmatic accreditation. This more targeted accreditation acts as a peer-reviewed stamp of approval that verifies a program’s quality. Look for schools with programmatic accreditation through the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council.
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What are the admission requirements for an online master’s in psychology?
Successful applicants to most psychology master’s programs need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Standard admission requirements also include official transcripts, letters of recommendation, a resume, and an admission essay outlining academic and career goals. While the GRE test was a common requirement, many schools are forgoing standardized tests as a predictor of academic success at the graduate level.
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How much does an online master’s degree in psychology cost?
Multiple factors impact the cost of your online master’s in psychology, including whether the school is public or private and your status as a resident or non-resident student. In general, selecting a public institution as an in-state learner offers you the most inexpensive pathway to your degree, and some online programs at public institutions charge resident and non-resident students the same rate. Also, look closely at tuition rates and any additional fees since the actual cost of college is often significantly more than advertised.
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How long do online master’s degrees in psychology take to finish?
Your timeline for graduation depends on various factors. Your status as a full-time or part-time student is one significant variable. A master’s in psychology typically takes full-time students about two years to graduate, while part-time learners can take much longer. Additionally, some online programs offer an accelerated academic pathway where you can graduate in fewer than two years.
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How can I specialize my master’s degree in psychology?
In addition to the core classes of your master’s in psychology, this field offers a sizeable list of academic specializations and concentrations. These specializations provide more targeted training, so make sure any prospective programs has specializations aligning with your academic and career goals. For example, students interested in business could focus their coursework on organizational psychology, while someone wanting to work with school-aged students can focus on school psychology. Common specializations include:
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Behavioral Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Human and Family Development
- Organizational Psychology
- School Psychology
What’s the Value of a Master’s Degree in Psychology?
Graduates of master’s in psychology programs have access to careers in a broad spectrum of fields. While earning potential is influenced by experience, skills, and geographic location, you have many paths you can take that will utilize your talents.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for various mental health counselors could grow by as much as 22% by 2031. The BLS data below reviews salaries and job growth numbers for various psychology-related fields to give you an idea of what to expect.
| Career | Median Annual Earnings (2021) | Job Growth (2021-2031) |
|---|---|---|
| Community Health Worker | $48,860 | 12% |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,920 | 19% |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $49,880 | 14% |
| Mental Health Counselor | $48,520 | 22% |
| Industrial Organizational Psychologist | $81,040 | 6% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics