Job prospects are best for psychology majors with an interest in market research and analysis. Projected job growth for this field is 19% – this is much faster than the national average for all other occupations.
Thanks to greater demand for psychological services in a range of industries, the U.S. expects to add 11,300 clinical, school, counseling, and industrial/organizational psychologist jobs by 2031.
Individuals with advanced degrees in psychology can go on to work in fields as diverse as healthcare, education, law, human resources, public relations, communications, and more.
This list features some of the best online master’s in psychology programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online master’s in psychology programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Psychology is one of many social sciences rooted in exploring and understanding human behavior and helping others. While there are overlapping responsibilities between psychologists and social workers, mental health counselors, and therapists, psychology is its own distinct field. Psychologists can specialize in clinical, industrial/organizational, forensic, developmental, or sports psychology, to name just a few options. At this stage, you should clarify what your career goals are and decide if psychology, versus another related degree, is right for you.
Licensure is required for most types of psychologists to ensure that professionals are qualified to provide responsible mental health care. Each state sets its own licensure requirements and processes, and your ability to become licensed may be affected by the master’s program you attend. It’s very important to think about what state(s) you may want to be licensed in and research their licensure requirements.
Also note that a master’s degree in psychology is not a terminal degree. Depending on your career goals, you may need to continue to a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology program, which can mean committing more time and money to your education. When considering career paths, keep in mind there are many good psychology-related jobs that only require a master’s degree.
Here are some questions to ask when researching Master’s in Psychology programs:
Once you have identified the programs that interest you, research their application deadlines, processes, and requirements, including work experience and standardized tests. This information is typically available on the program’s webpage; you can also contact the program directly if you have questions.
Funding your graduate education is another important consideration. Ask the schools you are applying to about scholarship and financial aid opportunities and deadlines. If you are currently employed, check with your employer to see if tuition remission/reimbursement benefits are available.