Why This Matters

  • THERE ARE 150K MORE JOBS EXPECTED BY 2031

    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.

  • PSYCHOLOGIST JOBS WILL INCREASE BY 6%

    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.

  • CAREERS AVAILABLE IN MANY DIFFERENT FIELDS

    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.

 

Our Research

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.

The Top 41 Online Master’s Programs in Psychology

Best Master's in Psychology Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
Pepperdine University
01
Most Customizable Program
Southern New Hampshire University
01
Best Private Institution
LeTourneau University
01
Best Faculty
Regent University
01
Most Affordable
Union College
01
Most Flexible Admissions
Palo Alto University
01
Best Hybrid Program
Fort Hays State University
01
Most Flexible Start Terms
Medaille University
01
Best Catholic Institution
Divine Mercy University
01
Best Electives
Arizona State University
01

Keiser University
01

Northcentral University
01

Touro University Worldwide
01

Golden Gate University
01

Saint Leo University
01

Liberty University
01

Indiana Tech
01

University of Louisiana Monroe
01

NSU College of Psychology
01

Saybrook University
01

Angelo State University
01

McNeese State University
01

Tiffin University
01

Adler University
01

CUNY School of Professional Studies
01

Purdue University Global
01

The University of Alabama
01

Eastern Washington University
01

Lynn University
01

Fielding Graduate University
01

Azusa Pacific University
01

Indiana Wesleyan University
01

University of Southern California
01

George Mason University
01

University of Idaho
01

Fayetteville State University
01

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
01

Mercy College
01

University of West Alabama
01

National University

What You Should Know About This Degree

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.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Master’s in Psychology programs:

  • Do I meet the admissions criteria? While most programs accept students from all educational and professional backgrounds, some programs require students to have previous coursework in psychology, taken either as part of an undergraduate degree or independently prior to enrollment. Confirm prerequisites and how to complete them before applying.
  • Does this program offer the concentration I want? As an incredibly broad field, there are many different psychology concentrations available. However, not all programs offer these specializations. If there is a specific area of psychology you want to study, make sure the program you’re exploring offers coursework or a concentration in it.

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.