As society increasingly recognizes the importance of mental health, psychology is seeing considerable growth. The allure of delving into the intricacies of the mind and the potential to make a meaningful impact may have led to this increasing demand, which extends across various specializations — including industrial and organizational psychologists, where over half of the positions require a master’s degree.
The field offers a faster-than-average growth rate, making psychology an enticing career choice. Psychologists earn a median salary of $92,740, surpassing the national median significantly. With undergraduate tuition averaging $14,688 per year and graduate tuition at $20,513 per year, and the ability to complete these degrees in just four or two years, respectively, this educational path can be a wise investment in your future.
How to Choose an Online Psychology Program
Choose your area of study
Many psychology programs will allow you to select a concentration and focus your studies on a particular niche in this field. If you already know what you would like to do after you graduate, look for programs that closely match these career goals.
Depending on the school, your concentration options may include clinical psychology for those inclined toward therapeutic practice, experimental psychology for research enthusiasts, and industrial-organizational psychology for those interested in workplace dynamics. Other common options include neuropsychology and counseling or school psychology.
Research schools and programs
You should only consider institutions that have been approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. These organizations evaluate schools to ensure they provide students with a high-quality education. Those who attend a school that isn’t regionally accredited may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
Also, consider the following questions:
- Are there faculty members with expertise in your area of interest?
- What research opportunities exist within the program?
- How well does the program integrate practical experiences or internships?
- Are there alumni success stories related to your chosen field?
To learn more about any schools that you’re interested in, you can visit the school’s website, contact an admissions counselor, follow the school on social media, or attend an in-person or virtual open house.
Prepare for tests and applications
Application requirements vary by school and program.
For undergraduates, focus on maintaining a strong GPA and highlighting relevant extracurriculars. Graduate applications should emphasize research experience, recommendation letters, and a well-crafted personal statement. In all cases, you will likely need to send transcripts from the previous schools you’ve attended.
Some students may need to tackle standardized tests like the SAT or ACT for undergraduates or the GRE for graduate students. If this is relevant to your situation, consider enrolling in a targeted test prep program to help improve your scores. And you should always contact an admissions counselor to ensure you have the most accurate information regarding requirements and deadlines.
Select your program
Before making your final decision, review your needs and goals again. Do you plan to attend school full-time or part-time? Do you want your program to be as online as possible, or are you fine with a hybrid program that has a fair amount of in-person requirements? Some programs offer asynchronous courses, which can be completed at your own pace, while others only offer synchronous courses, which involve remotely attending lectures and completing assignments at the same time as other students — which of these two online learning formats do you prefer? Your school should accommodate your scheduling needs and learning preferences.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Speak to financial aid counselors at the schools you’re interested in for the most accurate and specific information about program cost. Financing your psychology degree can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Many resources are available to help you pursue your education without accruing significant debt.
Start by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal grants and loans. Also, work-study programs provide on-campus employment opportunities, aiding in finances and gaining work experience. Employer tuition reimbursement programs are often valuable for those already working, as they can significantly offset a portion of your education expenses if you meet certain requirements.
Best 50 Accredited Online Psychology Programs
Discover More Options
How We Rank Schools
This list features some of the best online psychology programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the 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 psychology programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like 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.
What Can You Expect From an Online Psychology Program?
An online psychology program offers an all-encompassing understanding of human behavior, mental processes, and psychological principles.
In undergraduate programs, students delve into foundational concepts like abnormal psychology, social psychology, and research methods. The curriculum typically takes around four years to complete, leading to a bachelor’s degree.
On the other hand, a graduate program delves deeper into specialized areas such as clinical psychology, counseling, or industrial-organizational psychology. These advanced studies can take two to six years and culminate in a master’s or doctoral degree.
Both levels involve online coursework and collaborative research projects and may include practical experiences like internships.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online psychology program
- Introduction to Psychology: An essential part of virtually all undergraduate curricula, this course explores fundamental concepts like cognition, behavior, and the history of psychology. Students learn fundamental theories and methods to study the mind, setting the foundation for more advanced coursework.
- Abnormal Psychology: In this course, students investigate psychological disorders, their causes, and therapeutic interventions. Learners gain insights into classifying and treating mental health issues and prepare to analyze and address various conditions.
- Social Psychology: This course examines how social interactions and group dynamics influence individuals. Students learn about conformity, prejudice, and interpersonal relationships, fostering an understanding of human behavior within societal contexts.
- Research Methods in Psychology: Here, learners acquire essential research skills, including experimental design, data analysis, and ethical considerations. This course prepares students to evaluate psychological studies and conduct their research critically.
What Can I Do With an Online Psychology Degree?
Career outlook
Psychology is a versatile degree that can prepare students for multiple career paths as well as further study at the graduate level. Individuals with psychology degrees go on to work in fields as diverse as education, marketing, healthcare, business, law, and more.
For individuals who want to become clinical psychologists, an undergraduate degree is the first step toward that goal. In order to obtain a license to practice as a clinical psychologist in the U.S. and Canada, individuals need, at minimum, a master’s degree. Some students choose to pursue their master’s directly following their undergraduate program, while others may work professionally for a period before earning their graduate degree.
Meanwhile, for students with a bachelor’s in psychology, there are several in-demand careers they can pursue.
- Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor — Advise people on a range of issues, including alcoholism, addictions, and depression, and help clients recover from addiction, modify problem behaviors, or improve mental health.
- Median annual salary: $53,710
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 18%
- New jobs projected: 42,000 new jobs
- Market research analyst — Study consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential sales of a product or service and help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.
- Median annual salary: $74,680
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 13%
- New jobs projected: 94,600 per year
- Training and development specialist — Assess training needs; design and create training manuals, online learning modules, and course materials; and deliver training to employees using various instructional techniques.
- Median annual salary: $64,340
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 6%
- New jobs projected: 35,400 per year
Online Psychology Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online psychology degree program?
For undergraduates, the application process typically involves submitting a completed application and high school transcripts. Graduate programs generally require a completed application, a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, letters of recommendation, and transcripts. Many programs at both levels request a personal statement outlining your goals.
While some schools have moved to test-optional policies recently, others may still require standardized test scores for admission. For undergraduate students, this often means taking the ACT or SAT, while graduate students may be required to take the GRE. Always double-check these requirements with your school, and consider enrolling in a test prep program to help boost your scores.
Connecting with an admissions counselor is essential, as they can guide you through the process, provide insights into the application requirements, and ensure you meet all prerequisites.
How much does an online psychology degree cost?
The cost of an online psychology degree varies, with tuition averaging $14,688 per year for undergraduate programs and $20,513 per year for graduate programs. And in addition to tuition, you should also expect other expenses, such as:
- Textbooks and course materials
- Specific software for completing coursework
- Fees for virtual learning, library access, or exam proctoring
How long does it take to earn an online psychology degree?
The duration to earn these degrees varies. On average, full-time students completing an undergraduate program typically take around four years, while graduate programs range from two to six years. Part-time enrollment will extend this timeline, as these students take fewer credits per term.
In addition, it’s also essential to consider the total number of required credits. These can vary by program, and it’s reasonable to expect programs with more significant credit requirements to take longer to complete.
Is an online psychology degree worth it?
If you’re looking for a degree with many different career options, psychology is an ideal fit. Individuals with a background in psychology can work in health and human services, communications, marketing, education, human resources, and more.
The BLS predicts faster-than-average job growth for psychologists in the next decade, with demand for psychological services in schools, workplaces, healthcare settings, and social services agencies driving the growth. Psychology can also be a lucrative field. Industrial/organizational psychologists earn a median annual salary of $147,420. The median annual wage is $96,100 for clinical psychologists and $84,940 for school psychologists.
Compare School Options
Related Degrees
- Forensic Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Psychology Program