Best Accredited Online Master’s in Psychology Programs
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You don’t need to quit your job to earn an online master’s in psychology degree. Going to college while balancing family and work life is never easy. However, online learning makes it possible with flexible courses, asynchronous assignments, and internship options in your community.
With a master’s in psychology, you can advance careers in clinical counseling or academia — and make more money. Learn about potential college costs and career options with an online master’s in psychology degree in this guide.
Popular Online Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Accredited Online Master’s in Psychology Programs
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$17,220
- Out-of-state$17,220
- In-State$15,590
- Out-of-state$15,590
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate41%
- Students Enrolled10,330
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
National University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- In-State$15,480
- Out-of-state$15,480
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled17,135
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment80%
- AccreditationYes
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,000
- Out-of-state$15,000
- In-State$18,900
- Out-of-state$18,900
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled145,533
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
Purdue University Global-Indianapolis
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,080
- Out-of-state$13,356
- In-State$8,730
- Out-of-state$9,700
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled43,458
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Pepperdine University
- Malibu, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$59,450
- Out-of-state$59,450
- In-State$37,300
- Out-of-state$37,300
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled10,446
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment36%
- AccreditationYes
Los Angeles Pacific University
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$10,800
- Out-of-state$10,800
- In-State$10,800
- Out-of-state$10,800
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,009
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$10,710
- Out-of-state$12,984
- In-State$9,774
- Out-of-state$9,774
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled57,848
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
University of Louisiana at Monroe
- Monroe, LA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,788
- Out-of-state$17,888
- In-State$6,490
- Out-of-state$18,590
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled8,718
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment53%
- AccreditationYes
McNeese State University
- Lake Charles, LA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,147
- Out-of-state$13,185
- In-State$5,703
- Out-of-state$13,740
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled6,454
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment86%
- AccreditationYes
Mississippi State University
- Mississippi State, MS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,110
- Out-of-state$24,790
- In-State$9,110
- Out-of-state$24,790
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled23,086
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Why Earn Your Master’s in Psychology Online?
- You can qualify for many in-demand psychology jobs in counseling, social work, and human services.
- A master’s degree in psychology can make you eligible for leadership roles in human resources and social and human services and higher pay.
- Online master’s in psychology programs are flexible, making it easier to balance school, work, and family commitments.
- You can apply for a doctorate, which can lead to research, clinical, and lecturer positions.
- Master’s degree holders can generally make more money than bachelor’s degree holders.
- You can gain specialized knowledge in psychology by completing concentrations such as child and development psychology or forensic psychology.
Did You Know…
Psychotherapy benefits about 75% of patients, and some changes are even visible in the brain.
Does Accreditation Matter for Master’s in Psychology Programs?
Accreditation matters for all degrees, including psychology degrees. It’s important to ensure your college is accredited. Currently, the APA only accredits doctoral psychology programs.
If you want to go on to earn a doctorate and become a licensed psychologist, many states require you to graduate from an APA-accredited doctoral program. Similarly, accredited on-campus or online psychology master’s degree programs will not accept transfer credits from unaccredited schools.
The accreditation process is also as close as you can get to a guarantee that your investment of time and money will give you results. Accreditation means that a school or program meets academic or industry standards.
Because accreditation is so vital, this guide only lists master’s in psychology online degrees from accredited colleges and universities.
How Much Does a Master’s Degree in Psychology Cost?
For the 2020-21 school year, graduate students paid a median of $9,950 per year to earn a master’s of science in psychology and $11,070 per year to earn a master’s of arts (MA) in psychology, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Tuition fluctuates depending on different variables, such as:
- How long it takes to graduate (most master’s in psychology programs take 1-3 years)
- Whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student
- Whether you attend a private or public school
- Your financial aid amount, such as loans and grants
Scholarships can help offset college expenses and don’t need to be repaid. You can learn of scholarship opportunities by visiting your school’s financial aid office.
Common Courses in Master’s in Psychology Programs
- Adult Psychopathology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human Growth and Development
- Human Sexuality
- Intervention Strategies
- Social Psychology
- Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
- Trauma in Diverse Populations
Concentrations with an Online Master’s in Psychology
These concentrations can prepare you for counseling licensure, or to prepare for a doctorate to become a psychologist. You can also work in applied psychology with an online master’s in psychology, but cannot call yourself a licensed psychologist. Check your state licensing guidelines for counselors, therapists, or related careers to explore requirements in more detail./
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Industrial-organizational psychology studies the psychology of behavior within organizations. This concentration can prepare you to work in HR, as a consultant, in training design, labor relations, or other areas of applied psychology.
School Psychology
School psychology focuses on improving student mental health outcomes, at the personal level or by addressing the overall school climate. After you earn an online master’s in psychology with a concentration in school psychology, you can become a school counselor or earn an Ed.S. to become a school psychologist.
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology addresses the psychological aspects of the legal system and how psychology affects law and law practice. While only forensic psychologists are licensed to diagnose patients, an online psychology master’s degree with a specialty in forensic psychology could also prepare you to work in a law firm or the justice or legal system.
Addictions Psychology
Addictions psychology studies the nature of addiction, how to prevent it, and how to help people recover. You can become a substance use disorder counselor with an on-campus or online master’s in psychology, or earn a doctorate to become an addiction psychologist.
Clinical Mental Health Psychology
Clinical mental health psychology emphasizes the diagnosis and treatment of mental health. Many graduates of master’s in psychology online programs who focus on clinical mental health go on to earn a doctorate. However, you can also apply to become an LPC in most states with a master’s, supervised experience, and passing the clinical licensing examination.
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Psychology?
If you wish to become a licensed psychologist, you’ll need a doctoral degree. An online master’s in psychology program, however, can prepare you for many other in-demand careers in counseling, psychology, and human services.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), mental health counselors rank as one of the fastest-growing psychology careers. The BLS projects 19% job growth for mental health counselors between 2023 and 2033, which is much higher than the projected job growth for all counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists (9%).
Human resources managers and industrial-organizational psychologists earn the two highest median salaries at $136,350 and $147,420, respectively, while mental health counselors take home lower median earnings of under $55,000.
Explore the job growth and median salaries of some common roles for graduates of online master’s in psychology programs.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) | Job Growth Rate (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Managers | $136,350 | +6% |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | $147,420 | +6% |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $77,030 | +8% |
| School and Career Counselors | $61,710 | +4% |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $58,510 | +16% |
| Mental Health Counselors | $53,710 | +19% |
Is an Online Master’s in Psychology Worth It?
Will an online master’s in psychology be a worthwhile pursuit? Only you can answer that question. What degree or program you choose depends on your learning style, work and life schedule, your timeline, your career goals, and your budget.
Learn what you should consider before choosing whether to earn your master’s in psychology online or on campus.
An Online Psychology Master’s May Be Worth It If…
You need a flexible program that fits around your work or family life.- You want a budget-friendly degree.
- You work well independently in a deadline-driven environment.
- You prefer studying from home.
An Online Psychology Master’s May Not Be Worth It If…
You need one-on-one interaction to thrive in school.- You can’t work independently.
- You can’t concentrate at home.
- You have difficulty prioritizing work and meeting deadlines on your own.
