Are you interested in the field of psychology and looking for the Best Online Master’s
Program in Psychology you can enroll in? Studying psychology lets you explore how
people think and behave. An online master’s degree in psychology can give you the
advanced knowledge and skills you need in this field, open up exciting job opportunities,
or prepare you for more studies. But with so many online programs out there, it can be
hard to choose the right one.
But don’t worry, we will the top 10 online master’s programs in psychology, chosen
carefully based on things like accreditation, what they offer, cost, and how satisfied
students are. This will help you make a smart choice about your education.
What You Need to Know About a Master’s in Psychology
A master’s degree in psychology builds on what you learn in a bachelor’s degree. It
gives you more specialized skills and deeper knowledge. The American Psychological
Association (APA) says that people with a master’s in psychology can work in different
roles like school psychologists, mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors,
and industrial-organizational psychologists. But it’s important to know that having a
master’s in psychology usually doesn’t automatically make you a licensed psychologist.
To do that, you will need a doctoral degree (PsyD or Ph.D.) and some supervised
experience.
10 Best Online Master’s Programs in Psychology:
1. University of West Georgia (UWG):
● Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Counseling
● Credits: 60
● Accreditation: SACSCOC
● Admission Deadline: Rolling admissions
● Tuition Cost: Approximately $27,000 for in-state students and $40,500 for
out-of-state students (total program cost)
● Why Consider UWG? UWG’s program is known for its affordability and focus on
practical skills development, which prepares its graduates for immediate job
placement in counseling fields.
2. North Carolina State University (NCSU):
● Degree: Master of Science (M.S.) in Educational Psychology
● Credits: 33
● Accreditation: SACSCOC.
● Admission Deadline: Varies by term
● Tuition Cost: Approximately $28,000 for in-state students and $50,000 for
out-of-state students (total program cost)
● Why Consider NCSU? NCSU’s program stands out for its emphasis on research
and using proven practices, making it great for students who want to work in
educational psychology or continue their studies with a doctorate.
3. University of Cincinnati (UC):
● Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.) in Educational Psychology
● Credits: 36
● Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
● Admission Deadline: Varies by term
● Tuition Cost: Approximately $37,000 for in-state students and $54,000 for
out-of-state students (total program cost)
● Why Consider UC? UC’s program gives the students a unique blend of theory
and practice, with a focus on urban education and diverse student populations.
4. Arizona State University (ASU):
● Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology
● Credits: 60
● Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
● Admission Deadline: Varies by term
● Tuition Cost: Approximately $34,000 for in-state students and $52,000 for
out-of-state students (total program cost)
● Why Consider ASU? ASU’s program is well-regarded for its clinical psychology
focus, providing valuable hands-on experience through partnerships with local
mental health centers.
5. Walden University:
● Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.) in Psychology
● Credits: 60
● Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
● Admission Deadline: Monthly cohorts
● Tuition Cost: Approximately $39,000 (total program cost)
● Why Consider Walden? Walden’s program is flexible, with many start dates
each year, making it perfect for students who work and have busy schedules.
6. Capella University
Degree: Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology
Credits: 48
Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Admission Deadline: Continuous enrollment
Tuition Cost: Approximately $38,000 (total program cost)
Why Consider Capella? Capella’s program uses a competency-based learning
approach, letting students move forward at their own speed as they show they’ve
mastered the material
7. University of Southern California (Master of Science in Applied Psychology)
– Why consider USC: Highly ranked, flexible online format, faculty expertise
– Degree: Master of Science in Applied Psychology
– Credits: 40
– Accreditation: APA accredited
– Admission Deadlines: Multiple start dates throughout the year
– Tuition Cost: $2,150 per credit
8. University of Florida – Online Master of Science in Psychology
– Why students consider: Reputable university, research-focused curriculum,
career-oriented
– Degree: Master of Science in Psychology
– Credits: 36
– Accreditation: SACSCOC accredited
– Admission Deadlines: Multiple start dates
– Tuition Cost: $529 per credit for in-state, $1,194 per credit for out-of-state
9. University of Illinois at Chicago – Online Master of Science in Psychology
– Why students choose this program: Reputable university, research-focused,
flexible online format
– Degree: Master of Science in Psychology
– Credits: 36
– Accreditation: HLC accredited
– Admission Deadlines: Multiple start dates
– Tuition Cost: $1,000 per credit
10. University of North Dakota Online Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology
– Why students should consider this program: Specialized in forensic psychology,
flexible online format, faculty expertise
– Degree: Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology
– Credits: 36
– Accreditation: HLC accredited
– Admission Deadlines: Multiple start dates
– Tuition Cost: $467 per credit
Why Consider These Top Online Master’s Programs?
These universities are known for their great online psychology programs because of
some key reasons:
● Great Faculty: The programs have teachers who are experts in their fields and
have lots of experience.
● Flexible Learning: Online classes let students learn at their own pace, which is
great for people who work or have busy lives.
● Specialized Options: Many programs let you specialize in areas like school
psychology, forensic psychology, or industrial-organizational psychology, so you
can focus on what you want to do.
● Helpful Alumni: These programs have strong networks of former students who
can give you advice and help you make professional connections.
How To Choose the Right Program for You
Although these programs are highly ranked, the best choice for you depends on your
goals and situation. Here are some important things to consider before choosing a
program:
● Accreditation: Make sure the program is accredited by a good organization like
the APA.
● Focus: Choose a program that matches what you want to do in your career.
● Price: The cost of tuition is not always fixed. You may want to look into
scholarships and financial help.
● Requirements: Check the requirements you need to get into the program.
Conclusion:
Getting your master’s degree in psychology online lets you learn more about human
behavior and opens up many job options with good flexibility.
We have picked out the top 10 online master’s programs in psychology in this article,
with info you need to choose the right one. Remember, the best program for you will
match what you want to specialize in, how you like to learn, and what you can afford.
Are you now ready to start your psychology journey? Use this information to research
the programs you’re interested in. Look at their websites, go to online info sessions, and
talk to current students or alumni to learn more.