Best Online Master's Degree Programs in Psychology

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*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

For many students who plan to complete a graduate degree in psychology, an obvious choice of undergraduate programs is psychology. But since psychology itself underlies all that we do, and since we can apply its principles to every occupation, students can also pursue an undergraduate degree in areas like business, data analysis, project management, marketing, and teaching. If you're interested in using your degree to become a psychologist, you'll want to pursue a bachelor's in counseling, behavioral science, psychology, or a related field and continue with graduate school in psychology.

While a master's degree in psychology can be applied practically to other occupations (we'll discuss these in a minute), many students choose to pursue doctoral degrees in psychology after completing the master's. There are two options: a PhD in psychology or a PsyD. PsyD programs are for prospective clinical psychologists and PhD programs prepare students in teaching and research. If you're interested in working with patients, then, you'll want to pursue a PsyD. If you're interested in becoming a university professor, conducting experiments, and publishing studies, the PhD is for you.

Getting an online degree can be cheaper than getting one on campus, if only because studying online saves you the costs of transportation, housing, and dining that generally come with a campus experience. However, tuition and additional costs do vary, so it's not guaranteed that studying online will save you money.

The main reason to earn your master's in psychology online is that you can complete the program at your own pace, on your own time. Interrupting your work and family life to go off to graduate school isn't usually the most appealing prospect, and it's one of the big excuses that people use to put off graduate school indefinitely. Now, with the technology to learn from any location and on any schedule, you can complete your master's degree without leaving your job. Plus, you can choose a school that offers what you need without worrying about a move to a new city or state.

The average online master's degree program in psychology is 36 credit hours, though some programs may require more (up to 60). The curriculum will vary depending on your concentration, but you can count on taking a few core classes no matter what concentration you choose.

It is important to note that counseling degrees (such as mental health, pastoral, or marriage and family counseling) are often grouped under the psychology department of most colleges and universities. These degrees are distinct from general psychology degrees as they usually involve more credit hours (up to 60), residencies, and licensure. Also, a counseling degree is specifically for those who wish to become counselors. If you're interested in counseling, be aware that a counseling degree and a psychology degree, while similar in many ways, are different in both process and outcome.

Psychology Foundational Courses

Every master's in psychology program is built around a handful of basic courses that lay the groundwork for the study and practice of psychology in any field. You'll notice that the core curriculum includes classes with topics such as:

• Statistics
• Research Methods in Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Learning and Cognition
• Lifespan Development
• Ethics or Ethical Practice of Psychology
• Measurement and Assessment

You may also want to look for classes in areas like behavioral psychology or behavioral analysis; physiological or biological psychology; history of psychology; or theories of personality.

Psychology Specialist & Elective Courses

There are many paths for psychology students to take. If you choose a specialization, you'll be required to take certain courses in addition to the core classes listed above. Here are a few examples of specializations with their typical courses:

Since online master's programs are both specific and compressed, it's unlikely that you'll take elective courses. Instead, you'll simply follow the format that's been designed for you, taking one 8-week course at a time until you complete the course requirements and graduate with your degree.

Licensure & Certification in Psychology

You should be aware that online master's degree programs in psychology do NOT lead to licensure. Some may provide supervised experience, internships, and capstone or thesis courses, and while these will help to prepare you for state and national board certification, you will have to pursue any certification and take the necessary exams on your own initiative and at your own expense.

With a master's degree in psychology from an accredited program, you may be licensed to practice as a psychological associate under the supervision of a licensed psychologist who holds a doctoral degree. You'll have to take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) to earn licensure, and be advised that the licensure process and exams do carry significant fees.

In order to practice psychology independently, you must hold a doctoral degree with supervised experience. Also, you'll have to pass the EPPP before your license to practice is granted. Depending on where you live, your regional psychology board will specify the requirements for your supervised experience as well as any other requirements for licensure.

However, the licensure process is different for industrial and organizational psychologists, for school psychologists, and for psychologists providing health services (including mental health counseling). For each of these occupations, the necessary licensing and certification, as well as possible exemptions, vary by state.

Some programs may require you to take some basic courses in psychology if you didn't take them for your undergraduate degree, but you don't need a bachelor's degree in psychology. The vast majority of programs simply require a BA or BS from an accredited institution with a handful of foundational courses. Different programs have different requirements regarding your undergraduate GPA. You can get into many psychology master's programs with a 2.5, though the average admissions requirement is 3.0 or above.

Additionally, some programs may require an application, letters of recommendation, and a goal statement.

The first step in choosing a program in psychology is to make sure it's accredited by a regional accrediting agency. It also helps to look at the college or university's job placement statistics; you want to know you'll be able to use your degree in a paid position soon after graduating.

When you're looking for the online master's program that suits your needs, an easy way to narrow down your search is by specialization. Not all schools offer the same specializations, so you can strike from the list any school that doesn't offer the one you want.

Additionally, think about your end goals. Do you want to apply psychology to the career you already have, or do you want to pursue psychology in academia? If the former, make sure the courses you're taking are concrete and applicable, not geared toward doctoral degree preparation. If the latter, choose a program that allows you to design experiments and conduct your own research as a launchpad to a doctoral program.

People who hold master's degrees in psychology take that knowledge into many professions. Many choose to establish an independent practice of clinical psychology while others become school psychologists, administrators, or professors. Others may use their understanding of psychology to advance in leadership positions in business, marketing, research, data analysis, sports management, criminal justice, government, and nonprofit and religious work. They can pursue positions such as a sports psychologist or a criminal psychologist.

Job Outlook for a Master's in Psychology

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), psychology-related positions are stable if not quickly growing. Here are some outlooks as well as salaries for common occupations in psychology.

Source: *Bureau of Labor Statistics

How to Become a Clinical Psychologist

Step One

Obtain a bachelor's degree in psychology. While in undergraduate school, consider a specialization within clinical psychology, such as child and adolescent psychology, health psychology, or neuropsychology. Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for the best chances of getting into your desired graduate school.

Step Two

Take the GRE. This step may not be necessary if the graduate school you plan to attend doesn't require GRE scores and if you have a high GPA, but it's a good idea to take the exam unless you know for sure.

Step Three

Decide on a graduate school, focusing on schools that offer a Master of Clinical Psychology (remember that degrees with titles like ''Counseling'' or ''Applied Psychology'' won't result in exactly what you're aiming for). You may even decide on a program based on its alumni network and job placement percentages. Also, check out your state's licensure requirements as well as the educational requirements for psychologists to find out whether a master's degree will be sufficient or if you need to plan on continuing into a doctoral program. Your path to becoming a licensed clinical psychologist will depend on state regulations as well as your personal goals.

Step Four

Choose a topic within the field that interests you and start working on your thesis. Meanwhile, develop close relationships with advisors and others within your field who can help jumpstart your career. Also, remember to secure an internship well before you graduate. Keep in mind that while some programs will require you to complete an internship as part of the curriculum, many programs won't offer that experience. It's up to you to stay ahead of the game in your career as a psychologist.

Step Five

Find out what your state requires in terms of licensure and prepare for the necessary exams, one of which will be the EPPP. Be cognizant of the fees for study materials and examinations.

Step Six

Brush up that resume, send out job applications, and make sure you've got a nice outfit to wear to an interview. You're almost there!

Step Seven

Once you've landed a position as a licensed clinical psychologist, remember to keep making contacts, ensure you're up-to-date with the latest studies, and stay active in relevant professional organizations.

How to Become a Market Research Analyst

Step One

Earn a bachelor's degree in marketing, psychology, business, or another related field. Remember to keep that GPA above 3.0 if you have graduate school in mind.

Step Two

Take the GRE. As mentioned earlier, this step may not be necessary, but why not make sure?

Step Three

Get out there and get some experience! Begin in an entry-level position in marketing and stick around for a few years to gain the knowledge and expertise you'll need for a higher-level position.

Step Four

After you've spent a few years in the marketing industry, you should start thinking about your master's degree in psychology. You'll want to take the ''applied psychology'' route. And while you're working on graduate school, make sure to network with professionals and pursue opportunities for more experience in your field or related fields. Completing an internship, thesis project, or other guided research will help you along in your career.

Step Five

Get certified. To become a professional market research analyst, you'll need to earn your Professional Researcher Certification by taking the exam administered by Insights Association. Be advised that this certification must be renewed every two years through continuing education.

Step Six

Stay current. As a research analyst, you'll need to be on top of new research; you'll need to be part of professional organizations with contacts who keep you on your toes; and you'll need to keep your PRC up-to-date. You are on your way to a fast-growing, fascinating career!

Many colleges and universities offer scholarships for students based on a variety of factors. Some scholarships and grants are need-based; some are offered to students based on field of study, religious affiliation, heritage or ethnicity, and more. Veterans and first responders are frequently eligible for discounts on graduate school courses in addition to the GI Bill. There are even scholarships specifically for online students.

Don't forget that you can receive federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will allow your school to prepare a financial aid package that suits your background and needs. The FAFSA may be your primary source of financial aid in graduate school, while smaller scholarships and grants help fill in the gaps.

The foremost professional organization in psychology in the United States is the American Psychological Association. Other standouts and affiliates include:

• Graduate Students in APA
• APA Division 15 (Educational Psychology)
• Association for Psychological Science (APS)
• Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
• National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology
• American Board of Professional Psychology
• Association of Black Psychologists
• American Educational Research Association - Division E (Counseling and Human Development)
• APA Division 17 (Counseling Psychology)
• National Association of School Psychologists
• Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP)