The 2020 Guide to Online Masters in Psychology Programs

A Master’s in Psychology is a graduate degree that teaches psychological concepts and the skills to apply them in clinical settings. A master’s degree in psychology can include a variety of specialties including educational psychology, forensic psychology and counseling psychology to name a few. At the core of any traditional master’s in psychology are key lessons in psychological principles and psychotherapy techniques.

Featured No GRE Required Online Masters in Psychology Program

Earn an Online Master’s in Psychology from Pepperdine University

• No GRE required
• Complete in as few as 18 months

Discover Psychology@Pepperdine

Sponsored Programs

A master’s degree in psychology can prepare students to enter a variety of fields. Some students use the degree as a stepping stone to obtain their doctorate and become psychologists, while other students choose to pursue careers in healthcare, education, and human resources. It is common, within the digital age, for students to seek out online master's in psychology programs to advance their psychology education. Online learning has become the easiest way to advance one's education and career without sacrificing income and whilst maximizing personal efficency.

The Online MA in Psychology Experience

While the classroom experience in-person and online may be different in some ways, top universities work hard to ensure the online masters in psychology programs match up with their in-person counterparts. The knowledge and skills you will gain in the online psychology master's programs mirror the one's learned during a traditional program and can be applied in many ways. Depending on the program, your experience will vary, but shouldn’t require more than a built-in camera, a microphone, and a strong wifi connection. These are basic technologies that most people have access to, but cover almost all online classroom needs.

Many online psychology programs often feature the following elements:

• Virtual Live Classes
• Interactive Course Content
• Learning Management System
• Access to Tech Support
• Mobile/Offline Access

Checking with your university of interest to see if their online masters in psychology program contains some of these elements will be the best way to set yourself up for success. Another component to online masters programs that might appeal to those who favor face-to-face interaction is the inclusion of on-campus immersion programs that place you in a real-world setting of your concentration area along with a cohort of peers. For many online MA in psycholgy programs, these immersions might include clinical experiences and nonprofit volunteering immersions..

Online Masters in Psychology Programs

Before you begin the application process, be sure to contact your accredited institution for information about any prerequisites you may need to fulfill - each institution often has courses that must be completed before enrollment in an master's in psychology online. Although each program's requirements for admission vary, here are some common requirements that need to be met before admission is granted.

• Application (either paper or online)
• Bachelors Degree
• Transcripts
• Resume/CV (summary of professional history)
• Letters of recommendation
• Test scores (should the GRE be required)

Featured Online Masters of Psychology Program

Earn Your Master of Arts in Psychology from Pepperdine University

Request information from Psychology@Pepperdine

Sponsored Program

Online Masters in Psychology Curriculum

The curriculum and number of credits required to complete a online master’s program in psychology vary widely depending on your school and specialization. The majority of programs can be completed in 12 to 24 months and require anywhere from 30 credits to 60 credits. Specific subject areas depend on the program in question, however, a typical master’s program in psychology online includes courses in:

• Personality Assessment
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Health Disorders
• Physiological Psychology
• Community/Clinical Research

Psychology Career Outlook

Recent graduates of master’s in psychology programs have a wide variety of career options to choose from. Below are just a few of the typical careers (and their average salaries) that students enter into upon graduation:

• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist - Annual Median Salary of $87,100
• School Psychologist - Annual Median Salary of $75,090
• Marriage and Family Therapist - Annual Median Salary of $48,790
• Social Worker - Annual Median Salary of $47,980

All data pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Although the careers outlined above are common jobs for psychology graduates, graduates can also pursue options like market research or teaching. Thinking about working in a school setting? Learn more about the difference between school psychologists and school counselors.

Finding the Best Online Masters in Psychology for You

In searching for the best online psychology programs across the United States, it’s important to take into account the specific type of degree being offered, the GRE Requirements of the program, and the credit requirement needed to graduate. Comparing psychology online programs is the best way to choose a degree program that will work with your schedule and provide the best return on investment.

Featured Online Psychology Programs

Sponsored Programs

Online Masters in Psychology Programs for 2020

Teach.com has compiled a list of the online masters in psychology programs in the United States along with their GRE requirement information, degree type and credit requirements. In searching for the best psychology masters online program that fits your needs, carefully consider the structure of the coursework and the admissions requirements to make your decision. Find a school that interests you and find out what it takes to graduate with an online master of psychology!