Why earn a psychology master’s degree online? As a field, psychology is a large area that has applications in numerous professions, from education and counseling to marketing and human resources. Many online psychology graduate programs don’t lead to licensure, meaning you couldn’t work as a practicing psychologist. However, they do provide valuable training for people who want to enhance their career or branch out into a new one. They’re also a necessary stepping stone for anyone who eventually wants to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology.
So if you think you might benefit from a program that will teach you all about human behavior, emotions, social interactions, and thought processes, you might consider earning an online master’s degree in psychology. Here are some of the top programs to help get you started.
Ranking Methodology
We created this ranking list to highlight the best psychology master’s degrees online. Our focus was mainly on general psychology programs, which also includes degrees in applied, experimental, clinical, and developmental psychology.
Currently, there are only a few dozen such programs* available through distance education. However, we were able to tease out the best of this selection by focusing on two primary factors: delivery and cost. For delivery, we looked at what percentage of the program’s curriculum is available online. We then gave each school a score from 1-4 representing that:
Some required classes are only available on campus
All classes are available online except for a required on-campus residency
All classes are available online except for fieldwork/internships
100% of the program is online
After ranking all the programs according to their score, we took an additional step to sort all programs with the same score by their average annual cost for tuition and fees. This means that the number one ranked school offers the most affordable psychology master’s degree in all programs that are available 100% online. Scroll down to find out more!
*Note that we did not consider private for-profit institutions in this ranking, although there are plenty of for-profit colleges that offer graduate programs in psychology.
Ranking Top 10 Psychology Master’s Programs Online
Online Master’s in Psychology
Program Website
Divine Mercy’s “whole person” approach asks students to consider their clients holistically, not just their behaviors and issues. This approach draws heavily from the school’s Catholic underpinnings and manifests in required courses such as:
- The Catholic-Christian Vision of the Person
- The Catholic-Christian Vision of Flourishing: Vocations and Virtues
Another core tenet of this online master’s program is leadership. For example, the required upper-level Leading People and Programs course will teach you how to inspire groups of people. It will also teach you how to perform administrative tasks – such as budgeting – that are crucial to running a successful business.
Average Tuition & Fees: $16,355/yr
Online MA in Media Psychology
Program Website
If you’re interested in the way that the media shapes people’s thoughts and behaviors, Fielding Graduate University’s MA in Media Psychology could be right up your alley. This is the only such option on our online master’s degrees in psychology ranking. Fielding’s program stands out for its modern approach to age-old psychological concepts.
Students take classes in contemporary subjects like:
- emerging media
- audience engagement
- neuromarketing
- transmedia storytelling
Furthermore, students complete a capstone course that includes a digital portfolio project. As a result, graduates are well-equipped to work as:
- consultants
- marketing professionals
- social media specialists, and other similar occupations.
Average Tuition & Fees: $15,936/yr
Online Master of Arts in Psychology
Program Website
If you’re not looking to become a licensed psychologist but simply want to learn more about human behavior and motivation, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) could be a good fit. CUNY SPS offers an online MA in Psychology that focuses on the applied side of the field to prepare graduates for work in:
- human resources
- research and data analysis
- social services, and more
This accredited online master’s degree in psychology offers two concentration options:
- Developmental Psychology
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Students in the former track study human change and growth across the lifespan. Those in the latter focus on human behavior and performance management in the workplace.
Average Tuition & Fees: $10,800/yr
Online MS in Psychology
Program Website
Students who pursue an affordable psychology master’s degree online at Tiffin University engage in what the school calls “research for the mind.” One of the more broadly tuned programs on our list, Tiffin’s curriculum covers everything from experimental psychology to theories of personality.
It also places a heavy emphasis on research. The required core includes:
- two statistics classes
- two research design classes
- a two-part capstone that also focuses on research
This program is a particularly good choice for applicants who want to earn a Ph.D. after securing a master’s degree.
Average Tuition & Fees: $12,600/yr
Online Master’s Degree in Psychology
Program Website
For a broad-based education that will give you plenty of flexibility in the job market, check out Touro University. Its MA in Psychology covers topics like learning theory and personality. It will prepare you “for a wide variety of professions and contexts.”
The program uses case studies to help you put yourself in the mindset of others. This provides valuable lessons in how people think and what motivates consumers. Plus, you’ll learn how to collect – and interpret – behavioral data as well as how to develop effective strategies from those data-driven insights.
Average Tuition & Fees: $12,600/yr
Online Master of Science in Psychology
Program Website
Indiana Tech’s MS in Psychology primarily targets professionals who want to expand their job opportunities and/or enhance their education on the way to earning a Ph.D. The curriculum maintains a broad perspective on the field. Classes touch on everything from lifespan development and psychopathology to statistics and biopsychology.
To graduate from this accredited psychology master’s degree online program, you’ll also need to complete a final capstone course. In this class, you’ll synthesize your knowledge and demonstrate subject mastery by taking a comprehensive exam.
Average Tuition & Fees: $11,325/yr
Online Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied Psychology
Program Website
If your career goals include working in a field where you can apply psychological principles to everyday issues, then Angelo State’s program will make a great fit. ASU offers one of the best online MS psychology degree programs for students who want to focus on real-world applications, like improving health or enhancing decision-making in the workplace.
Coursework places a premium on practical problems. It uses targeted exercises to teach you how to address difficult issues using your knowledge of human behavior. You’ll even receive training in how to share your solutions with members of the public who are unfamiliar with social science practices.
Average Tuition & Fees: $10,068/yr
Online Master of Arts in General Psychology
Program Website
Whether you want to give your career a boost or are simply looking to enrich your education, Union College has a graduate program that can help you achieve your goals. The college’s MA in General Psychology consists of 37 credit-hours and has 100% online delivery, making it a particularly enticing option for busy professionals. Compared to some other schools on our online psychology graduate programs ranking, Union focuses less on research and practice and more on concepts. Examples of concept-oriented classes include:
- Emotion, Motivation, and Cognition
- Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience
- Multicultural and Diversity Issues
Average Tuition & Fees: $9,650/yr
Online Master of Science in Psychology
Program Website
Saint Leo University earns the #1 spot on our list of top online MS psychology degree programs for two reasons. First, its curriculum is available 100% online. It even provides additional flexibility through its eight-week terms and asynchronous delivery. Second, SLU’s average tuition sits below $10k per year, making it nearly unbeatable by even the most affordable competitors.
But those aren’t the only reasons to consider attending Saint Leo. Another benefit of the program is that the final capstone course grants students the opportunity to explore a unique area of interest and consider specific fields of employment they might like to pursue after graduation.
Average Tuition & Fees: $9,630/yr
Sources:
IPEDS Data Center
College Navigator
You’ve reached the end of our list of top online psychology graduate programs. For more rankings, check out:
Ranking Top 10 Doctoral Programs in Clinical Psychology
By OPD Staff
January 2018
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