Are you passionate about helping others improve their quality of life? If so, the field of psychology offers exciting opportunities to begin or advance your professional journey. Pursuing an online master's degree in psychology could be the first step toward a rewarding career in mental health.

Navigating through the many program choices can feel overwhelming. To streamline your search, our guide highlights the top-ranked online master's programs and other important factors to consider.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Read our methodology to learn more about how we rank schools.

We use trusted sources likePeterson's Data andthe National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.Psychology.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

Online Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Psychology

Based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, McNeese State University offers an online master's in psychology with a concentration in applied behavior analysis, clinical mental health counseling, general/experimental psychology, and school counseling. The general/experimental psychology concentration emphasizes research and other readiness for a doctorate. The applied behavior analysis program is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. Programs end with either a thesis or an internship. 

Louisiana residents and non-residents both pay the same fees for course loads of three credits or less, but for three credits or higher, non-residents pay an additional fee. Resident tuition starts at $1,435, but the cost per credit declines as the number of credits increases.

Online Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Psychology

Mississippi State University's master of science in counselor education with a concentration in rehabilitation counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. The curriculum prepares graduates to become licensed professional counselors in Mississippi or certified rehabilitation counselors in other states. Students can enroll on a part- or full-time basis, and the program requires 60 credits for completion. 

Learners must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA to take the comprehensive final examination. They must also pass certain gatekeeper courses with at least a B grade.

Online Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Psychology

National University's master of arts in human behavior psychology suits students who plan to take on leadership positions, but it can also prepare learners for doctoral studies or to fulfill personal or career growth plans. Enrollees must complete at least 54 quarter credits to graduate. The program is based on four-week courses, allowing students to begin the program as quickly as possible. The schedule and structure are also designed to be military-friendly, and students in the armed forces have access to special support. 

As part of its antiracism and antidiscrimination statement, the school encourages community members to develop their capacity to oppose racism and intersectional oppression through reflection and critical learning.

Online Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Psychology

The online master of psychology at Pepperdine can be completed in 18 months, making it one of the faster programs on this list. Students can attend on a full- or part-time basis. The curriculum includes just two electives, as well as the five foundation and nine core courses. Classes are mostly held on weeknights and occasional weekends. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree, but those without coursework in psychology in the last seven years must take a refresher course. Those with a GPA below 3.0 are asked to submit an explanation.

Online Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Psychology

Purdue's online master's in psychology takes approximately two years to complete. Students can choose a concentration in addictions, forensic psychology, or in industrial/organizational psychology, or they can pursue a general program. The concentration in addictions is accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission. 

Please note that enrollees must pass a criminal background check for the addictions or industrial/organizational psychology concentrations. Students may choose between a capstone project and a master's thesis. If the program requires a practicum, learners are responsible for finding a site and making arrangements. 

Online Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Psychology

Regent's online master's in psychology offers classes entirely online. Regent describes its graduates as mental health practitioners who combine science and faith in their practice. Students can choose addiction, cyberpsychology, industrial-organizational psychology, leadership coaching, or marriage and family as concentrations, or follow the doctoral preparation track. Tuition costs $695 per credit.

The program requires at least 39 credits, depending on the concentration. The addictions concentration includes the study of faith-based interventions, and the concentration in cyberpsychology is among the few available in this emerging area. 

Online Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Psychology

Southern New Hampshire University's online master's in psychology offers three concentration options: child and development, forensic, and industrial-organizational. All programs require 36 credits, and students can transfer up to 12 credits toward completion. Each program ends with a capstone and seminar.

Classes are asynchronous, so learners can participate on their own schedule. Students without a background in psychology may be required to take up to three pre-requisite courses in psychology, statistics, and research methods. Tuition is $637 per credit. U.S. service members and spouses of those on active duty receive a 25% discount.

Online Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Psychology

The University of Louisiana at Monroe's online master's in psychology requires applicants to have at least nine hours in undergraduate psychology, including at least three hours in statistics. Otherwise eligible students may take up to 12 credits of graduate programs while they complete these prerequisites. Applicants should have a 3.0 GPA or an equivalent of GPA and GRE scores. 

Students can complete the general psychology course or the forensics concentration entirely online but must complete a semester on-campus for the psychometrics concentration. A thesis is not required, but students considering a doctorate are encouraged to exercise that option.

The school is designated a Governor's Military and Veteran-Friendly Campus.

Online Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Psychology

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas offers an online master of educational psychology degree. The school says that students can develop individualized programs that focus on the students' professional aspirations and interests. Students can pursue a thesis or a non-thesis track. Applicants should have a 2.75 GPA or a 3.0 GPA in their last two years. Applicants with scores at the 50th percentile or better on the verbal and quantitative GRE test receive preference.

The program requires 33 credits for completion. For a six-credit term, residents pay $2,808, including fees, while non-residents pay $5,080. The school offers limited scholarships for graduate students. 

Online Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Psychology

The University of Oregon's online master's in psychology bridges the gap between researchers who perform translational work and practitioners. The program is not designed for general training in psychology and does not prepare graduates to become licensed. 

The curriculum takes six terms and 49 credits for completion. Applicants must have a degree in psychology or a related field, be an employee or volunteer in a community-based organization that provides social or mental health services, be familiar with psychology research methods, have a research goal or interest, and plan to advance their careers in a related field, such as social services, mental health, education, or healthcare. 

Tuition costs $592 per credit.

Finding the best online master's or doctoral program involves many factors and research. Some considerations when choosing an online master's in psychology or doctorate in psychology include completion time, specializations, flexibility, and the curriculum.

Accreditation is important when selecting a master's or doctoral program, as it verifies the school's quality and standards and allows you to pursue state licensure. You can find accreditation information for a particular school on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website.

At the doctoral level, accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) is important if you plan to seek licensure in most states. The APA does not currently accredit fully online programs.

Cost and financial aid are vital factors in choosing an online master's or doctoral program. Tuition rates can vary from $20,000-$75,000 total for online programs. In-state tuition at public universities typically offer lower tuition than private schools. Textbooks and other required materials and technology also increase costs.

Financial aid resources may be available to offset these expenses. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a popular way of determining eligibility for loans and grants.

Retention and job placement can also be crucial when selecting an online master's or doctoral program. These figures convey how many students complete the program within a specific timeframe and how many graduates secure a job in a field. Many universities offer this data online, including internship placement rates.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Many careers in psychology require at least a master’s degree, and you must have a doctorate to become a licensed psychologist. According to Payscale, graduates with a master’s in psychology earn an average of $64,000, and graduates with a doctorate earn an average of $92,000. Your specific degree, job, location, experience, and other factors can affect your earnings.

A master's degree in psychology opens the door to various careers. Some master's-level careers include:

Average Annual Salary: $147,420

Source: BLS, 2023

Average Annual Salary: $61,710

Source: BLS, 2023

Average Annual Salary: $53,710

Source: BLS, 2023

A doctorate in psychology provides the opportunity for independent practice after obtaining licensure and roles in academia and research. Some doctorate-level career options include:

Average Annual Salary: $96,100

Source: BLS, 2023

Average Annual Salary: $82,140

Source: BLS, 2023

Average Annual Salary: $110,680

Source: BLS, 2023

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), an online master’s in psychology program costs an average of $13,100 annually for tuition and fees, while a traditional program costs an average of $14,350.

A master’s degree can take 2-3 years, while a doctorate can take 4-7 years. In addition, you need to budget for books, technology, and travel to clinical sites.

However, there are options to reduce the cost of attending an on-campus or online master’s in psychology program. You may be eligible for scholarships or grants. Once you graduate, you may be eligible for loan forgiveness programs, especially if you work in an underserved area.

Applying to either a master's or doctoral program takes a handful of steps. Both programs often require specific application materials, including an educational history, exam scores, curriculum vitae (CV) or resume, a personal essay, and letters of recommendation.

First, applicants must earn an undergraduate degree before applying to a master's or doctoral program. Next, many students take the GRE, as this exam is a customary requirement across graduate admissions.

Undergraduate transcripts are standard in the graduate school application process. Institutions review this document to determine academic performance history and patterns and the completion of required prerequisites.

A graduate application may also include a personal essay and resume. These materials can set candidates apart by showcasing their aptitudes, research history and interests, and academic and professional goals.

To become a psychologist, you must complete a doctorate in psychology from an accredited program. Additionally, to practice as a licensed psychologist, you must obtain a license in the state where you intend to practice.

Accreditation indicates that the school or program meets educational and industry standards. You must graduate from an accredited school to be eligible for licensure. For example, attending an APA-accredited doctoral program is important for licensure in most states. The CHEA's website is a helpful tool in verifying accreditation.

A master's degree typically requires 2-3 years of study after completing an undergraduate program, while a doctorate generally takes an average of five additional years. The duration of a master's or doctoral program in psychology can vary depending on the program's specific requirements, your chosen track, and the number of credit hours you take per semester.

You can earn a graduate degree in psychology online. However, prospective online students must consider that most master's and doctoral programs will require in-person supervised practicum or internship hours.