Online Psychology Master’s Degree

Online Psychology Degree: An Overview

Psychology is the study of human behavior, personality and mental health. This broad field has many branches, including educational, clinical, forensic and industrial psychology. A master's is considered the minimum degree level for many careers in psychology.

This degree has grown in popularity; the National Center of Education Statistics reports that 26,773 master's degrees in psychology were conferred in 2014-15, up more than 40 percent since the 2004-05 academic year. Students interested in earning the degree can choose to complete an online master's in psychology rather than a traditional on-campus program.

As noted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a doctoral degree is required for most clinical, counseling and research psychologist roles. However, a master's degree is sufficient for some positions and is linked to above-average earnings. According to PayScale, an online salary database, these positions include industrial-organizational psychologists, who earn a median annual salary of nearly $71,000, and school psychologists, who earn a median annual salary above $59,000.

A master's in psychology online program offers flexibility for students who are also working professionals. Web-based programs typically follow the same rigorous curricula as brick-and-mortar options, leading to similar advancement opportunities for graduates. The online format is also ideal for students who must tackle additional commitments – such as child or family care – on top of their work and class schedules.

How long does it take to earn a master's in psychology online?

The length of an online master's in psychology program varies by institution, but most are designed for completion within two years. The college or university may place a time limit on the completion time, such as five years. Accelerated master's programs can be completed in as little as a year. Credit load also varies, with programs generally ranging between 30 and 50 credits.

How much does a master's in psychology cost?

The cost of a master's in psychology online degree depends on several factors. State residency is an important consideration, since many colleges and universities charge higher tuition for out-of-state students. However, some schools charge flat tuition for online students regardless of state residency. Technology fees are another key factor; these fees often apply to online students but not their brick-and-mortar counterparts.

Per-credit costs for an online master's degree in psychology typically range from $400 to $945. Students should expect to pay between $18,000 and $45,000 in total tuition.

Online master's in psychology admissions requirements

An accredited bachelor's degree is typically required for admission into a psychology master's online program. Standardized test scores may also be required. The GRE is considered the standard graduate entrance exam, but some schools accept scores from alternate exams like the Miller Analogies Test, or MAT.

Choosing an accredited online psychology degree program

Accreditation status is one of the most important considerations for prospective students. Colleges and universities in the U.S. receive accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; the accreditation process involves an extensive review of a school's educational programs and student services.

A school's accreditation impacts course credit transferability, as well as student eligibility for federal financial aid, so students should ensure the school offering the program has earned national or regional accreditation.
Online Coursework

The curriculum of a master's in psychology online program is typically divided into two parts: core/foundational courses and electives or specialization courses.

Core coursework covers human development, learning and cognition, group dynamics, ethics and the practice of psychology. Typically, the curriculum emphasizes scientific theories and research methods.

Electives in online psychology master's degree programs usually explore niche areas of psychology, like health psychology or career counseling. These programs often also include internships and field-based practicum courses. Some master's in psychology curricula offer specializations in areas like educational psychology, forensic psychology or counseling. A large number of programs culminate in capstone experiences, which may take the form of a research or fieldwork project.

Psychology degree specializations

Due to the broad, multidisciplinary nature of psychology, master's programs may allow students to earn degree specializations in certain areas of the field.

Educational psychology is a suitable specialization option for students who aspire to work at schools or adult learning centers. This area of psychology focuses on how the human brain receives and processes information within educational settings, as well as the way people communicate and interact with others while learning. Educational psychology also explores strategies for working with nontraditional and underperforming learners.

Forensic psychology is a combination of brain science, abnormal psychology and criminal justice. Professionals in this field often evaluate suspects and convicted criminals to help determine whether they are fit to stand trial or to receive parole. They also work with law enforcement officials to uncover the psychological motives behind crimes. This specialization involves coursework in areas like social psychology, theories of personality and courtroom psychology.

Counseling psychology focuses on methods for helping clients deal with mental health disorders, family issues and other interpersonal problems. This specialization often includes coursework in different areas of counseling, such as mental health counseling and substance abuse counseling.

Organizational psychology looks at the psychological factors that influence employee productivity, business relationships and group dynamics. . Coursework in this specialization often covers subjects like performance development, organizational life cycle and talent management. The organizational psychology specialization is particularly suitable for those who wish to pursue careers in human resources or training and development.


Internships and practicum courses are common in online master's in psychology programs. Unlike standard online coursework, these components usually involve on-site training.

Some schools require online psychology master's students to complete a set number of supervised practicum hours before they become eligible to graduate. The number of hours varies by school. Graduate psychology students generally complete at least 80 hours for a practicum – and as many as 600 or more.

Professional Associations in Psychology

Students or recent graduates with a master's in psychology can benefit from joining a professional organization. Membership perks for these organizations include access to published reports and academic journals, professional development and certification opportunities, invitations to networking events and career leads.

Three prominent professional organizations for psychology professionals are outlined below.

American Psychological Association: Founded in 1892, the APA has grown to represent more than 115,000 professionals. Incoming members are invited to join one of 54 psychology subdivisions related to career specializations. The APA also offers hundreds of for-credit continuing education programs.
Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology: A division of the APA, SIOP supports research and policy improvement in industrial and organizational psychology. Membership benefits include discounts for resume postings on SIOP's website and eligibility for members-only grants and scholarship awards.
National Alliance on Mental Illness: An organization promoting mental health, NAMI provides education programs, advocates for policy improvements and offers a toll-free help line for people suffering from mental health problems. NAMI also works with the media and hosts public events to promote awareness of mental health issues.

Job Outlook

According to the BLS, the outlook is strong for careers in psychology. Jobs for marriage and family therapists are projected to grow by 20 percent from 2016 to 2026, while job growth for substance abuse, mental health and behavioral disorder counselors is also projected at 20 percent.

Salaries for psychology careers are mixed. Human resources specialists make a median annual salary of $59,180 – nearly $10,000 higher than the average salary for all industries. However, the yearly salaries of social workers, marriage and family therapists, and substance abuse, mental health and behavioral disorder counselors fall around $42,000 to $49,000.

How do you become a psychologist?

With the exception of roles in industrial-organizational psychology or in a school, most positions for professional psychologists require a doctorate. In addition, all psychologists in clinical practice must be licensed, which typically requires them to complete an internship. These requirements vary by state.

However, some jurisdictions allow graduates with a master's in the field to practice within certain parameters if supervised by a licensed psychologist who holds a doctorate. Licensed psychologists earn a median annual salary of $75,230, according to the BLS.

What can you do with a master's in psychology?

Master's in psychology online graduates can pursue a number of careers with this credential in a variety of industries. Outside of the mental health field, graduates may find employment in social services, schools and human resources departments. Some careers are outlined below.

Marriage and family therapist: Marriage and family therapists specialize in helping individuals, couples and families overcome interpersonal problems and improve relationships at home. They may also provide advice related to topics like addiction and mental health disorders.

School psychologist: Working with students, parents and teachers, school psychologists diagnose and treat learning disorders and behavioral problems. They provide counseling to students and administer performance evaluations to promote education programs best suited to individuals' needs.

Social worker: "Social worker" is an umbrella term referring to professionals who help individuals cope with aspects of everyday life. Clinical social workers are qualified to treat mental and emotional disorders. Other divisions of the career include health care social workers, child and family social workers, and school social workers.

Substance abuse, mental health and behavioral disorder counselor: Mental health counselors help their clients address disorders like depression and anxiety and addictions to alcohol and drugs. These professionals may counsel clients in one-on-one, family or group settings. A master's degree and 2,000 to 4,000 hours in a supervised clinical setting are needed for counseling licensure in most states, according to the BLS.

Licensure

Careers in psychology that generally require state licensure include substance abuse, mental health and behavioral disorder counselors, marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers. Typically, a master's degree and at least two years of professional experience are required for licensure in these fields.

Source : https://www.usnews.com/