If you’re going to work with people (and almost everyone does), you’ll want to know how people work.
Psychology observes and interprets the human mind by considering everything from memory and reasoning to personality and mental health. It’s no wonder that even organizations outside of psychology-related fields would consider someone who understands the human psyche a huge asset.
Whether you want to become a counselor, improve corporate/employee relationships, design world-changing apps, or conduct your own research, a master’s degree in psychology is a great way to enter the field or develop a specialization.
You don’t have to move across the country to study the human mind at the graduate level. There are countless online master in psychology degree programs that can land you the credentials, expertise, and experience you need to enter the field.
To help you sort through all these programs, we’ve used data from The National Center for Education Statistics and ratings from school-ranking entities like BestColleges.com, BestPsychologyDegrees.com, BestMastersInPsychology.com, BestValueSchools.com, and CollegeChoice.net to compile a list of the top 10 online master in psychology programs. These programs are the best of the best!
To help you make the choice that’s right for you, we’ll show you each school’s:
- Tuition cost
- Program length
- Graduation rates
- Awards and accolades
- Accreditation
- Anything else we think could help you decide
Let’s find a school you’ll love! For starters, here are some highlights:
Most affordable
Some schools show you the annual tuition cost, but others give you a per-credit cost. We’ve estimated total tuition costs for these schools, and one school clearly stands out. Your entire master’s degree at Fort Hays State University (#6 on our list) will only cost you about $8,000-$10,000—no matter what state you live in.
Best graduation rate
Nobody wants to spend thousands of dollars on school and have nothing to show for it. And while every class you take and every professor you learn from contributes to your expertise in psychology, you’re probably here because you actually want a degree.
If that’s what matters most to you, you won’t have to sacrifice a great education for a guaranteed degree. Harvard University is #1 on our list of best online master in psychology degrees, and they have a 97% graduation rate. One caveat though—they only accept about 5% of applicants. So assuming you make it in, you’d almost have to try not to get your degree. Which, come to think of it, is probably why they have such a high graduation rate. They only accept the best.
Now, on to the top ten!
1. Harvard University
Tuition cost: about $33,000 total
Program length: 48 credits
Graduation rate: 97%
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on BestColleges.com: 1
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 1
Harvard University offers an online master of liberal arts (ALM) in psychology. This program is not fully online. The online ALM in psychology is comprised of 12 courses, three of which must be completed on campus.
Interestingly, three of the 12 courses need to be completed before you’re admitted to the program, and you can register for them without applying to the program. You have to pass these three courses with a B or better to get into the program.
There are a few different ways to fulfill the on-campus component of the degree, depending on which classes you choose. You could spend as little as a single intensive weekend on campus (per class), or you could take as much as 15 weeks. So if you want to go to Harvard without “going” to Harvard, there are ways to make it work.
Here’s what they say about the program:
“Examine the science of psychology and gain an understanding of human behavior. In the master’s program in psychology you explore core theories and the latest research, gaining insights into how human beings think, feel, behave, and navigate their social world.”
You’ll learn about:
- Social science research
- Human behavior
- Research designs
- Scientific outcomes
- Behavioral science research
- Quantitative and qualitative methods
- New investigation design
And by the end of the program, you’ll have conducted your own research and written a thesis Harvard deems “publishable.”
While Harvard’s 97% graduation rate is impressive, you should also know: they only accept 5% of applicants, which is dramatically lower than the national average.
Harvard’s PhD in clinical psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association, Commission on Accreditation, so if you’re thinking beyond your master’s, this could be a great choice.
Note: Harvard University is one of the eight Ivy League Schools. Your online degree won’t look any different from an on campus degree, so your resume will really stand out.
2. University of North Dakota
Tuition cost: about $7,000 per year
Program length: 35 credits
Graduation rate: 55%
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on BestValueSchools.com: 2
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 9
- Rank on BestMasterInPsychology.com: 10
University of North Dakota offers an online master of arts in forensic psychology. This program is not fully online. The two year program culminates in a weeklong on-campus capstone experience.
Here’s what online students have to say about UND’s capstone experiences:
For the forensic psychology program, it looks like the biggest benefit of your capstone experience is that you get to meet professionals working within the industry, including a:
- County judge
- FBI agent
- Chief of police
- Forensic psychologist
- Violence intervention center director
- Prosecuting attorney
- Trial attorney
So what is forensic psychology? Here’s how University of North Dakota defines it:
“Forensic Psychology is a rapidly growing specialty area of psychology. It broadly refers to the application of psychological theory, knowledge, skills and competencies to the civil and criminal justice systems. . . . Forensic psychologists focus on the application of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal systems.”
Through the program, you’ll learn how to:
- Conduct focus groups and assist lawyers in trial preparation and jury selection
- Select and use the most appropriate instruments for forensic assessment
- Testify as an expert witness
- Provide agencies with research-based program evaluations
- Assist courts and state agencies in addressing forensic issues
As you’ve probably guessed, this program prepares you for a very specific career in psychology. But if you still want to pursue clinical or counseling psychology, UND’s PhD programs in both of those fields are certified by the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation.
Note: University of North Dakota does not require GRE scores.
3. University of Georgia
Tuition cost: about $22,000 or $23,000 total
Program length: 34 or 37 credits
Graduation rate: 85%
Accreditation:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
- National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on BestColleges.com: 2
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 4
Through their College of Education, University of Georgia offers two online master of education in educational psychology programs:
- Applied cognition and development
- Gifted and creative education
Here’s the breakdown of each program:
Applied cognition and development (34 credits)
The program “explores the impact of human cognitive, motivational, and developmental processes in education and practice. . . . Graduates are prepared for careers in teaching, lifespan development settings, research in schools and industry, institutional research, religious education, military education, and educational technology.”
You’ll also choose from one of four secondary areas of focus:
- Learning with technology
- Learning across the lifespan
- Qualitative approaches to education
- Development of high intellectual capability
Nine of your 34 credits will be in your chosen focus area.
Gifted and creative education (37 credits)
This program “is based on the philosophy that giftedness and creativity are expressed in diverse ways among diverse people; that creativity is a universal potential to be nurtured and enhanced; and that the best education is tailored to students’ specific needs and interests for talent development. This philosophy will be expressed through a focus on instruction, research, and service. . . . After completing the first four courses, you will qualify for the Gifted In-Field Endorsement for the State of Georgia. Graduates from this program assume a variety of roles including those of college or university professor, classroom teacher, coordinator of school system programs, coordinator in state departments of education, or educational consultant.”
The gifted and creative education program does not have “secondary areas of focus” or specializations.
Obviously, if you choose this master’s program, you’d probably be best suited to continue your specialization in school psychology, but this should give you the tools to succeed in other graduate programs as well. UGA’s PhD programs in clinical psychology, school psychology, and counseling psychology are certified by the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation.
Note: University of Georgia requires GRE and MAT scores, although unfortunately, they don’t specify what scores you need to be admitted.
4. Ball State University
Tuition cost:
- In-state: about $12,000 or $13,000 total
- Out-of-state: about $18,000 or $20,000 total
Program length: 30 or 33 credits
Graduation rate: 58%
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on BestValueSchools.com: 1
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 10
Ball State University offers two online master in psychology degrees through their educational psychology department:
- Master of arts in educational psychology
- Master of science in quantitative psychology
Here’s what they say about each program:
MA in educational psychology (30 credits)
“The MA is aimed at education professionals and others who work in a field related to learning and human development. Whatever your profession, you can complete the MA in just 18 months (less than one year if you take a full load each term, including summer). . . . Our program is home to leading experts in key fields such as child and adolescent development, advanced statistical applications, motivation, high stakes testing, and academic anxiety. As a recognized leader and innovator in online education, Ball State employs best practices, in place to ensure the kind of personal attention from faculty that you’d expect to get face to face.”
The MA in educational psychology does not require GRE scores.
More than a third of your credits will come from your specialization. You can choose one of these three areas to specialize in:
MS in quantitative psychology (33 credits)
“In a world where assessment, measurement, and the ability to accurately analyze all this big data is critical, quantitative methods are at the heart of all aspects of psychology, education, business, and the social sciences. In this program, you will study methods and techniques for the measurement of human attributes, the statistical and mathematical modeling of psychological processes, the design of research studies, and the analysis of psychological data.
“This program will provide you with basic and advanced statistical knowledge and skills, plus the proficiency to analyze and apply data in a variety of social science-related data situations that are necessary for many public and private sector jobs in education and industry, as well as for pursuing a doctoral degree.”
The MS in quantitative psychology requires GRE scores, and does not offer specialization options.
If you want to pursue a doctoral degree when you’re done with your masters, BSU’s PhD programs in school psychology and counseling psychology are certified by the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation.
5. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Tuition cost: about $24,000 per year
Program length: 36 credits
Graduation rate: N/A
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on BestPsychologyDegrees.com: 1
- Rank on BestColleges.com: 9
As you might expect, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers the widest selection of online master in psychology degrees (there are 25 of them). You can see all of the psychology-related master’s degrees on the website, but here, we’ll focus on their master of arts in psychology program, which offers seven concentrations.
Your concentration options include:
- Forensic psychology
- Public health
- Generalist
- Applied behavior analysis
- Organizational leadership
- Child and adolescent psychology
- International psychology
If any of these programs appeals to you, you’ll also want to see The Chicago School’s other online psychology degrees, because they almost certainly have an even more specialized degree in that area.
You can probably even find a degree built around your desired concentration that offers concentrations of its own. Concentrations within concentrations.
All of these master of arts in psychology programs are available full time or part time, and they’re designed to be completed in one to two years. They are all 36 credits, with nine of those credits coming from your concentration.
If you already have a strong academic foundation in psychology, you may want to choose one of The Chicago School’s more specialized degrees, since the bulk of your master of arts in psychology is in foundational courses.
Here are a few of their more unique online master in psychology programs:
- Health services administration
- Clinical psychopharmacology
- Industrial and organizational psychology
- Clinical mental health counseling
- Behavioral economics
- Educational psychology and technology
Since most of these programs are designed to be completed within a year, if you’re a full time student, you can pretty much figure that the tuition cost listed above is your whole tuition. If you can afford this school, it’s definitely worth exploring their options.
6. Fort Hays State University
Tuition cost: about $8,000 or $10,000 total
Program length: 30 or 36 credits
Graduation rate: 37%
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on BestMastersInPsychology.com: 2
- Rank on BestValueSchools.com: 9
Through their Virtual College, Fort Hays State University offers an online master of science in school psychology and an educational specialist (Ed.S.) in school psychology. Upon completing the program, you’ll be eligible for licensure as a school psychologist in Kansas and other states that require the same criteria.
Not sure what a school psychologist does? Here’s how the National Association of School Psychologists describes the position:
“School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.”
Neither of these programs are fully online. They both require two five day workshops on campus. The master of arts program is 30 credits, and the specialist in education program is 36 credits.
While you might think there’s quite a bit of overlap between these two degrees, the courses are almost completely different, and you should check them out before you settle on a program.
7. Kansas State University
Tuition cost:
- In-state: about $10,000 per year
- Out-of-state: about $22,000 per year
Program length: 38 credits
Graduation rate: 63%
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on BestValueSchools.com: 5
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 7
Kansas State University offers an online master of science in psychology with an emphasis on industrial and organizational psychology (MIOP). This is a terminal professional degree, meaning it is the highest degree awarded in this specialized field.
This program is not fully online. KSU calls this a hybrid program, but the on-campus time is pretty comparable to most other “online” programs. For the first two years of the program, you’re required to be on campus for two weeks during the summer.
A MIOP is probably best suited for someone interested in entering the field of human resource management.
Here are some of the things you’ll learn how to do:
- Apply behavioral science principles
- Use technology to make human resource decisions
- Help organizations make ethical choices
- Develop selection, training, and evaluation programs for an organization
Note: If you take more than three years to complete the program, you’ll have to pay additional fees.
8. Southern New Hampshire University
Tuition cost: about $22,000-$28,000 total
Program length: 36-45 credits
Graduation rate: 58%
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on BestPsychologyDegree.com: 5
- Rank on BestValueSchools.com: 8
Southern New Hampshire University offers an online master of science in psychology with three concentration options:
- Child and adolescent psychology
- Forensic psychology
- Industrial organizational psychology
Here’s what they say about the program:
“The accredited master’s in psychology online at Southern New Hampshire University prepares you to become an important part of the diagnosis and solution for employers seeking to maximize an organization’s performance. You’ll deepen your understanding of research methods, cognitive psychology, social psychology, personality, learning theory and ethical practice while focusing on the real-world application of psychological research.”
If you don’t already have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, SMHU may require you to take up to three additional 500-level courses for three credits each:
- Foundations in psychology
- Foundations in statistics
- Research methods in a social science
You can complete your degree in as little as 15 months.
SMHU does not require GRE or GMAT scores.
Note: SMHU’s student to faculty ratio is 30:1. The national average is 18:1. While you probably won’t see the ratio get that high in a master’s program, it’s worth noting that in general, SMHU’s faculty may not be as available as they would be at other schools.
9. University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Tuition cost:
- In-state: about $11,000 per year
- Out-of-state: about $29,000 per year
Program length: 36 credits
Graduation rate: 69%
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 6
- Rank on BestColleges.com: 8
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville offers an online master of science in educational psychology with two concentrations:
- Adult education
- Applied educational psychology
Here’s how they describe each concentration:
Adult education
“The concentration includes coursework in such areas as adult learning and development, program planning, reflective practice, professional issues in adult education, research, and teaching adults. Emphasis is on the development of reflective practitioners who actively participate in leadership and service to promote adult learning in a global community.”
Applied educational psychology
“The concentration includes traditional themes in educational psychology (e.g., human development, learning principles, assessment, and psychoeducational intervention). The concentration may be used as a stepping stone for entering a doctoral program in educational or school psychology or as an additional preparation for functioning in an educational role in schools, mental health centers, and business programs devoted to personal and professional development.”
24 credits come from core courses, regardless of your concentration, and the remaining 12 credits are devoted to your concentration. The degree is designed to be completed in two years with two courses per semester.
If you want to pursue a doctorate when you’re done with your master’s, UT’s PhD programs in clinical psychology, school psychology, and counseling psychology are certified by the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation.
10. Eastern Michigan University
Tuition cost:
- In-state: about $15,000 per year
- Out-of-state: about $28,000 per year
Program length: 30 credits
Graduation rate: 41%
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on BestValueSchools.com: 4
Eastern Michigan University offers a master of arts in educational psychology with two concentrations:
- Developing learner
- Research and assessment
The developing learner concentration is available fully online, but the research and assessment concentration is only available through a combination of online and on campus courses. Both programs equip students to understand the cognitive, physical, social, and affective development of children and adolescents, and to apply that knowledge both in school settings and non-school settings.
The developing learner concentration involves some research and assessments of student outcomes, but it focuses on the individual learner. This concentration offers the widest selection of courses.
The research and assessment concentration gives students a strong background in childhood development, but emphasizes understanding, conducting, and evaluating research.
If you want to pursue a doctorate degree when you’re done with your master’s, EMU’s PhD program in clinical psychology is certified by the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation.
Fun fact: You can enroll in a few classes at EMU without applying for admission. This could be a great way to get a headstart on your studies, or to see if you like EMU’s online classes.
A quick note on pursuing graduate studies
In order for a school to recognize your undergraduate degree, the school you previously attended and the one you wish to attend usually have to be accredited by the same organizations.
Most of the schools on this list are accredited by different regional accrediting bodies, so wherever you went to school before, you’ll hopefully have some options (the list may get shorter quick though). Five of these schools are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and two of them are accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges.
The best school is really up to you
We can’t tell you exactly which school is the best choice for you—and you shouldn’t let anyone else do that, either. You have to weigh the factors that are most important to you and let that guide your decision. Choosing a school is a huge investment—both in terms of what it immediately costs you and how it affects your life. So take your time.
We hope this list has helped make the decision a little easier for you. Good luck in your future studies!
