Demand for psychologists is on the rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a faster-than-average rise in psychologist jobs over the next decade.
A master's in psychology can help you advance in this fast-growing field or even break into an adjacent one like social services.
What's more, getting your psychology master's degree online gives you the flexibility needed to advance your education without giving up your career. Out of over 100 online psychology, education, and social sciences program students and graduates we surveyed in the BestColleges 2025 Online Education Trends Report, 98% say they would recommend online education to others.
We can help you take the guesswork out of your search with our list of the best online master's in psychology programs. Using data from reputable sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), we compared programs based on factors including:
- Tuition and fees
Graduate outcomes
Flexibility and accessibility
Application process
Start Your Master's in Psychology Journey
Best Online Psychology Master's Degree Programs
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school's program to identify qualities that set it apart, prioritizing factors like socially conscious learning, research opportunities, and the relevance of the curriculum to healthcare and other careers. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools' facts in August 2025.
Why You Should Get a Psychology Master's Degree
Can Help You Advance: A master's degree can help you advance in your field — and even earn more money. According to the BLS, master's degree-holders earn, on average, around $15,500 more per year than bachelor's degree-holders.
Lots of Concentrations: You can choose a concentration to break into niche, well-paying specializations, like forensic psychology, https://www.bestcolleges.com/psychology/masters/behavioral-psychology/, and clinical psychology.
Networking Opportunities: A master's in psychology typically offers many networking opportunities with peers and practicing psychologists.
Relevant Professional Experience: You'll get in-person work experience through practicums, which can also fulfill state licensure requirements.
In-Demand Field: The BLS projects that psychologist jobs will grow 6% between 2024 and 2034, which is slightly faster than average.
Benefits of Getting a Master's in Psychology Online
Many online programs are built around flexibility for working adults, allowing you to take classes online while still meeting in-person practicum requirements.
In our 2025 Online Education Trends Report, 95% of online psychology students and graduates say they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
Additionally, more than half of students said their classes included assignments they could relate to their current jobs.
How to Choose the Best Online Psychology Master's Degree Program for You
Online master's in psychology degrees come in all shapes and sizes. Before you apply, be sure to consider factors such as application requirements, program costs, and concentrations.
How Much Does an Online Psychology Master's Degree Cost?
Online Psychology Master's Degrees, 2019-2020
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$12,048
Avg. Net Price
$11,0135
Source: NCES PowerStats
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students enrolled in online master's in psychology programs paid an average of just over $12,000 in tuition and fees in 2019-2020.
Online master's degrees generally cost less than their in-person counterparts. Most two-year master's programs cost more than $57,000, but online master of science degrees — which can include many psychology programs — generally cost less than $31,000.
The good news: Students generally think online degrees are worth it. In our survey, 97% of online master's students and program graduates think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
Find Financial Aid for Your Master's in Psychology
How Long Does It Take to Get a Psychology Master's Degree?
Typical # of Credits
30-36 Credits
Typical Program Length
2-3 Years
How long an online master's in psychology takes you will depend on both your schedule and how the program is structured.
Some programs offer accelerated online formats, which generally involve more intensive classes but can take as little as one year to complete.
A typical full-time master's in psychology program takes around two years. That said, an asynchronous program built around your schedule could take longer.
Some programs accept transfer credits or offer credit for work experience. Depending on your school, you might be able to complete your master's in psychology faster — and typically at a lower cost if you transfer a lot of credits or get credit for experience.
Master's in Psychology Application Requirements
Undergraduate transcripts
GRE scores, if required
Resume
Master's in Psychology Concentrations
If you want to break into a niche psychology field or hone your skills in a specific area, you might pursue a psychology concentration in your online master's program.
Different schools offer different specializations, so be sure schools offer the specialization you're interested in before you apply.
But how do you decide on a concentration?
"Start with basic research into how to leverage your interests in the field," says Megan Pietrucha, Psy.D., a licensed clinical and sport psychologist. "Attending professional conferences and exploring coursework offered in your program can also help narrow options for choosing a concentration."
You don't necessarily need to pick a concentration for your psychology master's degree — you can also choose to study general psychology, which includes instruction in a number of areas to give you a broad overview of the field.
Here are some popular concentrations for online master's in psychology programs:
Accreditation for a Master's in Psychology
Attending an accredited psychology master's program ensures you learn relevant work-ready skills.
While programmatic accreditation isn't always necessary for master's in psychology students, it's best to prioritize programs that are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
A CACREP-accredited program may include an in-person internship or practicum requirement, so keep this in mind when you apply for programs. This may mean you will have to travel to campus to complete clinical requirements or find a program that accepts placements in your area.
Alternatively, you could look for programs accredited by:
Note that the American Psychological Association (APA) only accredits doctoral programs, so you won't find any APA-accredited master's in psychology programs.
Finally, the university itself should be institutionally accredited, ideally by a regional accrediting agency.
Ask an Expert: How Important Is Accreditation for a Master's in Psychology?
"Accreditation for any graduate program is very important, both for quality and regulation of the program, as well as for licensure requirements. [Master's in psychology] programs should be … accredited by an organization such as CACREP."
What Can You Do With an Online Psychology Master's Degree?
Psychology is a broad field, and psychologists work across industries to help both individuals and organizations.
Keep in mind that to call yourself a psychologist, you typically need a doctorate in psychology. Still, a master's degree can set you on the path to earning this terminal degree.
With a master's in psychology, you can seek out roles like therapist and counselor.
"If you want to provide direct clinical or counseling services, a master's degree will allow you to become licensed to provide such services," says Pietrucha.
Alternatively, you can work in psychology-related fields like management, community service, research, and social work. If you're already working in psychology, a master's degree can help you advance into a more specialized position or leadership role.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | $109,840 | Address and improve human resources, administration, management, sales, and other business and organizational challenges |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $63,780 | Help couples and families resolve issues and improve communication |
| School Psychologists | $86,930 | Work with students and teachers to address educational challenges |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $78,240 | Lead organizations that offer community services and assistance |
| Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,190 | Guide and support people with substance use and mental health conditions |
Source: BLS
Learn More About Master's in Psychology Jobs
Is an Online Master's in Psychology Worth It?
An online master's in psychology can lead to career advancement, specialized roles, and higher-paying jobs — but it also comes at a cost.
Depending on the program, earning your master's in psychology online might mean going into debt.
This degree can also take time out of your schedule. If you're an adult learner with a career and family, you might find it challenging to balance work and family with your program.
Fortunately, many online psychology master's programs offer asynchronous classes to help you earn your degree on your own schedule. Online part-time degrees also tend to be less costly than full-time in-person options.
Master's degrees can also lead to higher earnings. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor's in psychology grads in the class of 2023 had an average starting salary of just over $44,000 — but master's grads earned more than $60,000. These earnings also increase over time.
Finally, an online psychology master's can mean more than just a chance at better pay: 52% of online master's students and program graduates told us their online classes included opportunities to build their professional networks.
Online programs also incorporate networking opportunities into their curricula, helping you meet peers in your field.
Education Beyond a Master's in Psychology
A master's degree in psychology doesn't have to be the final step in your education journey. You can go on to earn a Ph.D. in psychology or a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.).
These doctoral degrees can lead to high-level research jobs. What's more, combined with work experience, they can even help you start your own clinical practice.
Some schools offer dual-degree programs that let you earn a master's along with a Psy.D. Your master's could be in psychology or in an entirely separate field, such as business administration, public health, or criminal justice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology Master's Degrees
Online master's degrees, whether in psychology or another field, are generally respected by employers, as long as they're earned from accredited schools.
It's also usually better to attend a nonprofit school instead of a for-profit institution.
Students report seeing value in their online degrees: 73% of online program graduates we surveyed say their education prepared or will prepare them for their first job after graduation well, very well, or extremely well.
