Choosing the right online master's program in behavioral psychology means finding one that fits your budget, offers flexibility, and positions you for career success.
We can help you take the guesswork out of your search with our list of the best behavioral psychology programs. Using data from reputable sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), we compared programs based on factors like:
Tuition and fees
Graduate outcomes
Flexibility and accessibility
Application process
Dive into our list to find out which program can offer you the greatest potential return on investment.
Top Online Master's in Behavioral Psychology Programs
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school's program to identify qualities that set it apart from others on this list, prioritizing factors like BCBA exam pass rates, affordability, and concentration options. 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 November 2025.
Why You Should Get a Master's in Behavioral Psychology
Career Flexibility: A master's in behavioral psychology can help prepare you for several career paths, including marriage and family therapy, addiction counseling, education, human resources, and social services.
Impactful Career: Licensed counselors with a master's in behavioral psychology can make a difference by helping clients overcome challenges and improve their overall well-being.
Transferable Skills: Online behavioral psychology degrees emphasize valuable transferable skills such as effective communication, relationship building, problem-solving, and analytical thinking.
Benefits of Getting a Master's in Behavioral Psychology Online
According to our 2025 Online Education Trends Report:
90% of graduates who earned an online degree said in the survey that they expect to receive a positive return on investment (ROI) on their education.
76% of online degree-seekers surveyed feel that the quality of their education meets or exceeds that of traditional in-person learning.
79% of graduates said they feel that their online programs prepared them well for their first job after graduation.
How to Choose the Best Program for You
Comparing the following factors when researching behavioral psychology master's degrees can help you find a program that aligns with your academic personal needs and career goals:
Cost and Financial Aid
Master's in Psychology, 2020
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $12,048
Avg. Net Price: $11,013
On-Campus
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $14,044
Avg. Net Price: $12,471
Source: NCES PowerStats
The latest data from the NCES shows that earning a master's in psychology online can save you about $1,400 per year on tuition compared to on-campus students. In two years, which is how long a master's usually takes to complete, this amounts to a total savings of around $2,800.
However, these figures are averages. Actual costs can vary significantly across schools.
For example, at the University of South Florida, in-state students pursuing a master's in applied behavior analysis pay $8,350 per year, compared to $19,048 for out-of-state students. At Simmons University, all students pay $21,654 per year — regardless of their residency status.
How much you'll pay for tuition also depends on your financial aid eligibility. To get a clearer picture of your potential tuition costs, consider using each school's net price calculator.
This tool estimates your expenses after accounting for grants, scholarships, and other financial aid you might qualify for based on your personal financial situation.
Find Financial Aid for Your Degree
Program Length
Typical # of Credits
36 Credits
Typical Program Length
1-2 Years
The data in the table above represents the average number of credits and years it takes to complete most master's degree programs, including those in behavioral psychology.
However, credit requirements often differ across institutions, and whether you're a full- or part-time student significantly impacts how quickly you'll graduate.
Check out the credit requirements of some of our top picks to get a better sense of what to expect:
Arcadia University: 33 credits; designed to be completed in as few as 18 months
Ball State University: 30 credits; choose between a traditional 16-week course length or an accelerated eight-week course length
Bay Path University: Starts at 48 credits; seven or eight semesters — approximately 25-28 months — depending on degree option chosen
Application Requirements
Most master's in behavioral psychology programs have the following application requirements:
Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university
Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
Two letters of recommendation
Resume
Personal statement
However, application requirements can vary, so it's important to carefully read each program's details.
For example, some programs require or prefer recommendation letters from board-certified or licensed behavior analysts. Other programs may require specific undergraduate classes or relevant work experience.
Don't feel discouraged if you don't match a program's exact requirements. Some universities offer alternative admission pathways, such as provisional or conditional admission.
This allows you to complete prerequisite courses or gain additional experience after enrollment. With this in mind, talk with an enrollment advisor to see if they can accommodate you.
Accreditation
When researching programs, verify that they hold regional accreditation from a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Higher Learning Commission. You can confirm a school's accreditation status through the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
If you're specifically interested in studying applied behavior analysis (ABA), you'll also want to look for programmatic accreditation from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). ABAI-accredited programs follow high academic standards, offering solid training in behavioral analysis techniques, ethical practices, and research skills.
Curriculum
Core courses for behavioral psychology programs typically include:
Foundations of Behavioral Psychology
Applied Behavior Analysis
Ethics and Professional Conduct
Behavioral Assessment and Intervention
Most programs also require an in-person practicum or internship, where you'll take part in supervised fieldwork and learn from experienced professionals.
However, not all curricula offer the same specialization options. You may notice differences in emphasis on certain approaches (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy versus ABA) or variations in fieldwork or thesis requirements.
Comparing these details can help you find a program that aligns with your specific career goals.
Student Support
The best behavioral psychology degree programs offer online students the same excellent student services that on-campus learners receive. For instance, at Simmons University, online master's students benefit from:
Dedicated student success specialists
Practicum placement advisors
24/7 tech support
Virtual office hours
Virtual career fairs and exclusive job boards
Having access to student services such as these can enhance your college experience, helping you explore career options, stay organized academically, and build a professional network.
What Can You Do With This Degree?
Earning a master's degree in behavioral psychology can open doors to diverse career paths, depending on your program's specialization. Potential roles include applied behavior analyst, behavioral consultant, and educational specialist.
Other positions, like addiction counselor or marriage and family therapist, usually require a professional license because they involve counseling and therapy with clients.
To get licensed, you'll typically need an accredited master's degree and supervised fieldwork hours. You'll also need to pass a licensing exam and background check.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,190 | These counselors specialize in helping clients identify the cause(s) of addiction or mental health struggles. They propose treatment plans and connect clients with outside resources. |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $63,780 | Licensed marriage and family therapists help clients repair relationships. Much of their job involves leading talk therapy sessions. |
| School and Career Counselors and Advisors | $65,140 | Working in K-12 schools, these counselors and advisors help students overcome academic and social hurdles. Other responsibilities include connecting families in need with appropriate resources. |
| Survey Researchers | $63,380 | Survey researchers develop and perform surveys for their clients. Survey results help businesses and organizations make data-driven decisions. |
| Market Research Analysts | $76,950 | Market research analysts study the relationship between consumer behavior and the broader economy. Their findings help businesses invest in in-demand products and services. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Master's in Behavioral Psychology Programs
Yes, a master's degree in behavioral psychology can qualify you for therapist roles such as mental health counselor, applied behavior analyst, addiction counselor, or marriage and family therapist, especially if your program includes clinical training and supervised fieldwork.
However, it typically won't qualify you to become a licensed clinical psychologist, which usually requires a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.).
