Thanks to rapidly advancing education technology, it’s now possible to get a master’s degree in psychology online without commuting to a college campus. Psychology is a richly diverse field packed with career opportunities in various industries benefiting from knowledge of the human mind and behavior. Declaring an undergraduate major in psychology can unlock jobs from business to counseling and education. However, advancing into clinical, research and administrative roles often requires at least a master of psychology. Online master’s degrees in psychology allow human services professionals to pursue additional training without disrupting their full-time career. Whether leading to a Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.), online psychology programs will progress your understanding of mental health principles.
Online Master of Psychology Curriculum
Online master’s programs in psychology will take students two to four years for completing up to 60 credits of graduate studies. Curricula typically begins with initial courses related to statistics, research methods, human development, psychopathology, personality and social behavior. Some online colleges solely offer a degree for general psychology, but most grant different concentrations. Popular specialty areas include clinical psychology, school psychology, health psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, forensic psychology and neuroscience, according to the American Psychological Association. All coursework will be delivered online, but field practicum and internships are usually required. Online universities generally will arrange hands-on training in each student’s local community. For research-oriented degrees, completing a master’s thesis project may be mandatory, too.
Reasons to Study Psychology Online
Of course, the biggest benefit gained from enrolling in an online master’s degree is scheduling flexibility. Most programs are asynchronous, which means you can log in 24/7 to watch lectures and complete assignments. There’s no need to relinquish your work or family life obligations. In today’s digital world, attending college online will help develop essential tech skills, including sending emails, accessing online journals, and videoconferencing. Earning an online master’s degree in psychology is often a more affordable alternative. Along with having lower tuition and fee costs, online programs allow you to forego housing, meal plan and commuting expenses. An accredited online Master of Psychology can also help you transfer credits into a PhD or PsyD program later.
Finding a Quality Master of Psychology Degree Online
Not all online master’s degrees in psychology are created equal. So-called diploma mills are notorious for providing a low-quality education at high prices to online students. Steer clear of this debacle by checking your online college’s accreditation status. All online psychology programs should be at least regionally accredited. Master’s degrees accredited by the Masters in Psychology Accreditation Council (MPAC) or National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) are also valuable. Review the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings to find top-performing online universities. Talk to faculty, alumni and admissions committees to answer your questions. Other important factors are affordability, specialty areas, curriculum, internships, job placement, class size and tech support.
Related Resource: Top 10 Best Online Master’s in Psychology Degree Programs
Overall, Master of Science in psychology degrees can be attained on-campus, online or in a hybrid mixed mode depending on students’ schedule. Busying working professionals who are crunched for time and can’t spend hours in a college classroom benefit greatly from online programs.
Even though a doctorate is the minimum requirement for clinical licensing, a Master of Psychology leads to jobs in several specialties. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for psychologists is $80,370. When you get a Master of Psychology degree online, you’ll realize the greatest flexibility while studying therapeutic interventions.