Best Online Masters in Psychology

With a robust list of more than 100 master’s degrees available online, there’s no wonder that Southern New Hampshire University is not only very online-friendly for psychology master’s students, but has affordable tuition as well. 

SNHU offers three master’s in psychology online programs. Though some basic courses will be the same across all three degrees – such as those that focus on research and data collection – the concentration courses for each will allow master’s students to target the areas that will prepare them for a future career. Here’s a brief rundown of the concentrations:

• Industrial and Organizational Psychology students will take courses in social psychology, cognitive processes, organizational consulting, the psychology of leadership, and theories of personality. 
• Child and Developmental Psychology students will encounter courses in intervention strategies, cognitive neuropsychology, developmental psychology, and ethical practices in psychology. 
• Forensic Psychology students will take courses in the intersection of law and psychology, assessments specific to forensic psychology, psychology in the courtroom, and theories of personality. 

All master’s programs in psychology require 36 credit hours, which can be completed in as little as 15 months, assuming a student is taking two courses per term. 

• Tuition: $627 per credit hour or $1,881 per course. (Please note: A 25 percent discount is offered for military service members, both full and part-time, and the spouses of those on active duty).
• Fees: $40 application fee, $150 graduation fee, and course materials (if the course requires it)

Ranked the No. 1 online master’s program in the nation, the Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from the University of North Dakota takes only two years to complete when attending part-time. Thirty credit hours are required and cover what graduate students need to know to testify as an expert witness, provide research-based evaluations, and assist courts and agencies in forensic issues, among other duties. The program offers intense tutoring, advising, tech support, and library services. Master’s students must attend class on-campus for one week during the capstone portion of their program. 

• Tuition: $418 per credit
• Fees: $62 mandatory fee per credit

The University of North Texas offers more than 20 online master’s programs, three related to psychology. Full-time students can complete their master’s studies in as little as 15 months. Here are the three options:

• MS in Educational Psychology – Gifted and Talented Thirty-three hours are required for this program, with courses that range from three weeks to eight weeks. 
• MS in Educational Psychology – Research and Evaluation. This program also requires 33 hours, with courses that can be taken in accelerated format over the summer and breaks, making it perfect for working teachers. 
• MS in Rehabilitation Counseling. This program requires 48 credit hours, nine of which are dedicated to over 700 hours of fieldwork. Students can expect to graduate within two years. 

Various start dates throughout the year make these programs even more flexible for online students. 

• Tuition and fees: Approximately $1,400 per course for in-state residents and $450 per credit hour for out-of-state residents.

The Master of Science in Applied Psychology is the only one of four psychology programs at Angelo State University to be offered online. Students can choose from the thesis or non-thesis option; they can expect to complete 36 hours for graduation. To help pay for the cost of earning the master’s in psychology program, ASU offers the Carr Academic Graduate Scholarship, which every enrolled grad student is considered for; it is based on merit and undergraduate GPA. 

• Tuition and fees: Approximately $758 per credit hour for in-state residents and $1,180 for out-of-state residents.

The Master of Science in Counseling Psychology at California Baptist University requires the completion of 62 major units and takes two years to complete. Students can choose between synchronous, instant messaging and communication learning and asynchronous learning, which offers master’s students a more self-paced approach via email, message boards, and web platforms. This program prepares students for licensure as marriage and family counselors in California; out-of-state students should check with their licensing board before enrolling to ensure the education meets their state requirements. Though this master’s program might cost a bit more than others on the list, robust financial aid offers help level the financial playing field. 

• Tuition: $710 per credit unit

Two master’s degrees in psychology online are available through Nelson University, including those in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and General Psychology. (Please note that only the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares master’s students for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas; out-of-state students should also check with their state regulations to ensure the program meets their requirements.) Small class sizes and access to various support services help set Nelson University apart, as does the fact that students graduate with an average of 20 percent less debt than other universities. 

• Tuition: $585 per credit hour
• Fees: Several might be assessed, including a $60 general fee per credit hour, a $50 application fee, and $50 conference fees. 

Graduate psychology students at Fort Hays State University can participate in three different psychology-based programs: Counseling – School, Counseling – Clinical Mental Health, and School Psychology. However, students should be aware that each program is actually a hybrid, requiring anything from 50/50 classroom/on-campus work to hands-on training after completing online courses. Depending upon the course, master’s students will take two to three years to complete their degree program. Though the program takes longer than those at other schools, the tuition cost is much lower than most. 

• Tuition: $287.75 per credit hour
• Fees: $40 admissions fee

The Master of Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Eastern Kentucky University is a 100 percent online program that can be completed in 36 credit hours. As a bonus, the school accepts up to 12 credit hours for transfer, thus cutting down significantly on the time it takes to earn the master’s degree. Online tutoring and other resources are available for all students during their 8-week terms. Significant tuition discounts exist for military members and their qualified family members. 

• Tuition: $611 per credit hour; $325 per credit hour for active duty military
• Fees: Varies by course

Students seeking an affordable master’s program online can opt for the Forensic Psychology or Psychology programs at Arizona State University. These Master of Science programs offer an accelerated seven and a half weeks per class; the Forensic Psychology program requires 11 total classes for 33 credit hours, while the Psychology program requires 12 total classes for 36 credit hours. Full-time students can complete the program within 18 months, but those who need more time can take courses as their schedule allows, as long as they complete their degree pursuit within six years of admission. 

• Tuition: Flat-rate tuition of $5,598 per semester (assuming a 9-hour credit load)
• Fees: $99 per semester for technology and financial aid trust fees

The online Master of Psychology at Saint Leo University is a fully asynchronous program that takes 36 credit hours to complete. Students take one course per 8-week term, allowing them to dive deep into the material. With no more than 15 students per cohort, master’s students enjoy more personal attention. The unique Capstone project allows students to research what interests them and show exceptional communication and ethical decision-making skills. Aspiring students will be happy to learn that the tuition charged here is less than the average tuition of most private universities. 

• Tuition: $650 per credit hour
• Fees: $25 per online course, $65 graduation fee; others may apply

The Master of Science in Educational Psychology is available for aspiring students through UNLV Online. This 33-credit program requires psychology grad students to maintain a 3.0 average and complete a thesis, which they will successfully defend before the degree is awarded. The other option is a comprehensive examination at the end of the program. It is important to remember that UNLV cannot provide online programs to certain states; to see if a specific state of residence offers a degree from here, check out the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements page.

• Tuition: $274.75 per credit for in-state; those out-of-state add an additional $302.25 per credit
• Fees: Includes a $6 graduate credit fee, $8 technology fee per credit, $34 distance learning fee per credit, and potentially more

Those seeking an affordable psychology master’s program can attend the online Master of Arts in Psychology through Touro University Worldwide. This program requires master’s students to complete 12 courses, three of which are electives that lead to one of three specializations: Media, Educational, or Health Psychology. There are no admission fees or hidden fees, and students can bring down their tuition rates through generous use of financial aid through the school, including scholarships and grants. Military members and qualified family members receive a 40 percent discount on tuition. 

• Tuition: $500 per semester credit

The online offerings of Grand Canyon University are robust, so much so that numerous programs focus on counseling and psychology topics. The Master of Science in Psychology program offers seven concentrations, including forensic, general, health, human factors, and geropsychology. In most cases, the program requires 36 credits divided into 8-week courses; students can transfer in up to 12 credits, thus bringing their time in the classroom down to less than one year. 

• Tuition: $515 per credit; $400 per credit for military members
• Fees: $105 for online graduate courses; some fees specific to a particular course may apply.

University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global), founded in 1958 and formerly Brandman University, is a private university with around 25 campuses throughout California and one virtual campus. The university serves approximately 23,000 students, offering degree, certificate, credential and professional programs for working adults.