Earning a Master's in Psychology Online

Student Profile: Who Earns an Online Master's Degree in Psychology?

Students who pursue online psychology master's degrees typically possess undergraduate credentials in the same field. They may also hold relevant work experience. Graduate programs enable learners to specialize in exciting subfields and engage in research projects that align with their interests. Through practicum experiences, degree candidates develop the invaluable professional relationships necessary for career entry and advancement. Master's credentials also help students earn and maintain industry-specific certification/licensure.

Why Get a Master's Degree in Psychology?

Prerequisites for Online Psychology Programs

Admissions requirements differ by online master's programs in psychology. However, graduate applicants can generally expect criteria such as standardized test scores, prerequisite coursework, and letters of recommendation.

• Work Experience: Colleges and universities typically require students who enroll in accelerated or degree-completion programs to have at least two years of paid, relevant work experience. Candidates demonstrate their career achievements through a resume and professional recommendations. Even if learners do not enroll in an intensive degree track, they can turn their job experience into transfer credits through prior learning assessment methods.
• Exams and Test Scores: Many online master's programs in psychology still ask students to submit GRE general and, occasionally, subject scores. According to the Princeton Review, the average social science major earns 153 on the verbal reasoning section, 151 on the quantitative reasoning portion, and a 3.9 on analytical writing. Applicants should confirm testing minimums with their prospective institutions.
• Coursework: Graduate schools commonly require students to complete designated prerequisite coursework as part of their undergraduate training. In psychology, these preparatory courses consist of applied statistics, introduction to psychology, and abnormal psychology. Students also need to display knowledge of fundamental research methodologies and practices. Candidates who do not hold the necessary prerequisites may need to complete a bridge program before they can continue their master's studies.
• Recommendations: Program applicants should prepare 2-3 letters of recommendation. These letters usually come from employers, mentors, and other professional sources who can attest to a student's academic skills, career accomplishments, and personal qualities. Some schools prefer to contact recommenders directly. In any case, students should give their sources enough time to prepare detailed testimonies.
• Essays: Also called a personal statement, this short document allows prospective students to elaborate on their academic and work histories. The essay of 1-2 pages also lets applicants show that their goals, interests, and general worldview align with those of the school. Some programs provide a general prompt, while others require students to answer specific questions.
• Interviews: Although less common than other admissions criteria, some graduate programs prefer to speak with potential students in person or through digital conferencing. Like a personal essay, the interview allows students to detail their professional accomplishments and goals. These meetings also help the school determine if a student can effectively collaborate with their peers. Interviews are integral to scholarship and fellowship application processes.
• International Students: Applicants who reside outside the U.S. go through additional steps to obtain their F1 Student Visa. Depending on where they come from, international learners may need to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting IELTS or TOEFL scores. Lastly, international students must seek multifarious funding opportunities, since they cannot access government aid.

How Much Can I Make with a Master's Degree in Psychology?

Graduate programs provide students with the crucial hard skills needed for advanced careers as researchers, instructors, and program managers. According to the BLS, psychologists earn an annual salary of $77,030. Professionals who work for private companies and government agencies benefit from the highest pay. For example, industrial-organizational psychologists earn approximately $10,000 more than the average professional in the field. With a medical degree, psychologists can pursue psychiatry positions, earning over $200,000 per year. Salary potential differs drastically based on employer, location, and individual experience and qualifications.

Traditional Careers for Master's in Psychology Graduates

Career	Stats	Description
Psychologist	Median Pay: $77,030 Job Growth: 14%	Psychologists observe human interactions and apply cognitive, social, and developmental theories to improve processes and behaviors. These professionals also exist outside counseling and clinical settings. School psychologists help students tackle emotional challenges and develop academic skills. Forensic psychologists work within the criminal justice system, helping law enforcement convict and rehabilitate offenders. Ideal for: Highly analytical individuals who can draw and present conclusions from complex information.
Marriage and Family Therapist	Median Pay: $48,790 Job Growth: 23%	Working in either public health facilities or private practices, marriage and family therapists help patients identify and overcome relationship problems. They typically apply cognitive behavior therapy, a goal-oriented approach that helps individuals replace harmful thoughts and behavior with positive ones. Marriage and family therapists hold licenses from the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards. Ideal for: Compassionate professionals who possess exceptional listening and interpersonal communication skills.
School and Career Counselor	Median Pay: $55,410 Job Growth: 13%	These professionals predominantly work in schools but also seek employment in government agencies and community organizations. School counselors help students develop social, emotional, and job skills. When working with adults, career counselors prepare clients for independent living and career entry. Ideal for: Empathetic psychologists who work well with young clients and in potentially fraught situations.
Postsecondary Teacher	Median Pay: $76,000 Job Growth: 15%	With an online master's degree in psychology, professionals can teach at colleges and universities. On top of classroom instruction, postsecondary educators help students master laboratory techniques and find internships and research opportunities. College professors also engage in their own research and publication. Ideal for: Experienced psychologists with exceptional critical thinking and pedagogical skills.

Nontraditional Careers for Master's in Psychology Graduates

Career	Stats	Description
Market Research Analyst	Median Pay: $63,230 Job Growth: 23%	With credentials in industrial-organizational psychology or a related field, professionals can pursue business careers. Market research analysts examine economic conditions and consumer behavior to discern the potential success of a product or service in the marketplace. They use statistical software to gather, analyze, and present complex data to clients and stakeholders. Ideal for: Detail-oriented professionals who want to pursue certification from the Marketing Research Association.
HR Director	Median Pay: $86,413 Job Growth: 9%	These business leaders ensure their organization's actions comply with industry standards and government regulations. They oversee departmental budgets and employee compensations. Human resource directors also work directly with staff, hiring skilled professionals and developing team building programs. Ideal for: Professionals with excellent organizational and communication skills who can keep abreast of industry changes and compliance issues.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale, 2017-2018

Paying for an Online Master's in Psychology

Distance learners invest substantial time and financial resources to earn their online master's degree in psychology. Fortunately, graduate students can access grants and low-interest loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Colleges and universities also provide financial support, including psychology fellowships and scholarships. Furthermore, students save money by enrolling in accelerated classes and degree plans. These intensive options require full-time commitment but let students earn their credentials in as few as 12 months.

Subject-Specific Financial Aid, Grants, and Scholarships

In addition to seeking out affordable tuition and federal aid, students can pay for their graduate degree with private scholarships and grants. This section contains five scholarships available to psychology majors.

What to Expect from a Master's Online Psychology Program

To earn an online master's in psychology, students complete at least 30 credits of coursework, which generally takes two years. Most colleges and universities deliver asynchronous courses through software like Blackboard or Canvas. These schools also allow online students to individually pace their degree plan, taking as few or as many classes as they want each semester. However, some institutions use cohort learning to emphasize student collaboration. Here, distance learners take one class at a time, advancing through the curriculum at the same pace as their peers.

Major Milestones

1. Practicum

   Through internships, fellowships, field research, and other practicum experiences, graduate students apply clinical skills in real-world settings. A university partner usually facilitates supervised practicums. Depending on where they work, distance learners can fulfill this requirement with their current employer.

2. Capstone Requirement

   Capstone experiences can come in forms like senior seminar or thesis research and defense. Students may also complete an integrative capstone project under the guidance of a faculty adviser. Here, students apply theoretical knowledge and social scientific research skills to tackle a pertinent challenge in the psychology field.

3. Comprehensive Examination

   Some programs require graduate psychology students to pass a comprehensive exam that covers key skills and concepts learned in the program. These tests may contain written and oral components. Distance learners complete the comprehensive exam through a school-certified proctor.

4. Professional Certification

   Depending on their career interests, professionals may require industry-specific certification after completing a master's program. Even if their occupation does not require it, optional credentials allow professionals to display skill mastery. This guide details certification programs in a later section.

5. Continuing Education

   To work as a clinical psychologist, students earn a doctoral degree and apply for state licensure. For other professionals in the field, continuing education may include optional certification and keeping up with emerging theories, practices, and programs.

6. Clinical Licensure

   Depending on the state, prospective clinical psychologists must complete postdoctoral training to bring their total supervised work experience to 3,000 hours. Candidates then sit for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), which the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards facilitates.

Coursework

Master's in psychology online programs contain required classes in topics such as lifespan development, social psychology, and quantitative reasoning and analysis. Students pursue advanced topics through specialized coursework and electives. The list below details five popular classes in this field.

Licenses and Certifications

Not all psychologists need a doctoral degree to legally practice, but this does reflect the highest level of academic training. As previously mentioned, students must earn and maintain a state license to work as clinical psychologists. Certain states require additional ethics and medical training. Additionally, specialty credentials exist for certain psychology subfields. For example, school psychologists (not to be confused with school counselors) must gain the official support of their state's board of education.

• Professional Psychologist License: To work in settings like hospitals and physicians clinics, psychologists must earn a doctoral degree and state license. Upon meeting the standard criteria, candidates sit for the EPPP, which costs $600. The exam contains 225 test items in eight content areas, including biological bases of behavior, assessment and diagnosis, and research methods and statistics.
• Nationally Certified School Psychologist: To earn this credential, candidates must graduate from an accredited graduate program that holds an official school psychology title. They should also complete supervised practicums and at least one 1,200-hour internship. Lastly, candidates must pass the Praxis School Psychologist test #5402.
• Forensic Psychology Board Certification: Like the clinical psychologist license, this advanced credential requires a doctoral degree. Candidates must accumulate 100 hours of qualified specialty training and adequate postdoctoral work experience. The certification process also includes written and oral examination. The former consists of 197 multiple-choice questions, while the latter focuses on two main areas of forensic practice.
• Rehabilitation Psychology Board Certification: Like other board credentials, the rehabilitation psychology certificate necessitates a doctoral degree and postdoctoral training. Latter requirements include a recognized internship program and three years of postdoctoral supervised experience. Candidates also submit practice samples and complete an oral exam.

Professional Organizations and Resources

By earning an online master's in psychology, students gain the advanced skills, research knowledge, and hands-on experiences to access leadership positions in academic, clinical, and business settings. They can further bolster these opportunities by engaging with professional organizations. Members usually pay an annual fee but benefit from academic scholarships, research grants, and travel funding. They also enjoy professional development opportunities like national conferences and training programs. For example, the American Academy of Forensic Psychology delivers in-person and online workshops.

• National Association of School Psychologists: NASP is a leader in professional development, offering summer conferences, annual conventions, and a public policy institute. The association also delivers webinars and videos through its Online Learning Center.
• Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Affiliated with the APA and APS, SIOP supports I-O educators and practitioners. Members can take advantage of webinars, workplace best practice guides, and research grants. The society also operates internship placement programs and a job network.
• American Board of Professional Psychology: ABPP represents the primary organization for specialty board certifications in the psychology field. Members can access information on 15 subfields, including group psychology, psychoanalysis, couple and family therapy, and organizational and business consulting.
• American Educational Research Association: Founded in 1916, AERA promotes research and outreach that improves education and serves the common good. Scholars and researchers across multiple disciplines benefit from training programs, fellowships, and an online job board. The association also operates a virtual research learning center.
• Association for Behavior Analysis International: Established in 1974, ABAI promotes behavioral inquiry, education, and application. Psychologists connect with diverse professionals through national conferences, regional chapter meetings, and special interest groups. The association helps users find work through its Career Central.
• Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers: APPIC connects psychology students with internships and postdoctoral employment. Learners can find opportunities online and request a personal mentor. The association also offers in-depth guidance on topics like early career development and multicultural training.