Online Masters in Psychology programs are still rather uncommon and the market for such degrees can be tricky to navigate. While all the schools on this list are regionally accredited, it is worth pointing out that the American Psychological Association does not currently accredit any online only program. Many states require degrees to be APA accredited for licensing; if licensure is your goal, it is important to research the licensing policy in your state to determine whether or not an online psychology degree program meets those requirements. If you have determined that the online Masters in Psychology route is good for your needs, this list gives the best options available.
Ranking The 10 Best Masters in Psychology Degrees Online
This list features the six best online psychology degree programs that focus in the general field, as well as four degrees involving different specialized areas of a general psychology degree.
#1. Sacred Heart University: Master of Science in Applied Psychology
Executive Summary: Sacred Heart University is one of the largest Roman Catholic universities in New England. SHU was founded in 1963 with the purpose of providing the community with an affordable, quality, Catholic education. SHU has begun expanding upon their traditional courses into online distance education market.
Tuition: Tuition for the Master of Science in Applied Psychology program is $725.00 per credit.
Unique features: SHU is listed by U.S. News and World Report as a top tier 1 university in the northern region. SHU is also on the Princeton Review’s list of the 376 best colleges, a list in which it has been included for three years straight (2010, 2011 and 2012).
#2. Angelo State University: Master of Science in Applied Psychology
Executive Summary: Angelo State University was founded in 1928 and is a part of the Texas Tech University System. ASU is a public university that offers a wide range of both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Tuition: Texas resident tuition is $304.50 per credit; non-resident tuition is $655.50 per credit.
Unique features: ASU was has been distinguished, for the fourth time in its history, as one of The Princeton Review’s 377 Best Colleges 2013 edition.
#3. Union College: Master of Arts in Psychology
Executive Summary: A small but notable liberal arts school, Union College was founded in 1879 in the small town of Barbourville, which at the time of its founding consisted of a population measure just 450. This small institution has grown over the years despite its humble beginnings and now is expanding its enrollment by offering online programs.
Tuition: Tuition for the M.A. in Psychology program at Union College is $410.00 per credit hour.
Unique features: Union College is closely affiliated with the Methodist church. The M.A. online psychology degree program strives to emulate traditional programs in order to provide students with an environment in which they can interact with and learn from their professors and peers naturally even though they may be thousands of miles away.
#4. Grand Canyon University: Master of Science in Psychology
Executive Summary: Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon University was a private non-profit liberal arts college. Financial difficulties in the late 1990s forced the trustees to sell the school, at which point it transitioned into a for-profit institution, though it maintains the Christian values on which it was founded.
Tuition: The full program tuition for the Master of Science in Psychology at GCU is $18,370
Unique features: GCU is a small, affordable, inter-denominational Christian university that prides itself on training students find their purpose and achieve their full potential. The online psychology degree programs are geared toward working professionals seeking to earn a degree without leaving their job.
#5. Palo Alto University: Master of Science in Psychology
Executive Summary: Palo Alto University, originally the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, was founded in 1975. Palo Alto University still offers programs only in the field of psychology and counseling and strives to utilize this narrow focus to leverage an advantage for its students.
Tuition: Tuition at PAU is $1,046 per unit.
Unique features: Palo Alto University offers much flexibility in the online M.S. in Psychology program with the option of either one or two year tracks. Students may only be able to study psychology and counseling, but the university strives to do the one thing it does very well.
#6. Temple University: Masters in Educational Psychology
Executive Summary: Temple University was founded in 1888 though its roots begin four years earlier when its founder began teaching working adults at night because they could not attend traditional daylight classes. Temple has become one of the top schools in the country over the past 125 years but has embraced online education as one of the best ways to carry on its earliest tradition, that of offering accessible education to non-traditional students.
Tuition: Pennsylvania residents can expect to pay $687.00 per credit, nonresident students will pay $961.00 per credit.
Unique features: Temple University’s Psychology programs are ranked #50 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
#7. Colorado State University: Master of Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Executive Summary: Colorado State University’s MAIOP program is designed to cater to the needs of working professionals seeking to advance their career or transition into a new role as an Industrial Organizational psychologist.
Tuition: The per credit cost of tuition for this program is $649.00 per credit.
Unique features: CSU is ranked #134 among national universities by U.S. News and World Report.
#8. University of North Dakota: Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology
Executive Summary: The University of North Dakota is a public university founded in 1883, before North Dakota even became a state. The university has launched online distance education programs geared toward providing quality, affordable education opportunities to students around the nation. Online students are charged the same rate as North Dakota residents regardless of residency.
Tuition: Both resident and nonresident students of UND pay $266.00 per credit for tuition.
Unique features: The University of North Dakota is ranked #170 among national universities by U.S. News and World Report.
#9. Ball State University: Master of Arts in Educational Psychology
Executive Summary: Ball State University, an Indiana public university, prides itself on embracing cutting edge education technology and techniques which is why the university begun to expand into the online education market.
Tuition: Resident tuition for the MA in Ed. Psych program is $299.00 per credit, non-resident tuition is $506.00 per credit
Unique features: The university is committed to providing students with an intense interdisciplinary approach to all subjects, leaving them with both a well rounded education and the specialization necessary to succeed in their field. Ball State University is ranked #184 among national universities by U.S. News and World Report.
#10 The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: Master of Arts in Psychology, Generalist Specialization
Executive Summary: The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is the largest and oldest graduate school in the country devoted solely to psychology programs. The school features over 20 graduate programs in the field and offer students the opportunity to gain international experience.
Tuition: M.A. and Certificate program tuition at CSPP is $982.00 per credit.
Unique Features: While the American Psychological Association does not currently accredit any online programs from any school, many of the traditional programs at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology are APA accredited.