Top 25 Online Master's in Psychology Programs for 2019

Chartered in 1785 and based in the famous college town of Athens, UGA enjoys a venerable reputation for academic excellence while attracting some the nation's top educators. UGA students learn from subject area experts, and develop the skills they need to serve communities throughout Georgia and beyond.

UGA’s MEd in educational psychology allows students to explore connections between human cognition and learning. This program requires completion of 34 credits of study and generally takes students two years to complete. Core courses cover human development, research methods, and statistical analysis, and candidates choose to focus on learning and technology, learning across the lifespan, or qualitative research. UGA’s degree includes an educational psychology project, and students conduct applied research under faculty supervision. Applicants submit undergraduate transcripts and GED or MAT scores, three letters of recommendation, and statements of purpose describing their learning goals.

Founded in 1950, CBU remains one of the top Christian universities in the country. The school offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degrees on its campuses in Riverside and San Bernardino, California, and many of its courses of study are now available online. CBU's degrees reflect the needs of working adults, preparing students for leadership roles in professional fields.

CBU’s MS in counseling psychology teaches candidates the skills they need to work as therapists or clinical counselors. Courses cover current counseling theories and practices, assessment and testing techniques, the use of medication in treating psychological disorders, and related legal issues. CBU offers courses in asynchronous and hybrid formats. The degree takes two years to complete and, unlike most psychology master's programs online, CBU’s degree requires students to pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam at the end of their studies.

Founded in 1948, Grace College is a Christian liberal arts college based in Winona Lake, Indiana, Grace now also operates on its Akron, Ohio campus and online. The institution offers 72 undergraduate and graduate majors designed to give students the skills they need to succeed in professional roles.

Grace College’s MA in clinical mental health counseling guides learners through a survey of social scientific theories to prepare them to serve the needs of community members in clinical settings. Courses cover theological, ethical, and legal issues, human development, psychotherapy, and counseling. This degree requires 60 credit hours of study and can be completed in two years. Grace’s degree stands out from others by including two clinical residency experiences.

Penn State, founded in 1855, remains one of the most respected public research universities in the United States. The university boasts the largest alumni network in the country. Penn State now offers classes on 24 campuses throughout Pennsylvania and online. The university particularly emphasizes a global perspective.

Penn State’s MPS in the psychology of leadership at work trains workplace leaders to understand the psychological foundations of social interactions. The degree focuses on applied approaches to workplace psychology. Courses investigate decision making, the psychology of leading and following, conflict resolution, and creativity. Penn State's degree requires 33 credit hours of online study, and generally takes students two years to complete. Candidates interested in this unique program apply with college transcripts and three letters of recommendation.

A Pentecostal university committed to academic excellence, SAGU trains future community leaders. Founded in 1943, SAGU now offers more than 70 degrees on its Waxahachie, Texas campus and online. The university prides itself on providing affordable Christian education catered to meet distance student needs.

SAGU offers three psychology master’s degrees. First, the MA in counseling psychology program prepares students to provide professional counseling in clinical settings. This degree requires 60 credits of study, and follows a hybrid format with 69% of course work online. Second, SAGU's MA in counseling psychology degree requires 60 credits, and features 65% online classes. This program covers a variety of counseling types, including counseling for marriages, families, addiction treatment, and career advancement. Third, the school's MA in counseling psychology-human services (non-clinical) requires 30 credits completed entirely online. This degree prepares students for counseling roles at human service agencies and churches.

Founded in 1889, UI offers more than 170 undergraduate and graduate degrees at its main campus in Moscow, extension campuses throughout the state, and online. The university keeps student faculty ratios low, and places an emphasis on making sure all students receive the individualized attention they need to succeed.

UI’s MS in human factors degree provides a unique course of study investigating how humans interact with their environments. The degree prepares students to understand how psychological research can be applied to workplace safety, marketing, and social planning. Courses cover the psychology of perception, biomechanics, and advanced research methods. Applicants submit undergraduate transcripts proving GPAs of at least 3.0 and GRE test scores. Full admission is contingent on completion of an introductory statistics class.

Founded in 1912, UofM remains one of the most prestigious research institutions in the region. The university offers more than 250 courses of study online and on its campus in Memphis, Tennessee. UofM takes pride in its ability to provide personalized educational experiences, and hopes to empower graduates capable of addressing social challenges.

UofM’s MS in educational psychology prepares students to conduct theoretical and applied research into the psychological aspects of learning. Courses cover research techniques, statistics, human development, cognition, critical thinking, and motivation. The degree follows an apprenticeship model, and students team with faculty members to create authentic experiences conducting research in educational psychology. The degree requires students to complete 36 credits and may be finished in two years. Prospective students apply to this program with undergraduate transcripts and GRE scores.

Based in Hays, Kansas, FHSU takes pride in being one of the most innovative and entrepreneurial educational institutions in the Midwest. Its history dating back to 1902, FHSU provides students with the skills they need to thrive in professional roles. FHSU estimates that over 95% of its graduates go on to rewarding work or academic opportunities.

FHSU’s MS school psychology degree prepares students to work as licensed school psychologists. The degree requires students to complete 30 credits of study, and with the exception of a five day workshop on campus, may be pursued entirely online. This program takes two years to finish, including summers. Classes cover statistics, experimental design, learning and motivation, and professional ethics. The program includes observation in schools. Candidates provide undergraduate transcripts with their applications and may need to submit ACT or SAT scores.

Founded in 1932, SNHU helps students improve their lives through education. The school offers hundreds of courses of study online, at its main campus in Manchester, New Hampshire, and at its satellite campus in Brunswick, Maine. SNHU emphasizes its commitment to veterans, and the school maintains transfer and scholarship programs friendly to military personnel.

SNHU’s MS in psychology provides students with a solid understanding of psychological research methods, statistics, and cognitive processes. The program can be completed in 15 months, and the school delivers courses online asynchronously (meaning that students can learn whenever they please). This degree culminates in a capstone project, provide students with opportunities to conduct research with the benefit of faculty oversight. Applicants must hold undergraduate degrees in psychology or must have completed coursework in psychology, statistics, and social science research methods.

A nonprofit educational institution stemming from Jewish roots, TUW helps students pursue their individual educational goals and work for social justice. A subsidiary of the Touro College and University System founded in New York City in 1970, TUW provides classes entirely online. The university focuses on endowing students with skills to build stronger communities.

TUW’s MA in psychology program covers core topics within the field of psychology, including cognition, social factors, development, research methods, and learning theories. The program requires candidates to complete 12 courses, and may be finished in two years. Students choose to concentrate in media psychology or educational psychology. Applicants must hold undergraduate degrees and possess GPAs of at least 2.5. Students may also transfer from other graduate psychology programs if they hold GPAs of 2.75 or above.

Founded in 1794, UT aims to improves the lives of the Tennessee residents by encouraging innovation and scholarship. The university strives to recruit top faculty, and aims to be counted among the best research institutions in the United States.

UT’s MS in educational psychology requires 36 credit hours of online study, and generally takes takes two years to complete. Degree courses teach educational research methods, learning theories, and the role of motivation in education. Students choose from two concentrations, adult education and applied educational technology.

The adult education concentration explores issues pertinent to adult learners, such as workplace learning, adult psychological development, and related ethical issues. The applied educational psychology concentration focuses on educational technologies, measurement techniques, and how theories of learning can inform pedagogy. Admission is competitive, and candidates submit undergraduate transcripts.

One of the largest universities in the United States, UNT offers over 200 degrees online and at its Denton, Texas location. UNT exists to prepare thoughtful global citizens and future leaders. The university takes pride in its reputation for research excellence, among the strongest in Texas.

UNT’s MS in educational psychology concentrates on research methods and program evaluation techniques. This course requires 33 credit hours of online study, and can be completed in 15 months. Students can start one summer and finish at the end of the next. Courses cover both quantitative and qualitative research techniques, statistical analysis, survey development, and best practices in evaluating educational programs. Candidates apply with undergraduate transcripts, and must maintain GPAs of at least 3.0 as they progress through the program.

A nonprofit institution operating since 1971, National University aims to make quality educational opportunities accessible to all students. The university takes pride in its expert faculty and student service representatives, and makes an effort to ensure that each learner’s needs are met. National University offers more than 200 degrees online and in person at its 28 campuses throughout California, Hawaii, and Texas.

National University’s MA in performance psychology teaches psychological principles that may be applied to performance enhancement in business, military, fine arts, sports, and many other fields. The program involves 67.5 quarter units of study in 15 online classes. Course offerings include sports psychology, organizational behavior, and behavioral research. This program involves a fieldwork component, where students apply what they have learned to conduct research in authentic professional settings.

With a history dating back to 1835, UWA remains committed to helping Alabamians enrich their lives through specialized higher educational opportunities. Expert faculty teach classes on UWA’s campus in Livingston, Alabama and online.

UWA's MS in adult continuing education: counseling/psychology degree endows students with a foundational knowledge of adult psychology and best practices in counseling. Candidates must complete 33 credits, and this online degree can be completed in one year. Courses teach core skills in educational research, statistics, and counseling. Students also choose from electives including career counseling, tests and measurements, and psychotherapy. The degree terminates with an applied study developed around the learning interests of individual students.

UNC exists to facilitate lifelong learning, and features small classes taught by expert faculty. Founded in 1890, the university now offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degrees online and at its campus in Greeley, Colorado. UNC has won numerous awards for its personalized approach to education, and for its innovative asynchronous online platform.

The university’s MA in educational psychology: teaching applications reviews current best practices in classroom instruction. Designed around the needs of working teachers, this online degree explores issues of human development, motivation, and culture in learning. Courses cover basics of educational psychology, research methods, developmental psychology, and the role of the brain in education. With faculty guidance, students develop and implement customized educational projects. The degree takes 20 months and 30 credits to complete.

Founded in 1857, EU remains one of the most distinguished higher education institutions in Pennsylvania. The university offers more than 140 courses of study on its campus in Edinboro and online. With small classes led by internationally recognized instructors, EU maintains its commitment to academic excellence and personalized education.

EU’s M.Ed. in educational psychology gives students a thorough understanding of the connections between human psychology and pedagogy. This degree requires students to complete 30 credits. Designed for working teachers, the students may complete the program over two years of part-time study. Delivered entirely online, classes cover topics including learning theories, personality and development, statistics, and behavior management. Candidates must pass a comprehensive terminal exam. Applicants submit undergraduate transcripts along with essays describing personal motivations for choosing this course of study.

Preparing students to succeed since 1931, ULM continues to provide quality educational experiences at its picturesque campus in Monroe, Louisiana and online. The university prioritizes innovation, and strives to be one of the strongest research institutions in the state. Faculty and staff provide students with the personalized attention they need to achieve their learning goals.

ULM’s MS in psychology offers students a choice of three concentrations. All require 36 credits of online study. The program's general psychology track presents a thorough overview of the field, emphasizing research techniques and statistical methods. The psychometric track covers issues of psychological and educational testing, such as intelligence tests, psychological assessments, and learning theories. The forensic track surveys the relationships between psychopathology and the law, including issues of assessment and ethical concerns.

Medaille continues a tradition of practical education going back to 1875. The college offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs on its campuses in Buffalo and Rochester, New York, and online. Emphasizing that learning proceeds from doing, Medaille provides students with authentic experiences by allowing them to solve problems in their chosen fields of study, and partners with the wider community to take education out of the classroom and into real working environments.

Medaille's MA in psychology program requires candidates to complete 36 credit hours of online study, and the usually takes learners one year to complete. The program endows students with a foundational knowledge of psychological research, and emphasizes practical applications of psychological theories. Students can choose a general course of study, or to concentrate in sports psychology. Candidates interested in this uniquely practical program apply with undergraduate transcripts.

Operating since 1973, UHV places an emphasis on affordable, personalized education. With small class sizes, attentive faculty, and tutoring options, UHV works hard to help students succeed. UHV administers more than 70 degrees at its main campus in Victoria, Texas; its teaching site near Houston in Katy, Texas; and now online in asynchronous format.

UHV offers learners three social and behavioral science graduate programs. The School Psychology program prepares licensed school psychologists to support both students and educational leaders. This program requires 63 hours of study, 70% online. UHV's MA in counseling psychology teaches learners how to assess individual client needs and how to best help clients solve problems in their lives. 80% of its classes online, the program takes 60 credits and two years to finish. The MA in forensic psychology focuses on licensed mental health professionals working in the criminal justice system, and requires learners to complete 63 hours of study (60% online) over the course of two years.

With roots in quality education that reach back over 180 years, APSU emphasizes a collaborative approach to learning. Students enjoy the school's small class sizes, benefit from expert faculty, and pursue chances to conduct and publish their own research. Based in Clarksville, Tennessee, APSU offers more than 56 degrees, and many of the school's classes can now be completed online.

APSU's MS in industrial organizational psychology develops scientists who can apply psychological principles to workplaces processes. Students learn research methods, statistics, task analysis techniques, and group process theory. This degree requires 34 credit hours of online study, and students must pass a comprehensive exam to graduate. The program normally admits students with GPAs of at least 3.0. Candidates must have completed 12 credit hours of undergraduate study in courses related to psychology.