Top 25 Online Master's in Psychology Programs for 2019
An online master's degree in psychology gives you the ability to diagnose the psychological well-being of people, communities, and organizations. Your extensive skills in research methods, ability to analyze personalities, and deep understanding of cognitive and social behaviors mean you can address social issues that affect quality of life worldwide.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS ) expects the number of jobs in psychology to grow significantly by 2026: the BLS projects a 14% growth in the employment of school, clinical, and counseling psychologists. This is a faster than the 7% average growth for all occupations.
WHAT ARE THE BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAMS?
Top 25 Online Masters in Psychology Programs
Admissions Rate
6%
Graduation Rate
98%
Online Enrollment
7%
Retention Rate
98%
Default Rate
1%
Harvard maintains a tradition of academic excellence going back to 1636. Few institutions enjoy similarly strong reputations for outstanding scholarship. Harvard boasts 32 heads of state and 48 Nobel Laureates among its alumni. The university maintains the largest academic library in the world, and draws its teaching faculty from top experts.
Harvard's MA in psychology , offered through the university's extension school, develops professional social science researchers. Undergraduate degree holders apply by simply enrolling in the core research methods and writing class, a statistics class, and a psychology elective. Upon completing these three courses with a grade "B" or higher, students apply for full admission and then select nine more classes relating to behavioral science. Students complete most classes for this master's in psychology online, but are required to attend at least three classes at Harvard's campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Learners can complete the 12 courses and thesis in two years.
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How to Choose an Online Master's in Psychology Program
Choosing the best online psychology master's program requires examining which schools offer the academic rigor and career preparation you expect. Certain schools and programs may be a better fit for your lifestyle than others. For example, consider how long it takes to complete the degree program, if it is available fully online or requires on-campus classes, and the kinds of courses the program offers each term. The latter is especially critical if you want to concentrate or specialize in a specific area of psychology. You must also consider tuition costs and what, if any, kinds of scholarships and financial aid are available. In addition, be certain the program you select is accredited. You should also explore any information available about where graduates ultimately go on to work.
Careers for Graduates of Master's in Psychology Programs
Career opportunities abound for graduates of online psychology master's degree programs. The professional choices available to you mean you can follow your passion and pursue the kind of job you find most rewarding. Your commitment to helping others is both exciting and financially lucrative: the median salary for those with a master's in psychology is impressive, so you can expect to be well compensated for your talents.
These professionals assesses students' behavior to ensure they receive the education that best meets their needs. Assessment strategies include reviewing their test scores and grades, observing their behavior, and meeting with their teachers and other students. A school psychologist to diagnoses and addresses learning disorders and mental disabilities.
Median Salary: $59,335
Job Outlook and Salary for Graduates of Psychology Master's Degrees
The BLS expects the number of psychologists to increase by nearly 23,000 professionals – or 14% – by 2026. With nearly 200,000 psychology related jobs by that time, the anticipated growth of this profession outpaces the average for all occupations (7%) two-to-one. Your online psychology master's degree well positions you to play an exciting role in the field. While your salary largely depends on the career you enter, the organization for which you work, and geographical location, your degree ensures competitive compensation. This not only makes earning your online psychology master's degree a savvy decision, but a professionally and financially rewarding one.
| Employment, 2014 | Projected Employment, 2024 |
|---|---|
| 166,600 | 189,200 |
Salary Growth by Experience for Graduates of Psychology Master's Programs
What you earn after completing your online master's degree in psychology will increase as you gain more experience. While entry level professionals do not typically earn what experienced professionals earn, their salary is nonetheless lucrative. Building your knowledge and skills over time means you are not only better able to perform your job responsibilities, but also able to earn an income that reflects your expertise. Without a doubt, your salary will increase as you gain years in the field.
To determine the best online Master's in Psychology programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online Master's in Psychology programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.