Guide to Earning an Online Psychology Degree
A growing number of the 1,400 US bachelor’s in psychology programs offer a track for an online psychology degree.1 This guide covers our ranking of the best online psychology programs, a comparison of traditional and online programs, information on how to determine whether distance learning is a good fit for your needs, and associated career options.
Table of Contents
- Online vs. Traditional Programs
- Top Schools with Online Psychology Degree Programs
- Profiles of Top Psychology Schools with Online Programs
- Frequently Asked Questions
Comparing Online vs. Traditional Programs
The pros and cons of online classes depend in large part on your educational background and preferred learning styles. Some students underestimate the difficulty of online coursework, the time required, and the responsibility required for their own learning. Students who succeed in an online learning environment are typically self-motivated and able to meet deadlines independently. Growing research indicates that there are no significant differences in learning outcomes for online education delivery compared with face-to-face delivery.2 While many courses use real-time video conferencing and discussion (synchronous learning), not all do; face-to-face interaction with professors and peers is generally limited compared to the campus environment.
Additionally, on-campus programs may offer more concentration or specialization options, such as child psychology, school psychology, or forensic psychology. However, online students can sometimes arrange an informal concentration depending on the school’s online psychology course selection. While most coursework can be completed online, many online psychology degree programs require students to complete an internship or practicum experience. Out-of-state students will need to arrange a suitable internship in their own local area.
Benefits of Earning a Psychology Degree Online
There are advantages to taking online classes to earn your psychology degree. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, campus-based schools have expanded their list of online programs and course offerings. A top benefit of earning an online psychology degree is flexibility. Since many courses are asynchronous–that is, not requiring class attendance at specific times–students can complete coursework on their own schedules. This makes online learning a good option for full-time workers, stay-at-home parents, and others who have responsibilities that make on-campus attendance difficult.
Online degree programs also allow students to attend an out-of-state school without relocating. If you’re unable to commute to your psychology program of choice, distance learning allows you to attend from afar. In addition, some schools offer online degree completion programs geared toward students who already hold an associate degree or a certain number of college credits.
Taking online courses can also lower the total cost of earning your bachelor’s degree. Many schools offer in-state tuition rates to students attending courses online, even if those students are residents of another state.
You should also consider your career goals and understand the careers available with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in psychology can prepare you for employment in human resources, communication, marketing, and other careers related to human decisions and behavior. However, don’t expect to become a researcher or psychologist with a four-year degree alone. These positions generally require graduate degrees; a master’s degree is appropriate for management specializations and some research positions, while a doctoral degree is required to work as a clinical psychologist or professor and in most research positions.
Top Schools with Online Psychology Degree Programs
We have ranked the best psychology schools in the US using our unique methodology. All schools in this list are not-for-profit and hold regional accreditation from one of the six regional accreditation agencies recognized by the US Department of Education. Regional accreditation is a marker of quality education and a prerequisite for certain low-cost federal loans. Regionally accredited schools will also more readily accept transfer credits from other regionally accredited schools.
Major factors in our ranking methodology include the average tuition cost per online credit hour, the percentage of students enrolled only in distance education courses, the overall graduation rate, and schools’ rankings according to US News & World Report in the regional, national, and online categories. Some factors are weighted more heavily than others. Clicking on a linked school will lead you to additional data about that school and its programs, including tuition rates and faculty statistics.
| School | PD411 Rank | Avg. Online Tuition | % Students Only in Distance Ed | Grad Rate | % Tenured Faculty | US News Regional Rank | US News National Rank | US News Online Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida | 1 | $131 | 3% | 88% | 47% | — | #30 tie | #3 |
| Indiana University Bloomington | 2 | $289 | 0% | 79% | 42% | — | #76 tie | #21 tie |
| University of Central Florida | 3 | $448 | 13% | 72% | 45% | — | #160 tie | #14 tie |
| Utah State University | 4 | $359 | 16% | 54% | 48% | — | #241 tie | #21 tie |
| Oregon State University | 5 | $331 | 23% | 67% | 36% | — | #153 tie | #4 tie |
| Regent University | 6 | $395 | 71% | 57% | 40% | — | #298-#389 | #53 tie |
| University of Arizona | 7 | $500 | 7% | 65% | 44% | — | #97 tie | #7 |
| University of Alabama Birmingham | 8 | $441 | 17% | 63% | 32% | — | #153 tie | #28 tie |
| University of Missouri | 9 | $349 | 4% | 52% | 33% | — | #124 tie | #14 tie |
| The University of West Florida | 10 | $281 | 20% | 46% | 44% | #36 tie (South) | — | #53 tie |
| Colorado State University | 11 | $476 | 100% | 70% | 0% | — | #153 tie | #10 tie |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | 12 | $380 | 15% | 66% | 26% | — | #176 tie | #31 tie |
| Central Michigan University | 13 | $417 | 9% | 61% | 41% | — | #249 tie | #107 tie |
| Washington State University | 14 | $573 | 9% | 60% | 39% | — | #176 tie | #28 tie |
| Old Dominion University | 15 | $384 | 21% | 53% | 46% | — | #258 tie | #86 tie |
| University of Louisville | 16 | $508 | 3% | 59% | 33% | — | #176 tie | #48 tie |
| Arizona State University Online | 17 | $575 | 97% | 4% | 37% | — | #103 tie | #6 |
| Fayetteville State University | 18 | $177 | 30% | 34% | 45% | #89 (South) | — | — |
| University of Memphis | 19 | $413 | 12% | 53% | 31% | — | #258 tie | #53 tie |
| University of Utah | 20 | $2,204 | 4% | 70% | 50% | — | #97 tie | #204 tie |
| Eastern Kentucky University | 21 | $409 | 17% | 45% | 29% | #51 tie (South) | — | #67 tie |
| University of North Dakota | 22 | $342 | 18% | 61% | 51% | — | #258 tie | — |
| Fort Hays State University | 23 | $219 | 34% | 43% | 20% | #112 tie (Midwest) | — | #107 tie |
| Eastern Oregon University | 24 | $265 | 48% | 27% | 35% | #88 tie (West) | — | #144 tie |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | 25 | $270 | 14% | 46% | 48% | #5 tie (West) | — | — |
| University of Illinois-Springfield | 26 | $477 | 33% | 54% | 35% | — | — | #34 tie |
| Central Washington University | 27 | $947 | 25% | 58% | 37% | #47 tie (West) | — | #122 tie |
| University of Houston | 28 | $640 | 3% | 61% | 48% | — | #176 tie | — |
| University of Minnesota-Duluth | 29 | $569 | 1% | 62% | 43% | #39 tie (Midwest) | — | — |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | 30 | $400 | 13% | 47% | 45% | — | #298-#389 | #246 tie |
| University of Maine-Presque Isle | 31 | $319 | 22% | 38% | 29% | #28 tie (North) | — | — |
| University of Nevada Las Vegas | 32 | $552 | 4% | 45% | 50% | — | #258 tie | #256-#337 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | 33 | $572 | 38% | 35% | 31% | — | #298-#389 | #137 tie |
| University of Maine at Machias | 34 | $368 | 33% | 30% | 44% | NR | NR | — |
| Louisiana State University-Alexandria | 35 | $291 | 31% | 28% | 26% | NR | NR | — |
| University of Houston-Downtown | 36 | $443 | 20% | 29% | 23% | #95-#124 (West) | — | #86 tie |
| Northern Kentucky University | 37 | $448 | 14% | 46% | 48% | — | #298-#389 | — |
| Brescia University | 38 | $425 | 37% | 34% | 15% | #33 tie (South) | — | #234 tie |
| Kentucky State University | 39 | $450 | 26% | 25% | 40% | #36 tie (South) | — | — |
| Indiana University East | 40 | $289 | 59% | 40% | 8% | #119-#156 (Midwest) | — | — |
See Tables Notes and References at bottom of page.
Profiles of Top Psychology Schools with Online Programs
To help you make an informed decision in choosing a school, we have provided additional information for select schools in our rankings of online bachelor’s degrees in psychology. Where possible, we have also noted schools that have master’s, Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree programs in Psychology. Clicking on the school name for each of the following profiles will provide an overlay with admissions, tuition, academic, and student support statistics.
University of Florida (#1)
The University of Florida (UF) offers an online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology that is based in both science and the liberal arts. The online psychology program at UF is a BA, whereas the campus program is a Bachelor of Science (BS). Over 1,500 students at UF are psychology majors, making this one of the most popular programs offered by the school. The online program requires specific general education courses and an overall GPA of at least 2.75 for admissions consideration. Once enrolled, students explore the theory and application of psychology through both the natural and social science perspectives, preparing students for a broad variety of careers. The program requires 120 credit hours to complete, including 30 required credits in the psychology core curriculum. Core courses include General Psychology; Biological Bases of Behavior and Mental Processes; and Developmental Changes Across the Lifespan. Online students have opportunities to further explore areas of interest through electives. UF also offers on-campus graduate programs in several different areas of psychology, including APA-accredited programs in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology.
Admissions & Enrollment
Number of students in online programs: 4,0033
Acceptance rate (campuswide): 23%4
Typical ACT score of accepted students: 28-334
Tuition & Academics
In-state/out-of-state tuition per online credit hour: $129/$5535
In-state/out-of-state tuition per on-campus credit hour: $213/$9555
% of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 55%6
Full-time online faculty: 3743
One-year new student retention rate: 97%6
University of Central Florida (#3)
The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers an online degree completion program for its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology. With over 4,500 undergraduate majors in psychology and more than 150 graduate students, UCF has the largest psychology department in the Western Hemisphere and is the largest university in the US overall by student enrollment. To be admitted as a psychology major, students must have completed at least two years of college, including prerequisite courses in a foreign language, biology, statistics, and human sciences. Once admitted, students take courses such as Developmental Psychology, Statistical Methods in Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology. Online students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities and professional networking. Graduates are prepared for entry-level work or for graduate study in psychology. The Psychology Department at UCF also offers on-campus master’s programs in Clinical Psychology and Industrial and Organizational Psychology as well as on-campus doctoral programs in Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology; Clinical Psychology; and Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Admissions & Enrollment
Number of students in online programs: 12,2343
Acceptance rate (campuswide): 41%4
Typical ACT score of accepted students: 25-294
Tuition & Academics
In-state/out-of-state tuition per online credit hour: $179/$7167
In-state/out-of-state tuition per on-campus credit hour: $212/$7497
% of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 72%6
Full-time online instructional faculty: 5913
One-year new student retention rate: 92%6
Oregon State University (#5)
The Oregon State University (OSU) Ecampus, founded in 2002, allows students to earn their undergraduate psychology degree online as either a Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Online students follow the same curriculum as on-campus students, learning the scientific approach to studying theories of human behavior while developing skills in research, statistics, and quantitative analysis. The curriculum includes topics such as brain and behavior, social psychology, abnormal psychology, and human lifespan development. Undergraduate students may elect to round out their studies with an internship-based field experience in psychology in their local area. Extracurricular involvement in research through collaboration with faculty is offered to undergraduates, and students who are interested in pursuing graduate-level education in psychology are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities. OSU does not currently offer graduate programs in psychology online, though it does maintain an on-campus Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program with concentrations in Engineering Psychology, Health Psychology, and Applied Cognition.
Admissions & Enrollment
Number of students in online programs: 9,9953
Acceptance rate (campuswide): 81%4
Typical ACT score of accepted students: 22-284
Tuition & Academics
In-state/out-of-state tuition per online credit hour: $346/$3468
In-state/out-of-state tuition per on-campus credit hour: $238/$7098
% of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 57%6
Full-time online faculty: 5073
One-year new student retention rate: 87%6
Colorado State University (#11)
Colorado State University (CSU) Global offers a research-oriented program of online study leading to the award of a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology. Courses are taken from both the liberal arts and the sciences, giving students well-rounded knowledge and career flexibility. The online curriculum includes lectures as well as lab hours on topics such as Organizational Psychology, Psychological Measurement and Testing, and Industrial Psychology to prepare students for entry-level careers related to psychology as well as graduate-level study. Students have opportunities to tailor the curriculum to their personal interests by fulfilling required coursework from many study areas in addition to electives. Online classes are delivered in synchronous, blended, asynchronous, and self-paced formats. CSU also offers an online master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational psychology as well as multiple on-campus graduate psychology degrees, including a master’s degree program in Addiction Counseling; an APA-accredited Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Counseling Psychology; and PhD programs in Applied Social and Health Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Admissions & Enrollment
Number of students in online programs: 9,4763
Acceptance rate (campuswide): 91%4
Typical ACT score of accepted students: 23-294
Tuition & Academics
In-state/out-of-state tuition per online credit hour: $476/$4769
In-state/out-of-state tuition per on-campus credit hour: $554/$1,4939
% of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 57%6
Full-time online faculty: 2813
One-year new student retention rate: 86%6
University of Massachusetts-Lowell (#12)
The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) offers an online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology through its Division of Online and Continuing Education. Online psychology courses are designed for working professionals to allow a balance between work and study. The well-rounded curriculum develops students’ skills and knowledge in subfields of psychology and emphasizes the utilization of theoretical and applied knowledge and skills in practice. Students also take courses in various specialty areas and may choose additional electives to deepen their focus on experimental, developmental, community, clinical, social, or personality psychology. A professional specialization in Developmental Disabilities is offered. Students also have the option of pursuing a minor in a related area such as Gender Studies; Asian Studies; or Work, Labor, and Society. UML offers on-campus graduate programs for the Master of Arts (MA) in Community Social Psychology; the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Autism Studies; the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Applied Psychology and Prevention Science; and several graduate certificate programs.
Admissions & Enrollment
Number of students in online programs: 2,0183
Acceptance rate (campuswide): 72%4
Typical ACT score of accepted students: 24-294
Tuition & Academics
In-state/out-of-state tuition per online credit hour: $380/$38010
In-state/out-of-state tuition per on-campus credit hour: $340/$1,02010
% of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 63%6
Full-time online faculty: 1243
One-year new student retention rate: 82%6
Fayetteville State University (#18)
Fayetteville State University offers a Bachelor of Science Online Degree Completion (BSODC) program. As only upper-division courses are offered online, students must complete all core curriculum at a partnering community college before admittance to the ODC program.. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in the core curriculum to gain admittance to the psychology program. At least 50% of the credits required to complete the BS in Psychology must be taken at Fayetteville State. Courses include such topics as Introduction to Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and Behavior Modification. Graduates are prepared for entry-level careers in psychology and for graduate-level psychology study. Fayetteville State also offers a 36-credit online Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology degree program, as well as certificates in behavioral research and professional psychology.
Admissions & Enrollment
Number of students in online programs: Not available
Acceptance rate (campuswide): 85%4
Typical ACT score of accepted students: 14-196
Tuition & Academics
In-state/out-of-state tuition per online credit hour: $165/$33211
In-state/out-of-state tuition per on-campus credit hour: $261/$42811
% of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 68%6
Full-time online instructional faculty: Not available
One-year new student retention rate: 63%6
University of North Dakota (#22)
The University of North Dakota’s (UND) online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. The online courses mirror the courses for traditional on-campus students and follow a semester-based schedule. Students pay the same tuition rate regardless of their state of residency. Courses are designed for working adults and are largely asynchronous, allowing those pursuing a degree to study at their convenience. Students in the online psychology degree program can choose between the Clinical Science and Learning Sub-Plan or the Social and Cultural Psychology Sub-Plan. Specialized online undergraduate certificates that complement the BA program are offered in Forensic Psychology and Behavioral Health. For students interested in graduate study, the Department of Psychology at the University of North Dakota offers online Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) degrees in Forensic Psychology. In addition, the department offers Clinical and General-Experimental PhD programs, though these are currently not offered as distance programs.
Admissions & Enrollment
Number of students in online programs: 1,9503
Acceptance rate (campuswide): 83%4
Typical ACT score of accepted students: 20-264
Tuition & Academics
In-state/out-of-state tuition per online credit hour: $396/$39612
In-state/out-of-state tuition per on-campus credit hour: $396/$59412
% of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 62%6
Full-time online instructional faculty: 2263
One-year new student retention rate: 77%6
Central Washington University (#27)
Central Washington University (CWU) offers an online degree completion program through which students can earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology. The course of study is designed for transfer students or associate degree holders and prepares students for graduate study or entry-level careers in fields related to psychology and behavioral sciences. The major requires 45 credit hours to complete and includes elective courses such as Multicultural Issues in Psychology, Theories of Personality, Psychology of Language, and Behavioral Neuroscience. All students must participate in 10 hours of service learning or research in their final year of the program. This program is not available to Ellensburg students. Those within the main campus metropolitan area may be interested in pursuing the on-campus program. In addition to their online psychology degree, CWU offers on-campus master’s programs in Mental Health Counseling and a minor in Education Specialist in School Psychology.
Admissions & Enrollment
Number of students in online programs: 1,9363
Acceptance rate (campuswide): 79%4
Typical ACT score of accepted students: 18-234
Tuition & Academics
In-state/out-of-state tuition per online credit hour: $432/$1,56813
In-state/out-of-state tuition per on-campus credit hour: $432/$1,56813
% of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 68%6
Full-time online faculty: 1503
One-year new student retention rate: 69%6
University of Minnesota-Duluth (#29)
University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMN Duluth) maintains an online completion program for its Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Psychology. Candidates for the online completion program must have completed either an associate degree or the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MTC). Including transfer credits, the degree takes 120 credit hours to complete. The curriculum sequence begins each fall and is limited to 15 students per cohort, allowing small class sizes and personalized interactions with faculty and peers. Elective courses include a range of courses grouped into the following categories: Clinical/Counseling, Developmental, Experimental, Human Services, Industrial/Organizational, Organizational Psychology, and Personnel Psychology. Students also complete a research methods course that comprises the capstone of the undergraduate learning experience. Options for guided independent study are also available. Graduates are eligible to pursue paraprofessional positions in psychology or graduate study; the selection of electives can help students prepare for either of these options. The school also offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Psychological Science with tracks in Clinical-Counseling, Experimental, or Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
Admissions & Enrollment
Number of students in online programs: Not available
Acceptance rate (campuswide): 77%4
Typical ACT score of accepted students: 22-264
Tuition & Academics
In-state/out-of-state tuition per online credit hour: $469/$66914
In-state/out-of-state tuition per on-campus credit hour: $486/$69314
% of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 61%6
Full-time online instructional faculty: Not available
One-year new student retention rate: 77%6
University of Maine at Presque Isle (#31)
The University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology that can be completed entirely online. Online classes are taught by the same faculty who teach traditional on-campus courses. Aside from the method of delivery, the main difference between the two programs is that online students may only concentrate in General Psychology, whereas on-campus students may choose to concentrate in Biopsychology or Business Psychology. Elective courses include topical study in Principles of Counseling, History and Systems of Psychology, Drugs and Behavior, and Sex and Gender. In addition to the 45-credit hour psychology major, students also take courses in communication, intercultural and global awareness, and quantitative and scientific reasoning for a total of 120 credit hours to complete the degree. Students must complete a psychology capstone during their senior year as a practicum or an advanced research project. Students are encouraged to pursue independent research; past students have received co-author credit for faculty research and have presented at regional conferences.
Admissions & Enrollment
Number of students in online programs: Not available
Acceptance rate (campuswide): 77%4
Typical ACT score of accepted students: 18-234
Tuition & Academics
In-state/out-of-state tuition per online credit hour: $245/$40415
In-state/out-of-state tuition per on-campus credit hour: $245/$40415
% of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 50%6
Full-time online instructional faculty: Not available
One-year new student retention rate: 67%6
Brescia University (#38)
Brescia University offers an online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology that takes a liberal arts foundation to prepare graduates for careers in psychology-related fields and advanced study. The program requires a total of 120 credit hours and includes courses in language, literature, religion, philosophy, and the sciences to complement the psychology core curriculum. Students learn the principles of human and animal behavior and are exposed to topical studies in health psychology, forensic psychology, environmental psychology, and the psychology of religion. First-year students are supported through the school’s First-Year Experience (FYE) program, which includes skills-based learning, consultation with an academic advisor, and peer engagement. Rolling admissions and flexible course scheduling allow students at Brescia to personalize their education. Brescia is a Catholic institution sharing the contemporary church mission and Ursuline tradition, which embraces academic and moral excellence as well as service to others. All programs at Brescia emphasize career preparation and skills development as well as lifelong learning.
Admissions & Enrollment
Number of students in online programs: 1223
Acceptance rate (campuswide): 49%4
Typical ACT score of accepted students: 20-254
Tuition & Academics
In-state/out-of-state tuition per online credit hour: $450/$45016
In-state/out-of-state tuition per on-campus credit hour: $675/$67516
% of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 17%6
Full-time online instructional faculty: 173
One-year new student retention rate: 66%6
Indiana University East (#40)
Indiana University East’s (IUE) Department of Psychology offers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology. Students must complete 120 credit hours with an overall GPA of 2.0 or above to graduate. The psychology major requires 36 credit hours of psychology study and includes an advanced core of courses such as Sensation and Perception, Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology. All courses center on the department’s focus on research methodology and statistical analysis, which aims to provide program graduates with a broad understanding of human and social behavior. IUE is a regional campus that is part of the Indiana University system, which gives its students access to the resources typically available at large research universities within a small-college atmosphere. Average class sizes are small, with around 20 students each, facilitating faculty and student interaction.
Admissions & Enrollment
Number of students in online programs: Not available
Acceptance rate (campuswide): 78%4
Typical ACT score of accepted students: 18-264
Tuition & Academics
In-state/out-of-state tuition per online credit hour: $242/$35317
In-state/out-of-state tuition per on-campus credit hour: $242/$68817
% of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 60%6
Full-time online instructional faculty: Not available
One-year new student retention rate: 61%6
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online degrees respected and accepted by employers?
As online bachelor’s and graduate degrees become more common, they are also becoming more respected. If you earn a degree from a regionally accredited school, in most cases, there will be no indication on your transcript or in the degree title that you took courses online. It is most important to ensure schools and programs you are considering have a strong reputation and appropriate accreditation, as these are top considerations for employers and graduate schools.
What can you do with a psychology degree?
An undergraduate psychology degree prepares you for a entry-level careers in social services, marketing, communication, and education, and research. A master’s degree in psychology is suited for careers in management and leadership, such as industrial-organizational psychology or human resources. For academic careers in higher education and to become licensed as a psychologist you will typically need a doctoral degree.
How long does it take to get your bachelor’s degree?
Most bachelor’s degrees are designed to be completed in four years of full-time study. However, if you study part-time, you can typically earn your degree in five to six years. If you already have an associate degree or college credit from an accredited school, you may be able to transfer those credits to a four-year school to reduce the time it takes to earn your bachelor’s in psychology.
What degree do you need to be a psychologist?
In most states, a doctoral degree is required to be licensed as a psychologist. Some states allow supervised psychology practice if you have a master’s degree. To learn more about licensing requirements for psychologists in your state, see our guide to becoming licensed as a psychologist.
If I already have a bachelor’s, can I earn a master’s in psychology online?
Although fewer schools currently offer online master’s degrees in psychology than online bachelor’s degrees, there are a growing number of online master’s degree programs in psychology. If you are interested in psychology as a career, a master’s degree can open doors to careers in research and academia as well as prepare you to complete a doctoral program.
Table Notes:
— = Not Applicable.
N.Av. = Not Available.
NR = School did not place in rankings.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. The National Research Center for Distance Education and Technological Advancement (DETA), No Significant Difference database: https://detaresearch.org/research-support/no-significant-difference/
3. US News & World Report Best Online Bachelor’s Programs: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/rankings
4. The Princeton Review: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-search
5. University of Florida: https://www.ufl.edu/
6. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/use-the-data
7. University of Central Florida: https://www.ucf.edu/
8. Oregon State University: https://oregonstate.edu/
9. Colorado State University: https://www.colostate.edu/
10. University of Massachusetts Lowell: https://www.uml.edu/
11. Fayetteville State University: https://www.uncfsu.edu/
12. University of North Dakota: https://und.edu/
13. Central Washington University: https://www.cwu.edu/
14. University of Minnesota-Duluth: https://www.d.umn.edu/
15. University of Maine at Presque Isle: https://www.umpi.edu/
16. Brescia University: https://www.brescia.edu/
17. Indiana University East: https://east.iu.edu/index.html