20 Best Online Master’s in Psychology

The University of Georgia traces its history back to the origins of the United States. Since 1785, the school has expanded beyond its Athens, Georgia, campus to satellite centers throughout the state. This growth is due to the University of Georgia’s reputation for academic excellence. U.S. News & World Report ranked the university No. 50 in National Universities and No. 40 in Best Undergraduate Teaching. 

The Master of Education in educational psychology, applied cognition & development places students into 10-student cohorts throughout their enrollment. Each student demonstrates a GPA of at least 2.6 in a completed bachelor’s program. Admission officials evaluate GRE or Miller Analogies Test scores for signs of academic potential. The University of Georgia also requires a statement of purpose, three recommendation letters, and a $75 fee from each applicant. 

This 34-credit program starts with core classes such as Foundations of Motivation for Education. In the second year, each student selects two electives based on specializations in learning with technology, learning across the lifespan, qualitative approaches, or development of high intellectual capability. A capstone project in the final semester tests all of these lessons against real-world conditions.

The University of Idaho was the only university in the state from its first classes in 1892 to the opening of Idaho State University in 1963. This dominance of state education allowed the school to compete with nationally recognized universities into the 21st century. Forbes ranked the University of Idaho No. 241 in America’s Best Value Colleges 2019 and No. 150 in Public Colleges. 

The Psychology & Communication Studies Department offers an online version of its Master of Science in psychology. This version of the degree has a focus on human factors. MS candidates complete nine courses exploring topics like engineering psychology and human-computer interaction. On-campus resources like the Cognition and Usability Lab provide practical research experiences to students near the campus in Moscow, Idaho. 

The application fee for every University of Idaho program is $60. Applicants to the MS in psychology are held to high academic standards with minimum GPAs and GRE scores of 3.0 and 300, respectively. The university requires each MS candidate to hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a closely related discipline. Admitted students are expected to complete at least one statistics course prior to their first courses. 

Ball State University started as a teacher’s college in Muncie, Indiana, that was supported by the Ball Corporation. The school shifted from a part of the Indiana State University network to its own campus in 1961. Strong pedagogical roots have flourished into national recognition for its faculty with a No. 76 in Best Undergraduate Teaching from U.S. News & World Report. 

The Master of Arts in educational psychology uses distance learning and specialization options to attract graduate students. MA candidates complete 18 credits of foundational courses including advanced educational psychology and tests and measurements. The remaining 12 credits are determined by a student’s specialization. The Ball State Online platform offers four specializations: applied behavior analysis, gifted and talented, human development, and neuropsychology. 

Educational psychology students can complete their work in 18 months of part-time work or 12 months of full-time work. The application for this program requires a $60 processing fee. Applicants submit official transcripts showing GPAs of at least 2.75 on undergraduate work. The university does not require GRE scores. Completed applications include 500-word personal statements and two recommendation letters. 

Athletic teams at the University of North Texas play under the Mean Green nickname. This name was given in the 1960s to a successful football program. Students and faculty have carried on-field successes into the classroom. Niche’s 2020 grades placed this Denton, Texas, university No. 123 in Top Public Universities in America and No. 255 in Best Colleges for Psychology in America. 

The school’s UNT Online platform offers multiple tracks for its Master of Science in educational psychology. Admitted students select from family policy and program administration, gifted and talented, learning and development, or research and evaluation tracks. Each track requires completion of 11 courses including two foundational courses. MS candidates in the Department of Educational Psychology complete a capstone project prior to graduation. 

Exceptional applicants to this MS program bypass GRE requirements with undergraduate GPAs of at least 3.25. Students discuss their career goals and research interests in personal statements up to three pages long. The University of North Texas also asks for two reference letters and an updated resume. The application fee for this program is $75. 

Nova Southeastern University opened its doors in 1964 with a laser-like focus on graduate education in scientific disciplines. This school’s in-person and online degrees continue this tradition with the strongest offerings in medicine, nursing, and psychology. U.S. News & World Report highlighted the school’s recruiting efforts among low-income students with a No. 165 rank in Top Performers on Social Mobility. 

The Master of Science in general psychology offers online training to future practitioners. Applicants to the program show academic potential through undergraduate GPAs of at least 3.0 or GRE scores of 300 or better. The College of Psychology also requires two letters of recommendation, a 500-word statement of purpose, and a completed degree in a relevant field. Applications are processed after payment of a $50 fee. 

MS candidates start their degree paths with seven foundational courses including Social Psychology and Research Design. Nova Southeastern requires graduate students to pursue general or applied health science tracks prior to graduation. General track students complete one elective course and thesis research or three elective courses for the non-thesis option. Health science candidates complete courses in Psychological Aspects of Treatment, the Business of Psychology, and Interviewing Techniques. 

The University of Northern Colorado has grown significantly since first offering courses in 1889 at its Greeley campus. The school now features online degree options along with satellite campuses in Denver and Colorado Springs. Decades of expansion have helped this public university gain national attention including a No. 102 rank In The West from Forbes.  

The School of Psychological Sciences sets a high bar for entry into its online Master of Arts in educational psychology. Applicants need to hold GPAs of 3.0 or better on previous college coursework. The University of Northern Colorado does not require GRE scores with graduate applications. A completed application includes three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a $50 fee. 

Educational psychology students complete two courses per semester with an expected completion timeline of two years. Twenty-seven foundational credits are required including courses in the Seminar in History and Systems and Educational Assessment. Two electives allow MS candidates to specialize in special education, school psychology, or educational technology. Each online candidate completes their degree by passing a written comprehensive exam based on prior coursework. 

Touro University Worldwide caters to global students with degrees ranging from an Associate of Arts in general studies to a Master of Arts in psychology. This 100% online school was created in 2008 to bring the high-level education of Touro College to distance learners. College Factual’s 2020 rankings placed the Touro University Worldwide No. 11 in Most Focused Programs for Psychology. 

Applicants to all of the university’s programs are not asked to pay the $60 fee required at Touro College. The MA in psychology requires an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or better to advance through the admission process. Current graduate students at other institutions must show GPAs of at least 2.75 through their official transcripts. There is no GRE requirement for this program. 

MA candidates complete 12 courses on their way to graduation. These courses are split between nine foundational courses and three electives. Elective options are determined by a student’s selection of a degree specialization. Touro University Worldwide features four concentrations: educational psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, and media psychology. 

The Sage Colleges is a trio of New York schools that provide college degrees under the same name. These schools include the all-female Russell Sage College along with the co-educational Sage College of Albany and Sage Graduate School. U.S. News & World Report confirms the decades-long reputation of The Sage Colleges with a No. 228 in National Universities. 

The online Master of Science in applied behavior analysis and autism prepares graduates with four semesters of practical experience. Coursework is brought to life through a minimum of 250 hours at approved service providers each semester. Each practicum focuses on an area covered by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board exam. For example, the first semester centers on real-world applications of measurement and data analysis tools. 

The Sage Colleges does not charge a fee as part of the application process. MS applicants are also not required to submit GRE scores. The application requires a current resume and two letters of recommendation. Faculty members with the Esteves School of Education place greater emphasis on recommendations from certified behavior analysts and psychologists. A two-page application essay details how the MS program helps a student achieve their goals. 

The University of Memphis is known for world-class instructors and a diverse student population. Niche ranked this school No. 201 in Top Public Universities in America and No. 279 in Most Diverse Colleges in America. Among all students in Fall 2019, 34.3% identified as black, 6.3% identified as Asian, and 3.9% identified as Hispanic. This cohort also featured 27.8% of students who were 23 years old and up. 

An online Master of Science in educational psychology is available through the school’s University of Memphis Global platform. MS candidates complete 36 credits on educational psychology or educational research tracks. These credits encompass subjects like lifespan human development and learning and cognition. The online version of this program requires the completion of a final research project and a comprehensive exam before graduation. 

Aspiring psychologists do not need psychology degrees on their transcripts for admission to the University of Memphis. The Counseling, Educational Psychology & Research Department asks for a 500-word personal statement from each applicant. Applicants show their intellectual prowess by submitting GRE scores and official transcripts from past schools. The University of Memphis requires a $25 fee per application. 

Edinboro University maintains a link to the Old World with its name derived from the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. This Pennsylvania private school also features the Fighting Scots nickname for its athletics teams. Edinboro University has developed a reputation in the Northeast since opening in 1857 including a No. 129 in Regional Universities North from U.S. News & World Report. 

The Master of Education in educational psychology provides an online option for aspiring school therapists. Prospective M.Ed. candidates need undergraduate GPAs of at least 3.0 for their last two years of courses. The application also requires a two-page statement of goals, a current resume, and three recommendation letters. Edinboro University requires a $30 fee for each completed application. 

Online M.Ed. students complete 21 credits of core courses including Learning Theories and the Seminar in Exceptionalities. Elective options cover topics like Statistical Methods in Education and Foundations of Literacy. Every candidate needs to achieve a 70% score or better on a comprehensive exam prior to graduation. This 125-question exam tests competency in five subjects selected by the department. 

The University of Louisiana Monroe evolved from a small two-year college in the 1930s to a nationally recognized four-year school in the 21st century. Famous alumni like musician Tim McGraw and NFL head coach Doug Pedersen have drawn attention to the university. U.S. News & World Report provided more attention to the school with a No. 293 rank in National Universities. 

The Master of Arts in psychology shows why the University of Louisiana Monroe has grown in recent years. This program prepares future practitioners around the country through the ULM Online platform. Students who choose the forensic psychology specialization are not required to set foot on campus, while the psychometrics concentration requires one semester of on-campus work. ULM Online allows future academics to complete the university’s Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy. 

The University of Louisiana Monroe applies a $40 application fee for all of its programs. Psychology graduate students show their academic potential through college GPAs of at least 3.0. The university also allows students to combine GPAs of at least 2.75 with GRE scores of at least 290. Online MA candidates must also complete at least nine credits of psychology courses prior to their admission. 

California Baptist University uses the motto “Live Your Purpose” to encourage continuing education for students of all ages. This private college has blended liberal arts programs and Christian education from its Riverside campus since 1950. Niche placed California Baptist University high in its 2020 grades including a No. 76 place in Best Christian Colleges in America. 

Applicants to the Master of Science in counseling psychology must hold undergraduate degrees prior to admission. The university accepts students with GPAs of at least 2.75 with conditional admission possible with a GPA as low as 2.5. Faculty and staff use the student’s personal essay to determine their fit within the program. California Baptist University requires an application fee of $45 prior to review. 

Sixty-two credits of required courses provide strong foundations in areas like Human Sexuality, Psychodiagnostics, and Addiction Counseling. The school offers an 18-credit Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor concentration for candidates interested in post-graduate certification. Prior to graduation, each MS candidate completes a case study examination that demonstrates familiarity with advanced counseling concepts. 

Sacred Heart University established a Catholic higher education presence in Fairfield, Connecticut, at its founding in 1963. Over the past five decades, the school has attracted national attention for programs like the Master of Science in industrial/organizational psychology. U.S. News & World Report ranked Sacred Heart University No. 218 in National Universities for 2019-2020. 

Every application to Sacred Heart University requires a $75 processing fee. MS applicants need to demonstrate the completion of undergraduate degrees with GPAs of 3.0 or better. Sacred Heart University does not require a psychology specialization for admission. Potential students bridge their past accomplishments and long-term goals with a two-page essay and two letters of recommendation. 

The 10-course core for the industrial/organizational psychology program examines areas like Personnel Psychology and Competency Modeling. MS candidates also complete practical experience requirements with approved service providers. Sacred Heart University requires two electives selected from options like Work Motivation and Employee Well-Being. This program can be completed in as little as one year through online and evening courses. 

In its seven decades of existence, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has been known for a diverse student body. College Factual rated the school’s overall diversity at 88 compared to a national average of 60.6. The school also received recognition for its academic programs with a No. 118 rank in Best Big Colleges in America from Niche. 

UNLV has extended its global reach with online degrees like the Master of Science in education psychology. The university requires MS applicants to demonstrate overall undergraduate GPAs of at least 2.75 or upper-level GPAs of 3.0. Faculty members review writing samples, GRE scores, and three letters of recommendation from each applicant. The standard application fee for a UNLV degree program is $60. 

Thesis and non-thesis candidates complete 33 credits prior to receiving their UNLV diplomas. In each track, MS students learn the basics in courses like Psychometrics and Human Growth and Development. UNLV requires four electives and a graduate thesis for the thesis option. Non-thesis students complete five electives and capstone projects prior to graduation. 

Texas A&M University placed No. 18 in Best Colleges For Your Money 2019 from Forbes. The return on investment for programs like the Master’s in educational psychology contributed to steady growth in enrollment from 2014 to 2019. For more than 69,000 current students, Texas A&M embodies success through successful athletic programs and world-class research facilities. 

The educational psychology program offers an online concentration in creativity & cognition. To gain admission to this program, applicants submit GRE scores and official transcripts to confirm their academic bona fides. The application form also requires a current resume, recommendation letters, and a statement of purpose. Texas A&M University charges a $65 fee to process each application. 

Graduate students in educational psychology start with core courses covering Creative Thinking, Evaluation, and Educational Psychology. Elective options like Lateral Thinking and Online Course Design impart skills necessary for success in the field. This is a non-thesis degree with a research paper and portfolio review used to determine graduation status. 

Saint Leo University has served as a military school, high school, and four-year college since opening in 1889. The school was given its current name in 1999 but has focused exclusively on higher education since 1959. U.S. News & World Report showed this Florida school hasn’t suffered from name and identity changes with a No. 25 rank in Regional Universities South. 

Prospective students for the Master of Science in psychology need bachelor’s degrees in the field prior to admission. The Office of Graduate Admissions does not require GRE scores for applicants who show prior GPAs of at least 3.0. Aspiring psychologists can tell their stories through 500-word statements of purpose and two letters from recommenders. Saint Leo University features an $80 application fee. 

The online MS in psychology uses two capstone courses rather than thesis research to evaluate candidates for graduation. These requirements are preceded by 30 credits of foundational courses like Advanced Social psychology and Lifespan Development. Saint Leo University limits MS candidates to one course per eight-week session for increased focus. 

LeTourneau University has become a national leader in online education since its founding in 1946. Niche placed the Texas-based private university No. 1 in Best Online Colleges in America for 2019-2020. The school maintains a strong presence in east Texas with its main campus in Longview and satellite centers in Dallas and Houston. 

The Master of Arts in psychology contributes to LeTourneau University’s reputation with a challenging but flexible curriculum. Core courses like Family Assessment and Group Counseling Methods develop skills valued by employers. Standard electives in the program dive into subjects like Research Methods and Counseling Diverse Options. The school also allows MA candidates to add Business, Education, and other electives to their degree paths. 

LeTourneau University does not charge an application fee for any of its programs. Incoming students need to demonstrate undergraduate GPAs of at least 2.5 through their official transcripts. The application process allows sub-2.5 students to be considered with updated resumes showing exemplary professional performance. Faculty members conduct interviews with promising students prior to admission decisions. 

Ottawa University has an outsized impact despite an enrollment of 706 students in the 2019-2020 school year. The school extends beyond its main campus in Ottawa, Kansas, with campuses in Arizona and Wisconsin and online programs. U.S. News & World Report identified the school as a regional leader in higher education with a No. 43 place in Regional Universities Midwest. 

The Master of Arts in counseling at Ottawa University connects Arizona-based faculty with students around the world. MA candidates learn about concepts like counseling theories and group counseling dynamics through foundational courses. Students select from six concentrations to specialize in areas ranging from Christian counseling to expressive arts therapy. The program culminates in a written exam and field placements that connect these concepts to the workplace. 

A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is expected of all graduate applicants to Ottawa University. Prospective students detail their experiences and goals through a required personal statement. A completed application should include three recommendation letters and a current resume. Ottawa University applies a $75 fee to each submitted application. 

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville dates back to the early years of the American frontier. Since 1794, this public school has combined exceptional academic programs with successes by Volunteer athletic teams. Forbes echoes the university’s enduring reputation with a No. 72 in Public Colleges and a No. 224 in Top Colleges 224. 

The Master of Science in education psychology places a high bar on prospective students. Applicants submit academic writing samples and statements of purpose to admission officials. The Education Psychology & Counseling Department also features a candidate rating form that must be completed by three former professors or supervisors per applicant. A $60 fee is a mandatory element of the application process. 

This 100% online program divides 36 required credits between core courses and concentration electives. Students learn more about Motivation in Learning, Program Planning, and Adult Learning through 24 required credits. MS candidates are offered concentrations in adult education or applied education psychology that define their 12 elective credits. This is a non-thesis graduate degree that uses research projects to determine readiness for graduation. 

McNeese State University drew its name from educator John McNeese, who established public education in the early years of Lake Charles, Louisiana. This recognition for educational leadership is reflected in Niche’s 2020 college rankings. The university achieved a No. 268 place in Top Public Universities in America and a No. 508 in Colleges with the Best Academics in America. 

The Master of Arts in counseling psychology uses online and evening courses to prepare students for counseling careers. MA candidates pursue internships and research projects rather than thesis research to complete this degree. The on-campus Kay Dore Counseling Clinic and McNeese Counseling Center provide hands-on experience for graduate students. The curriculum is designed to meet the prerequisites for Licensed Professional Counselor exams in most states. 

Applicants to McNeese State University pay $20 fees along with their required materials. Official transcripts need to show an overall undergraduate degree of 2.5. The university also expects GPAs of at least 2.75 on upper-level courses. Graduate students with exceptional transcripts may qualify for scholarships covering tuition and fees for up to four semesters.