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.

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
• Applied Statistical Methods in Education
• Foundations of Cognition for Education

In the second year, each student selects two electives based on specializations in:

• Learning with Technology
• Learning Across the Lifespan
• Qualitative Approaches to Education
• 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.  

The Psychology & Communication Studies Department offers an online version of its Master of Science in Psychology. This version of the degree focuses 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.

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
• Institutional Research

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.

The school’s UNT Online platform offers multiple tracks for its Master of Science in educational psychology. Admitted students select from four program tracks, including:

• Family Policy and Program Administration
• Gifted and Talented
• Learning and Development
• Research and Evaluation

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.

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
• Business of Psychology
• 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.

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
• 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.

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 five concentrations:

• Educational Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Media Psychology
• Child and Adolescent Development

Russell Sage College is a coeducational college with locations in Albany and Troy, New York. Sage offers over 50 academic programs, including an MS in applied behavior analysis and autism.

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. 

Russell Sage College 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 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 its world-class instructors and diverse student population. Among all students in Fall 2023, 34.7% identified as black, 4.8% identified as Asian, and 9.4% identified as Hispanic. This cohort also featured 47%% of students who were 23 years old and up. 

An online Master of Science in educational psychology and research is available through the school’s University of Memphis Global platform. MS candidates complete 30 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 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 $35 fee per application. 

PennWest Edinboro is a regionally accredited four-year university located in Northwest Pennsylvania. They offer over 100 majors, minors, and programs in a variety of areas. Class size is kept small, and courses are taught by internationally recognized faculty.

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 $35 fee for each completed application. 

Online M.Ed. students complete 21 credits of core courses, including Advanced Psychology of Learning, Crisis Management, and Violence Prevention. Elective options cover topics like statistics in Education and Lifespan Development. Courses are delivered in a flexible, 100% online format. Most part-time students can complete their degree in two years.

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.

The online master’s 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 can complete a concentration in forensic psychology entirely online.

The psychometrics concentration is offered as a hybrid program since students must spend one semester on-campus. 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 graduate 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.

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 essays 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
• 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. 

Arizona State University is a public four-year institution with over 142,000 students. There are 158 countries represented and over 15,000 international students. Graduate students can choose from over 550 degree programs and certificates, including the online master’s degree in psychology.

Every graduate school application to Arizona State University requires a $70 processing fee. MS applicants need to demonstrate the completion of undergraduate degrees with GPAs of 3.0 or better. ASU requires applicants to have completed lower- or upper-division psychology coursework. Potential students bridge their past accomplishments and long-term goals with a personal statement and two letters of recommendation. 

The 12-course core for the master’s in psychology program examines areas like social psychology and quantitative research. MS candidates also complete a capstone requirement reviewing current literature and developing actional research and policy recommendations. This program can be completed in as little as two years. 

In its seven decades of existence, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has been known for its diverse student body. UNLV has over 30,600 students, with over 80% of students indicating they are a minority. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1.

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 was founded in 1876 as the state’s first public university. There are over 69,000 students located at the College Station campus and another 5,200 at branch campuses across Texas.

The return on investment for programs like the Master’s in Educational Psychology contributed to steady growth in enrollment from 2018 to 2022. Texas A&M is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

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:

• Educational Psychology
• Learning Theories
• Creative Thinking

Elective options like Lateral Thinking and Creative Problem Solving 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.

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 features four innovative concentration areas, including:

• Industrial Organizational Psychology
• General Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Teaching of Psychology

Students complete 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.  It is important to note that this is not a counseling or clinical psychology program and does not lead to licensure.

LeTourneau University has become a national leader in online education since its founding in 1946. 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 Ethics and Multicultural Issues in Psychology develop skills valued by employers.

Standard electives in the program dive into subjects like Decision Analysis and Family Systems Theory and Therapies. 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 853 students in the 2022-23 school year. The school extends beyond its main campus in Ottawa, Kansas, with campuses in Arizona and Wisconsin and online programs.

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 three concentrations to specialize in areas including:

• Expressive Arts Therapy
• Gerocounseling
• Treatment of Trauma Abuse and Deprivation

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 the success of Volunteer athletic teams.

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.

The Master of Arts in Psychology focused on applied behavior analysis uses online courses to prepare students for a career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. MA candidates complete coursework, an empirical thesis, and a site practicum experience. Course offerings include:

• Behavioral Assessment
• Verbal Behavior
• Ethics for Behavior Analysts

Students pursue internships and research projects rather than thesis research to complete. Typically, students complete their degree in two years of study.

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.