Online Master’s in Psychology and Applied Psychology Degree Programs
Psychology is a broad field that encompasses various theories of human behavior, as well as numerous real-world applications, from the clinical treatment of individuals with mental health concerns to research into organizational leadership, educational pedagogy, consumer behavior, and many other defining aspects of our world. While the administration of psychotherapy as a treatment for psychological problems is commonly regarded as the primary function of psychologists, there are a range career paths and professional opportunities open to those who hold a degree in psychology, including jobs in marketing and market research, public relations, human resources management and development, and education. A master’s degree in psychology or applied psychology provides students with training and instruction in the theories, methods, and practices of psychology as well as in many of the ways psychology is used to understand human behavior, motivation, and cognitive and emotional development.
What Is a Master’s Degree in Psychology or Applied Psychology?
A master’s degree in psychology is a graduate degree that provides intermediate and advanced coursework and instruction in the principles and practices of psychology. Students in a master’s in psychology degree program study dominant theories of human psychological development, cognitive processes, and behavioral science. They learn about psychological research methods and ethics, and the various factors that may impact or influence the behavior of individuals and groups.
While most master’s in psychology programs introduce students to one or more of psychology’s many applications, some programs focus primarily on theories of psychology while others incorporated more coursework in applied psychology. Applied programs may also offer designated tracks in areas like addiction and substance abuse, business psychology, consumer psychology, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, forensic psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, and/or sports psychology.
Note: The professional practice of clinical psychology requires a doctoral degree and formal state licensure. A master’s degree in psychology or applied psychology is not sufficient to qualify for state licensure. Similarly, the related field of psychiatry requires practitioners to hold a doctoral degree in medicine in order to qualify for professional licensure.
Online Master’s in Psychology Programs
Online master’s in psychology programs offer a more convenient and flexible alternative to traditional, campus-based master’s programs. Students in an online program receive all or most of the training and instruction required for the conferral of their degree through distance-learning technologies that facilitate the delivery of lectures and other course materials. These programs utilize learning management systems (LMSs) that allow for the steaming of live and/or pre-recorded classroom sessions and the submission of assignments and exams.
While some online master’s in psychology programs require students to attend a limited number of campus-based sessions, many programs offer all of their didactic instruction online and do not require campus visits. It is, however, important to note that internships, field experiences, and practicums associated with online master’s in psychology programs are typically completed in person at a site approved by the program.
How OnlineEducation.com Classifies Online Master’s in Psychology Programs
OnlineEducation.com researches master’s in psychology and applied psychology programs and classifies programs based on their curricula and several other key factors. To be listed on the site, a program must be offered by a regionally accredited, non-profit college or university and it must offer all or most of its coursework online. Programs that require students to attend more than two campus visits per year are considered hybrid programs and are not currently listed on the site. Programs classified as master’s in psychology programs must provide training and instruction in core theories of psychology, psychological research methods, and the accepted principles and practices of psychology.
Online master’s programs in applied behavior analysis (ABA), forensic psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology (I/O) are classified separately from general psychology and other types of applied psychology programs. Formal designations for programs OnlineEducation.com classifies as online master’s in psychology and applied psychology programs include:
- Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology
- Master of Science (MS) Psychology
- MA or MS in Applied Psychology
- MA or MS in Behavioral Psychology
- MA or MS in Business Psychology
- MA or MS in Clinical Psychology
- MA or MS in Counseling Psychology
- MA or MS in Educational Psychology
- MA or MS in General Psychology
- MA or MS in Performance Psychology
- Master of Education (MEd) in Educational and School Psychology
What Do Students Learn in Online Master’s in Psychology Programs?
Online master’s in psychology program curricula vary by program and by area of focus. However, students at the master’s degree level typically take several core courses in the fundamental theories and practices of psychology, including behavioral psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology, as well as courses in behavioral science research methods and statistical analysis. Depending on the program, students may then complete additional coursework in advanced psychological theories, clinical practices such as psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, and/or the application of psychology in specific fields, such as addiction treatment, business and marketing, education, public health, organizational leadership, and sports performance.
Some online master’s in psychology programs have designated tracks or concentrations in one or more of these areas, and students in these programs may have the option of completing a general psychology curriculum or a specialized curriculum in a field of applied psychology. Finally, online programs may incorporate internships and/or require students to complete a final research thesis or applied capstone project.
Online Master’s in Psychology Courses
The courses and course descriptions in the table below provide an overview of the types of classes students typically complete as part of an online master’s program in the field of psychology. The titles and descriptions are derived from actual online master’s in psychology and master’s in applied psychology programs.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Foundations of Human Behavior | An introduction to graduate studies in psychology and to the dominant theories of human behavior, methods of behavioral analysis, and core psychological principles. |
| Foundations of Professional Psychology | An examination of the role of the psychologist in various professional contexts, the ethical practice of psychology, and the tools and methods used by practitioners. |
| Advanced Research Methods | Experimental design and the evidence-based practice of psychology, with a focus on how research is conducted and analyzed in the field of psychology. |
| Theories of Personality & Behavior | An in-depth exploration of psychological research and theories pertaining to the development of identity, attitudes, cognition processes, and behaviors. |
| Social Psychology | Theories pertaining to the interrelationship between individuals and their social environment, including the processes by which social factors impact behavior. |
| Psychopathology | An historical overview of mental illness and behavioral disorders with a focus on the contemporary understanding of common psychopathologies and treatment methods. |
| Organizational Psychology | The psychological study of organizations and human behavior in the workplace, with a focus on research and practice in the field of industrial-organizational (I/O) psychology. |
| Childhood & Family Development Psychology | The application of psychological theory to better understanding childhood development processes and behavioral dynamics within families. |
| Behavioral Principles & Theories of Learning | The psychology of learning and the cognitive and behavioral factors that impact learning processes. |
| Theories of Counseling & Psychotherapy | An examination of the prevailing theories and methods of psychotherapy and other types of psychological counseling. |
Admissions to Online Master’s in Psychology Programs
The basic educational prerequisite for admissions to an online master’s program is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Online master’s in psychology programs typically do not require applicants to hold an undergraduate degree in psychology, although some programs have prerequisite courses that applicants are expected to have completed prior to enrolling in the program, such as an introductory psychology course. Some programs may also give preference to applicants whose undergraduate degree is in a related field. Students whose bachelor’s degree is in an unrelated field should clearly explain why they wish to purse a master’s degree in psychology in their personal statement.
In addition to undergraduate transcripts, programs may also request that applicants submit materials such as GRE test scores, two or three letters of recommendation, an updated resume or CV, a short personal goals statement, and/or two or three letters of recommendation. Finally, some programs maintain a minimum preferred or required undergraduate grade point average for candidates, usually 2.5, 3.0, or higher on a four-point scale. Those considering applying to an online master’s in psychology program should examine admissions policies and requirements carefully prior to submitting an application.
Online Master’s in Psychology Program Formats
There are several variations in the format and structure of online programs that can be important considerations when exploring master’s in psychology programs. These include: online instruction methods (synchronous vs. asynchronous instruction); enrollment options (full-time vs. part-time enrollment); and campus visits (also referred to as residencies, intensives, and immersion sessions). These factors may be of particular concern to students who have work or other commitments outside of school as they can impact the relative convenience and flexibility of an online program. Two of these factors are discussed in greater detail below.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: Online programs that utilize synchronous instruction hold regularly scheduled virtual classes that function similarly to traditional campus-based classes. These virtual classes may include lectures and other instructional activities that take place in real-time using video conferencing software. Online programs that utilize asynchronous instruction provide more flexibility by allowing students to access pre-recorded lectures and other course materials at their convenience, 24-7.
Students who are more comfortable with the additional structure provided by live online classes should try to find a program that incorporates synchronous instruction into its online course delivery methods. Students who need or would prefer more scheduling flexibility should consider programs that mainly use asynchronous instruction. It is important to note that regardless of the instruction method, online master’s programs are just as rigorous as campus-based programs and they require greater self-discipline and self-motivation to keep up with course materials and assignments in the absence of traditional in-person lectures and discussion sessions.
Campus Visits: In order to be listed on OnlineEducation.com, master’s in psychology and master’s in applied psychology programs must offer all or most of their didactic instruction online. Programs that require more than two campus visits per year are not classified as online programs. While there are many master’s in psychology programs that are fully online, some programs may require students to attend instructional activities on-campus or at a third-party location. These on-campus sessions, which may be referred to as intensives or residencies, can be an integral part of a program’s curriculum and can enrich the online learning experience by giving students opportunities to meet face-to-face with instructors, to forge a physical connection with the college or university in which they are enrolled, and to network with fellow students and potentially alumni.
Campus visits, which may include orientation sessions, workshops, seminars, and other learning activities, typically do not last more than a week to ten days and are often scheduled during the summer. However, they do require travel and students may incur expenses in addition to a program’s tuition and fees while attending these sessions. Therefore, students should research programs carefully and determine if they would like to attend a program that requires on-campus intensives or a program that offers fully online didactic instruction before submitting an application.