The Best Online Master’s in Psychology Programs for 2025
Ready to explore human behavior at an advanced level? An online master’s in psychology can prepare you for careers in counseling, therapy, research, or consulting. With this degree, you can also apply to doctoral programs to become a licensed clinical psychologist. Our ranking introduces the best online master’s in psychology programs and what to look for before you enroll.
The Best Online Master’s in Psychology Programs for 2025
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe, LA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,788
- Out-of-state$17,888
- In-State$6,490
- Out-of-state$18,590
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled8,398
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
Lynn University
- Boca Raton, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$39,800
- Out-of-state$39,800
- In-State$13,500
- Out-of-state$13,500
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled3,520
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
Nova Southeastern University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$34,500
- Out-of-state$34,500
- In-State$22,062
- Out-of-state$22,062
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled20,877
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
Roosevelt University
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$33,068
- Out-of-state$33,068
- In-State$22,764
- Out-of-state$22,764
- Retention Rate60%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled3,725
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
University of Arizona Global Campus
- Chandler, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$12,240
- Out-of-state$12,240
- In-State$12,645
- Out-of-state$12,645
- Retention Rate30%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled34,190
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,000
- Out-of-state$15,000
- In-State$18,900
- Out-of-state$18,900
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled164,091
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
National University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- In-State$15,912
- Out-of-state$15,912
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled18,631
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
Pepperdine University
- Malibu, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$62,390
- Out-of-state$62,390
- In-State$39,100
- Out-of-state$39,100
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled9,545
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
University of Oregon
- Eugene, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,726
- Out-of-state$39,922
- In-State$16,011
- Out-of-state$28,971
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled23,786
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
Lincoln Memorial University
- Harrogate, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$24,720
- Out-of-state$24,720
- In-State$19,160
- Out-of-state$19,160
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled5,418
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment30%
- AccreditationYes
Our Ranking Methodology
Psychology.org ranks education programs using data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education. Our vetting process also includes a quality assurance team that assesses datasets for accuracy.
Psychology.org reserves the right to exclude any schools that lack significant data from the rankings to ensure accurate calculations. This list is for 2025. For more about how Psychology.org evaluates and ranks education programs, visit our full ranking methodology.
How To Choose an Online Master’s in Psychology Program
Earning a master’s degree is a significant investment. Consider the school’s accreditation status, the program’s curriculum and format, and financial aid opportunities when researching online master’s programs in psychology.
Accreditation
Always choose an accredited school for your online master’s degree because these universities meet the highest academic standards. Colleges undergo a rigorous review process to earn and maintain their accreditation status, and accreditation can impact your financial aid and job opportunities.
Psychology graduate students can also look for an accredited psychology program. While the American Psychological Association (APA) only accredits doctoral programs, the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) grants accreditation to master’s programs.
Career Relevance
Review the curriculum to learn about concentrations, courses, and electives to make sure the program aligns with your interests and goals. Research faculty members to ensure their research matches your interests.
If you plan to pursue a career with a master’s in psychology, check whether the degree requirements match your career plans. If you’re interested in doctoral programs, look for master’s programs with strong placement rates for doctoral applicants.
Hybrid and Online Options
Earning your master’s degree online can mean taking courses fully online or a mix of on-campus and online courses. When researching programs, consider the delivery format to find one that matches your learning style and schedule.
A fully online format means you’ll complete courses in a virtual learning environment. These programs may require live class sessions at set times or use recorded lectures. Hybrid programs let you interact with faculty and classmates in person while also taking some online courses.
Even in a fully online program, you may need to complete some in-person practicum requirements for your degree. Reach out to programs to learn about your options to meet these requirements.
Cost and Financial Aid
How much will an online master’s in psychology cost? Average graduate school tuition and fees in 2021-2022 ranged between $12,596 and $29,931, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. On top of tuition, you’ll need to consider textbooks, supplies, and any other expenses.
You can qualify for federal financial aid programs by choosing an accredited university. You can also use scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid. For example, many organizations offer scholarships for psychology students to help cover costs.
Practical Experience Requirements
Many master’s in psychology programs require practicums or internships, where graduate students complete clinical hours in their specialty area. If you’re pursuing a counselor or therapist license, these clinical hours will help you meet licensure requirements.
However, experience requirements vary depending on your specialization. Nonclinical programs may not require a practicum or in-person requirements. When researching programs, consider the in-person requirements and whether the program arranges practicums or requires students to set them up.
How To Apply to an Online Master’s in Psychology Program
While the admission requirements for psychology master’s programs vary, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree to apply. Some programs recommend or require undergraduate psychology coursework. You may also need to meet a minimum GPA requirement — typically 3.0 or better.
Other common application materials include official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Some online programs conduct interviews during the admission process. Review the admission requirements for specific programs to make sure you qualify.
Check out our graduate application guide for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psychology Master’s Programs
Yes, you can earn a master’s degree in psychology online. Many accredited universities offer online psychology programs at the graduate level, where you’ll take courses online and meet any practicum requirements in your local area.
