The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists Maryland as the state with the fifth-highest employment level, third-highest concentration of jobs, and second-highest pay for general psychologist positions. Additionally, the BLS projects a 14% growth for psychologist positions by 2028. These factors indicate strong and lucrative employment opportunities for candidates looking to earn psychologist licenses in the state.

Psychologist professions require knowledge and skills that relate to mental and behavioral disorders, treatments, and research. Candidates can build these qualifications while earning online psychology degrees in Maryland. This page examines these programs, along with licensure steps, career expectations, and professional organizations for graduates.

Online students pursuing psychology degrees can complete the same courses as those delivered on campus. Virtual classes may include discussion forums to mimic class discussions and encourage group work through virtual projects. Online students can also submit papers, exams, and projects electronically. Essentially, the classes and assignments are just as challenging for either delivery method. Online and on-campus programs may also require similar time commitments for graduation.

Some schools offer programs in fully online formats with different flexibility levels. For instance, asynchronous courses allow students to complete assignments at any time, while synchronous courses require attendance at certain times. Schools may also require on-campus attendance for hybrid programs, such as orientations or labs.

Each psychology program requires unique coursework and field components. However, certain concepts are a part of curricula at multiple institutions. Read on for a list of common psychology courses.

Maryland psychologists must meet state requirements for licensure, which include education and fieldwork components. Licensure also calls for a recognized examination and an application fee. The following sections describe these elements in detail.

Maryland residents can pursue several social science or mental health credentials to assist communities in different ways. These licenses and certifications, though, typically require education, experience, and exam elements that reflect the field, such as the following opportunities.

On average, psychologists in Maryland earn more than candidates in Virginia, West Virginia, or Pennsylvania. In fact, the average income for Maryland psychologists ($112,330) surpasses the national average ($95,610) by nearly $17,000. Income expectations can also vary by metropolitan area and specialization. For instance, clinical, counseling, and school psychologists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson average around $26,000 more than professionals in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington.

In general, surrounding states should experience more growth in psychologist positions than Maryland. Specifically, the BLS projects 5.1% growth for these positions in Maryland, while Virginia and West Virginia should experience over 13% growth.

Maryland ranks 26th for its economy, according to the U.S. News & World Report, and according to the U.S. Census Bureau, it should experience less than 5% growth in population. These numbers indicate that the state boasts an average economy and relatively normal growth expectations for the coming years.

Source: BLS, Projections Central

Source: BLS

Choosing to pursue an online psychology degree in Maryland may lead to questions about degree types, time commitments, and program quality. Candidates can review the following section for guidance, but they should consult admission teams from schools for more in-depth information.

Earning a psychologist license in Maryland requires a doctorate. This degree can take more than five years to obtain, in addition to time invested in bachelor’s and master’s programs. Each candidate must also complete 3,250 hours of field experience. Altogether, this license may call for 10 or more years of education and fieldwork.

Classes required for online psychology degrees in Maryland are typically identical to courses required for traditional programs. These courses cover complex ideas in psychology, development, research, and statistics. Many programs also require field experience. Candidates who boast organizational, time management, and effective study skills, though, can succeed in psychology colleges in Maryland.

Psychologists need to understand symptoms, complications, and treatments for a variety of psychological and behavioral disorders. Individuals should communicate well to explain these ideas to clients or patients and should also excel at organization and research for building unique treatment plans. Other beneficial skills include patience and determination for helping others push toward recovery.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland’s College Park and Baltimore County campuses in the top 100 psychology schools in the country. However, most psychology colleges in Maryland do not offer distance education programs.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), coursework for a BA and a BS in psychology can prepare learners for the same careers, due to similar requirements. The APA encourages learners to explore each program’s course lists, regardless of degree title, to find an option that best suits career goals. A BS tends to include more scientific coursework, while a BA delves deeper into liberal arts courses.

If you’re pursuing a doctorate or master’s in psychology online in Maryland, you should always ensure each program’s accreditation status. Many psychology licenses require certain types of program accreditation, so it’s vital to make sure a school’s accreditation matches your professional goals.

Since psychology is an academic discipline, any school offering a psychology program will likely receive the more-esteemed regional accreditation rather than the national form, which is typically reserved for vocational degree programs. Beyond national or regional accreditation, individual psychology programs receive accreditation from program-specific organizations.

Psychology Ph.D. programs in Maryland are typically accredited by either the APA or the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. For master’s programs, accreditation often depends on a program’s focus. There are several different organizations, including the National Association of School Psychologists, the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Whether you’re pursuing an on-campus or online psychology degree, Maryland features several fellowships and internships that offer hands-on psychology experience in clinical or professional settings. Internships may be unpaid, but fellowships are almost always paid and typically include a more competitive selection process.

An online master’s or doctorate in psychology in Maryland may call for an internship or practicum at community organizations, healthcare settings, or research facilities. Other in-state locations for fieldwork may include The Arc Maryland, which focuses on advocacy, and Art with a Heart, which utilizes art as therapy. The following organizations may also provide information on state internships.

Based in Gaithersburg, Family Services offers community-based mental and behavioral health services to adults, children, and families. The center’s current initiative is the early identification, evaluation, and treatment of mental health issues among adolescents and young adults.

Serving Maryland for more than three decades, Adventist’s Behavioral Health & Wellness Services facilities offer acute inpatient care, partial hospitalization programs, and outpatient care, along with therapeutic education for children with emotional and behavioral conditions.

With multiple locations around Maryland, Key Point is a major provider of mental health services in the state, offering both in-patient and out-patient care, child and adolescent psychiatric rehabilitation services, and a community outreach program.

Based out of the University of Maryland , the Psychotherapy Clinic and Research Lab offers low cost, generalized psychotherapy to the public and serves as a center of research, much of which focuses on patient-therapist relationships.

Also part of UMD, the School of Public Health promotes health equality and justice through research and policy advocacy. The school’s research initiatives combine work from several health areas, including mental health and substance abuse.

Part of the UMD School of Medicine, the Center dedicates its research to the role of school mental health programs in improving youth learning and success.

Members of professional organizations can benefit from group events, publications, and training opportunities. Some of these experiences may fulfill continuing education requirements for licenses and certifications and also build attendants’ professional networks. These groups may maintain professional directories and job banks, along with providing information on state licensure.

The database below includes all the accredited psychology programs offered online in Maryland. This list includes only schools that receive accreditation from reputable agencies, and each program offers the majority of its courses online.

Maryland’s penetration rate for mental health services (35.29) exceeds the national rate (23.69) by more than 10%. The Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration reports that the national penetration rate only surpasses Maryland’s for individuals who are 65 or over. Each of these numbers reflects every 1,000 citizens.

The state participates in initiatives that encourage these high rates. For instance, Maryland’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene addresses inpatient and outpatient services, including psychiatric rehabilitation, mobile help, assisted living, and career guidance. Additionally, residents may benefit from The Maryland Early Intervention Program with clinical and advising assistance.

Maryland also offers advocacy opportunities that include the MD Department of Health System of Care Workgroup, which addresses care experiences and costs. These initiatives also include the Maryland Health Care Commission Psychiatric Services Work Group, which focuses on care accessibility.