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Do you want to forge a professional path in psychology? A master's in psychology degree creates opportunities for various career specialties unavailable to bachelor's degree-holders. This graduate degree also meets the criteria for entry into a doctoral program.
Discover the pros and cons of earning a master's degree in psychology online, common concentrations, and career prospects for graduates.
Popular Online Master's Degree in Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Benefits of Earning a Master's in Psychology
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Specialized Knowledge and Training
Perhaps the most exciting part about pursuing a master's in psychology is the chance to dig into the area of psychology that interests you most. Clinical, counseling, education, development, and social psychology are all fields that master's in psychology students can pursue after graduation. -
Hands-On, Supervised Experience
Psychology master's degrees incorporate practical work experiences for students. In most psychology master's programs, students carry out this requirement through internships and practicums. Supervisors oversee these experiences so that they can offer guidance and teaching to master's candidates in real time. Through these programs, learners practice their profession before they actually begin their careers. -
Preparation for Doctoral Programs
Many psychology master's graduates go on to pursue a doctoral program, either through Ph.D. or Psy.D. programs. While pursuing a doctoral degree, students learn super specialized knowledge and theory about their practice or area of study. Doctoral degrees are the highest form of education, but students need a master's degree before they can enroll in these programs. -
Enhanced Career Opportunities
A graduate of a master's in psychology degree can choose between starting their career and seeking a doctoral degree. Those who choose to dive directly into a career can pursue job paths in industrial organizational psychology and research, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy. Those who pursue a doctoral degree become clinical psychologists or work in research and academia.
What to Expect from a Master's Degree in Psychology
- Learning Outcomes: Psychology master's programs value advanced psychology knowledge, scientific inquiry and critical thinking, and ethical responsibilities within the field of psychology. Students also gain expertise in their specific area or discipline and practice through internships and practicums. With a master's in psychology, you can enroll in a doctoral psychology program or pursue careers in counseling, social work, marketing, or human resources.
- Program Length and Structure: The program length and structure of psychology degrees vary, with each university setting its own requirements. Students may complete some programs in as little as one year, while others might take 2-3 years or longer. Universities offer both traditional on-campus programs and online degrees. Plus, learners can find full- and part-time programs.
- Credit Requirements: Psychology master's programs most commonly require 30-36 credits.
Available Master's in Psychology Concentrations
Many psychology master's programs give students the option to specialize in an area of interest, such as counseling psychology or forensic psychology. This can give students a head start on their doctoral concentration or their career direction. Counseling psychology, for instance, can prepare students for a career in mental health counseling.
That said, not everyone chooses a concentration. About 23% of master's in psychology degrees are awarded in general psychology, according to data from the past 20 years compiled by the American Psychological Association (APA).
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Clinical Psychology
A clinical psychology concentration prepares students to become practitioners. Master's candidates hoping to become licensed psychologists may choose clinical psychology, which can prepare them for a Psy.D. degree. Clinical psychology makes up about 10% of psychology master's concentrations, data from the APA show. -
Counseling Psychology
A master of arts in counseling psychology can equip students for careers like a mental health counselor or marriage and family therapist. It can also prepare aspiring licensed counselors for doctoral programs. About 32% of students choose a counseling psychology concentration, according to APA figures. -
School Psychology
For psychology students who hope to work with children, a school psychology concentration can lead them on the right path. School psychology trains learners to offer counseling and psychology services to young people in schools. Seven percent of master's in psychology degrees are awarded in school psychology, APA figures show. -
Industrial Organizational Psychology
Industrial organizational psychologists provide their services in the workplace. Students who choose this concentration often work in human resources departments, focusing on areas like work motivation and job satisfaction. According to the APA, about 5% of students choose to focus on industrial organizational psychology. -
Forensic Psychology
Graduates of forensic psychology programs can work in criminal justice and legal systems. They often evaluate defendants or give expert psychological testimony. A master's in forensic psychology often serves as a step to a doctoral degree. As a relatively new field, forensic psychology only makes up 3% of psychology master's concentrations over the past two decades, APA figures show. -
Social Psychology
The social psychology field focuses on human behavior and how people interact with one another. Students who pursue a master's in social psychology often earn a doctoral degree so they can carry out research in the field. Less than one percent of psychology master's students choose to concentrate in social psychology, according to the APA.
What Kinds of Psychology Careers Can I Pursue with a Master's Degree in Psychology?
After earning a master's degree in psychology online, you can pursue many career options. However, you need a doctoral degree to get a license to practice psychology and call yourself a psychologist in most states. Industrial-organizational psychology, school and career counselors, and mental health counselors are possible careers available to master's in psychology degree-holders.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Colleges, state government agencies, and elementary and secondary schools hire industrial-organizational psychologists. They use their expertise in human behavior in groups and organizations to address workplace issues, such as recruitment and training.
These professionals use psychology research to improve employee training and create a better work-life balance for staff.
Average Annual Salary: $154,380 according to the BLS
School and Career Counselors
Public and private schools employ school counselors. They assist students in dealing with social, behavioral, and academic problems. These counselors also provide guidance on vocational choices and pursuing higher education.
Career counselors are more likely to work in academic institutions, private practice, life coaching programs, and social work. Career counselors can also find employment with corporate recruitment departments.
Average Annual Salary: $66,990 according to the BLS
Mental Health Counselors
Mental health counselors work with individuals and groups in settings, such as community health centers, prisons, substance use rehabilitation facilities, and social service agencies.
These counselors assist clients with the management of mental health disorders, stressful life transitions, grief, and loss, among other concerns.
Average Annual Salary: $60,080 according to the BLS
Marriage and Family Therapists
These therapists help families and couples through challenges. They may address marital and sexual issues, child-parent conflicts, and special circumstances related to raising children, including adoption, disabilities, developmental delays, and birth defects.
People caring for older adults may also benefit from working with marriage and family therapists. Marriage and family therapists can assist with challenges related to chronic illness and disability, along with the resulting financial strain.
Average Annual Salary: $68,730 according to the BLS
Substance Use Counselors
These counselors, also called addiction counselors, often collaborate with psychologists and psychiatric and social workers to create treatment plans for people experiencing addiction and alcoholism. They evaluate patients, help modify their harmful behaviors, and repair relationships and careers.
Substance use counselors work at outpatient mental health centers, individual and family services, health practitioner offices, and hospitals.
Average Annual Salary: $60,080 according to the BLS
What Job Settings Do Master's Degree in Psychology-Holders Work in?
If you have a master's degree in psychology, you can find employment in many settings. Some common settings include:
Private Practice
Professionals in private practice enjoy the freedom to build their client loads and set pay rates. Counselors and psychotherapists who hold master's degrees meet with patients in private practices to deliver mental health services.
Counselors and psychologists in private practice also enjoy greater scheduling freedom. Depending on the licensure laws in your state, in order to open a practice of your own, you will typically need to be independently licensed after completing your master's degree.
Community Mental Health Clinics
These clinics serve various clients, including children, adults, and adolescents experiencing mental health conditions. A counselor with a master's degree in psychology in this setting may see clients, facilitate groups, and provide educational programs in the community.
Corporate Settings
Corporations may have contracts with vendors that offer therapy services to employees. Performance coaches, who typically have master's-level psychology degrees, may guide other professionals to improve employee performance and work environments.
What Do Higher Education and Career Advancement Opportunities Look Like After a Master's in Psychology?
Ph.D. or Psy.D.
Doctoral Degree
4-7 years
Typical Duration
$107,000
Average Annual Wage (Payscale, March 2024)
Sample Careers
States set education and licensing requirements for psychology careers. A master's in psychology degree may suffice for many counseling positions. However, if you would like to call yourself a clinical or counseling psychologist, you must earn a Ph.D. in psychology or a Psy.D. To practice independently as a psychologist, you also need to become licensed.
- Clinical Psychologist: These licensed mental health professionals diagnose and treat mental and behavioral disorders in various clinical settings. You can typically find clinical psychologists in private practice or health practitioner offices, but they also work in outpatient care centers, psychiatric hospitals, and individual and family service agencies.
- Counseling Psychologist: Counseling psychologists guide patients to help them identify the root causes of issues in their personal and work lives. Healthcare organizations, colleges and universities, and corporations employ counseling psychologists.
- Research Psychologist: Research psychologists engage in scientific research to advance their knowledge of how people behave and think. They typically work in institutions with research facilities, such as academia, or they may engage in corporate consulting.
- Educational Psychologists: Educational psychologists support students with learning disabilities in public and private schools, universities, colleges, and other institutions of learning.
- School Psychologist: A school psychologist provides skilled psychological counseling and assessment to school-age children. Students can be affected by issues, such as academic pressure, disabilities, poverty, and mental illness. A sympathetic school psychologist can help children overcome their educational, behavioral, or learning difficulties.
- Forensic Psychologist: Forensic psychologists apply psychology tools and research to the legal world. These specialized psychological professionals work with people in the legal system, including defendants, suspects, crime victims, law enforcement, judges, and attorneys in civil and criminal cases. They may also provide expert testimony in the courtroom and conduct research.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master's in Psychology Programs
What can you do with a master's degree in psychology?
Licensing requirements for counseling and psychology careers vary by state. With a master's degree, you can become a licensed counselor and specialize in marriage and family counseling or substance use. Otherwise, you can use your master's in psychology degree on the path to earning a doctoral degree and pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist.
How long does it take to earn a master's degree in psychology?
You can usually earn a master's in psychology in 2-3 years. Most programs require 30-40 credits to graduate, but timelines vary based on factors like the curriculum, specialization options, and thesis requirements. Enrolling part time can also lengthen a program. Some schools offer accelerated or online options that can shorten the overall time to completion.
What are the requirements for a master's degree in psychology?
Many master's programs in psychology require 30-40 credits, but requirements vary by program. Generally, students can select concentrations like clinical, social, or organizational psychology. Some programs require a formal thesis project, while others culminate in a portfolio or comprehensive exam.
Is a master's in psychology worth it?
If you're planning to become a practicing psychologist, a master's degree in psychology can be a worthwhile venture. These programs prepare you to pursue a doctoral program, which can lead to an independent career as a mental health clinician. Earning a master's degree in psychology can lead to career advancement, further education, and higher earning potential.
What types of master's degrees in psychology are available?
Students can choose from a master of science (MS) in psychology and a master of arts (MA) in psychology. An MS degree emphasizes the sciences, with more classes in biology and chemistry, while an MA degree covers more liberal arts coursework. Both degrees adequately prepare students for careers and doctoral studies in psychology.