Explore Psychology Degrees Online
Updated September 16, 2024 · 4 Min Read
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Earning an online psychology degree is the first step to beginning a career in a growing industry. Pursuing an online program gives you the flexibility to balance other obligations while earning a psychology degree.
Psychologists need at least a graduate degree to earn licensure. Learn more about what to expect from an online psychology degree and how to earn credentials in this industry.
Types of Online Psychology Degrees
Students can pursue degrees in psychology at all levels. Each degree builds on the one before it to prepare students for clinical positions.
Associate Degree in Psychology
An associate degree in psychology requires about 60 credit hours or 1-2 years for completion. These degrees comprise general education courses and serve as a stepping stone toward a four-year degree in the field. Graduates may also pursue entry-level careers as social service assistants or aides in behavioral, mental health, and psychiatric settings.
| Associate of Arts (AA), Psychology | $55,000 |
|---|---|
| Associate of Science (AS), Psychology | $51,000 |
Popular Psychology Associate Programs
Bachelor's Program in Psychology
A bachelor's program in psychology requires about 120 credit hours or 60 hours beyond an associate degree. These programs offer foundational psychology courses, preparing you to pursue entry-level careers or enter graduate school. Those with this degree can pursue careers in human resources, marketing, and social and community services.
| Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology | $70,000 |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science (BS), Psychology | $67,000 |
Popular Psychology Bachelor's Programs
Master's Degree in Psychology
A master's degree in psychology can take 2-3 years to complete. Licensing and career opportunities largely depend on the type of degree and specialization pursued. Graduates may find work as licensed counselors, industrial-organizational psychologists, and mental health therapists. A master's degree can also help you become a more competitive applicant for doctoral programs.
| Master of Arts (MA), Psychology | $69,000 |
|---|---|
| Master of Science (MS), Psychology | $64,000 |
Popular Psychology Master's Programs
Doctoral Degree in Psychology
Doctorates in psychology include the Ph.D. and Psy.D., which generally take 4-6 years to complete. Most states require a doctorate to earn clinical licensure as a psychologist. However, not all doctoral programs qualify graduates to pursue licensure. Instead, non-clinical programs prepare you for career opportunities in research and academia.
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Psychology | $105,000 |
|---|---|
| Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Psychology* | $89,000 |
* Based on fewer than 50 respondents
Popular Psychology Doctoral Programs
Careers For Psychology Degree Graduates
Depending on your chosen degree track, you can pursue lucrative careers in psychology. Jobs in psychology should continue to grow, which includes many of the subfields outlined below.
Career options vary by education level, professional experience, and individual credentials.
Marriage and Family Therapist
These therapists work with couples and families to overcome emotional and relationship-based issues, using cognitive behavioral therapy, talk therapy, and other methods.
- Recommended Degree: Master's
- Required Credentials: State license
- Median Salary: $58,510 according to the BLS
- Projected Growth (2023-2033): +16%
School and Career Counselor
These counselors work in schools, helping students deal with academic, personal, and career struggles. They collaborate with school administration and teachers to provide student support.
- Recommended Degree: Master's
- Required Credentials: State license; some states require an additional teaching license.
- Median Salary: $61,710 according to the BLS
- Projected Growth (2023-2033): +4%
Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor
These counselors work with clients dealing with alcoholism, drug use, and other addiction and behavioral conditions. They often work in mental health and rehabilitation centers.
- Recommended Degree: Master's; bachelor's minimum requirement
- Required Credentials: State license
- Median Salary: $53,710 according to the BLS
- Projected Growth (2023-2033): +19%
Psychologist
General psychologists work with many different patients, providing mental health counseling and behavioral therapy, and diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.
- Recommended Degree: Doctorate
- Required Credentials: State license
- Median Salary: $96,100 according to the BLS
- Projected Growth (2023-2033): +7%
Source: BLS (May, 2023)
What Psychology Degree Concentrations are Offered Online?
Psychology degree concentrations prepare students to work with a specific population or type of practice. Just like a traditional degree, an online psych degree with a specific concentration can lead to a career in a specialized field of psychology.
While you need a doctorate to become a psychologist, you also can use applied knowledge of specific groups for other jobs. For example, a concentration in child psychology could prepare you to help design computer games for children, or a concentration in sports psychology could prepare you for a career as a youth sports coach
- Child Psychology : Child psychology specializes in understanding the phases of childhood development and how to support children and their families in healthy psychological development. A degree in child psychology could help you work in children's media or in programs that serve youth, such as childcare or youth sports.
- Clinical Psychology: Clinical psychology focuses on diagnosing and treating specific psychological conditions. This concentration mostly prepares students to earn a graduate degree in clinical psychology.
- Counseling Psychology: Counseling psychology practitioners can diagnose specific conditions. They help patients better understand themselves and solve problems. Other than going on to earn a graduate degree and become a counselor or psychologist, you may be able to use your learning as a coach, career advisor, or similar role.
- Educational Psychology: Educational psychology is about understanding how people learn and the best ways to design and deliver educational programs. You could use this specialization as an adult learning designer or provider, school administrator, or educational publisher.
- Forensic Psychology: Forensic psychology focuses on psychology and the law. You could use this degree in law, the justice or correctional system, or in public policy and crime prevention.
- Health Psychology : Health psychology relates to how health conditions affect psychological well-being. Some related careers include physical therapy, hospital or healthcare administration, or public health promotion.
- Industrial-Organizational Psychology : This branch of psychology studies how people behave in organizations and how to optimize organizations to help people perform. You can use this knowledge in business and consulting.
- School Psychology : School psychology is related to educational psychology but also examines how to make schools and educational organizations perform effectively and deliver good psychological results. You can use this degree in school administration or government.
- Sports Psychology: Sports psychology uses psychology to improve sports performance and player psychological well-being. You can use this degree in youth or adult sports coaching or computer game design.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psych Degrees
Can you get a psychology degree online?
Yes. Many schools offer an online degree in psychology. However, while a program may offer online coursework, all graduate psychology programs require in-person internship or practicum experiences. Online students often complete these at sites in their communities.
Students should pursue accredited online psychology programs. The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits doctoral programs but does not accredit fully online programs.
Why is accreditation for online psychology programs important?
To earn licensure in psychology, you must hold a degree from an accredited institution. Psychology licensing exams require candidates to graduate from an accredited program. Credits earned at an unaccredited institution do not transfer to accredited schools, and employers rarely recognize degrees from unaccredited institutions.
Should I get a BA or BS in psychology?
These degrees offer similar foundational courses in psychology. Graduate programs in psychology often look for those foundational courses. Occasionally, graduate psychology programs look specifically for a BA or BS, but more often, they require a bachelor's in psychology.
A bachelor of science requires more general education courses in the sciences, while bachelor of arts tracks emphasize the liberal arts.
What job can I get with a master's in psychology?
Although most states require a doctoral degree in psychology to earn clinical licensure, many states allow those with a master's degree to practice in certain areas, such as counseling and some psychotherapy roles.
Some students may choose to pursue an educational psychology degree, allowing them to practice as a school counselor in many states. Industrial and organizational psychology positions also often require a master's degree rather than a doctorate.
How long does it take to earn a psychology degree?
This depends on which degree track you select, whether you enroll full or part time, and the program requirements. For example, a bachelor's in psychology may take 3-4 years, and a doctorate can take an additional 6-8 years beyond the bachelor's degree.
Which psychology degree makes the most money?
Often, higher degrees earn higher salaries. Doctoral-level graduates earn the most money, earning between $64,000 and $180,000, according to Payscale data from March 2024.
Those with a bachelor's in psychology earn between $40,000 and $139,000, while master's degree-holders earn between $41,000 and $140,000. Salaries can vary based on experience, geographic location, employer, and practice setting.
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