2023 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Psychology

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a public institution offering an online Master of Science in School Psychology. Full-time students take at least one year to complete this program, which totals 30 credit hours.

At FHSU, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on Blackboard, a learning management system (LMS). This online master’s degree in psychology is designed to help students expand their career opportunities and earnings in psychology. Sample coursework includes Behavior Therapy, Methods in School Psychology, and Appraisal of Children. For the latter course, students must spend one week on campus. Prospective careers for graduates include behavioral counselor, health project coordinator, and rehabilitation specialist.

California Coast University (CalCoast) is a private, for-profit institution that offers an online Master of Science in Psychology, which totals 39 credit hours. It can take 1-2 years to complete this program at a full-time pace.

CalCoast facilitates asynchronous online learning through Coast Connection. The master's curriculum in psychology covers the theories, principles, and practices commonly used in the field. Some of the program’s core courses are Developmental Psychology, Human Sexuality, and Assessment Techniques. Students are also required to complete a final comprehensive exam. Potential job opportunities for graduates include human resources managers, life coaches, and grief counselors.

Union College - KY — a private, nonprofit institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church — offers an online Master of Arts in General Psychology requiring 36 credit hours. Full-time students can complete this program online within 1-2 years.

Union’s online students complete coursework synchronously through the LMS Moodle. Sample courses include Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods, Advanced Psychopathology, and Social and Community Psychology. Six hours of thesis courses are also required. A master’s in psychology at Union provides students with the skills necessary to pursue mid- to senior-level opportunities in psychology-related fields, including careers as applied behavioral analysts, marriage and family therapists, and even clinical psychologists.

The University of Central Missouri (UCMO) is a public institution offering an online Master of Science in Behavior Analysis, which totals 30 credit hours. Prospective students can expect to spend one year completing the program if they maintain a full-time pace.

At UCMO, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously through the LMS Blackboard. Some of the program’s courses are Principles of Behavior and Learning, Behavior Analysis and Therapy, and Research Methods in Applied Settings. Additionally, a practicum is required for graduation. Overall, this degree gives students the skills and knowledge to either pursue a doctoral degree or enter the workforce as behavior analysts, behavior analyst consultants, and clinical directors.

Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (SIU) is a public institution that offers an online Master of Science in Behavior Analysis and Therapy requiring 45 credit hours. It can take full-time students up to two years to complete this program.

SIU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on D2L Brightspace. This program gives students the knowledge to assist people with disabilities across all ages and populations. Sample courses include Behavior Therapy, Performance Management, and Behavioral Gerontology. A practicum, internship, and either a research paper or thesis are also required before students can graduate. Then they can become behavior analysts, applied behavioral therapists, and school counselors, to name a few career options.

Adams State University is a public institution offering an online Master of Science in Applied Sport Psychology that requires 36 credit hours. Students can expect to complete the graduate program online within two years.

At Adams, online students complete coursework on Blackboard in either an asynchronous or synchronous format. The program’s courses are Introduction to Research, Sports Physiology, and Mental Health in Sports. Students also need to complete an internship to graduate. In general, the program is designed for students aspiring to become a sport psychology professionals, with potential career opportunities that include sports psychologists, personal trainers, and sports psychology educators.

American Public University System (APUS) is a private, for-profit institution offering an online Master of Arts in Psychology. Since the program totals 39 credit hours, full-time students can expect to spend 1-2 years completing it. Before enrolling, students must choose one of the five concentrations for this program: (1) Development/Personality Psychology, (2) Industrial/Organizational Psychology, (3) Military and Trauma Psychology, (4) Child Life, and (5) General.

APUS facilitates online learning through D2L Brightspace and allows students to work at their own pace. The school's master’s in psychology program explores related theories, research, and practices through courses, such as Introduction to Scholarly and Technical Writing, Tests and Measurements, and Multicultural Issues in Human Behavior. A capstone course is also required for graduation. Prospective careers include developmental psychologists, organizational directors, and educational psychologists.

Midwestern State University (MSU Texas) is a public institution offering an online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health - School Counseling, which totals 60 credit hours. Prospective students can expect to spend at least two years completing the program if they maintain a full-time study schedule.

Online students at MSU Texas complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on D2L Brightspace. The program’s curriculum encourages students to develop the skills, knowledge, and resources to become licensed professional counselors. The program’s courses include Introduction to Counseling, Career Development Counseling, and Human Relations. An internship and comprehensive exam are also graduation requirements. Some potential career opportunities for alumni are school counselors, clinical psychologists, and psychometrists.

At Colorado State University Global (CSU Global), a public institution, students can pursue an online Master of Science Degree in Military and Emergency Responder Psychology requiring 60 credit hours. Full-time students typically spend at least two years completing this program.

CSU Global facilitates asynchronous and synchronous distance learning on Canvas, a popular LMS. This program is designed for students who want to provide specialized mental healthcare to military service members and emergency responders. In addition to an internship and practicum, students take courses such as Fundamentals of Research and Writing, Ethics in Practice, and Substance Abuse. Career outlooks for program graduates range from first responder counselors and substance abuse counselors to mental health counselors.

Kansas State University (K-State) is a public institution that offers an online Master of Science in Psychology - Industrial and Organizational Psychology totaling 38 credit hours. It takes students, on average, two and a half years to complete this program.

At K-State Online, students can complete coursework remotely through Canvas. Classes are delivered asynchronously and synchronously. The psychology program’s curriculum covers behavioral methodologies that are needed to assess workplace issues, and it also includes a practicum. Some sample courses are Applied Research Methods, Personnel Training, and Organizational Psychology. Potential careers for graduates include managers in human resources, workforce specialists, and instructors.