5 Best Online Schools For Psychology Degrees

Are you the type of person that wants to help a friend when they’re feeling down? Do you enjoy motivating and leading others? Are you constantly thinking about the seemingly complex choices other people make? Perhaps a degree from one of the best online schools for psychology would be perfect for you.

Psychology isn’t just a fascinating subject. It’s also a lucrative career field that can bring endless opportunities. Although the education requirements are high, psychologists with the right training and experience commonly earn over $100,000 a year. In addition, the growth for this profession is expected to be higher than the total job market.

There are many high-quality options available, but we’ve created a list of the best online colleges for psychology majors. Keep reading to learn about the top online psychology programs and the career you’ll enjoy after graduation.

Article Navigation: Can You Get A Psychology Degree Online? | What to Expect From an Online Psychology School | 5 Best Online Schools for Psychology | Is Going to an Online Psychology School Worth It? | Propel Your Psychology Career Today!

Can You Get A Psychology Degree Online?

There are plenty of reasons to pursue a psychology degree. But you may be asking a simple question: “Can I get a degree in psychology online?”.

Yes, you can earn a psychology degree online! In truth, many online schools provide degrees that are just as good as those from traditional classrooms. These programs are led by expert instructors, many of whom are practicing psychologists with years of experience and advanced degrees.

Online psychology degrees come in many forms. The best accredited online schools for psychology offer degrees at every level, from associate to doctoral degrees, and even certificate programs for both new and advanced students. When looking into these programs, pay close attention to the cost. Make sure to look into the full tuition to know what you’ll be paying for your education. Understanding both the total cost and the breakdown of costs per year or semester is crucial before you sign up.

Look for degrees that come from accredited schools. (More on accreditation below.) To advance your psychology career, you’ll need a quality degree from an accredited institution that has been verified by independent organizations.

You can also find a specific psychology concentration to match your goals and preferences. Online psychology options include addiction counseling, marriage and family psychology, child development, organization or industrial psychology, and forensic psychology, among countless options. So no matter what your schedule, preferences, career goals, or current education, there is an online psychology school that will fit your needs.

5 Best Online Schools for Psychology

1. Waldorf University

   Accreditation: HLC
   Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $325/ credit hour for undergrad, $435/ credit hour for graduate

   Located in Forest City, Iowa, Waldorf is a private liberal arts college that has been providing excellent education for over 120 years. Founded in 1903, this school has been a leader in academic innovation. While their on-campus degrees are world-class, the system they have created for online learning has made them one of the best online schools for psychology.

   Waldorf’s psychology school is a great choice because it offers a variety of psychology concentrations at various levels of education. All students learn about the various sub-fields of psychology, including social and cognitive psychology. However, they can also select from a variety of concentrations that include criminal justice, healthcare, or sports management. For example, an undergraduate student can select a bachelor of arts in psychology/sports management or psychology/criminal justice.

   The school offers online associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. There are also a variety of certificate courses available through their online platform, creating fast tracks to a high-quality education. Due to the flexible scheduling of the degree, students can wrap their education around a busy life. This is especially beneficial for working professionals and parents who don’t have time for in-person, pre-scheduled classes.

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2. Southern New Hampshire University

   Accreditation: NECHE
   Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $330/ credit hour for undergrad, $637/ credit hour for graduate

   SNHU is well-known in online education, drawing students nationwide with its strong advertising presence. As a private, accredited university with over 170,000 online learners, SNHU started in 1932 focusing on business skills and now offers a wide range of programs, and competes with the best online schools for psychology. In addition, it boasts a useful online platform and highly-skilled faculty.

   This school is extremely popular for many reasons. Affordable and flexible, this online psychology school creates access to a top-notch psychology education in a variety of concentrations. SNHU offers a bachelor’s degree in psychology with specializations in areas like addiction, mental health, and forensic psychology, focusing on research and practical skills.

   Students who attend SNHU online have access to the online classroom on a 24-7 basis. There is no set class time, and learning resources are provided throughout the entire process. They also benefit from support with hands-on learning and internships, which can help prepare them for a smooth move into their psychology careers.

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3. Aurora University

   Accreditation: HLC
   Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $450/ credit hour for undergrad, $670/ credit hour for graduate

   Aurora University offers a range of online psychology degrees, from bachelor’s to doctorates, and is known for its quality education. Founded in 1893 as a seminary college in Mendota, Illinois, it has grown to offer a wide range of programs, including in health and education, and moved to Aurora, Illinois, in 1912.

   This is one of the best online psychology schools, especially due to its expert faculty, with over 85% of professors holding the highest degree in their field. This makes for an enriching learning experience in subjects like child and adult psychology, clinical counseling, and more.

   Aurora University’s bachelor’s of arts is one of the most popular online programs available. Students in this program learn valuable information on psychology careers while discussing topics like child development, adult psychology, and clinical counseling. Courses dive into fascinating topics like motivation, cognition, and organizational psychology.

   As a student here, you’ll use an easy-to-navigate online system and still get to make real connections with teachers and classmates. The university also supports you with internships to help you get ready for a job in psychology with the right know-how.

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4. Liberty University

   Accreditation: SACSCOC
   Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $390-$455 / credit hour for undergrad, $565-$615 / credit hour for graduate

   Liberty University, based out of Lynchburg, Virginia, ranks among the top 10% of all online schools. Although they are relatively new (founded in 1971), the school has risen to prominence as a Christian-based private institution. They now have a huge selection of online degrees; according to the latest count they are offering around 450 online programs. This number includes some of the best psychology degrees, which are available 100% online.

   This school has an extensive selection of psychology degrees. Each one delivers world-class learning from experienced instructors, which is why they are among the best psychology online schools for various students. Depending on your current education level and career goals, you can enroll in associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

   Within each degree, students can select from numerous concentrations. The master’s degree, for example, is available in applied psychology, pastoral counseling, human services, and addiction counseling. The four-year bachelor’s program is available in human services, psychology, and social work.

   This school ranks among the best online graduate schools for psychology. Their master’s in psychology programs are world-class, and students can leverage a convenient online platform. From two-year associate degrees to doctorates in psychology, Liberty University is one of the best accredited online schools for psychology at all levels.

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5. Walden University

   Accreditation: HLC
   Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $380-$385 / quarter credit hour undergrad, $555 / quarter credit hour for graduate

   Distance learning is part of Walden’s heritage. In fact, its mission has always been about making college possible for adults who can’t attend in person. Since its start in 1970, Walden has been a pioneer in online education and now offers one of the top online psychology programs in the country.

   Walden has an online psychology school that focuses on the real-world application of psychology knowledge and techniques. Their program turns student inspiration into real-world action that improves the lives of others.
   At Walden, you don’t just study psychology—you use what you learn to make a difference in real life.

   Walden gives you lots of choices for studying psychology, with programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels, plus certificates and other educational options. The university is also big on helping students succeed. They offer lots of support, like an online library, a place to get help with writing, and a center to sharpen your study skills. Plus, you’ll learn from teachers who are also working psychologists, who bring their firsthand experience to the classroom.

   With a wide range of courses, great teachers, and strong student support, Walden is one of the top online colleges for psychology.

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What to Expect from the Best Online Schools for Psychology

Types of Online Psychology Degrees

The exact time it takes to complete a degree from one of the best accredited online schools for psychology depends on the level you need to complete. Online schools offer psychology degrees at various levels, including:

Associate’s: This degree usually takes two years to complete. Although most of the best online psychology schools do not offer associate degrees (they usually offer four-year bachelor’s degrees or higher), you can find associate programs from many schools, especially community colleges.

Bachelor’s: A bachelor’s degree takes about four years to complete. These degrees are the standard education for many careers, but psychologists usually need more classes beyond a four-year program.

Master’s: Sometimes called “graduate” degrees, these take about two years to complete. A bachelor’s degree is required for enrollment, so it takes a total of six years of college study to complete a master’s.

Certificates: Available for both graduates and undergraduates (bachelor’s), certificates offer a fast track and a focused education. Most can be completed in one year or even one semester.

Doctorate: Representing the highest level of academic achievement, a doctorate is required for many psychology positions, especially practicing clinical psychologists. These degrees often take as long as seven years to complete.

Students taking summer classes or accelerated programs can reduce the time it takes to finish a degree. For example, a master’s in psychology may be completed in a single calendar year if you take summer and winter classes, not just the traditional fall and spring.

Which Accreditation Do the Best Online Schools for Psychology Hold?

When choosing an online psychology program, make sure the school is accredited. Accreditation means the school meets high standards for quality and is reviewed by outside organizations. This review looks at the quality of the faculty, the curriculum, and the success of graduates. An accredited school is more likely to provide an education that professionals respect. For psychology students, this is especially important because you need an accredited degree to get a state license to practice as a psychologist.

Note: All programs in this database have institutional accreditation. It is a requirement for inclusion on our website. (The other requirement is that the degree be at least 80% online.)

There is also “programmatic” accreditation. This covers only the degree or program, not an entire school. Many organizations accredit psychology degrees. These include the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), and the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). Not all programs will have this form of accreditation. As long as they come from accredited schools, they will deliver a high-quality education and a legitimate, respected degree.

Psychology Coursework Differences

Once you know that a school is accredited, research the coursework. These programs will orbit around psychology as a broad topic, but the coursework will vary widely. The specifics depend on the school and the concentration.

For example, Walden University, one of the best psychology online schools, offers a bachelor of science in psychology with seven specializations plus an “Accelerate to Master’s (AIM)” program. All students in the psychology BS program take the same core courses like “Theories of Personality” and “Cross-Cultural Psychology.” However, students in the addiction specialization take classes like “Introduction to Addiction Studies” and “Treatment of Addiction.” Students in the workplace psychology concentration take classes like “Motivation and Emotion” and “Psychology of Leadership.”

You’ll also need to verify the format. Many programs are completely online, but some may be “hybrid,” meaning they offer mostly online work with some in-person requirements. Some programs offer flexible attendance, allowing you to complete courses and lectures on your own time. Others require you to log in to the virtual classroom at a specific time.

There are many online psychology degrees from high-quality accredited schools. By researching the classwork, format, and attendance requirements, you’ll find useful degrees from the best online psychology schools.

Is Going to an Online Psychology School Worth It?

To become a successful psychologist, money shouldn’t be the primary motivator. This is a challenging, complex, and often frustrating field, but when you bring successful improvements to clients and patients, it can be endlessly rewarding. Psychologists are motivated by the chance to help others but the pay is a fairly strong benefit as well.

The median annual salary for psychologists in the U.S. is $85,330, nearly double the national median across all occupations. With advanced skills and experience, psychologists can earn significantly more, with the top 10% making over $141,000 and industrial-organizational psychologists earning a median of $139,280 annually. Clinical and counseling psychologists see a median of $90,130. Nevada, California, and Oregon offer the highest median salaries for this profession.

The career should see strong growth as well. The BLS reports that the psychology field will grow by 6%grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032. (The expected growth for all occupations is only 3%.) This growth is expected because there has been an increase in demand for psychologists to serve at schools, hospitals, mental health centers, and government organizations. The growth could be especially large at schools, where the connection between mental health and quality learning is becoming more important. So, pursuing a degree from one of these online colleges of psychology is a smart move for your wallet and career stability!

However, becoming a psychologist requires a license in almost all states, which typically mandates a doctorate, an internship, and a year of supervised experience. After meeting these prerequisites, candidates can apply for a license, with the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards guiding state-specific licensing requirements. Thus, pursuing psychology through accredited online schools can be a worthwhile endeavor for those seeking a stable and fulfilling career.

The Best Online Schools for Psychology are Ready for You!

You deserve a high-paying career that uses your passion, interests, and unique talents. If a psychology career is right for you, visit GetEducated.com to find the right program for your exact needs.

Whether you are looking for cost information or want to learn about the curriculum at the best online psychology schools, we have the resources you deserve!