Pepperdine University : Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor) (No GRE required) Pepperdine University : Master of Arts in Psychology (No GRE required)
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) : MS Psychology (Flexible. Affordable. And achievable.) Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) : Online Psychology Degrees (Bachelors and Masters. Flexible. Affordable. And achievable.) Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) : MS Psychology with concentration in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology (Flexible. Affordable. And achievable.)Online Master’s in Psychology Basics
A master’s in psychology can prepare you to observe and interpret the social, emotional, and cognitive processes of individuals and groups. It can also train you to conduct research as a social scientist or organizational psychologist.
Studying online is a flexible and convenient alternative to in-person instruction. Online master’s programs allow you to apply to a competitive program anywhere in the nation, not just the programs in your specific area. Many offer flexible classes, with recorded lectures and other resources to help you study at your own pace.
What Are the Prerequisites for a Master’s in Psychology Program?
There are many competitive colleges and universities that offer this program, so the master's in psychology requirements for entrance can vary. In most cases, you’ll need to meet the following requirements to be considered for admission in an online master’s in psychology program:
These requirements are common among most online and in-person programs, but you should look at individual institutions to find out how to get a master’s in psychology from that particular school.
Some programs require a GRE score. The GRE, or Graduate Record Examinations, is a standardized test that many students take and use as part of their admission application to institutions. Thankfully, there are many programs that don’t require this score, so you can still submit an application and be considered for a position in a leading program without taking the GRE.
What Are Typical Courses in an Online Master’s in Psychology Program?
An online master’s in psychology program with no GRE requirements typically offers coursework that covers broad psychological principles as well as more specialized options. Here are just a few classes that may be part of your degree program:
The specific courses you’ll take will vary depending on the program type you choose. Different colleges have different requirements and optional course offerings, and a master’s in clinical psychology has distinct course differences compared with a master’s in forensic psychology.
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University
Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor)
|
✔ Online
No GRE Required Bachelor's Degree Required |
Bachelor's holders can prepare to become a licensed professional counselor online. With no GRE scores required to apply, the 24 month online MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine allows you to advance your career and be a catalyst of change. Learn More |
| Pepperdine University
Master of Arts in Psychology
Open to all undergrad majors |
✔ Online
No GRE Required |
Earn a Master’s in Psychology Online in 18 Months Learn More |
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
MS Psychology
NECHE Accredited |
✔ Online
No application fee or GRE/GMAT scores required |
Stick with the general track or choose one of 3 concentrations: child and adolescent development psychology, forensic psychology and industrial organizational psychology. Learn More |
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Online Psychology Degrees
Bachelors and Masters NECHE Accredited |
✔ Online
No application fee or GRE/GMAT scores required |
With our unique programs - from child and adolescent development to forensic psychology - you'll be prepared for a wide variety of careers in case management, research, human resources, youth services and social services. Learn More |
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
MS Psychology with concentration in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology
NECHE Accredited |
✔ Online
No application fee or GRE/GMAT scores required |
In the master's in child psychology online program, you'll develop assessment, evaluation and treatment strategies that address the unique individual, cultural and psychological needs of children and families. Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
Online Master’s in Psychology Program Types
Because psychologists work in such a diverse range of settings, it’s sometimes necessary to receive specialized training after you receive a bachelor’s in psychology or a related field. What can you do with a master’s in psychology? Review these top psychology program types to find out.
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychologists work closely with law enforcement offices, lawyers, hospital staff, and other professionals to provide professional evaluations and recommendations. Working as a forensic psychologist typically requires a Ph.D. or PsyD degree, but a master’s in forensic psychology can be a competitive step toward this career.
Primary tasks include conducting mental state evaluations for criminal suspects, assisting in crime-solving activities, and evaluating patients in medical settings. Some appear before courts of law to provide testimonies, while others simply provide official evaluations to be used in court settings.
If you’re considering a career as a forensic psychologist, you should be prepared to work patiently and professionally with a range of individuals. You’ll need to communicate clearly and respectfully about a range of cultural and social issues.
Counseling Psychology
One of the most iconic fields of psychology, counseling psychologists work with individuals or groups to help promote psychological wellness. Counselors can work in school settings, private practices, in government agencies, or as part of a medical treatment center.
An online master’s in psychology with a counseling specialization can include courses in substance abuse, counseling methods, and abnormal psychology. If you’re interested in this area of psychology, you’ll work closely with individuals from many different cultural and social backgrounds.
The goal of most counseling sessions isn’t to provide guidance from your own wisdom and personal experience. Most theories of counseling equip counselors with the tools and techniques necessary to be good listeners. Counselors help patients work through their own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to find solutions that fit the patient’s worldview and values.
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychologists work closely with medical facilities, counseling centers, or independent practices to provide assessments and treatments of individuals with mental illnesses or disorders. This career path requires a doctorate that’s accredited by the American Psychological Association to practice in most settings.
Unlike counseling psychologists, who work with individuals facing social, emotional, and physical stressors, clinical psychologists often have patients who are dealing with serious mental illnesses. Individuals living with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other disorders are common in patients in clinical psychology settings.
Consider this career path if you’re passionate about providing diagnosis and treatment plans for individuals with a range of short-term or lifelong mental illnesses and disorders. A career as a clinical psychologist requires an in-depth understanding of abnormal psychology, research practices, and medication options.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
The tools and techniques of psychology can also help promote efficiency in organizations. As an industrial-organizational psychologist, you’ll work with large corporations or small businesses to help them achieve healthy work conditions and enhanced production through personality type matching.
Some industrial settings lead to high levels of burnout among employees. Managers may not be in the best role to suit their individual personalities. Human resources policies may be discriminatory and discourage talented individuals from joining a corporation.
Industrial-organizational psychologists work to break down barriers and improve methods of creating safe, productive organizations. A competitive master’s in industrial-organizational psychology salary is only one reason to consider this career option. You can also empower departments to help remove discriminatory practices and help professionals find roles that best fit their personalities.
Experimental Psychology
Experimental psychologists apply the scientific method to the study of the mind and behavior. This field requires an in-depth understanding of behavioral psychology, cognitive psychology, research and design, and statistics.
Most experimental psychologists work in laboratory settings. If you’re interested in conducting experiments, running statistical models, and testing theories of human behavior, then a master’s in experimental psychology program may be the right fit for you.
Pepperdine University - Master of Arts in Psychology (ABAI Accredited)
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) - MS Psychology (NECHE Accredited)
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) - Online Psychology Degrees (NECHE Accredited)
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master’s in Psychology?
For most online master’s in psychology programs with no GRE requirements, it takes about two to four years to complete. The range depends on your time commitment, the course you choose, and the program specialization.
Many master’s in psychology online programs offer greater levels of flexibility than in-person options. Some individual classes are self paced, while others allow you to take more time to complete assignments. Part-time students require more time to complete a course than full-time ones, but most students can complete a master’s degree in two to four years.
Most master’s degree programs require a bachelor’s degree in a related field. If you don’t currently hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, then you should consider an online or in-person bachelor’s degree program.
Bachelor’s programs typically take four years to complete. Accelerated programs may be completed in as little as three years, while part-time programs can take six years or more to complete.
Certification and Licensing Related to an Accredited Master’s in Psychology Program
Most careers in psychology require you to be licensed by a state licensing board. The American Psychological Association, or APA, offers licensing requirement information to help you navigate this process. While a master’s degree can prepare you for a career in industrial-organizational psychology, you’ll need to complete a doctoral degree in psychology to be a licensed practitioner in other career paths.
Choose an APA-accredited master’s in psychology online program to pursue state licensing and certification requirements. You’ll need to submit documentation and may need to take further examinations to receive your required state license, but accredited program faculty and staff can assist you in this process.
Career Options and Job Outlook
The available careers with a master’s in psychology are as varied as the concentrations of study. Choose the program that best fits your skills, personality, and career ambitions. Explore the master’s in psychology salary expectations based on the concentration you choose to see how you can earn a competitive income while providing essential social, emotional, legal, or organizational support.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, found the 2020 median pay for psychologists was approximately $82,200. The number of psychology jobs is expected to grow by about 8% between 2020 and 2030, which is about as fast as the average job growth projection.
Master’s in Forensic Psychology Salary
Forensic psychologists can expect to earn a median salary of about $71,700 per year, according to Payscale in November 2021. Salary expectations vary depending on location and years of experience. For example, Payscale found that the median total compensation for entry-level forensic psychologists was about $52,000. The total compensation for forensic psychologists with over 20 years of experience was around $93,000, as of November 2021.
Master’s in IO Psychology Salary
Industrial-organizational, or IO, psychologists typically have a master’s in psychology and work with human resources, management, or administration departments. The median annual wage for IO psychologists was approximately $92,900 in 2019, according to BLS. Top-earning psychologists earned up to $197,700, while the lowest 10% of annual wages for IO psychologists was around $51,100, according to BLS in 2019.
Master’s in Counseling Psychology Salary
Counseling psychologists work in a range of settings. Many require a doctoral degree, but you may be able to apply to school psychologist positions with a master’s degree. Counseling psychologists earned a median annual wage of about $79,800 in 2020, according to BLS.
Master’s in Clinical Psychology Salary
BLS data doesn’t separate salary expectations for clinical and counseling psychologists, so these professionals also had a 2020 median annual wage of approximately $79,800. Top earners in the field earned about $138,600, and the lowest 10% earned an average of $46,400.
Master’s in Experimental Psychology Salary
With a master’s in experimental psychology, you can take another step toward a career as an experimental psychologist. These professionals earned a median salary of approximately $81,300, according to Payscale in September 2019.
Skills to Help You Succeed in Psychology
As you pursue an accredited master’s in psychology program online, it’s helpful to understand the skills necessary for a competitive application and successful career as a psychologist. Consider improving these skills or pursuing a career in psychology if you feel these skills are your strengths.
Empathy
Most psychologists work with individuals who are going through traumatic or stressful experiences. Whether it’s communicating with an individual experiencing a major depressive episode or making hiring recommendations to human resources professionals, empathy is a crucial skill for psychologists.
Communication
You may be considering an online program, but you’ll still need to communicate with fellow students, instructors, and future patients. Understanding communication patterns and finding professional ways to communicate are important skills that can help guide you through your master’s program and career.
Research and Analysis
Master’s degree students must perform experiments and conduct research projects. Even after successfully completing a master’s degree program, you’ll need to use your search and analysis skills to document sessions and stay informed of the latest information in your field.
Ethical Responsibility
Psychologists work with very vulnerable groups of people. School psychologists meet one-on-one with minors, while clinical psychologists work directly with individuals who may have a mental illness. Working as a psychologist requires significant ethical responsibility to avoid improper communication, compromising actions, or biased research conduct.
Problem-Solving Abilities
A master’s program in psychology equips you with tools and knowledge to help you solve problems, but you’ll need to use your own creativity and judgment to apply these to specific situations. No two individuals or organizations are alike, so a key role of a psychologist is to create personalized solutions based on well-researched methodologies.
Learn More About Online Master’s in Psychology Programs With No GRE Requirements
Discover highly rated online master’s degrees in psychology that don’t require a GRE. Explore the available programs, entry requirements, and salary expectations of common psychology programs to find the best fit for your personality and career goals.
