Are online master's degrees in psychology respected?

An online accredited psychology master's meets the same academic standards as a program offered on campus and can lead to the same career opportunities. If you intend to become a licensed psychologist, make sure your program prepares you for admission to a clinical doctoral degree program.

Which accreditation is best for a psychology graduate program?

This depends on your career goals. APA-CoA accredited programs prepare graduates for state licensure and employment in psychology. Programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) meet most state's requirements for clinical counseling licensure.

Do psychology doctoral programs need to be accredited?

If you plan to practice as a licensed clinical psychologist, most states require a doctorate from an APA-CoA accredited program. If you have non-clinical career goals in areas like consulting, academia, or industry, you may not need APA-CoA accreditation.

Best Online Master's & Doctoral Programs In Psychology For 2026

The best online graduate programs in psychology offer the flexibility to manage your work and personal commitments while earning an advanced degree. Although fully online programs don't lead to clinical psychologist licensure, graduates can pursue other rewarding career paths in academia, research, and industry—or prepare for doctoral study.

Explore the merits of five online accredited psychology master's programs, then review our tips for selecting a program and submitting a successful application.

Popular Online Psychology Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Online Master's and Doctoral Programs in Psychology

How We Identified Top Schools and Programs

Our editorial team reviewed each school and program to identify standout characteristics, prioritizing factors like flexibility, affordability, hands-on experience, and relevance of the curriculum to a career in psychology. We assigned each school a superlative category based on its strengths.

Since many psychology programs share similar course offerings and outcomes, our goal is to support your program selection process by highlighting features that matter to you most.

We verified these school and program facts in November 2025.

How To Choose an Online Psychology Graduate Program

When selecting a master's or doctorate in psychology, research program quality, admission and degree requirements, and costs. Consider how well the curriculum meets your career goals and whether the online format offers enough flexibility to accommodate your learning style and schedule.

Accreditation

Choosing a graduate psychology degree from an accredited college or university ensures that your school meets academic standards and helps you qualify for financial aid, licensure, and employment opportunities.

In most states, licensure as a clinical psychologist requires a doctoral degree accredited by the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA) or equivalent. APA-CoA currently does not accredit master's programs or fully online doctoral programs.

Admission Requirements

Before applying to specific programs, make sure you meet the requirements. Do you need a bachelor's in psychology, or does the admissions department accept majors in another field? Do you have the required GPA and prerequisites?

Additionally, consider your own preferences. If you would prefer not to take the GRE, for example, prioritize programs where standardized test scores are optional.

Career Relevance

Make sure you select a degree that aligns with your career goals. If you are interested in becoming a clinical psychologist, you may want to consider pursuing a doctoral program rather than a master's. While your access to clinical psychologist licensure is limited with a master's alone, it can help launch your career in fields like research or consulting.

Depending on your state's requirements for counseling licensure, you may also be able to pursue opportunities in substance use, school, and mental health counseling with a master's program.

Flexibility

Flexible online programs are especially appealing to working students and those with family obligations. Fully online programs allow you to access course materials anywhere with an internet connection. When researching online degrees, pay attention to any on-campus requirements, practicums, or internship components that require in-person participation.

Cost and Financial Aid

According to 2023-24 data from the National Center for Education Statistics, average annual graduate tuition and fees at public institutions totaled $11,827, compared to $20,515 at private institutions.

However, the cost of an online program also varies by your residency status, degree type, and specific fees for technology support and other online services. Prospective students should always complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for loans, scholarships, and grants.

Explore our psychology degree guide

How To Apply to an Online Psychology Graduate Program

The application process for master's programs differs from doctorate programs, although both require a minimum GPA, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.

Doctoral program applications are typically more detailed. Admission may require GRE scores, research experience, and a detailed statement that describes the applicant's interest in the program's focus or working with a specific faculty member.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for admission to graduate school. Many programs prefer a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field. However, some schools admit students with non-psychology undergraduate majors, who have completed relevant coursework in psychology.

Step 2: Meet GPA and GRE Requirements

A GPA of at least 3.0 is the baseline for admission to most programs, although some of the more competitive programs set the minimum at 3.5. Some schools have shifted away from reliance on GRE scores. However, many graduate programs still require or strongly recommend them. The more competitive doctoral programs may also require the GRE Subject Test in Psychology.Programs that waive or make GRE scores optional typically place greater emphasis on GPA, recommendations, and personal statements.

Step 3: Personal Statement

Consider your personal statement an opportunity to showcase your talents and distinguish yourself from other applicants. Admission committees look for personal statements that describe your academic strengths, your long-term professional goals, and how you fit into the department.

Step 4: Letters of Recommendation

Many graduate programs require at least two letters of recommendation from professors, advisors, or supervisors who can speak directly to your strengths and ability, providing examples drawn from coursework and research or work experience.Choose recommenders who are inclined to submit positive and detailed references. Be sure to request letters well in advance of the due date to accommodate your letter writers' schedules.

Step 5: Submit Completed Application

Completed applications are typically submitted online along with an application fee. You will be asked to have official transcripts forwarded from previously attended schools and recommendations sent in separately from your application. You may need to submit a resume in addition to a personal statement. Some schools also require a virtual or in-person interview.

Frequently Asked Questions

Online psychology master's programs are available from accredited institutions. However, fully online graduate programs do not qualify for programmatic accreditation by the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation.

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