The best online master’s in psychology programs combine institutional accreditation, flexible eight-week terms, and real depth in concentrations like forensic, clinical, or industrial-organizational psychology. This guide ranks 10 accredited schools offering fully online psychology master’s degrees, chosen for accreditation status, program flexibility, and how many concentration paths each one actually offers.
Choosing an online master’s in psychology means weighing accreditation, cost, and concentration options against schools that all sound similar on paper. We built this list from institutions with verifiable institutional accreditation, transparent per-credit pricing, and concentration tracks that go beyond a generic “general psychology” label. See our full methodology for how we choose the psychology degree programs we consider to be the best. Below, you’ll find our top 10 picks, a breakdown of what separates an MA from an MS, and a comparison table to help you narrow your search before you read the full program profiles.
MA vs. MS in Psychology: Which Fits Your Goals?
Most schools on this list offer either a Master of Arts (MA) or a Master of Science (MS) in psychology, and the label matters more than most applicants expect. An MS typically leans into quantitative methods and research design, often with a thesis requirement that signals doctoral readiness to PhD admissions committees. An MA more often centers on applied, counseling-oriented coursework, which fits students heading toward a licensure-track role like marriage and family therapy or clinical counseling.
Neither degree is the “better” path. The right one depends on whether you’re building toward doctoral study and research or toward a licensed counseling career straight out of your master’s. For a deeper breakdown of how the two credentials differ in coursework and career outcomes, see our full comparison of MA vs. MS in psychology.
10 Best Online Master’s in Psychology Programs at a Glance
Tuition figures below are per-credit or per-unit rates and change annually, so confirm current pricing directly with each school before applying. Accreditation type is institutional (the school as a whole), not a program-specific credential.
| School | Degree | Tuition | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Chicago School of Professional Psychology | MA | ~$825/credit | Regional (HLC) |
| 2. University of Liverpool | MSc | ~£20,000+ total (int’l) | OfS-registered (UK) |
| 3. Alliant International University | MA | $1,298/unit | Regional (WSCUC) |
| 4. Hope International University | MS | $675/unit | Regional (WSCUC) |
| 5. Golden Gate University | MS | $1,090/unit | Regional (WSCUC) |
| 6. Southern New Hampshire University | MS | ~$637/credit | Regional (NECHE) |
| 7. California Southern University | MA/MS | $545/credit | Regional (HLC) |
| 8. Sacred Heart University | MA | ~$810/credit | Regional (NECHE) |
| 9. Palo Alto University | MA | ~$6,794/quarter | Regional (WSCUC) |
| 10. Grand Canyon University | MS | ~$530/credit | Regional (HLC) |
1. Chicago School of Professional Psychology
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is a not-for-profit graduate school devoted specifically to professional psychology, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional institutional accreditor. Master’s tuition runs approximately $825 per credit hour. Online courses follow an eight-week term with a rolling admissions policy and new starts roughly every eight weeks. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, and some tracks may request relevant work or research experience alongside transcripts, a resume, and letters of recommendation.
The MA program has offered concentration tracks including Forensic Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, International Psychology, and Industrial and Organizational Psychology, along with a non-licensure applied psychology track. Confirm the current concentration lineup directly with the school, since specialization offerings at The Chicago School change from year to year.
Read our full profile of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology
2. University of Liverpool
Founded in 1881, the University of Liverpool is a Russell Group research university registered with the UK’s Office for Students (OfS), the body that oversees institutional recognition for English higher education providers. The psychology program itself carries separate programmatic accreditation from the British Psychological Society (BPS), the professional accrediting body for UK psychology degrees. Tuition for international students runs into the tens of thousands of pounds for the full award, with regional and up-front payment discounts available, so get a personalized quote before applying. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a UK Honours degree and typically two or more years of relevant professional experience.
Concentration options include Investigative and Forensic Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, and Occupational and Organizational Psychology, and academic advisors are available around the clock for study support.
Read our full profile of the University of Liverpool
3. Alliant International University
With roots stretching back to 1969 (formed by the 2001 merger of United States International University and the California School of Professional Psychology), Alliant International University is a private institution accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accreditor. It operates across multiple California campuses. According to Alliant’s own program page, the fully online psychology offering is a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology, priced at $1,298 per unit at the San Diego campus. The 50-unit, 17-course program takes about 18 months full-time and includes an optional in-person five-day summer session.
Alliant’s online psychology master’s currently centers on Organizational Psychology rather than the broader concentration list that some older listings show. Confirm current online program offerings directly with Alliant, since on-campus and online availability can differ by campus.
Read our full profile of Alliant International University
4. Hope International University
Approaching 100 years since its founding, Hope International University is a private, Christian-affiliated school accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), with additional specialized accreditation from the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). Tuition for the MS in Counseling Psychology is $675 per unit. The curriculum has been approved by California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences and positioned to prepare graduates to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California, though curriculum-approval status and state requirements should be confirmed directly with the school before publishing.
Concentration tracks include Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy, and applicants without an undergraduate psychology degree can complete an online preparatory course before starting the program.
Read our full profile of Hope International University
5. Golden Gate University
Golden Gate University has offered degree programs for over a century and is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accreditor. Tuition for most graduate programs, including the MS in Psychology, runs $1,090 per unit. Every course in the curriculum includes at least one supervised exam, which students can arrange at any GGU campus, a local library, through their employer, or with any other responsible proctor.
The program’s primary concentration is Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
Read our full profile of Golden Gate University
6. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University is a not-for-profit university accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor. Tuition for the online MS in Psychology runs approximately $637 per credit hour. The program has historically offered multiple start dates a year with no on-campus requirement, though current term dates should be confirmed directly with SNHU.
Concentration options have included Child and Development Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and Forensic Psychology. Confirm the current concentration lineup with the school, since SNHU periodically updates specialization offerings.
Read our full profile of Southern New Hampshire University
7. California Southern University
California Southern University (CalSouthern) is a private, 100% online institution and a member of the American InterContinental University System, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditor. CalSouthern is not accredited by the APA or CACREP. Tuition for the MA/MS in Psychology runs $545 per credit, and the university has historically locked in your rate for the duration of continuous enrollment. The MS in Psychology is a non-licensure research track, while the MA in Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, has been positioned for students pursuing LPCC or LMFT licensure in California. Because CalSouthern’s integration into the American InterContinental University System is recent, confirm current program names, licensure pathway approval, and tuition directly with the school before publishing.
Concentration options have included Advanced Addiction Studies, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Pastoral Counseling, and Sport Psychology. Confirm the current concentration lineup with the school.
Read our full profile of California Southern University
8. Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University is a private, not-for-profit institution founded in 1963 and accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs approximately $810 per credit hour. Applicants without an undergraduate degree in psychology are still considered for admission and can complete an online preparatory course to fill in prerequisite coursework.
The program’s primary concentration is Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
Read our full profile of Sacred Heart University
9. Palo Alto University
Palo Alto University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs approximately $6,794 per quarter. GRE policy should be confirmed with the school, as admissions testing requirements change frequently. Applicants must submit a statement of purpose and letters of recommendation. Applicants without an undergraduate psychology degree must first complete four prerequisite courses: developmental psychology, physiological or biological psychology, personality or abnormal psychology, and statistics.
Concentration options include General Psychology and Counseling.
Read our full profile of Palo Alto University
10. Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University, founded in 1949, is a private institution that offers its degree programs from a Christian perspective and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs approximately $530 per credit hour. The MS in Psychology is a non-thesis program, and applicants need only a bachelor’s degree to apply.
Concentration options have included Forensic Psychology, General Psychology, Gero-Psychology, Health Psychology, Human Factors Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and Life Coaching. Confirm the current concentration lineup with GCU, since specialization tracks are periodically restructured.
Read our full profile of Grand Canyon University
What to Look For in an Online Psychology Master’s Program
Institutional accreditation is the first thing to verify, and it’s worth understanding the distinction between regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors (HLC, WSCUC, NECHE, and similar agencies) are the type most employers and graduate schools expect, and credits from a regionally accredited school transfer more easily. National accreditors are federally recognized and legitimate, but credit transfer can be harder. None of the schools on this list holds APA accreditation for their master’s programs, and that’s normal, not a red flag: the APA only accredits doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. A master’s or non-clinical degree is never “APA-accredited,” so at this level, institutional accreditation is the whole accreditation story. Read more in our explainer on what APA-CoA accreditation actually covers.
Beyond accreditation, weigh whether the program requires the GRE. The admissions landscape has shifted toward test-optional and test-free policies at many online psychology master’s programs, though some schools still require or recommend scores. Also confirm whether the degree leads to a specific state license, like an LPCC or LMFT, or is a non-licensure credential meant for research, doctoral study, or non-clinical roles in HR, consulting, or education. Finally, compare per-credit pricing against total program length. A lower per-credit rate on a longer program can cost more overall than a higher rate on a shorter one.
If a master’s in psychology isn’t the right fit, you can also compare our list of online bachelor’s in psychology programs or explore subfield-specific rankings in forensic psychology, child psychology, and sports psychology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online master’s in psychology respected by employers?
Yes, as long as the school holds institutional accreditation. Employers and graduate admissions committees generally care about accreditation status and program rigor, not whether the coursework was delivered online or on campus.
Do online psychology master’s programs require the GRE?
It depends on the school and can change from year to year. Several programs on this list have moved toward test-optional or test-free admissions, while others may still request scores for applicants without a strong undergraduate GPA. Check each program’s current admissions page before applying, since test policies are one of the fastest-changing pieces of information on any school’s site.
Can you become a licensed psychologist with just a master’s degree?
No. Licensure as a psychologist requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) from an accredited program. A master’s degree can lead to other licensed roles, such as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, depending on your state’s requirements.
How much does an online master’s in psychology cost?
Per-credit rates on this list range from roughly $530 to over $1,000, and the total program cost depends on how many credits the degree requires. Confirm the exact credit count and any required fees directly with the school before comparing total cost across programs.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.