Key Takeaways
Online master's in health psychology programs offer flexible, affordable learning options, many with accelerated completion times and credit for prerequisite introductory coursework.
Master's degrees in health psychology can lead to careers as research assistants and behavioral specialists, with average salaries ranging from $39,000 to $53,000 per year.
Earn a health psychology master's degree on the path toward pursuing a doctoral degree to become a licensed clinical psychologist.
Health psychology master's programs examine how psychological factors can affect one's physical health and well-being. Earning a master's in health psychology can prepare you for several entry-level, nonclinical career pathways.
Licensed health psychologists need to meet state requirements for doctoral education and field training. If you want to become a licensed health psychologist, a master's degree is optional, but it can increase your competitiveness in doctoral applications.
Explore the requirements and opportunities for health psychology master's programs.
Master's in Health Psychology Program Overview
| Length | 1.5-2 years, full time |
| Credits | ~30-45 graduate credits |
| Fieldwork | 0-300 supervised hours (depends on pathway) |
| Tuition Range | $600-$1,200 per credit |
Health psychology master's programs offer affordable online degree pathways that may include fieldwork, research, or a capstone.
Popular Online Master's in Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Master's in Health Psychology Salary and Job Outlook
Graduates with a master's in health psychology can potentially earn annual salaries of $40,000 to $53,000 for entry-level positions in the field, depending on location and experience. While the cost of doctoral study is significant, many graduates pursue a doctorate on the path to becoming a clinical health psychologist, which can yield a salary upwards of $100,000 per year.
How to Choose the Right Health Psychology Program
Choosing the right graduate degree requires careful consideration of several key factors. For most students, the cost of earning a master's versus a doctoral degree tops the list; however, you should also weigh factors including accreditation, practicum and research opportunities, faculty, and online program availability.
If you want to become a licensed health psychologist, you will ultimately need to complete doctoral study. A master's in health psychology is an optional step, best suited for learners who need additional experience before applying to competitive doctoral programs. However, a master's in health psychology can also prepare you for direct entry into non-clinical careers.
| Criteria | Master's Degree | Doctoral Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible for APA-CoA Accreditation? | Yes (only if clinically aligned) | Yes (only if clinically aligned; excludes fully online programs) |
| Qualifies for Licensure? | No | Yes |
| Supervised Fieldwork | 0-300 hours (varies; many programs have no required fieldwork) | 3,000-4,000 supervised hours (excluding postdoctoral) |
| Flexibility and Scheduling | Flexible options, including online and part time | Primarily in-person with structured clinical training; limited flexibility |
| Average Time to Completion | 12-24 months (full-time) | 4-7 years, full-time |
| Average Annual Tuition and Fees* | $17,231 | $22,313 (varies widely; Ph.D.s often provide funding) |
| Best Fit For | Career switchers; students needing more experience before doctoral study | Full-time students seeking the most direct path to licensure |
*Source: NCES DataLab: 2020 Postsecondary Student Aid Study (Data Adjusted to May 2026 Dollars)
Selecting the Right Path
Choosing a master's, a doctorate, or both depends on your goal of becoming a licensed health psychologist. If you're committed to licensure, have a strong academic background, and know what you want to research, going directly into a doctoral program can save you time and money.
A master's program may make more sense if you need to strengthen your GPA, gain research experience, or transition from an unrelated field. However, it adds time and cost without, on its own, qualifying you for licensure. To move forward, research doctoral program admission requirements and assess whether your current experience is competitive.
Admission Requirements for a Master's in Health Psychology
While admission requirements vary by program, master's in health psychology programs typically include some or all of the following prerequisites:
A bachelor's degree, typically in psychology or a related field, from an accredited school
A minimum 3.0 GPA
Requisite undergraduate course credits in biology, psychology, and behavioral sciences
Field experience in professional healthcare, public health, or behavioral health
GRE test scores (many schools waive standardized test requirements)
Master's Degree in Health Psychology Curriculum
Common Coursework
Health psychology master's programs blend foundational knowledge of general psychology, human biology, and behavioral medicine with focused field experience, depending on your desired career path. Common course topics include:
Statistics and Research in Psychology: In this course, you'll learn to design clinical trials and analyze and interpret your findings.
Behavioral Medicine and Biopsychology: This course dissects the function and makeup of neural and hormonal pathways in the brain and how they affect mental and physical health.
Psychopathology: You'll explore the full spectrum of mental disorders and diagnostic practices according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to better understand the intersection of mental and physical health.
Health Behavior Theory: This course focuses on the ways in which the study of major lifestyle changes and lifestyle-related behaviors have informed Health Belief and Transtheoretical clinical models.
Fieldwork, Internships, or Applied Projects
Capstone requirements will vary depending on the program you select. Many health psychology master's programs do not require fieldwork, especially fully online programs, which may require a final research project instead. Campus-based health psychology master's programs with clinical or applied tracks may include a practicum, internship, or applied project.
Health Psychology Accreditation
In addition to institutional accreditation, degree programs leading to licensure in fields such as psychology are often awarded programmatic accreditation. This process ensures a specialized program meets the strict licensing standards for practitioners in the field.
Though the APA/Commission on Accreditation (COA) recently began accrediting master's programs in addition to doctoral programs in 2024, no health psychology degrees currently hold programmatic accreditation. For most health psychology master's programs, focus first on institutional accreditation and whether the curriculum aligns with your professional or academic goals.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
While earning a master's in health psychology can lead to a high-paying career, graduate degrees can require significant up-front costs. While graduate students generally aren't eligible for Pell Grants, you may qualify for direct unsubsidized federal loans based on your cost of attendance.
Other forms of financial aid for graduate students include assistantships, fellowships, and merit-based scholarships offered through your university or private organizations, including those affiliated with the APA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Licensed health psychologists typically need a doctoral degree; however, graduates of an accredited master's in health psychology program are prepared to pursue entry-level jobs and build critical field experience in health psychology.
