Online Health Psychology Degree Programs

Online health psychology programs prepare graduates to help patients with mental health disorders. Mental health problems are becoming more widespread, which is compounded by shortages in the nation’s mental health workforce, according to a 2024 HRSA report. Becoming a health psychologist could help you be a part of the solution, whether in your community or beyond.

Learn more about the health psychology field, online health psychology degrees, and what to look for when choosing a program.

Health psychology explores the relationships between physical and mental health. For example, health psychologists may work in hospitals and other medical settings to help their patients understand and navigate the impacts of their mental health conditions.

These professionals may also apply psychological principles to promote physical health. Other health psychology focus areas include research and teaching in academic settings or public health agencies.

When selecting a health psychology degree program, pay close attention to factors including:

While most schools and programs are accredited, institutional and programmatic accreditation is still critical to ensuring that a school or program meets quality educational standards and prepares you for a health psychology career. Institutional accreditation bodies regularly evaluate colleges and universities. Look for schools with accreditation from a Council for Higher Education Accreditation organization.

Programmatic accrediting organizations review the curricula of specific programs. The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits health psychology doctoral programs. The Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council assesses master’s programs in health psychology.

Enrolling in an accredited school and program can help you qualify for financial aid, state licensure, and future employment opportunities.

It’s important to choose a program that aligns with your career interests and goals. When researching programs, check the program website’s curriculum page for classes and concentrations. Ensure that your list of programs prepare you for the patient populations and intervention types that interest you.

Review faculty backgrounds to see if any specialize in your area of interest. If you plan to enter graduate school, ensure the program offers the required courses and training opportunities to prepare you for master’s or doctoral study.

Online health psychology programs offer fully remote or hybrid instruction. Choosing the right one depends on your schedule, learning style, and location. If your work schedule conflicts or you don’t live near the school you want to attend, fully online learning may be your best option. Online programs offer asynchronous (recorded) or synchronous (live) formats.

Asynchronous learning typically provides class materials and recorded lectures, which you can access 24/7. Communication with faculty and classmates takes place on discussion boards or via email.

Asynchronous study requires self-discipline, organization, and time management. Synchronous programs offer the classroom experience online but in real time. This format may work well for students needing more structure, interaction, and accountability. Hybrid learning combines online and on-campus learning.

A couple of other notes: online programs often require in-person attendance for practicum experiences and internships, particularly at the graduate level, and the APA does not accredit any 100% online doctoral programs in psychology.

As higher education costs continue to rise, researching tuition rates and financial aid resources is top of mind for many students. Tuition and fees vary widely. Public institutions are generally more affordable than private schools. Online study can reduce costs with lower or in-state tuition regardless of residency.

Check each school’s financial aid and psychology department pages for scholarship, grant, and loan information. Graduate students can often offset costs with teaching or research assistantships and loan forgiveness programs for graduates who work in underserved communities.

Master’s and doctoral programs typically have practical experience requirements, such as internships and practicums. Graduate students receive hands-on, supervised training in real-world health psychology settings. Generally, practicum participants observe health psychologists, and interns receive hands-on training working with real patients under the supervision of a health psychologist.

Some schools arrange practical experiences for students, but many do not. However, most programs maintain relationships with employers in their local areas. Typically, online students must find opportunities in their communities independently and obtain departmental approval.

A bachelor’s degree in psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate majors. Programs typically don’t award health psychology bachelor’s degrees, but may cover health psychology course content.

Psychology bachelor’s program admission requirements typically include:

Master’s degree in health psychology programs may require a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, such as health sciences or social work, or prerequisite psychology courses.

Admission requirements to master’s in psychology programs often include:

Doctorates in psychology have similar admission requirements to master’s degrees, depending on the type of degree. A doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) focuses on clinical health psychology, and a Ph.D. in health psychology prepares graduates for postsecondary teaching and research.