Key Takeaways
You can earn psychology degrees online at the undergraduate and master's levels, offering flexible paths to careers in counseling, therapy, human resources, education, and research.
Master's degrees in psychology can lead to careers as licensed counselors or mental health therapists, with average salaries ranging from $64,000 to $76,000 per year.
Popular concentrations for online psychology degrees include clinical, forensic, and industrial-organizational psychology, preparing students for careers in healthcare, criminal justice, business, and other fields.
Psychology degree programs help students understand behavior, relationships, mental health, and decision-making. Online psychology degrees are available at the undergraduate and master's levels, offering flexible paths for students interested in counseling, therapy, human resources, education, and research.
Psychologist licensure typically requires a doctorate, while some counseling and therapy careers may require a master's degree and additional supervised experience. Learn more about what to expect from an online psychology degree, as well as the education and credentials required for different psychology careers.
Earn Your Bachelor's In Psychology Online
Learn more about these online psychology programs and apply today.
Can You Get a Psychology Degree Online?
Yes, you can earn an accredited online degree in psychology at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels, though doctoral programs are typically not offered online. That said, studying online doesn't always mean you can complete everything remotely. Many online programs, especially graduate psychology programs, still require in-person internships, fieldwork, or lab work.
Types of Online Psychology Degrees
Students can pursue online degrees in psychology at all levels, from associate to doctoral degrees. Each degree builds on the previous one, preparing students for advanced study and psychology-related careers, including clinical roles.
Associate Degree in Psychology
An associate degree in psychology typically require about 60 credit hours and take 1-2 years to complete. These degrees comprise general education and introductory psychology courses and serve as a stepping stone toward a four-year degree in the field. Graduates may also pursue entry-level careers as social service assistants or aides in behavioral, mental health, and psychiatric settings.
Associate degrees in psychology can be readily completed online, since in-person requirements are not common at this degree level.
An online associate degree in psychology costs $3,010 in average annual tuition and fees, based on 2020 data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars.
Average Salary for Associate Degree Graduates
| Associate of Arts (AA), Psychology* | $55,000 |
Source: Payscale, 2024
*Fewer than 150 respondents reporting
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
A bachelor's program in psychology requires about 120 credit hours or 60 roughly hours beyond an associate degree. These programs offer foundational psychology courses that prepare you to pursue entry-level careers or to enter graduate school. With this degree, graduates can pursue careers in human resources, marketing, and social and community services.
At the bachelor's level, in-person components like internships are typically optional electives, meaning a bachelor's degree in psychology can be completed entirely online. If you value both flexibility and practical exposure, consider hybrid program options, which offer online and in-person study.
According to 2020 NCES data adjusted to 2026 dollars, online psychology students pay an average of $15,488 per year in tuition and fees for a bachelor's degree.
Average Salary for Bachelor's Degree Graduates
| Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology | $72,000 |
| Bachelor of Science (BS), Psychology | $69,000 |
Source: Payscale, 2026
A psychology bachelor's degree may prepare graduates for various entry-level careers, though salaries vary by field and position. The table below shows average starting salaries by bachelor's degree type.
Mean Starting Salary by Bachelor's Degree Type
| Psychology, General | $46,233 |
| Research & Experimental Psychology | $46,063 |
| Clinical, Counseling, and Applied Psychology | $47,693 |
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers, Class of 2024<
*Includes any instructional program in psychology not listed above
Master's Degree in Psychology
A master's degree in psychology can take 2-3 years to complete. Licensing and career opportunities largely depend on the type of degree and specialization pursued. Graduates may find work as licensed counselors, industrial-organizational psychologists, and mental health therapists. A master's degree can also help you become a more competitive applicant for doctoral programs.
Although didactic coursework can be completed completely online, master's programs in psychologyoften require some in-person learning, like internships or practicums. You can typically complete these components at an approved location in your community.
According to adjusted NCES data, online master's psychology programs cost an average of $15,553 in tuition and fees.
Average Salary for Master's Degree Graduates
| Master of Arts (MA), Psychology | $76,000 (2025) |
| Master of Science (MS), Psychology | $64,000 (2026) |
Source: Payscale, 2026
Starting salaries for master's-level psychology graduates vary significantly by specialization, industry, location, and job responsibilities. The table below breaks down average starting salaries for several common psychology master's degree paths.
Mean Starting Salary by Master's Degree Type
| Psychology, General | $79,297 |
| Research & Experimental Psychology | $57,394 |
| Clinical, Counseling, and Applied Psychology | $60,613 |
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers, Class of 2024<
Doctoral Degree in Psychology
Doctorates in psychology include the Ph.D. and Psy.D., which generally take 4-6 years to complete. Most states require a doctorate to earn clinical licensure as a psychologist. However, most online doctoral programs do not qualify graduates to pursue licensure. Instead, these non-clinical programs prepare you for career opportunities in research, academia, or consulting.
Doctoral programs in psychology are most commonly pursued as in-person degrees, due to the importance of research participation, collaboration, and professional networking. Availability of fully online options is very limited.
Based on adjusted 2020 NCES data, online doctoral psychology programs cost an average of $20,700 in tuition and fees.
Average Salary for Doctoral Degree Graduates
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Psychology* | $122,930 |
| Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Psychology | $154,060 |
Source: ZipRecruiter, 2026
Careers For Psychology Degree Graduates
Your degree level can shape which psychology careers are available to you, from entry-level support roles to specialized clinical positions. Jobs in psychology should continue to grow, with opportunities across many of the subfields outlined below.
Career options vary by education level, professional experience, and required credentials.
Social and Community Service Managers (Case Manager)
Social and community service managers oversee programs and organizations that support people and communities. They may also supervise staff who provide those services.
Recommended Degree: Bachelor's
Required Credentials: Degree and work experience
Median Salary: $78,240 according to the BLS
Projected Growth (2024-2034): +6%
Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage and family therapists work with couples and families experiencing emotional and relationship challenges. They may use cognitive behavioral therapy, talk therapy, and other therapeutic approaches.
Recommended Degree: Master's
Required Credentials: State license
Median Salary: $63,780 according to the BLS
Projected Growth (2024-2034): +13%
School and Career Counselor
These counselors work in schools, helping students deal with academic, personal, and career struggles. They may also collaborate with school administration and teachers to provide student support.
Recommended Degree: Master's
Required Credentials: State license; some states require an additional teaching credential
Median Salary: $65,140 according to the BLS
Projected Growth (2024-2034): +4%
Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor
These counselors work with clients dealing with alcoholism, drug use, and other addiction and behavioral conditions. They often work in mental health and rehabilitation centers.
Recommended Degree: Master's; some positions may require a bachelor's degree
Required Credentials: State license
Median Salary: $59,190 according to the BLS
Projected Growth (2024-2034): +17%
Psychologist
Psychologists work with many different patients, providing mental health counseling and behavioral therapy, and diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.
Recommended Degree: Doctorate
Required Credentials: State license for clinical practice
Median Salary: $94,310 according to the BLS
Projected Growth (2024-2034): +6%
Source: BLS
What Psychology Degree Concentrations are Offered Online?
Psychology degree concentrations allow students to focus on a specific population, setting, or area of practice. Like campus-based programs, online psychology degrees may offer concentrations that prepare students for advanced study or careers in specialized fields.
While you need a doctorate to become a psychologist, you can also use applied knowledge of specific groups for other jobs. For example, a concentration in child psychology may support work in youth programs or help inform the design of games and digital experiences for children, while sports psychology may provide useful knowledge for coaching or work with athletic organizations.
Child Psychology: Child psychology specializes in understanding the phases of childhood development and how to support children and their families in healthy psychological development. A degree in child psychology could help you work in children's media or in programs that serve youth, such as childcare or youth sports.
Clinical Psychology: Clinical psychology focuses on diagnosing and treating specific psychological conditions. This concentration mostly prepares students to earn a graduate degree in clinical psychology.
Counseling Psychology: Counseling psychology practitioners can diagnose specific conditions. They help patients better understand themselves and solve problems. Other than going on to earn a graduate degree and become a counselor or psychologist, you may be able to use your learning as a coach, career advisor, or similar role.
Educational Psychology: Educational psychology is about understanding how people learn and the best ways to design and deliver educational programs. You could use this specialization as an adult learning designer or provider, school administrator, or educational publisher.
Forensic Psychology: Forensic psychology focuses on psychology and the law. You could use this degree in law, the justice or correctional system, or in public policy and crime prevention.
Health Psychology : Health psychology relates to how health conditions affect psychological well-being. Some related careers include physical therapy, hospital or healthcare administration, or public health promotion.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology : This branch of psychology studies how people behave in organizations and how to optimize organizations to help people perform. You can use this knowledge in business and consulting.
School Psychology : School psychology is related to educational psychology but also examines how to make schools and educational organizations perform effectively and deliver good psychological results. You can use this degree in school administration or government.
Sports Psychology: Sports psychology uses psychology to improve sports performance and player psychological well-being. You can use this degree in youth or adult sports coaching or computer game design.
What Degree Do You Need for Different Fields in Psychology?
Many psychology specializations require at least a master's degree for professional practice, including forensic, health, and industrial-organizational psychology. Fields that lead to psychologist licensure, such as clinical and counseling psychology, typically require a doctorate. Degree requirements ultimately depend on the career path and state licensure rules.
| Areas to Focus On (Concentrations) | Minimum Degree Level Required* | Typical Degree | Requires Licensure? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Psychology | Doctorate | Ph.D. or Psy.D. | Yes |
| Clinical Psychology | Doctorate | Ph.D. or Psy.D. | Yes |
| Counseling Psychology | Doctorate | Ph.D. or Psy.D. | Yes |
| Educational Psychology | Master's | M.Ed. or Ph.D. | Usually no |
| Forensic Psychology | Master's | MA or MS | Sometimes* |
| Health Psychology | Master's | MS or Ph.D. | Sometimes* |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychology | Master's | MA or MS | No |
| School Psychology | Master's* | Ed.S. | Yes |
| Sports Psychology | Master's | MS or Ph.D. | Sometimes* |
*Varies by state and role
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psychology Degrees
To earn licensure in psychology, you must hold a degree from an accredited institution. Psychology licensing exams require candidates to graduate from an accredited program. Credits earned at an unaccredited institution do not transfer to accredited schools, and employers rarely recognize degrees from unaccredited institutions.
