Master Degree in Psychology

• Specialize in psychology (i.e. clinical, child, counseling, cognitive)

• Become a practicing psychologist

• Conduct psychological evaluations

If you want to work as a psychologist and not just learn about psychology, you must have a psychology masters degree. A bachelor degree psychology will not be enough!

A psychology masters degree will allow you to specialize in an area within the broader field of psychology. A masters degree program is a two year post graduate education program that requires practical experience in an applied setting as well as a mater’s thesis based on a research project of your choice. This type of degree is much more specialized, demanding and selective compared to a bachelor degree psychology program and prepares you for a professional career in psychology.

By structuring your education and selecting courses in an area of interests to you, you can specialize in:

• Clinical Psychology,
• Counseling Psychology,
• Education Psychology,
• School Psychology,
• Sport Psychology,
• Criminal Psychology or
• Child Psychology.

Many with a psychology master degree will go on to enroll in doctorate degree programs, thus becoming more specialized and ensuring better job opportunities and higher salaries.

Do you want to expand your employment options, advance your career but don’t want to disrupt your life? A master degree in psychology online may be perfect for you as it allows you to further your education while continuing to work.

Online degree programs are flexible; you can set your own schedule and work at your own pace. Even thought you will be missing out on the face-to-face interaction, you will be able to communicate with faculty and other students by email, discussion boards, chats, phone and teleconferencing.

While distant education programs are improving and gaining respectability keep in mind that the lack of hands-on research opportunities may impact your marketability to future employers. Address this issue with the online psychology school of your choice and evaluate how and if this issue has been dealt with.

As a psychology masters degree graduate you will have advanced skills in research, statistics, analytical reasoning, critical thinking as well as strong communication, oral and writing skills. This type of training will allow you to choose jobs in research, school counseling, school psychology, corporate training departments, and supervisory positions in mental health, human service and health care organizations.

Psychological assistance, counselors, as well as positions in research and data collection as well as in industrial-organizational psychology will all be viable choices. However, keep in mind that a masters degree does not provide licensing, and thus, if you wish to provide mental health services you will be able to do so only under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

Salary and earning estimates greatly vary for those holding a psychology masters degree due to different career paths, experience, field of practice as well as geographic location. However, most with a master degree in psychology choose a career in counseling. According to the U.S. Department of Labor statistics, the median annual salary of counseling psychologists was $59,440.

Return from Master Degree in Psychology to Online Psychology Degree