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Most Affordable Online Psychology Masters

An online Master’s in Psychology can provide you with many skills you will be able to use throughout your career, no matter what type of work you do? The concepts that are taught in psychology can be applied in many different ways. Individuals who earn an online degree in psychology can find work in public relations, human resources, counseling services, and many other areas as well. Psychology is often used by coaches and instructors who need to learn how to reach the students they work with.

Earning an online Master’s in Psychology is also beneficial if you are trying to advance your career by pursuing new opportunities. The best way to uncover new opportunities is to broaden your horizons by earning a new degree. The skills you gain will go a long way toward preparing you for more responsibilities. With a degree in psychology, you will be able to help managers uncover untapped potential within the workforce. You will also be able to offer ideas on how operations can be streamlined to improve productivity and morale.

Methodology

This ranking list of the most affordable online bachelors in psychology is a consensus ranking, which combines information from IPEDS and Niche. The ranking data for each program was averaged and placed on a 100-point scale to reveal each degree’s Consensus Score. To break any ties, the base tuition of each degree was used.

1. Arizona State University

The online master of science in psychology degree program at Arizona State University enables students to customize their curriculum in order to earn a masters degree online that fits their specific interest. Some of the classes include professional issues in psychology, advanced social psychology, research methods, fundamentals of quantitative research, and capstone in general psychology. The curriculum focuses on developmental, cognitive, social and physiological psychology. Students who earn their degree online are taught the same as students who attend classes in person. 

Arizona State University (ASU) is a public research university and has a Carnegie classification of “R1: Doctoral Universities — Very High Research Activity”. The university offers 350 degree programs spread across its 17 colleges. It also offers over 400 certificate programs and graduate degrees. The school’s athletic teams participate in the NCAA Division I FBS – Pac-12, Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. 

2. Wilmington University

Wilmington University offers a bachelor of science in psychology degree online that provides a solid broad-based education for students. Classes in the curriculum are designed to help student develop their understanding of topics such as abnormal psychology, group behavior, cultural variations, lifespan development, personality development and more. Upon completion of the degree, students will be able to demonstrate core competencies that include a knowledge base in psychology, scientific inquiry and critical thinking, communication, ethical and social responsibility in a diverse world, and professional development. 

Wilmington University (WilmU) is a private university located in Wilmington Manor, Delaware, and features a space-grant affiliation. It enrolls an average of 20,000 students each academic year, and offers almost 100 degree and professional certificate programs through its seven academic colleges. The university has 14 campus locations located throughout Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey. The school’s athletic teams participate in the NCAA Division II — Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. 

3. University of Florida

The Department of Psychology at University of Florida offers a bachelor of arts in psychology degree online program that’s designed to provide students with a science-based liberal arts education. The program provides students with a solid foundational education in psychology and offers the opportunity to take classes in a particular concentration. The areas of specialization offered include behavior analysis, behavior and cognitive neuroscience, counseling psychology, developmental psychology and social psychology. Graduates of the program are prepared for graduate study and a wide range of career options. 

University of Florida (UF) is a public university and is a member of the State University System of Florida. It’s the flagship campus of the university system and features a sea-grant and space-grant affiliation. It also has a Carnegie classification of “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity”. The school is the eight largest campus in the U.S. and enrolls around 55,000 students each academic year. The school’s athletics teams participate in the NCAA Division I FBS — SEC conference. 

4. McNeese State University

The College of Nursing and Health Professions at McNeese State University offers a master of art, applied behavior analysis online program. The program provides the necessary education and supervised experience that graduates need to apply for national certification to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The curriculum emphasizes a student’s development of assessment and intervention skills. Students attending the online program obtain off-campus internship placements through approved supervisory Board Certified Behavior Analysts. 

McNesse State University is a public university that’s part of the University of Louisiana System and has a Master’s University classification and a space-grant affiliation. It’s a selective admission university with six colleges and a school of graduate studies. The school enrolls an average of 7,600 students each academic year. The athletics teams participate in the NCAA Division I FCS – Southland conference. 

5. UMass Lowell

UMass Lowell offers a bachelor of arts in psychology degree online program that’s ranked as one of the best online degrees for psychology in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Students who graduate from the psychology degree program will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of major concepts, apply basic research methods in psychology, demonstrate information literacy, and have accurate information when they use their psychological knowledge, skills and values. The course can be completed entirely online, and students can take classes at their own pace. Psychology courses are offered three times a year.

The University of Massachussetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) is a public university and is part of the University of Massachusetts university system. It’s a research school with a Carnegie classification of “R2: Doctoral Universities — High research activity”. The school offers 120 bachelors, 43 masters, and 24 doctoral degree programs with many programs having national recognition. The school’s athletics teams participate in the NCAA Division I America East conference and the hockey team participates in the Hockey East conference. 

6. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida has an online bachelor’s of science degree in psychology that’s ranked as one of the best online degrees for psychology programs in the U.S. by U.S. News and World Report. The program teaches students about the foundations of psychology and prepares them for their post-graduate and career pathways. Students learn about terminology, statistical and research methods, the history of psychology, and more. The degree program has six tracks that include clinical, general, experimental, human factors, industrial/organizational, and neuroscience. 

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is part of the State University System of Florida and features the largest student population out of all universities in the United States. The school has a strong research component and features a space-grant affiliation and leads the NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium. UCF enrolls students from the United States and from all countries around the world with an average student population of 72,000 students each academic semester. The school’s athletics teams participate in the NCAA Division I FBS – The American conference. 

7. University of Houston

The University of Houston offers a bachelor of science in psychology degree online, and is one of the well-regarded online degrees for psychology in the nation. The school recommends the online program for students who have already completed their Texas Core Curriculum classes and are looking to finish their degree. Students learn about the cognitive and emotional growth of human beings along with other factors that influence human behavior. The program is designed to prepare students to combine psychology work with computer technology and positions in medicine and industry. 

The University of Houston (U of H) is part of the University of Houston System and is the third-largest university in Texas. It’s a public research university and has a Carnegie classification of R1: Doctoral Universities — Very high research activity. The school offers over 280 degree programs through 14 academic colleges, and operates over 40 research centers and institutions on campus. The school’s sports teams participate in the NCAA Division I FBS – The American conference. 

8. University of Minnesota-Duluth

The University of Minnesota-Duluth offers a bachelor of applied science online degree in psychology. Students who take this major learn how to apply psychological theories to a wide range of people in a given community. Some of the topics that are taught in the program include behavior analysis, industrial-organizational issues, addictive behavior, social psychology, neuroscience and more. This is one of the online degrees for psychology that has a national ranking and is the only 100% online major at the school. Students learn major theories and findings in psychology, how to communicate and apply psychological principles, and conduct, interpret and report on their data and analysis. 

The University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) is part of the University of Minnesota system and features a sea-grant affiliation. The school offers 16 bachelor’s degree programs with 87 majors, 74 minors, and graduate degrees in 24 fields. The school has a strong Greek system featuring both fraternities and sororities Its sports teams participate in the NCAA Division II — NSIC D-I — NCHC conference for most teams, and the WCHA for hockey. 

9. Penn State Greater Allegheny

Penn State Greater Allegheny offers both bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees online for psychology. The program provides students with the basic knowledge of psychology and opportunities to apply their education through field experience and undergraduate research. Classes in the program include statistics, biological bases of behavior, applied and clinical psychology, basic research methods in psychology, and social and personality psychology. Upon graduation, students are qualified to find employment in health-related fields, government, social service, research, business, and more. 

Penn State Greater Allegheny (PSUGA) is part of the Pennsylvania State University system, and is located in White Oak. The school offers two- and four-year degree programs that students can start, then complete while attending the campus. The school enrolls around 800 students each academic year and has an administrative staff of 151. PSUGA has an advantageous teacher-to-student ratio which ensures a quality education for students. 

10. Oregon State University Ecampus

(PRNewsfoto/Smart Sparrow)

The online bachelor’s in psychology program at Oregon State University Ecampus is ranked #2 in the country by U.S. News & World Report in the Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs category. The degree program helps students understand why people behave, think or feel the way they do as well as how. Students engage in rigorous coursework to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills they’ll need to work as effective psychologists. Classes and coursework are designed by a world-class faculty that’s comprised of individuals who have earned recognition across the globe. 

Oregon State University (OSU) is a public research university with sea-grant, space-grant, and sun-grant affiliations. It features a Carnegie classification of “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” and has an additional designation as a “Community Engagement” university. The university offers over 200 undergraduate programs spread across its 12 colleges. The school’s athletics teams participate in the NCAA Division I FBS — Pac-12 conference. 

What Careers Will I Be Qualified for With an Online Master’s in Psychology?

An online Master’s in Psychology can prepare you for any number of different career paths. If you work in the field of human resources, you will be able to assist each employee with finding the right job that fits their individual talents. Part of the reason many people don’t succeed is that they hate their jobs. It doesn’t have to be that way. Discovering a worker’s hidden talents and matching them up to a job they truly enjoy is giving them the gift of a potential career.

Psychology is the study of how people think and the use of cognitive-behavioral patterns. Being able to identify patterns is the best way to either encourage and define them, or to eliminate them so better patterns can be put in their place. Helping others correct destructive patterns in their thinking may give them just what they need to be more productive and better able to handle stressful situations. With this type of degree, you will be able to find work in the corporate world, manufacturing, teaching, or any other position in which you assist others in finding a better life.

Are Online Degrees Worth It?

Online degrees are well worth your time and money if you commit yourself to succeed in reaching your goals, especially if you choose an online Master’s in psychology. If you are going to spend months or years of your life and invest thousands of dollars, it should be well worth it to you to do your very best. Choosing a specialization you enjoy is the best way to put your entire focus on your educational career. With an online degree, you can still fulfill your educational goals and keep your full-time job.

For the most part, all of the money and time you put into your education will mean nothing unless you put in the work and actually learn the skills you need for your job. Not everyone commits themselves to their future. They spend both time and money on an education they never use. Make your employment decisions before you start school. This will help to make sure you are attending school for the degree program you really want.

Why Should I Consider an Online Degree for Psychology?

There are several reasons for considering an online degree in psychology. First for many is the fact that you don’t have to quit or give up your job to attend class. Students who are working to pay the bills or support their families may not have the luxury of taking time off for school. Instead, they are stuck in their job with no way to better themselves and no real future to look forward to. With an online degree, they receive the best of both worlds and are able to enjoy the flexibility of doing their schoolwork when it is easiest for them.

Online degrees in Psychology are also recognized by employers as valuable tools they can use to help their students succeed. Many employers will offer reimbursement programs to their employees who successfully complete their courses. The students pay to attend school. Once they have completed their courses and received a transcript of their grades, they can take the information to their employer and receive a check that will cover the cost of their education.

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