Psychology is a fulfilling field that allows you to assist others in overcoming challenges and achieving their aspirations. Additionally, professionals in this field have a strong earning potential, with an average salary of $89,006 per year. Although the projected job growth is similar to other careers at 3%, professionals in psychology have more opportunities for career advancement.
However, psychology is a competitive field, so obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology is just the first step. Fortunately, many graduates start their professional careers immediately. But to gain better opportunities, it’s essential to pursue an advanced degree. For working professionals, the convenience of an online master’s degree in psychology might be a perfect choice.
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After obtaining a master’s degree in psychology, you have the opportunity to obtain a license, specialize in a specific area, and even hold leadership positions. Additionally, it provides the academic and professional training necessary for clinical roles. However, before all of that, the first step is determining what type of master’s degree you want to pursue. The options for the best online master’s degrees in psychology are diverse and largely depend on your career goals or whether you plan to continue on to a doctoral degree in psychology.
This article will guide you on how to begin your career development and help you decide if an online psychology degree program is the right fit for you.
Yes, it is possible, especially with the number of institutions offering online degrees in psychology, from community colleges to large public universities, which has been increasing in the past decade. The demand for more accessible education, especially from professionals who are looking into earning advanced degrees, is just one of the major motivations for higher education institutions (HEIs) to offer remote learning options, making it completely possible to get a master’s degree in psychology online in many HEIs.
Additionally, the pandemic underscored the need for online degree programs and courses. With limited face-to-face interactions, many, if not all, educational institutions were forced to move their operations online. According to “Lessons learned while creating an effective emergency remote learning environment for students during the COVID-19 pandemic,” colleges and universities had little to no time transitioning to a complete remote delivery method (Vollbrecht et al., 2020).
“One of the largest changes to the course was the shift from live, synchronous events to asynchronous events (75% synchronous before COVID-19 down to 36% synchronous during COVID-19),” the researchers highlighted in the study published in Advances in Physiology Education. While this is an anecdotal experience, many students are in similar circumstances during the pandemic.
Colleges and institutions typically do not indicate whether a degree was earned online or traditionally in your diploma or transcript. As such, employers are not aware if you attended online courses in psychology unless you disclose them. With the increasing popularity of remote learning, employers slowly recognize that the stigma of online degrees is not true at all. In fact, many employees looking to further their academic training are choosing online options as this allows them to attend classes without affecting their professional lives.
Between Spring 2020 and 2021, more students have graduated from predominantly online HEIs. There has been an increase of 6.9% among graduate degree enrollees since the past year and even greater compared to the increase before the pandemic. And experts are expecting the number to steadily rise as the world adjusts to the COVID virus.
Source: National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 2021
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The accessibility of remote learning means students from anywhere have the opportunity to study in their desired college or university. While many are still limiting their online degree offerings to specific geographic locations, an increasing number of institutions have opened their online degree programs in psychology to foreign students, especially in masters and doctoral degrees.
Even with the pandemic, studying abroad is still a popular option among students all over the world. However, they have now shifted their priorities to get their degrees online, with 45.2% intending to attend online degree programs (Svanholm, 2020). Even with existing foreign students studying abroad, there is very little cancellation in light of the pandemic.
Online degrees, especially if granted by a reputable institution, are valid in most parts of the world and are recognized by virtually any employer. However, you should still conduct thorough research, especially regarding your local education regulations. Regulated professions may require additional documentation when you apply for licensure after you graduate from your online degree.
Psychology promotes knowledge and treatment of a wide range of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders that influence individuals and their relationships. A master’s degree in this diverse field can help you advance your career in both the public and private sectors. An online master’s degree in psychology allows graduates to use psychological ideas successfully in healthcare, criminal justice, human services, and education.
Many professions in psychology necessitate the attainment of postgraduate degrees. To advance in their industry, professionals with a bachelor’s degree in psychology may need to obtain a master’s degree or a Ph.D. Advanced programs also allow professionals to take up specializations and gain academic and professional experience.
Aside from the physical effects of the pandemic, people will be dealing with the mental effects of the pandemic for years to come. Psychologists with extensive experience and expertise will be needed for both individual treatments and macro-level programs.
Fortunately, professionals in the industry are already beginning significant research on the effects of the pandemic on people at varying levels. For example, in “The psychology of the COVID-19 pandemic: A group-level perspective” published in the Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, the researchers explored how group-level processes help people cope with the effects of isolation, disruption of their normal lives, and anxiety caused the coronavirus (Marmarosh et al., 2020).
The study concluded that “group treatment options developed by group psychotherapists are effective at reducing depression, anxiety, complicated grief, and stress.”
“By examining the growing impact of online groups and the many ways that these groups help people improve their psychological well-being during the COVID-19 crisis,” the researchers added.
Flexibility of the Courses
Students who study online can select the curriculum and delivery model that best meet their needs. Online colleges provide more flexible program alternatives, allowing students to take classes while working full-time and fulfilling other personal responsibilities.
Campus programs are only available to local and commuting students. Schools have established timetables, although some schools provide evening or weekend sessions to suit working students. Traditional learning environments help degree seekers who enjoy face-to-face engagement with professors and classmates.
Access to Online Degree Programs
Students can use learning platforms such as Blackboard, Moodle, or Edmodo to access course content and learning tools as well as connect with instructors. For distant learners, most libraries include a virtual database system. Some online courses need a brief on-campus residence or in-person component.
On-campus students, like online students, utilize the same virtual technologies to access coursework and resources and connect with professors, although not as extensively. While students can contact professors and utilize facilities in person, their work schedules and availability may conflict with regular office and operation hours.
Qualities Needed to Succeed in Online Degree Courses in Psychology
Self-motivation and discipline are required for online learning. While studying online, students should make use of the numerous tools available to them. Degree candidates who work full-time and have a family must prioritize their activities to satisfy personal and academic commitments.
Some students find it simpler to practice good time management when they do coursework according to a predetermined timetable. Students who lack self-motivation may benefit from face-to-face interactions with classmates and teachers. In-person interaction may also assist certain learners in gaining a deeper comprehension of the material.
Coursework Delivery
Online students must have their own computer and internet connectivity. Online classes generally span six to seven weeks, compressing course content, and, as a result, shortening the degree completion time. Classes can be delivered asynchronously, allowing students to progress at their own speed, or synchronously, requiring students to meet with instructors and peers online at predetermined times. Meanwhile, there are also classes that use a hybrid format, which utilizes both asynchronous and synchronous learning.
Traditional on-campus courses meet in a classroom on predetermined days and hours. Attendance is frequently included in a student’s total grade. Classes are typically held during a 15-week semester, with classes meeting two to three times a week, or a ten-week quarter, with classes meeting daily. Both allow students to absorb course information and finish tasks for a longer period of time than online courses. Learners continue to utilize technology, but they can access it at school if it is inaccessible from home.
Length of an Online Master’s Degree in Psychology
Most postgraduate online degree programs in psychology involve 36 credits and are completed in roughly two years. The more specialized or personalized the curriculum, or the more hours necessary for fieldwork or study, the longer it takes students to get their degree. Depending on the program or track, students can receive a master of arts degree, which focuses on liberal arts, or a master of science degree, which focuses on STEM-related areas.
Programs typically only provide full-time options. However, part-time options may be available depending on the institution. A cohort approach is used by schools that prioritize interpersonal involvement, which means that students progress through online courses as a group. Otherwise, degree candidates take program courses independently and at their own pace.
Many factors influence the cost of an online graduate program, which is frequently less expensive than a regular program. In fact, there are quite many cheap online psychology degree programs. Tuition and textbooks are generally the same for on-campus and online students. However, some colleges provide discounted tuition to online students. Others provide cumulative savings to in-state students who finish their degrees online. The most significant cost difference between online and traditional programs is due to auxiliary fees.
Room and board fees are frequently charged to on-campus students. They may also need to pay for transportation, fees for student activities or campus amenities, technology costs, liability insurance expenses, and if needed, childcare. While online students are exempt from campus-based service costs, they may be charged for technology fees, academic service fees, and exam-proctoring expenses.
Depending on future professional objectives, taking advanced online degree courses in psychology can help graduates earn better incomes, take on leadership responsibilities, and qualify for advanced roles. A Ph.D. is required if you want to be a psychologist.
In many ways, online programs are much more popular among practicing professionals. Many desire to continue working while advancing their academic training. As such, most online degree programs in psychology involve the same curriculum and rigor. While the delivery methods are different from traditional programs, students are still held to the same standards.
Numerous considerations determine the cost of an online master’s degree in psychology. Location is a major consideration when applying for an online master’s degree in psychology. Out-of-state students often pay more in tuition compared to their in-state counterparts. However, some online education institutions have fixed per credit fees regardless of the students’ location. Another important consideration is technology costs, which frequently apply to online students but not to their on-campus counterparts.
An online master’s degree in psychology generally costs between $400 and $945 per credit. Some of the best affordable colleges for psychology may charge even lower. To be on the safe side, students should budget between $18,000 and $45,000 for the entire program.
Most people believe that pursuing psychology careers entails working as a clinical psychologist, clinical therapist, mental health consultant, or psychoanalyst. However, there are alternative job options in psychology. For instance, you can work as a school psychologist, forensic psychologist, industrial and organizational psychologist, or clinical social worker. All of the aforementioned psychology jobs require either a master’s degree in psychology or a doctorate degree such as a Ph.D. or PsyD. Earning a social work online degree is also an option.
Established professionals from other fields consider online degree programs in psychology to further their careers as well. Those looking to be promoted into managerial or higher positions can benefit from psychology, especially in managing people and understanding their behavior.
Others take online degree courses in psychology to further improve their overall skills. For instance, marketers with training and experience in psychology better understand their customers and target audience.
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Getting into graduate school might appear to be a never-ending process. After completing their undergraduate studies, students must now traverse a labyrinth of paperwork, examinations, and graduate-school applications. A competitive applicant must do research, which is a skill that all persons wishing to attend graduate programs in psychology must possess.
Try to learn about the colleges and professors who specialize in the area of psychology you want to study. Make a list of 10 or 12 colleges you will apply to based on program options, accessibility, and tuition pricing. Once you have determined your goals, you may concentrate on the application process itself.
While each institution has its specific requirements, most online degree programs in psychology require the following:
Aside from academic and professional experience, you will need specific qualities to be successful in your online degree courses in psychology. Here are some of them:
Remote learning means you will have to supply your own hardware and software to facilitate studies. Once accepted into a program, your program advisor will provide you with any specific technological requirements. In most cases, you will need the following.
Hardware:
Software
An online master’s degree in psychology provides advanced academic and professional training and opens opportunities to specialize in different types of concentrations, quite similar to online HR degrees. According to the American Psychological Association, psychology is such a diverse field with 54 recognized divisions, each with its own specializations (American Psychological Association, 2020). In most programs, you have the option to concentrate on:
Sources: American Psychological Association
Online degree courses in psychology include advanced topics that equip students for clinical and administrative jobs. While courses may differ depending on your specialization and the institution, most cover the following:
Attending an online master’s degree in psychology is a massive academic, professional, and personal endeavor. As such, you need to conduct thorough research before you embark on your academic journey. You need to consider the following factors:
Psychology majors are not the only ones with a future in the field. In fact, many psychology professionals have backgrounds in sociology, philosophy, and anthropology. Having such a diverse background is often an advantage, especially when you are ready to take your career to the next level. Similarly, taking online degree courses in psychology often opens opportunities in other fields such as law, business, and social work.
As you further your academic training, you also have the chance to focus on specialization, take on specific clients, and even contribute to existing and new research in the field. Psychologists are found in hospitals, private organizations, schools, public institutions, and social service centers. And, as you earn your online master’s degree in psychology and move on to studying for your doctorate, you will open more opportunities not only in the industry but in other fields as well.
An alternative path, especially if you want the application of social science in business operations, would be a degree in supply chain management. Your skills in psychology will help you understand that market best. Continuing with online doctoral degrees in leadership would be a big but valuable step as well. These all seem far fetch for now, but your career will definitely branch out and you will have to explore the best path to take.
References:
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