Are Online Master’s Degrees in Psychology Respected?

Are Online Master’s Degrees in Psychology Respected?
By Chloe Dembski
Reviewed By Dr. James Barham
Published:

Key Takeaways

  • An accredited online master’s program in psychology are just as respected as traditional program.
  • While a bachelor’s degree in psychology qualifies graduates for entry level positions, a master’s degree in psychology is the minimum educational requirement for many employers.
  • An online master’s degree in psychology can be completed in about 18 months.

To climb the career ladder in the field of psychology, having an advanced degree is crucial. However, quitting your current job and packing everything to chase that master’s degree might not be the best solution.

Luckily, we know plenty of online options for aspiring psychologists to get a master’s degree in psychology without compromising your current commitments. However, the big question is, are online master’s degrees in psychology respected in the job market?

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Are Online Master’s Degrees in Psychology Respected?

If you attend an accredited online university, getting a psychology master’s degree online is just as good as getting one in person. Many employers now view online degrees positively, making it worth pursuing.

The education scene has changed significantly, and online master’s degrees might become the norm. If you’re ready to further your studies, explore online programs that suit you. Let’s examine what accreditation is and how to find an accredited Master’s in Psychology degree program.

What is accreditation and how does it work?

Accreditation is a crucial form of quality assurance in the landscape of graduate education. With a multitude of graduate schools globally, ensuring consistent standards is essential. Unfortunately, educational fraud, often through “diploma mills,” has become prevalent. These fraudulent agencies offer unaccredited degrees with minimal coursework.

This has increased the need for rigorous quality checks. In the U.S., accreditation is granted by regional and national organizations for both undergraduate and graduate programs. The following are some of the regional and national bodies that provide accreditation to the majority of graduate programs:

While internationally, the quality assurance process in education is universal, the methods and terminology may vary. In the U.K., post-secondary education quality is managed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Similar bodies exist in Australia and New Zealand, although they might not explicitly use the term “accreditation.”

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How to Check if an Online Psychology Master’s Program Is Respected?

If you’re considering an online college or university, confirming the institution’s accreditation is crucial before submitting your application. Many online schools present themselves as accredited. In reality, they can be another diploma mill offering degrees and certificates with no recognition.

Here’s a guide on how to verify an online school’s accreditation:

Visit NCES

When eyeing an online university for a Master’s in Psychology degree, visit the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) site. Here, you can authenticate the university’s accreditation status. Use the College Navigator search tool for accreditation info. NCES furnishes comprehensive school accreditation details alongside information about accrediting agencies.

Check the University’s Official Website

Accredited institutions often provide a link to their accreditation details on their homepage or “About Us” page. Thoroughly go through their website to confirm these details.

You can also use the school’s search function or Google “[School Name] accreditation site:.edu” to find accreditation information. For programmatic accreditation, visit the official homepage of the specific program and search for accreditation details.

Visit the Accreditation Agency’s Website

Despite claims on a school’s website, some diploma mills falsely state their accreditation or use fake agency names. To counter this, check the official website of the accrediting agency.

The accrediting agency’s site should have a database or list of member schools. Confirm your school’s presence on this list to ensure its accreditation status. Follow the same process for individual programs by checking for program accreditation on the accreditor’s website.

Verify the Accreditor’s Legitimacy

Ensure the accrediting agency is a legitimate organization recognized by CHEA and/or E.D. If an unrecognized agency accredits a university or program, it might impact federal aid eligibility, licensure, and job prospects.

To confirm the agency’s legitimacy, consult CHEA’s list and E.D.’s Database of Accredited Post-secondary Institutions and Programs. The accreditor only needs recognition on one of these to be considered legitimate.

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Signs That An Online Psychology Master’s Program Isn’t Respected

Graduating from an online university with unrecognized accreditation may hurt your job prospects. Your employers might not hold your degree in high esteem, and the credits you earned might not be accepted by other educational institutions. Look out for the following signs as red flags:

  • The accrediting agency asserts its accreditation of international colleges.
  • The online university argues that international accreditation eliminates the need for regional accreditation.
  • The university has a name or website similar to a renowned accredited school.
  • The school is waiting for accreditation. However, there’s no clear timeline for when it will be approved.
  • The tuition fee is surprisingly high or low.
  • The school gives credit for past courses without needing an official record.
  • The website doesn’t end with ‘.edu.’
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3 Respected Online Master’s Degree In Psychology

Here is a reliable list of universities that you can choose from. Pick the one that suits you best according to your goals.

  1. #1

    Indiana Wesleyan University

    Marion , IN
    #15 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #6 Best Christian Colleges in Indiana 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Indiana 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Indiana 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/24

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Indiana Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $14,112
    Expenses: $13,518
    Starting Salary: $40,981
    Salary after 4 years: $49,980
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Located in Marion, Indiana, Indiana Wesleyan University provides an online master’s in psychology. It offers concentrations in industrial and organizational psychology, life coaching, and positive psychology. The 30-credit program includes core courses in lifespan development, personality development, and research methods.

    • Graduate Tuition: $499/credit
    • Students Enrolled in Distance Education: 92%
    • Overall Graduation Rate: 58%
    • In-Person Requirements: No
    Compare school
  2. #2

    Ferrum College

    Ferrum , VA

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    28%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Ferrum College

    Cost of Degree: $9,300
    Expenses: $16,780
    Starting Salary: $29,970
    Salary after 4 years: $36,552
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Situated in Ferrum, Virginia, Ferrum College, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, offers a fully online Master of Science in psychology. This one-year, full-time program (33 credits) prepares graduates for Ph.D. programs. The curriculum includes ethics, research methods, applied statistics, and a thesis with significant original research. Ferrum College’s M.S. in psychology does not lead to licensure.

    • Graduate Tuition: $475/credit
    • Students Enrolled in Distance Education: 100%
    • Overall Graduation Rate: 33%
    • In-Person Requirements: No
    Compare school
    3. Woman typing on her laptop
  3. #3

    William Woods University

    Fulton , MO
    #2 Best Christian Colleges in Missouri 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Missouri 2024 #6 Best Private Colleges in Missouri 2024 #9 Best Grad Schools in Missouri 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $27K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at William Woods University

    Cost of Degree: $13,992
    Expenses: $18,970
    Starting Salary: $29,387
    Salary after 4 years: $35,840
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Located in Fulton, Missouri, William Woods University offers a 33-credit online master’s in psychology program. Covering psychological testing, advanced statistics, research design, and advanced cognition, the curriculum culminates in an original thesis.

    • Graduate Tuition: $450/credit
    • Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education: 60%
    • Overall Graduation Rate: 59%
    • In-Person Requirements: No
    Compare school

Student Submitted Questions About Online Master’s Degrees in Psychology

How much time is required to earn an online master’s degree in psychology?

Typically, these programs take around 12 to 18 months to finish. However, the duration can differ based on the school, specific accelerated psychology masters program, and whether you study full-time or part-time.

Is it possible to pursue an online master’s in psychology?

Yes. Numerous colleges provide fully online or hybrid master’s programs in psychology.

Which psychology course is best for master’s programs?

Here are the top 3 programs categorized by popularity:

  • Social Work: Focuses on helping individuals, families, and communities cope with social and emotional challenges.
  • Marriage and Family Therapy: Concentrates on providing counseling and support to couples and families facing relationship issues.
  • Mental Health Counseling: Aims to assist individuals dealing with mental health disorders and emotional difficulties.

Conclusion

Online psychology degrees were frowned upon in the past, but that’s not the case anymore. Nowadays, online degrees are accepted and regarded as just as worthy as traditional degrees. However, thoroughly research the university’s accreditation status to ensure an online degree’s genuineness.

The Council on Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education offers guidance on identifying deceptive online universities.

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