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Online Master’s in Psychology


Personalize your path in psychology with a master’s program that lets you follow your passion.
Personalize your path in psychology with a master’s program that lets you follow your passion.

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Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

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Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current 01 Step 1: About You
  • 02 Step 2: Contact Information

Why Choose Walden?

PURSUE YOUR PASSION

Choose from eight MS in Psychology specializations to focus on the career and future you want.

LEARN AT YOUR OWN PACE

Available in the General Psychology specialization, Tempo Learning® lets you personalize the pacing of your studies.

GET A HEAD START ON YOUR PHD

Depending on your specialization, you can take up to five doctoral-level courses at the master’s tuition rate and prepare for your PhD.

GAIN SKILLS FOR GOOD

The principles of creating positive social change are woven into our courses, with a focus on diversity and cultural sensitivity.

Program Details

Get a Jump on Your Doctorate

Most of our MS in Psychology specializations offer a track that prepares you to pursue your doctoral degree—so you can continue your journey with the No. 1 granter of PhD in Psychology degrees in the U.S.¹

 

Curriculum

Degree Completion Requirements

  • 48 quarter credits

View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.

This represents the minimum credit requirement for program completion. The number of credits for completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, contact an Enrollment Specialist at 844-483-7976.

Admission Requirements

Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher.

General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.

Tuition and Fees

Curriculum ComponentRequirementsCostamount
Tuition48 quarter credit$570 per quarter hour$27,360
Program FeePer quarter$175$875
   $28,235**
BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP

YOUR TUITION
-$5,700

$22,535

*Represents the course-based learning format, specialization other than Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), minimum time to completion, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.

**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 24 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $2,500 to $3,500.

Progress at Your Pace. Control Your Cost.

Walden’s Tempo Learning® programs follow a subscription-based pricing format. Students are billed a flat-rate for each 3-month subscription term. All pricing is represented in U.S. dollars and is subject to change.

Program Subscription Period Tuition Subscription Period PROGRAM Fee Subscription Period Time Frame
MS in Psychology $2,900 $170 3-month subscription period
You may be able to complete your MS in Psychology degree in 8 months for under $10,000.*

Effective March 4, 2024

Program Subscription Period Tuition Subscription Period PROGRAM Fee Subscription Period Time Frame
MS in Psychology $3,000 $175 3-month subscription period
You may be able to complete your MS in Psychology degree in 8 months for under $10,000.*

*Represents Tempo Learning® format, Believe & Achieve Scholarship, and the fastest pace of our top 25% transfer students in this program in the Tempo Learning® format. Your actual total program time and costs will depend on your individual pace and transfer credits. A student’s pace is usually determined by their experience, ability to work independently, and availability. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for this program. Our financial aid advisors can help you identify funding opportunities to help you pay for your education.

Curriculum ComponentRequirementsCostamount
Tuition63 quarter credit$570 per quarter hour$35,910
Program FeePer quarter$175$1,225
   $37,135**
BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP

YOUR TUITION
-$5,700

$31,435*

*Represents the course-based learning format, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) specialization, minimum time to completion, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.

**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 24 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $2,500 to $3,500.

With Tempo Learning, you may be able to complete your MS in Psychology degree in as few as 7 months for as low as $10,000.*

*Represents Tempo Learning® format, Believe & Achieve Scholarship, and the fastest pace of our top 25% transfer students in this program in the Tempo Learning® format. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Tuition and fees are subject to change. See Tuition and Fees section and Scholarship Details for more information.

Program Outcomes

Built a Robust Professional Skill Set

In Walden’s online master’s in psychology program, you can prepare to make a positive impact in nonclinical roles or lay the foundation for your doctorate. Go beyond psychological theory and research to build versatile professional skills sought by employers. These include written communication, social awareness, cross-cultural competence, and evidence-based decision making.

Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of Walden’s master’s degree in psychology online program, you will be prepared to:

  • Describe the foundations of psychology.
  • Synthesize psychological theory and research to apply in real-world situations, such as in educational, social, organizational, and health settings.
  • Interpret psychological theory and research.
  • Describe psychological theory, research, and practice from a multicultural and/or global perspective.
  • Apply psychological theory, research, and practice to scholarly and/or professional activities that promote positive social change.

Resources

FAQ About Walden’s Online MS in Psychology

What can you do with an MS in Psychology?

When it comes to jobs with a master’s in psychology, the positions are as diverse as the field of psychology itself. Those with a master’s degree in psychology work both independently and within teams of diverse professionals, including lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers, policymakers, and business executives. They work in both the public and private sectors. Some psychology professionals work primarily as researchers, while others are primarily practitioners. Many do both as scientist-practitioners. Earning a master’s degree in psychology can also prepare you for advanced studies and put you on track to earning a doctoral degree. A sampling of jobs you might hold with an MS in Psychology include:

  • Human resources manager      
  • Market researcher 
  • Project coordinator/manager
  • Family services manager
  • Social services manager
  • Employee trainer 
  • Healthcare coordinator 
  • Data analyst or manager
  • Intervention advocate
  • Instructor at a community college

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

 

How do you choose the best online university to earn your master’s in psychology?

When it comes to finding the best online academic institution, reputation is key. Walden University has been leading adult learning and developing distance education programs for 50 years. Now more than ever, working professionals need online access to an accredited university that enables them to achieve success and receive the support they need, from enrollment through graduation. At Walden, students and graduates receive ongoing assistance as they work to earn their degree, advance their career, and effect positive social change.

What kind of specializations does an MS in Psychology program offer?

At Walden, you can choose from an array of program specializations to tailor your studies to your interests and aspirations. Specializations include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Educational Psychology, Health Psychology, and Social Psychology. The General Psychology option allows you to gain a broad understanding of psychology and how you can apply its principles throughout your career. The Self-Designed option offers ultimate flexibility by allowing you to design a program that most closely matches your personal and professional goals.

What is the field of applied behavior analysis?

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a widely used therapy for children and adults on the autism spectrum and is practiced by behavior analysts. According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, the demand for certified behavior analysts has grown annually since 2010, with a 127% leap in job postings between 2017 and 2018.1 Those serving in this role work with clients to reinforce and encourage positive behaviors. Behavior analysts use evaluated and reliable interventions based upon principles of learning to improve socially important behavior of individuals. ABA therapy can help treat a variety of challenges, including problems with language and communication, attention, memory, focus, and more.

1Source: www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/US-Employment-Demand-for-Behavior-Analysts_2019.pdf

How can you become a behavior analyst?

The path to becoming a board certified behavior analyst starts with an approved master’s degree program from an accredited university. Look for an online master’s program that offers specializations that match your career goals. Walden University’s MS in Psychology program with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) offers a course sequence verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International, which meets the coursework requirements to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) exam. Graduates of this program who wish to pursue certification must also complete a period of supervised practical experience as defined by the BCBA®. Walden does not offer the fieldwork component required for the BCBA exam. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide information relating to national certification exams; however, it remains the individual student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification exams for the state in which he or she intends to practice.

Is a master’s in psychology program right for you?

According to Walden’s Dr. Marilyn Powell, if you’re interested in how systems and people work—and are compassionate and curious—a career in psychology is a good decision. “Students who are empathic and determined to use their skills for good—who can really see all sides of situations and apply reason and logic to support others to grow and change—are especially drawn to and successful in psychology,” she says. “There are so many problems in our world to solve, and psychology students typically want to be part of the problem-solving process—to really analyze and understand the issues, work with others to come up with new ideas, and implement change.” Whether online or on campus, getting a master’s in psychology is a step in the right direction if you’re looking to effect positive social change.

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1Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) IPEDS database. Based on the most recent year of completions survey data available, using CIP code 42.01 “Doctorate degree - Psychology, General.” Available at https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/use-the-data. (Retrieved January 2021; may consist of or include provisional release data.)

Note on Licensure: The MS in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology or counseling professional.

Note: The MS in Psychology program’s Applied Behavior Analysis specialization has been designed to offer acceptable graduate coursework in behavior analysis (Verified Course Sequence as approved by the Association for Behavior Analysis International and accepted by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board) and prepare students to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) exam, which is administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). Walden University does not offer the fieldwork experience required for eligibility to sit for the BCBA exam. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide information relating to national certification exams; however, it remains the individual student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification exams for the state in which he or she intends to practice. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain national certification. For more information on applying for certification from BACB, visit www.bacb.com/bcba.

Please note: Currently, students who reside in Washington state must take the MS in Psychology Capstone and may not enroll in the Field Experience option.