Choosing the Right Psychology Degree at the Master's Level

If you’re interested in human behavior, psychology is an excellent field of study. While becoming a licensed psychologist requires the appropriate licensure and corresponding doctoral or master’s degree in psychology, the field of psychology is not limited to strictly clinical positions. In fact, there are a number of great master’s degrees for psychology professionals where licensure isn’t required. And no matter which psychology master’s degree you choose, you can gain a solid academic foundation to pursue a doctorate in psychology, should you be interested in continuing your education.

The expansive field of psychology offers many career paths, and so you have many types of master’s in psychology degrees to choose from. When choosing the right master’s in psychology degree for you, the three most important considerations are:

1. What is your career goal? For instance, if you want to work in criminal justice, a master’s in forensic psychology might be a good choice. If you’d prefer to work with organizations, consider a master’s in industrial and organizational psychology. Want to work with kids, with older adults, or in health and human development? Look into a master’s in developmental psychology. For a broad education in human behavior, an MS in Psychology might be the best fit.
2. Do you want to earn a doctoral degree in psychology? If you think you want to pursue a terminal degree, look for a master’s degree program that offers a doctoral preparation track, which could potentially save you time and money.
3. What aspect of psychology do you find the most fascinating? If you’re not certain about your future career plans or more schooling, then study what intrigues you. If everything from digital psychology to psychopathology interests you, then pursue a comprehensive education with an MS in Psychology with a general or self-designed specialization.

Walden University, an accredited institution, offers four master’s degrees in psychology online, as well as numerous specializations.

MS in Developmental Psychology
Choose an online MS in Developmental Psychology program if you want to learn about human growth and development. You can acquire a broad understanding of psychological development through the General Program, or you can select the courses that best align with your future career goals with the Self-Designed specialization. Or, choose from specializations in Administration and Leadership, Adult Development and Gerontology, Child and Adolescent Development, Health and Human Development, and International Perspectives in Developmental Psychology.

MS in Forensic Psychology
If you’re interested in learning about the intersection of human behavior and the law, pursue a master’s degree in forensic psychology online. Walden offers a wide variety of specializations for the MS in Forensic Psychology program, including Cybercrimes, Family Violence, Legal Issues in Forensic Psychology, Military, Police Psychology, Sex Offender Behavior, Terrorism, and Victimology. You can also choose the General Program, design a specialization yourself, or pick the Criminal Justice Self-Designed specialization.

MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Want to help teams work together effectively? Then pursuing an online MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (also known as a master’s in I/O psychology) from Walden could be a great choice. You can select the Self-Designed specialization, or concentrate on General Practice, Consulting Psychology, Human Resource Management, or International Business. Or you can prepare for the Board Certified Coach (BCC) exam through the Evidence-Based Coaching specialization.

MS in Psychology
If you want to acquire comprehensive knowledge of psychology, Walden’s online MS in Psychology program is an excellent choice. Choose the General Psychology specialization for a broad education in human behavior, or pick the Self-Designed option and take the courses you find the most fascinating. You can also choose from specializations in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Applied Psychology, Digital Psychology, Educational Psychology, Health Psychology, and Social Psychology. Some of these MS in Psychology specializations offer a doctoral preparation track, which is a great choice if you plan to earn a PhD in Psychology in the future.

A psychology degree at the master’s level can open up a variety of career possibilities. If you decide to pursue a master’s in psychology, consider an online program like Walden’s. You can finish your coursework at a time and in a location that works for you, rather than having to travel to classes on campus at specific times each week. And you can begin your studies right away with online psychology classes.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering a suite of online psychology degree programs, including four master’s-level programs. Expand your career options and earn your master’s in psychology online in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

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

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

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

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

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.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.