In this article, we profile the 20 most affordable online master's in psychology degree programs at private colleges.
Finding the right online master's in psychology program requires research, especially if cost and school size are important to you. We've conducted research that will help you determine which school and program best fits your needs. Online master's in psychology programs from accredited private schools are out there, but can be a challenge to find.
We reviewed 98 private colleges and universities with online master's in psychology degree programs or closely related options. We narrowed our search to include only accredited institutions with graduate tuition and fees of less than $15,000 per year. We collected the graduate tuition from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) College Navigator. Many of the schools on our list also have received recognition or rankings from major publications like U.S. News and World Report. The private colleges on our list are ranked according to raw affordability.
Below is our list of the 20 most affordable master's in psychology online programs at private colleges.
#20 – Walden University
Online Master's in Psychology
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,555
Walden University offers an online master's in psychology for people seeking career opportunities and advancement within a variety of settings. Graduates learn how to analyze and research psychological theory and data for organizational settings such as child and family services, human resources, community colleges, and various levels of government. The Walden University MS in Psychology does not prepare people for licensure as an individual therapist or counselor. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution along with a completed online application and transcripts from schools attended. The Walden program offers several specialization areas including applied psychology, crisis management and response, educational psychology, and terrorism and security. Courses included in the 48-credit degree include foundations for graduate study in psychology, cognitive and affective bases of behavior, and quantitative reasoning and analysis.
For more information: Walden University
#19 – Tiffin University
Online Master's in Psychology
Tiffin, Ohio
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,600
Tiffin University offers a master's in psychology online for people seeking an advanced graduate level degree in preparation for further graduate study or for training in a wide variety of occupational settings and organizations. Tiffin's program is conducted entirely online with two 7-week terms per semester that start six times per year. The degree can be finished in 1.5 years for full-time students and 2.5 years for part-time individuals. The curriculum provides breadth and depth in a variety of psychological theories and disciplines such as cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology. Graduates often procure careers as community college teachers, human resources administrators, and researchers. The degree does not prepare one for licensure to practice as a psychologist, counselor, or mental health professional. U.S. News and World Report ranks Tiffin #93 in regional universities Midwest.
For more information: Tiffin University
#18 – California Baptist University
Online Master's in Counseling Psychology
Riverside, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,140
California Baptist University offers an online psychology degree designed specifically to prepare graduates for marriage and family counseling within organizations that assess and treat individuals from a Christian worldview. Graduates will be prepared to take the comprehensive licensing exam to practice in the state of California. The degree consists of 62 credits with an average completion rate of two years (24 months). Core coursework includes advanced research methodology, Christian perspective on professional counseling, diversity issues in counseling psychology, and MFT counseling: child and adolescent. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree, minimum GPA of 3.0, two recommendations, interview with program director, and a 500-word personal statement. CBU Online is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission.
For more information: California Baptist University
#17 – Ottawa University
Online Master's in Counseling
Ottawa, Kansas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,485
Ottawa University offers an online psychology master's degree in counseling with several concentration areas including Christian counseling, expressive art therapy, gerocounseling, professional counseling, and treatment of trauma and abuse. The majority of the program is completed online with two required weeklong residencies in Phoenix, Arizona. Additionally, students get the opportunity to work in their community, obtaining a total of 900 client contact hours throughout their eight semesters in the program. Courses include Advanced Psychodiagnostic and Treatment Planning, counseling and the helping professions, life planning and career development, and professional and ethical issues in counseling. U.S. News and World Report ranks Ottawa University #42 in regional colleges Midwest.
For more information: Ottawa University
#16 – Brandman University
Online Master's in Psychology, Counseling
Irvine, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,460
Brandman University offers an online psychology degree with a focus on counseling individuals and families. The degree prepares students to meet the educational requirements for counseling in Washington State. Currently, the program is only available to Washington State residents. Admission standards include minimum GPA requirements (four options), three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a signed ethical statement form. Some students may be required to submit Miller's Analogy Test (MAT) scores depending on undergraduate GPA. Coursework includes advanced psychopathology and diagnosis, assessment and treatment of sexual disorders, theory and practice of group counseling, and transition to work and career. U.S. News and World Report recognizes Brandman University in its cohort of regional universities West.
For more information: Brandman University
#15 – Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Online Master's in Clinical Psychology
Waxahachie, Texas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,310
Southwestern Assemblies of God University offers an online psychology degree with a focus on clinical psychology. The program is designed to prepare individuals to engage in the assessment and treatment of patients as a Christian mental health professional. SAGU holds accreditations with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The program consists of 48 credits. Courses include advanced psychopathology and treatment planning, cognitive behavior and therapy, methods and techniques in counseling, and theories of counseling and psychotherapy. Southwestern Assemblies of God University is ranked #96 by U.S. News and World Report and is located in Waxahachie, Texas.
For more information: Southwestern Assemblies of God University
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#13 – National University
Online Master's in Performance Psychology
La Jolla, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,232
National University offers an online psychology master's degree with a concentration in performance psychology. The curriculum prepares students to be certified by the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). The degree is specifically geared towards teaching students the psychological elements of human performance. Graduates work in various career settings including universities and colleges, athletic organizations, corporations, and public and private settings. The degree is available entirely online and consists of 15 courses totaling 67.5 quarter units. Core classes embedded into the curriculum include counseling in performance psychology, ethics in performance psychology, performance psychology in corporate settings, and sport performance psychology.
For more information: National University
#12 – Southern California Seminary
Online Master's in Counseling Psychology
El Cajon, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,025
Southern California Seminary offers a master's in psychology online to prepare graduates for careers in Christian counseling. Graduates are able to counsel individuals, married couples, children, and youth within a variety of organizational settings and contexts. The degree includes a licensure and non-licensure track. The program satisfies the educational component of the California Board of Behavior Science, Business and Professions Code for licensure as a therapist in the state of California. The program consists of 78-quarter credits including classes such as approaches to the treatment of children, psychological testing and application, premarital counseling techniques, and theories of marriage and family therapy.
For more information: Southern California Seminary
#11 – Mid-America Christian University
Online Master's in Counseling
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,992
Mid-America Christian University offers an online psychology degree with an emphasis in clinical mental health counseling. The degree prepares individuals to assess and treat patients using Christian counseling methodology and techniques. The 60-63 credit degree emphasizes a Christian worldview, but prepares practitioners to succeed in both faith-based and secular institutions and settings. Course curriculum includes advanced counseling and psychotherapy techniques, assessment of individuals and families in counseling, multi-cultural treatment planning for individuals and families, and tests and measurements. Graduates obtain positions within a variety of settings performing testing, assessment, and treatment of patients. U.S. News and World Report recognizes Mid-America Christian University in its cohort of 141 regional universities West.
For more information: Mid-American Christian University
#10 – Grand Canyon University
Online Master's in Psychology
Phoenix, Arizona
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,612
Grand Canyon University offers an online master's in psychology designed to prepare people for future graduate study or to apply their acquired knowledge of human behavior within a variety of work settings. Graduates may qualify for positions in education, social services, government, and private business. The degree consists of 36 credits with the possibility to transfer up to 12 credits from another institution. Courses are divided into 8-week terms and are three credits each. Classes include contemporary and ethical issues in psychology, introduction to graduate studies in the liberal arts, learning cognition and motivation, and social and cultural psychology. U.S. News and World Report ranks Grand Canyon University #231 in national universities.
For more information: Grand Canyon University
#9 – Life University
Online Master's in Positive Psychology
Marietta, Georgia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,302
Life University offers a master's in psychology online focused on sub-discipline of positive psychology. The program is only one of three in the United States and includes three distinct psychology tracks of coaching psychology, secular ethics and contemplative science, and general positive psychology. Graduates can obtain jobs in a variety of fields including consulting, personal coaching, performance training, and motivational speaking. Positive psychology at Life University is based on the ancient traditions conflated with scientific research and modern practices. The curriculum is built upon generating positive wellness outcomes for individuals who seek guidance from graduates. The general and coaching concentrations can be completed in just three quarters while the secular ethics track can be finished in six quarters.
For more information: Life University
#8 – Lindsey Wilson College
Online Master's in Education in Counseling and Human Development
Columbia, Kentucky
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,647
Lindsey Wilson College offers an online psychology master's with an emphasis in counseling and human development. The degree program at Lindsey Wilson is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The degree was first accredited in 1996. The program consists of 60-credits that include a conflation of theory and practice essential for counseling success. Students can opt to earn an additional certificate in substance abuse counseling. Courses include multicultural issues in human diversity and preventative community education, professional issues and ethics, and personal growth and development group. Lindsey Wilson College is ranked #114 in regional universities South by U.S. News.
For more information: Lindsey Wilson College
#7 – Saint Leo University
Online Master's in Psychology
Saint Leo, Florida
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,630
Saint Leo University offers an online psychology degree from a generalist perspective where the student is taught a comprehensive overview of human behavior through a psychological lens. The curriculum is a mixture of cognitive, developmental, physiological, and social psychology. The degree prepares students for possible career tracks as market researchers, human resources managers, psychology instructors, and researchers. The cohort-based program is 36 credits and allows students to take one course per eight-week semester. U.S. News and World Report ranks Saint Leo University #61 in regional universities South, #23 in best value schools regional universities South, and #36 in best colleges for Veterans regional universities South.
For more information: Saint Leo University
#6 – Touro University Worldwide
Online Master's in Psychology
Los Alamitos, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,000
Touro University Worldwide offers a master's in psychology online preparing individuals for several different non-counseling career paths. The curriculum offers courses within several sub-fields of psychology, including cognitive psychology and social psychology. Students can choose from three concentration areas such as media psychology, educational psychology, and health psychology. The degree consists of 12 courses disaggregated into nine core classes and three elective classes. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or transfer from another institution's graduate program with a minimum of 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale. All perspective applicants receive an application waiver of $60.
For more information: Touro University
#5 – Kaplan University
Online Master's in Psychology
Augusta, Maine
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,565
Kaplan University offers online psychology master's degrees with four distinct areas of concentration including addictions, applied behavior analysis, general psychology, and industrial/organizational psychology. While the program is offered entirely online, applied behavioral and industrial/organizational students can participate in an optional practicum to gain hands-on experience. Students who choose the addictions concentration meet the educational requirements to sit for the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCCAP) Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) certification examination. The addictions concentration is also accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission. Applied behavior graduates are eligible to sit for the board certified behavior analyst exam.
For more information: Kaplan University
#4 – Liberty University
Online Master's in Applied Psychology
Lynchburg, Virginia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,430
Liberty University offers an online master's in psychology that prepares graduates for a career as a counselor or researcher. Students also go on to further study. The program format is 100% online and offered through the School of Behavioral Sciences at Liberty University. The degree consists of 36 total credits with a maximum of 18 credits being accepted from other institutions. Students can choose from a concentration in developmental psychology or industrial organizational psychology. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree with a 2.5 minimum GPA from an accredited institution or a minimum of 12 master's degree credits. Non-English speaking students must submit TOEFL or iTEP scores. Liberty University is ranked #231 in national universities by U.S. News and World Report.
For more information: Liberty University
#3 – Clarks Summit University
Online Master's in Counseling
South Abington Township, Pennsylvania
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,930
Clarks Summit University offers an online psychology master's degree with a focus in counseling. The degree is built upon a Christian worldview where counseling techniques and theory are conflated with current secular practices to prepare students for counseling careers in a variety of occupational contexts. The degree is 60 total credits and prepares students to sit for the National Certified Counselor exam and to apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor. The degree can be completed in as little as three years. Clarks Summit also offers a 30-credit non-licensure track for those not interested in licensure. Clark Summit University is recognized in U.S. News and World Report's cohort of best-ranked colleges.
For more information: Clarks Summit University
#2 – American Public University
Online Master's in Psychology
Charles Town, West Virginia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,600
American Public University offers a master's in psychology online designed to prepare students for further graduate studies in the field and should not be considered a terminal master's degree, although the student has the option to not continue further studies after completion. Course content covers a myriad of topics including assessment, lifespan development, social and cultural diversity, and psychopathology. The program is 39 credits and allows for a maximum of 15 credits. The degree can be finished in two years with full-time enrollment. Core classes include orientation to graduate learning in psychology, personality and counseling theories, professional ethics and standards, and tests and measurements.
For more information: American Public University
#1 – University of the Cumberlands
Online Master's in Counseling
Williamsburg, Kentucky
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $5,970
University of the Cumberlands offers online master's in psychology degrees with an emphasis in professional counseling. The master's degree is accredited by the Council of Accreditation of Counseling Related Educational Programs and prepares students for licensure as a counselor working directly with clients. The program is designed for students with a bachelor's degree and current mental health counselors. Students can choose from two distinct pathways including addiction counseling and clinical mental health. University of the Cumberlands operates on a rolling admissions model and accepts students all year. The university calendar is based on a bi-semester model with six terms per year. Courses include advanced clinical assessment, counseling theories, human growth and development, and lifestyle and career development.
For more information: University of the Cumberlands
BMD Staff
February 2018