Online master's degree programs in psychology and counseling

• Psychology & Behavior
• Counseling
• Organizational Psychology
• School Counseling
• more

People encounter struggles on a daily basis: economic uncertainty, crumbling relations with family and friends and other stress-inducing problems. Such obstacles may fall outside an individual's ability to control, yet these troubles create constant pressure on people's lives. If you are passionate about helping people, you can turn your generous dedication into a career through online master's degree programs in counseling and psychology.

Curriculum for online master's degree programs in psychology and counseling

Careers in psychology and counseling traditionally require professionals with graduate degrees. You can train for a new career or upgrade your chances of advancing in your current position by earning a degree from online master's degree programs in psychology and counseling from accredited universities and colleges.

Core classes available in online master's degree programs in psychology vary depending on your particular path of interest. Whether you're headed in the direction of behavioral or psychoanalytical psychology, you will receive constant exposure to interesting classes, including:

• Philosophies of behaviorism
• Theory and methodologies of behaviorism
• Basic psychology courses
• Research training
• Practicum training

Job opportunities stem from online master's degree programs in psychology and counseling

You can consider several careers after earning your degree through online master's degree programs in counseling and psychology. With education from an online master's degree program in addiction counseling, you can help addicts recover from debilitating addiction issues. You can help strengthen familial bonds by implementing your skills gained through online master's degree programs in marriage and family counseling.

The type of counseling you provide will depend mostly on the industry you choose to work in. Below are some possible areas of specialization by industry, along with 2009 mean annual salaries as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

• Elementary and secondary schools: Psychologists and counselors in this field work with children to identify possible causes of erratic or devious behavior. Professionals in this field earned a mean annual salary of $69,870.


• Offices of other health practitioners: Health practitioners often require the services of psychologists or counselors to check for any signs of mental illness or subconscious abnormalities. Professionals in this field earned a mean annual salary of $87,270.


• Individual and family services: These types of services hire counselors to reconnect family members or to prepare (previously) troubled individuals for a productive life in the real world. Graduates of online master's degree programs in marriage and family counseling are ideal. Professionals in this field earned a mean annual salary of $70,490.


• Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals: Counselors working in substance abuse hospitals help addicts recover from the ill effects of repeated drug use and abuse. These counselors and psychologists attempt to locate the problem source, remove bad influences and offer working alternatives. Professionals in this field earned a mean annual salary of $83,120.

If you want to explore more coursework and career options, visit our Guide to Majors in Psychology. For a more comprehensive understanding of possible graduate-level disciplines, browse the Guide to Master's Degrees in Social Science where you can find extensive research on online master's degree programs in psychology. You can find guides to specific specializations in education psychology, social work and psychology and behavior.

You can also browse the links below and find the program that's right for you.

• Degrees by Level