Online Master's Degree in Psychology

While a master’s degree in psychology can be an intermediary to a doctorate degree, it can also provide students with a specialized knowledge that they can apply in a variety of careers. For example, business professionals who study social psychology can apply their understanding of human interaction to decision-making, negotiating, and closing sales. Depending on the program and specialization, students typically complete a master’s degree program in one to two years of full-time study and earn either a Master of Science (MS) or a Master of Arts (MA) in psychology.

Online Master’s Degree in Psychology: Coursework and Training

Coursework offered in psychology master’s degree programs varies by school. However, there are some courses – inside and outside of the psychology department – that students will take:

Psychology Degree Courses

Psychopathology: Psychopathology is the study of abnormal behavior and psychological disorders. In psychopathology courses, students learn how to assess, diagnose, and treat disorders.
Counseling and Psychotherapy: Students learn successful counseling techniques in addition to theories and applications of various counseling practices.
Ethics of Psychology: Students study ethics in relation to the professional practice of psychology. Topics commonly covered include confidentiality, record keeping, and legal decision-making practices.
Personality Theory: Students study psychodynamic, behavioral, and cognitive approaches to personality theory. They also learn how to apply theories studied in class to professions in such fields as counseling and management.
Lifespan Development: These courses examine the developmental process across the entire human life span, from conception through late adulthood. Students study physical, social, emotional, and cognitive aspects of human development.

Coursework outside of Psychology Degree

Applied Statistics: Students apply statistical concepts such as regression, correlation, and confidence intervals when analyzing data. Taking an applied statistics course can better prepare students for a career in psychology, as these careers often involve interpreting statistical data.
Cognitive Science: Cognitive science courses examine the human mind by drawing from concepts in various fields, including neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy. Students who want to pursue a career working with mental health patients should take a cognitive science course to gain a better understanding of how the mind works.
Management: Management courses can be especially helpful for students planning on applying their degree to a leadership position. Students study management techniques for workplace issues such as motivation, decision-making, and ethics.

Potential Career Opportunities for Graduates of Master’s Degree in Psychology Programs

A master’s degree in psychology can open up a variety of career options for students, particularly for those interested in leadership and counseling positions. Below are some careers to which graduates can apply their degree:

Mental health counselors help people cope with mental and emotional disorders. They also work with other psychology professionals when providing treatment to clients. Students interested in a career as a mental health counselor should take psychopathology and cognitive science courses to learn about various disorders that they may deal with and learn how to accurately diagnose and treat such disorders.
Human resources managers handle the administrative tasks of an organization and coordinate ways to most effectively utilize employees’ skills. They serve as an intermediary between management and employees for sensitive issues such as mediating disputes and firing workers. Students who plan on pursuing a career as a human resources manager should take psychology ethics courses to understand regulations regarding employee confidentiality and other related workplace issues.
Industrial/organizational psychologists enhance the quality of work life and help to solve workplace problems. Examples of issues they address include employee productivity and morale. Students who wish to pursue this type of career should take organizational behavior courses to gain an advanced understanding of theories and research regarding workplace behavior.
School counselors provide individual and group counseling to students. Some of their responsibilities include helping students deal with social and behavioral problems or working with students to develop productive study habits. School counselors can be employed at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Psychology students interested in a school counseling career should take courses in counseling and personality theory to learn how to help students of various personality types succeed.

Individuals with a master’s degree in psychology also have the option of continuing their education and pursuing a doctorate degree. A PhD in psychology is especially useful, and often necessary, for anyone interested in a clinical psychology career. Students who wish to pursue a PhD in psychology should speak with an admissions counselor to find out the necessary qualifications.

Additional Resources for Individuals Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Psychology:
Human Resources Managers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012
Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists, 2012
Psychologists, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012
School and Career Counselors, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012