Master of Science in Psychology
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- Admission Requirements
- Courses
- Ways to Save on Tuition
- Career Outcomes
Admission Requirements
Courses
Ways to Save on Tuition
Career Outcomes
15
Total Courses
$420
Cost per Credit
1 year
Average Completion*
15 Hours/Week
Course Effort
Master’s Degree in Psychology Overview
Come back and earn your master’s degree in psychology online. Be ready to make a difference helping others, empowering people, and driving change.
- Prepare to obtain a certification in addictions.
- Learn from psychology practitioners with extensive experience in the field. They know what it takes to build a successful, rewarding career in psychology.
- Gain hands-on experience you can use right away through a curriculum that emphasizes practical application.
- Choose one of four concentrations to align the program with your career goals.
- Addictions
- Forensic psychology
- Industrial/organizational psychology
- General psychology
See Program Detail Plan and Policies
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Personal Support
Work directly with faculty through online discussion boards and office hours, and get 1-on-1 support from academic and career advisors. The graduate resource center and addictions student site offer additional resources, including no-cost individual tutoring.
Connected Community
Explore organizations such as the Psychology Club, Psi Chi International Honor Society, and Autism Speaks U for networking and leadership opportunities.
Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Admissions Requirements
A bachelor’s degree is required to enroll in a graduate program. You will need to provide an official transcript that shows completion of your bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, though an unofficial copy may be provided during the application process. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
View Admissions Requirements
Purdue Global Career Outcomes 2020–2021
94% of graduates in Purdue Global’s Master of Sciencein Psychology program were employed or continued their education within 18 months of graduation.
Each year, our Center for Career Advancement sends a NACE First Destination survey to our graduating class to learn more about their career choices and potential income within 18 months of graduation. We’re proud of our recent Purdue Global alumni accomplishments.
“Career Outcomes Rate” is not the same as an “employment rate”—it includes graduates who are: (1) employed (whether full or part time); (2) participating in a program of voluntary service, (3) serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, or (4) enrolled in a program of continuing education. This rate may also include graduates employed in jobs unrelated to their degree or who were employed while attending Purdue Global. (9,106 graduates surveyed across associate's, bachelor's, master's, JD, EJD, and DNP programs from July 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020. 7,803 of 9,106 replied.)
What Courses Will I Take?
Curriculum focuses on the processes that guide the individual human experience and behavior, as well as the core knowledge, theories, and research in the field of psychology.
Select a thesis or a captsone course as the program's culminating experience.
Sample Courses
- Foundations of Professional Psychology
- Testing, Measurement, and Assessment
- Applied Statistics for Psychology
- Advanced Research Methods
- Life Span Development
See All Psychology Courses
Thesis
40
Core Credits
25–35
Elective Credits
65–75
Total Credits
Capstone
35
Core Credits
25–35
Elective Credits
60–70
Total Credits
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Psychology Concentrations
Choose from four psychology concentrations that allow you to develop specialized expertise in your chosen career path.
- Addictions
Prepare to counsel clients who have problems with alcohol, drugs, gambling, and eating disorders.
Note: Indiana students are required to obtain 700 hours of university–sponsored practicum to seek state licensure as an addiction counselor.
- Forensic Psychology
Apply evidence-based psychological theories and concepts to develop strategies that advocate for populations in settings across the criminal and civil legal systems.
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Apply psychological principles to the business world and explore the theories, methods, and practice of I/O psychology.
- General Psychology
Study learning and behavior approaches, neuropsychological perspectives and technologies, issues in psychopathology, and cognitive psychology.
NAADAC Approved and NASAC Accredited
Purdue Global is a NAADAC Approved Education Provider. In addition, The Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in addictions is accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC).
Students who complete the addictions concentration will meet the coursework requirements to take the optional National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP) Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) certification exam.
Note: Applicants must meet additional requirements to qualify, including field experience and licensure requirements.
Note: Applicants must meet additional requirements to qualify, including field experience and licensure requirements.
Ways to Save on Time and Tuition
Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.
Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions.
Financial Aid
Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.
Grants and Loans
Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.
Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
Military Tuition Reduction
Graduate tuition savings for military include a 17–30% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and, 14% per credit for veterans for graduate programs.
Prior Military Experience
Earn credit for your military training. We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.
International Tuition Reduction
International students living outside of the United States are eligible for a 25% international student tuition reduction.
View the total cost of attendance for your program.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
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Career Opportunities
Due to increased demand for psychological services in schools, hospitals, and social service agencies, employment in this field is expected to grow from 2021 to 2031.
With a master’s degree in psychology from Purdue Global, you could find opportunities in areas such as human resources, employee assistance groups, business research facilities, educational settings, drug and alcohol treatment programs, criminal justice organizations, and law enforcement and civil legal settings.
Average Salary
Low
Average Salary
High
Job Growth
In Your State
General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.
Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.
The Master of Science in Psychology is not focused on the clinical practice of psychology and does not lead to licensure or certification as a psychologist, mental health counselor, or therapist. Refer to Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications page for state-specific licensure information. It is important to note that, while earning a master’s degree in psychology may qualify you to work in the helping professions, a doctorate degree is required to become a psychologist and a medical degree is required to become a psychiatrist.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Take a Career Assessment
Discover your work interests, and use them to chart your ideal career path.
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Download the Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the online Master of Science in Psychology and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.
Prepare yourself for success with a master’s degree in psychology.
View Brochure
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
View Psychology Faculty Bios
99%
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
54%
Faculty members who hold a doctorate
484
Faculty publications in 2022–2023
More Than 40,000
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2022–2023
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023. 2022–2023academicyear.
Your Path to Success Begins Here
Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.
Connect with an AdvisorApply Online Today
NOTES AND CONDITIONS
*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.
Certification and Licensure: The Master of Science in Psychology is not focused on the clinical practice of psychology and does not lead to licensure or certification as a psychologist, mental health counselor, or therapist. Refer to Purdue Global's State Licensure and Certifications page for state-specific licensure information. Visit www.NAADAC.org and/or www.BACB.com for additional state-specific licensure requirements. It is important to note that, while earning a master’s degree in psychology may qualify students to work in the helping professions, a doctorate degree is required to become a psychologist and a medical degree is required to become a psychiatrist. Students are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams.
Job Growth—Psychologists: Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.
