An online master's in clinical psychology can lead to doctoral study and licensure as a clinical psychologist. A master's degree may also open doors to positions in government offices and schools or as a counselor or therapist.
Explore our rankings list of the top online clinical master's programs. Find out what it costs to earn your degree and how much you can make as a clinical psychologist.
Why Get a Master's in Clinical Psychology Online?
A master's in clinical psychology prepares students for a lifetime of fulfilling work. Clinical psychologists can positively impact the lives of those with emotional and behavioral health conditions.
Online clinical psychology programs provide convenience and flexibility. Learners save time and money by not commuting to campus. Asynchronous online programs allow students to complete coursework at their own time, making room for other responsibilities.
Earning a master's in clinical psychology can help prepare graduates for higher-paying positions. According to Dec. 2023 Payscale data, professionals with a master's in clinical psychology earn an average annual salary of $61,000. Those who go on to complete a doctorate in psychology earn an average of $92,000 annually.
Popular Online Master's in Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Master's Programs in Clinical Psychology
Read our methodology to learn more about how we rank the schools in this list.
How Much Does a Clinical Psychology Degree Cost?
With psychology master's tuition and fees averaging $12,050 during 2020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), students often need help financing their degrees. Distance learners can submit the Free Application for Financial Student Aid form (known as FAFSA) to apply for federal student loans and work-study opportunities.
Online clinical psychology master's students can also explore privately donated and institution- or program-based scholarship funding. Other ways to pay for school include grants from governmental and non-profit organizations, teaching and research assistantships arranged through psychology departments, and fellowships offered by professional organizations like the American Psychological Association.
Additional Online Student Fees and Expenses
Online learners save money by not paying for commuting, campus housing, or meal plans. However, additional costs and expenses — on top of tuition and fees — increase the average annual cost of an online master's in psychology program to $28,170, as reported by the NCES for 2020.
Examples of additional costs include online class materials and distance learning fees. Students may need to buy a new computer or upgrade their internet. Schools may charge extra fees to access online classroom platforms. Some clinical psychology courses may require extra computer software.
Online students must also buy books and other class materials. Buying used books or renting books can save money. Some publishers offer digital versions, which often cost less.
Financial aid funds may often be used for these additional costs and expenses.
How Much Do Clinical Psychology Majors Make?
According to Payscale data from November 2023, master of science in psychology degree holders earn an average of $63,000 per year. However, your salary with a clinical psychology master's depends on what you do with it. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marriage and family therapistsearned a median annual salary of $63,300, school psychologists made $87,550, and substance misuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors brought in $56,230 as of May 2022.
Earning a doctorate can significantly raise your income. The BLS reports an average annual salary of $102,740 for clinical and counseling psychologists. Obtaining licensure — especially in states like New Jersey, Oregon, New York, Arkansas, and California — can increase the average wage for this occupation, which could range from $124,450 to $164,110 per year.
Master's in Clinical Psychology Online Courses
Master's programs in clinical psychology teach learners how to observe clients and report findings. The curriculum emphasizes research. Students complete 30-40 credits over 2-3 years. Most classes include lectures, discussions, research projects, and exams. Advanced courses often include a clinical component.
Many programs offer concentrations such as child psychology and forensic psychology. See below for three common courses in clinical psychology master's programs. Please note that course offerings vary by school.
Human Biology and Behavior
Enrollees study the correlation between brain function and behavior. Learners discover how cognitive development in adolescence influences adult behavior. Coursework also covers evolution theories. Students gain in-depth knowledge of health psychology.
Psychological Interventions
Learners explore common treatment tools and proven patient therapies. Coursework covers how to work with other mental health professionals to complete treatment plans. Students learn how medication plays a role in patients' psychological recovery. However, the class does not teach students how to prescribe medications.
Ethics in Clinical Psychology
Ethics classes cover best practices for therapeutic boundaries. Learners examine case studies to identify ethical dilemmas that could arise during sessions. Students learn the importance of protecting patient privacy. They also study the process for mandated reporting. The class trains students to make ethical decisions. Part of the class also focuses on laws that impact the profession.
How to Become a Clinical Psychologist
All states require a doctorate to become a licensed clinical psychologist and a license to practice clinical psychology. Doctoral programs generally take 4-7 years to complete, including a one-year internship.
States license clinical psychologists with a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.), which emphasizes clinical practice and tends to take fewer years to finish, or a Ph.D. in psychology, which focuses more on research and academia.
Most licensing boards require 1-2 years of supervised clinical experience post-graduation.
Licensure for Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychologists must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) oversees the exam. The exam costs $691.88, including fees.
Test-takers complete 225 multiple-choice questions and must finish the exam in four hours. You must correctly answer 70% of the questions to get a passing score of 500. The questions cover eight topics. ASPPB offers practice exams and study materials.
Clinical psychologists must pursue continuing education (CE) to renew their licenses. Organizations like the American Psychological Association offer CE opportunities. Professionals who want to transfer their practice to a different state may need to meet more requirements.
Clinical Psychology FAQs
Licensed clinical psychologists need a master's and a doctorate. Master's degree holders can practice at educational institutions. They may also work as psychological or assessment assistants.
