Online Master's in Psychology
Master of Science in Psychology
Finish in as little as 17 months with one 6-week course at a time
Explore why people behave the way they do with a Master of Science in Psychology. Our program focuses on the cognitive and affective processes that underlie human experience and behavior. As you learn about theoretical principles and research methodologies, you’ll develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to evaluate behavior and help individuals and groups function more effectively. Plus, in a world of rising costs, you can count on predictable and transparent tuition.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Designed for busy professionals — learn online on your schedule.
36 credits
Total required for degree
33 credits
Total required for degree
36 credits
Total required for degree
Up to 9 credits
May be transferred/waived
33 credits
Total required for degree
Up to 9 credits
May be transferred/waived
6 weeks
Course length in MSP
33 credits
Total required for degree
6 weeks
Course length in MSP
17 months
Published program length
33 credits
Total required for degree
17 months
Published program length
Program purpose statement
The Master of Science in Psychology is an educational degree program that provides a foundation of knowledge in the field of psychology. This program does not prepare students for any type of professional certification or licensure as a psychologist.
Careers and outcomes with an online master’s in psychology
Earning your online master’s in psychology should go beyond a frame on the wall — it should equip you with practical knowledge you can apply in today’s evolving job market. Our curriculum emphasizes psychological principles, communication, ethical and social responsibility and scientific mindedness to help you make an impact in your current role and prepare to pursue future manager or instructor opportunities.
Skills learned in this program:
- Communication
- Ethical and social responsibility
- Psychology
- Scientific mindedness
An MSP can prepare you to be a:
- Program manager
- Compliance manager
- Lecturer or instructor
- Psychology instructor
- Regulatory affairs manager
You may work in:
- Colleges and universities
- Companies and enterprises
- Federal, state and local government
- Scientific research and development
Career outlook
4.5% growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for managers, all other, is projected to be slower than average between 2024 and 2034.
The BLS Projected Growth for 2023-2033 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.
Courses for the online master’s in psychology
Find what you'll learn in a course – look for the skills-aligned trophy cup
Our Master of Science in Psychology courses go beyond theory to equip you with practical skills for the workforce that can impact your career right from the start. Each six-week course strengthens you understanding in communication, psychology and scientific mindedness – knowledge that can be directly applied to your day-to-day work.
Requirements and course details
Your course schedule may vary based on eligible transfer credits or relevant work and life experience. Learn more about master’s degree time and money saving opportunities. You may be eligible to waive up to 9 credits and graduate 18 weeks earlier. Call 844-937-8679 to speak with an enrollment representative.
- Completion of a minimum of 36 credits, including:
- Required Course of Study: 36 credits
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
The Master of Science in Psychology features 12 core courses in topics ranging from developmental psychology and psychometrics to biological basis of behavior and personality theories.
You can learn how to:
- Synthesize appropriate tactics for personal and professional communication in psychology.
- Integrate psychological principles and practice in the context of human interactions.
- Assess the implications of psychological research on the human experience.
- Evaluate professional considerations related to ethics and diversity.
Choose your learning style for an online master’s in psychology
If you have strong time management skills, value independent learning and possess prior experience, a Direct Assessment program may be ideal for you. You can choose how quickly you complete your courses within a 12-week term. The more courses you take within a term, the faster you’ll finish.
Duration: Depends on how many courses you take
Pace: 2, 3 or 4 courses every 12-week term
Learning style: Self-paced, flexible learning with faculty guidance to help prepare for competency assessments.
Admission:
- An undergraduate degree or higher
- 3 years of work experience in the past 10 years
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5
Cost: Pay by 12-week term
View the Master of Science in Psychology (Direct Assessment)
Duration: 17 months
Pace: One 6-week course at a time
Learning style: Traditionally structured classroom led by instructors with weekly due dates
Admission:
- An undergraduate degree or higher
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5
Cost: Pay by course
Put your psychology skills into practice sooner
Get value from your education before you even graduate. Our courses in the online master’s in psychology program focus on teaching practical knowledge and skills you can use right away. You’ll demonstrate what you’ve learned by completing assignments on practical challenges, preparing you for the real world. Earn career-relevant skills in weeks, not years, with every six-week course.
Apply psychological principles to human behavior in the context of real-world interactions.
Communicate effectively with appropriate tactics for personal and professional interactions.
Promote ethical and inclusive practice by evaluating professional considerations.
Translate research into impact by assessing the effects of research on the human experience.
Apply psychological principles to human behavior in the context of real-world interactions.
Communicate effectively with appropriate tactics for personal and professional interactions.
Promote ethical and inclusive practice by evaluating professional considerations.
Translate research into impact by assessing the effects of research on the human experience.
Tuition and savings
Paying for school
Tuition is based on number of credit hours per course. Courses are typically 3 credits, but can range from 1-6 credits. Costs do not include savings opportunities like transfer credits and scholarships.
Master's cost per course
$2,289 / course
What affects the overall cost of my program?
Your full program cost can vary by:
- Savings opportunities. Get your degree faster and for less with eligible transfer credits, scholarships and work experience credits. Students with eligible credits and relevant experience can save up to $6,800 and 9 credits off their master’s degree.
With our Tuition Guarantee, you pay one flat, affordable rate from the moment you enroll to the day you graduate from your program.
Earn your master’s degree faster and for less with eligible savings opportunities:
Other ways to save on time and tuition
Because we believe everyone deserves an affordable education, we work hard to help our students achieve one. Here’s a few ways you can save time, save money and avoid starting from scratch.
Transfer credits
Your prior eligible college credits can lower your cost and help you graduate sooner. As a transfer-friendly university, we accept eligible credits from 5,000+ accredited institutions.
Employer tuition benefits
Are you employed? Check to see if your employer has an alliance agreement with us for education benefits. This can help you save money while gaining skills that could apply to your job.
Credit for life experience
We look at all your relevant experience, from parenting to past jobs, to help you get the college credits you deserve. For every 3 credits earned, shave 6 weeks off your degree.
Alumni savings
Are you a Phoenix alum? If so, you’re eligible for special tuition rates and can save up to $2,200 on a master’s degree. You can also save with an alumni scholarship.
Military savings
If you’re an active-duty service member in the U.S. Armed Forces or an eligible spouse or dependent, you may be eligible for a lower, military tuition rate and can save on tuition.
We can help you get started
Chat with an experienced advisor who can guide you through tuition, financial aid, scholarships, transfer credits and more.
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How to pay for college
Paying for school can be intimidating, but we’re here to help you make sense of it. Our finance advisors can walk you through your options like federal financial aid and savings opportunities to minimize your debt. Plus, we can help you figure out your financial plan.
Practical. Relevant. Effective. Our alumni agree.
81% believe their education was useful
Among surveyed alumni who graduated from any program in the past year, 81% believe their University of Phoenix education has been useful in their profession.[1]
[1] 2023 Biennial Alumni Survey, May-June 2023 (1,291 completes)
Alumni story
“
I’m going to get this psychology degree … and I’m going to work for the people.”
Wanda B., MSP, 2025
Flexible learning and support for busy adults
Where you earn your degree matters
Online classes, always on
Earning a degree shouldn’t make impossible demands on your schedule. You can attend class online whenever it fits your life — day or night. Plus, courses are just 6 weeks long, so you can balance life while staying on track to graduate.
Relevant, real-world faculty
Your instructors know what works in the real world. As leaders in their respective fields, they bring a hands-on perspective and practical knowledge to the online classroom. What they teach you today can be directly applied to your career tomorrow.
Real people, real support you can rely on
Your life doesn’t stop when the sun sets. That’s why you have a support team of real people you can lean on — up to 14 hours a day, 5 days a week. You'll also have a digital library, live math tutoring, writing help and life resources and financial literacy centers.
Career Services for Life® commitment
Because your career never stands still, active students get access to career services and resources, from your first class to graduation and beyond, at no added cost. Connect with career advisors, use our Career Navigator, leverage our résumé services and more.
Dean spotlight
Learn from accomplished psychology professionals
“
My teaching philosophy centers on fostering an inclusive learning environment that blends theory with practical application.”
Sheila Babendir, EdD, LPC
Interim Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Accreditation
Accredited for 45+ years
Since 1978, University of Phoenix has maintained institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org. Learn more about the value of University of Phoenix accreditation and how it benefits our students.
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Admissions for master’s students
Getting started on your master’s degree should be simple – and with us, it is. We’ve simplified the process by removing obstacles.
No application fee, no obligation
We’ll request your prior transcripts at no cost (when possible)
No essay or entrance exam required (GMAT or GRE)
No application fee, no obligation
We’ll request your prior transcripts at no cost (when possible)
No essay or entrance exam required (GMAT or GRE)
Frequently asked questions about the online master’s in psychology
Yes. At University of Phoenix, our Master of Science in Psychology program is designed for busy adults, like you, who want to balance life while staying on track to graduate.
We believe earning a degree shouldn’t make impossible demands on your schedule, which is why you can attend class online whenever it fits your life. With an online classroom open 24/7 and the ability to take one course at a time, you can plan around personal commitments while still achieving your educational goals. Unlike some traditional universities, here, the choice is yours. Learn when and where you want.
At University of Phoenix, tuition is based on number of credit hours per course. Courses are three credits. The cost per credit for online master’s in psychology courses is $698. You’ll also pay a $195 resource fee for each course. The estimated cost per course is $2,289. There are 12 core courses.
Keep in mind these costs do not include saving opportunities like transfer credits and scholarships. Browse master’s degree saving opportunities at University of Phoenix.
The published program length for the online MS in Psychology is 17 months.
Yes, the MS in Psychology coursework aligns with the standards established by the American Psychological Association (APA). The five core learning goals include knowledge base in psychology, scientific mindedness, ethical and social responsibility, communication and professional development.
The online master’s in psychology equips you with a powerful toolkit of skills for a range of professions. From mastering written communication and psychological concepts to enhancing people management, group influence and critical thinking, you'll gain expertise that translates across industries.
You could prepare to become a compliance manager, program manager, instructor or regulatory affairs manager. Whether you're analyzing decisions, solving complex problems or leading teams with professionalism, the Master of Science in Psychology prepares you for roles where understanding behavior drives results.
The Master of Science in Psychology is an educational degree program that provides a foundation of knowledge in the field of psychology. This program does not prepare students for any type of professional certification or licensure as a psychologist.
No. The Master of Science in Psychology is an educational degree program that provides a foundation of knowledge in the field of psychology. This program does not prepare students for any type of professional certification or licensure as a psychologist.
To be eligible for a master’s degree program, you must meet the following criteria:
- You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or have a valid visa if you’re living in the U.S.
- You have earned a bachelor's (or comparable undergraduate) degree from an approved, college or university with institutional accreditation, or hold a comparable degree from a recognized institution outside the United States
- You have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) shown on a bachelor's (or comparable undergraduate) degree posted transcript
- You have not previously been expelled from a higher education institution
- You will complete all required forms for admission, as well as submit official test scores and transcripts from all colleges and universities you've attended
Learn more about admission requirements
No specific bachelor’s degree field is required to start a master’s degree. You must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) shown on a bachelor's (or comparable undergraduate) degree from an accredited institution. Learn about transferring credits.
Sign up for a University account to start the process. Complete your program application in about 20 minutes. Apply now
We have an open admissions policy that allows you to apply without standardized test scores, so GMAT/GRE test results are not required. What is required for admissions?
No, application to University of Phoenix is free. We strive to remove barriers for new students that might interrupt higher education goals, including fees for application. Explore costs and tuition.
At University of Phoenix virtual learning creates an engaging online experience with the flexibility that fits your lifestyle. Experience one-on-one connections with experienced faculty and collaboration with your classmates—all without the commute to class. Know more about student life.
As a university for working adults, we’ve created the flexibility to balance family, work and school. With a classroom that’s open 24/7 you can take one 5-6 week course at a time, allowing you to go to school on your schedule. Find out more about learning online.
Academic advisors are available 6 am to 7 pm, 5 days a week to provide guidance and support throughout your educational journey. Sign up to connect with advisors.
You can ask questions directly to your instructor about assignments and any other topics in your virtual classroom platform – Blackboard. You will also use Blackboard to collaborate with classmates, review assignments, receive feedback from your instructor, and stay on track with homework. Learn more about your virtual classroom.
Our online master’s programs can take anywhere from 12-37 months to complete depending on the degree or academic field you choose to pursue. Some competency-based programs may be completed sooner.
You may be able to shorten your path to graduation. Some master’s degrees have competency-based options to finish sooner. Other saving opportunities include transfer credits and credit for past work experience to help you finish your degree faster and for less. Learn more about master’s degree saving opportunities.
No, a University of Phoenix diploma does not indicate that the degree was earned online. The diploma only shows that the degree was earned in a specific field of study. We also offer continued opportunites after you graduate. Explore alumni benefits.
Every student at University of Phoenix has access to free career tools and resources. You can define your career goals, get help with your resumé, and prepare for your job search.
You can also use our career guides to explore on-the-job skills and opportunities for enhancement in your career of choice.
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