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Online Masters Psychology: Best Salaries, Careers and Jobs |
| Hot Careers > Psychology & Human Services |
| By Vicky Phillips, Online Education Analyst |
| tracywoolery/Flickr  However, there are pitfalls to watch out for in choosing an online psychology degree—especially if you wish to use your online master's for a career in counseling or clinical psychology. Online Masters Psychology Requirements The chief obstacle to be careful of in choosing an online psychology degree is state licensing. “Licensing requirements differ from state to state,” says Heather Frederick, dean of the Online Graduate School of Psychology at Northcentral University in Arizona. “Because every state is very specific in what you need in order to practice, if you’re going the master's clinical route or counseling route, you have to be a savvy consumer and make sure you are getting what you need so you can work in your state when you graduate.” Frederick advises students to “do their homework” before enrolling. Determine the counseling practice requirements in the state in which you will work—then make sure the online master's in psychology you choose meets those state-specific requirements. Almost every state requires clinical, counseling or school psychologists to attend a degree program that includes very specific courses. Most state licensing boards also require students, whether they study online or on campus, to complete a counseling internship at a local counseling center or mental health clinic under the watchful eye of a state licensed psychologist. However, says Frederick, online degree programs with majors in general or applied psychology—such as industrial or organizational psychology or health psychology—do not usually require students to meet state licensing requirements. Graduates usually do not have to get state licenses to practice in career areas such as organizational or health psychology. If state licensing is not required, students can be more relaxed in selecting an online degree program. Average Cost for Online Masters Psychology The average cost of a distance learning master's in psychology, according to national surveys on online college affordability by the editors at Get Educated, is $23,266. Some online master's cost less—for example, if you are a North Carolina resident, you can get your master of arts in psychology from East Carolina University Online for a little less than $5,000. The University of Southern California's online master's in social work on the other hand, costs about $52,000. Consult the Get Educated Online College Affordability Rankings for a list of the most affordable online psychology degrees. What Are Psychology Salaries for an Online Masters? The American Psychological Association surveyed master's-level members in 2009 and found an average salary of just under $60,000 for psychologists. According to PayScale.com, salaries for people with a psychology master's range from $33,430 to $80,647, depending on the job and geographic work location. Some positions for those who hold master's degrees include mental health counselor (the lowest paid), clinical therapist, behavior analyst or executive director of a nonprofit organization. Online PhD Psychology — Salaries Highest Higher salaries await those with online doctorates, also known as PhD degrees. “You could be marketable with a master's [but] if you want the big bucks,” you should earn your PhD, says Frederick. Those with online psychology doctorates can earn a salary almost double what an online master's degree holder can earn, according to a study by the National Science Foundation of recent doctorate graduates. Jobs That Require a Degree in Psychology General psychology programs can be customized through electives to allow a student to focus on a particular job niche, such as gerontology (working with the elderly) or school counseling. Popular online degrees in psychology at the graduate level that are more targeted include industrial or organizational psychology and health psychology. Professionals with industrial or organizational psychology graduate degrees typically work with companies to develop strategies and procedures to improve employee productivity or to resolve other workplace issues. Health psychology (or behavioral health) degrees can lead to careers in wellness education and research in schools, businesses, clinics and hospitals, or nonprofit organizations. Most people with master's degrees in psychology (51 percent) find work in educational institutions, according to a 2005 U.S. National Science Foundation study. Another 34 percent work in business and private industry, while 14 percent work for the government. Be forewarned that education psychologists or psychologists who work in schools (K-12) must meet strict licensing requirements that are determined by State Education Boards. Never enroll in an online master's in school counseling psychology without first determining if the program has been pre-approved by your State Department of Education. Online Masters Leads to New Career Opportunities Peggy Siler is a 51-year-old high-school health teacher in the state of Washington who earned her online master's degree in health psychology from Northcentral University two years ago. Getting her master's gave her a salary bump of 15 to 20 percent. She began using behavioral principles with her students that have been adopted district-wide. The programs she has designed have helped teens stop smoking and lose weight, as well as implement other positive changes in their lives. Another benefit: Siler has started a private life-coaching business, targeting teens. Siler credits her online master's in health psychology for her decision to start this second career: “I would never have even attempted this had I not gotten my master's degree.” © 2011-2013 Get Educated®, Get Educated, Inc.  Lorna Collier has been a writer and editor for more than 20 years, with specialties in education, technology, business and health. |