2020 Most Affordable Master's Degrees in Psychology Online
These schools represent the least expensive options for obtaining an online master's degree in psychology. Fort Hays State University, our top-ranked school, has the lowest tuition on the list at only $4,316 per year. Classes for FHSU's Master of Science in School Psychology include Advanced Child Psychopathology, Appraisal of Children, Behavior Therapy, and Observation in School Psychology. California Coast University, ranked #2, offers an annual tuition rate of $4,485 for its M.S. Psychology.
You can read more about our ranked schools below or browse our rankings of the most affordable online bachelor's in psychology degrees. View our methodology or learn more about OnlineU.
| Rank | School | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Hays State University | $4,316 | |
| California Coast University | $4,485 | |
| University of Central Missouri | $5,488 | |
| Aspen University | $5,850 | |
| American Public University System | $7,000 | |
| Union College - KY | $7,200 | |
| University of Louisiana-Monroe | $7,500 | |
| University of Nevada - Reno | $7,525 | |
| Fayetteville State University | $7,583 | |
| University of North Dakota | $7,785 | |
| Adams State University | $7,830 | |
| Indiana Institute of Technology | $8,755 | |
| Touro University Worldwide | $9,000 | |
| Tiffin University | $9,713 | |
| University of Idaho | $9,876 | |
| Western New Mexico University | $10,334 | |
| Bellevue University | $10,530 | |
| University of Northern Colorado | $10,545 | |
| Adler Graduate School | $10,782 | |
| Eastern Kentucky University | $10,998 | |
| Ball State University | $11,067 | |
| Southern New Hampshire University Online | $11,286 | |
| Marian University - Wisconsin | $11,400 | |
| The University of Arizona Global Campus | $11,430 | |
| Johnson & Wales University-Online | $11,445 |
Fort Hays State University Hays (KS) Fort Hays State University offers two online master's degrees in psychology. The Master of Science in Counseling- School Counseling is typically a 3-year degree consisting of 48 credit hours; those without a teaching background will need to complete 54 with prerequisite classes. Students will complete a practicum, internship, and comprehensive exams. They will learn about issues that arise with youth and how to help them as they grow and develop. Upon program completion, students will be prepared... for licensure. The Master of Science in School Psychology requires 30 credit hours and offers part-time and full-time tracks. The program curriculum includes comprehensive exams, in-person observations, a portfolio presentation, and a 5-day on-campus workshop. Online courses are delivered through the Blackboard learning management system and may include discussion boards, videos, team projects, and exams. Students can save money by applying as an in-state resident or a resident of a contiguous state. Financial aid and graduate assistantships are also available for qualified students. Distance learners have access to office hours, career services, online tutoring, and technical support. Students can apply online and will need to provide an official bachelor’s degree transcript with a minimum of 60 credits, entrance exam scores, letters of recommendation, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and prerequisite coursework. Applications must be received by October 1st for the spring semester or June 1st for the fall semester.
Example Classes: Advanced Child Psychopathology, Appraisal of Children, Behavior Therapy, Inferential Statistics, Observation in School Psychology |
California Coast University Santa Ana (CA) California Coast University offers a Master of Science in Psychology through self-paced online courses. This online psychology degree requires 39 units (13 classes) plus comprehensive exams. Students gain a broad understanding of the psychology field, covering a range of topics from research methods to aging. The coursework for this degree is all online. Students can transfer credits, take challenge exams, or take study guide courses to reduce their tuition costs. There are also interest-free payment... plans and tuition discounts for active duty military members, law enforcement, firefighters, government employees, and previous California Coast graduates. All online classes are delivered through the student portal, Coast Connection. Resources available to online students include a writing lab, student success resources to improve studying and test-taking skills, an electronic library, and dedicated Student Success Advisors. Students can apply to this program at any time. They must have a bachelor’s degree in psychology or another field accepted by the Admissions Committee. If they are accepted with a non-psychology degree, they will have to take some prerequisite courses. Those that meet the requirements can submit an online application and transcripts from all previous college coursework.
Example Classes: Alcohol and Chemical Substance Abuse, Developmental Psychology, Group Psychotherapy, Physiological Psychology, Psychology of Aging, Psychopathology |
University of Central Missouri Warrensburg (MO) The University of Central Missouri offers a 30-semester hour Master of Science in Behavior Analysis with a Behavior Analysis Therapy focus. Students complete 24 hours of required coursework and six hours of practicum (supervised experience). The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam. Those who pass the exam are qualified to seek Behavior Analyst (LBA) licensure. The courses are taught by board certified behavior analysts and primarily consist... of lectures and seminars followed by supervised experience. They run in 8- or 16-week sessions and allow students to complete coursework at their convenience while meeting set deadlines. Students can transfer up to 12 credits into the university. There are discounts for state residency, and financial aid and scholarships are available. A variety of student resources are offered, including a writing lab, test preparation and professional development courses, and success advising. Applications are only accepted for the fall semester and should be submitted by April 15th. Application requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, three letters of recommendation, and a goal statement. Students with previous graduate-level coursework need a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Example Classes: Behavior Analysis and Therapy-2, Behavioral Medicine, Ethics and Behavioral Healthcare, Psychology of Learning |
Aspen University Denver (CO)
Example Classes: Counseling Ethics, Neurobiology of Addiction, Psychology of Addiction, Substance Abuse Prevention |
American Public University System Charles Town (WV)
Example Classes: Crisis and Emergency Intervention, Learning and Cognition, Multicultural Issues in Human Behavior, Physiological Psychology, Psychopathology, Substance Abuse and Addiction |
Union College - KY Barbourville (KY)
Example Classes: Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience, Advanced Psychopathology, Emotion, Motivation & Cognition, Group Dynamics, Multicultural & Diversity Issues, Psychology of Addiction, Recovery & Relapse, Social & Community Psychology |
University of Louisiana-Monroe Monroe (LA)
Example Classes: Advanced Theories of Crime and Delinquency, Counseling in Criminal Justice, Intelligence Testing, Minorities, Crime, and Criminal Justice, Psychological Assessment, Sociology of Law |
University of Nevada - Reno Reno (NV)
Example Classes: Behavior Management and Consultation, Behavioral Analysis of Language and Cognition, Behavioral Interventions, Ethics in Psychology, Radical Behaviorism, Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis |
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville (NC)
Example Classes: Cognitive Aspects of Behavior, Ethical and Professional Issues, Principles and Techniques of Teaching Psychology, Psychological Consultation and Supervision, Psychology of Diversity, Psychology of Social and Interpersonal Communication |
University of North Dakota Grand Forks (ND)
Example Classes: Behavior Pathology, Cognitive Psychology, Foundations of Behavioral Data Analytics, Human Factors in Cyber Security, Insider Threat Analysis, Readings in Psychology |
Adams State University Alamosa (CO)
Example Classes: Case Studies in Applied Sport Psychology, Mental Strength & Conditioning, Sport Psychology |
Indiana Institute of Technology Fort Wayne (IN)
Example Classes: Advanced Biopsychology, Advanced Social Psychology, Legal and Ethical Issues in Psychology, Multicultural Psychology, Statistics for Behavioral Sciences, Writing in Psychology |
Touro University Worldwide Los Angeles (CA)
Example Classes: Career Counseling, Changing Health Behaviors, Communication and Persuasion, Group Dynamics, Stress and Coping in Health Psychology, The Psychological Impact of Media and Technology |
Tiffin University Tiffin (OH)
Example Classes: Cognitive Psychology, History and Systems of Psychology, Neuropsychology, Professional Issues I: Law and Ethics, Professional Issues II: Cross Cultural Issues in Psychology, Social Psychology |
University of Idaho Moscow (ID)
Example Classes: Cognitive Psychology, Engineering Psychology, Ergonomics and Biomechanics, Human Factors in Engineering Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Sensation and Perception |
Western New Mexico University Silver City (NM)
Example Classes: Cultural Psychology, Health Psychology, Human Motivation, Psychology of Gender, Psychology of Prejudice, Psychology of Sports and Exercises |
Bellevue University Bellevue (NE)
Example Classes: Advanced Industrial and Organizational Psychology Practice, Applied Organizational Psychology, Job Analysis and Performance Appraisal, Personnel Selection, Social Psychology |
University of Northern Colorado Greeley (CO)
Example Classes: Brain and Education, Cultural Issues in Educational Psychology, Educational Psychology for Teachers, Life Span Developmental Psychology, Motivation in Education |
Adler Graduate School Richfield (MN)
Example Classes: Adlerian Approaches to Workplace Relations, Early Recollections and Dream Analysis, Holistic Assessment and Metaphor Therapy, Systems of Family Therapy, The Psychodynamics of Psychopathology, Values, Ethics and Legalities |
Eastern Kentucky University Richmond (KY)
Example Classes: Consulting and Business Skills, Organizational Change and Development, Performance Management, Practicum in I-O Psychology, Work Analysis |
Ball State University Muncie (IN)
Example Classes: Adolescent Development, Adult Development and Aging, Human Learning and Achievement Motivation, Methodology of Educational and Psychological Research, Psychology of Human Development, Statistical Methods in Educational and Psychological Research |
Southern New Hampshire University Online Manchester (NH)
Example Classes: Ethical Practice in Psychology, Leadership and Ethics, Managing Difficult Conversations at Work, Social Psychology, Theories of Personality, Women in Leadership |
Marian University - Wisconsin Fond du Lac (WI)
Example Classes: I/O Analytics with R, Concepts of Organizational Development, Principles of Compensation Evaluation, Psychometrics for Selection & Assessment, Training & Development Design |
The University of Arizona Global Campus San Diego (CA)
Example Classes: Applied Social Psychology, Biological Bases of Behavior, Developmental Psychology, Psychological Testing & Assessment, Psychopharmacology, Research Design & Methods |
Johnson & Wales University-Online Providence (RI)
Example Classes: Attitude and Motivation in the Workplace, Coaching and Consultation Skills, Economics in the Global Economy, Talent Development, Team Dynamics |
