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The field of psychology not only benefits its professionals with challenging careers and satisfying salaries, it also rewards its professionals with the knowledge that they contribute to the mental health maintenance and sustenance of individuals in their communities. Those professionals of psychology include Counselors, Behavioral Health Specialists, Psychiatrists, Forensic Psychologists, Rehabilitation Program Directors, and Social Workers. Many individuals who work in those occupations acquire both a Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree and a Masters in Psychology Degree. While there is no doubt that obtaining a Masters in Psychology Degree is a demanding pursuit, it is also a short-term sacrifice for long-term career and financial stability.

Online programs provide students with a great means of acquiring a degree while still continuing to work professionally. All of the colleges and universities reviewed below offer some of the best online Masters in Psychology Degree programs that exist today.

There are many characteristics that make schools stand out, and some of the most desirable of those characteristics are accreditation and comprehensiveness of degree programs. Each of the colleges and universities that is mentioned below possesses an online Masters in Psychology Degree program that is both accredited and comprehensive.

1. Sacred Heart University- Cost: $725 per credit hour
Degree Name: Master’s of Science in Applied Psychology

2. Angelo State University- Cost: $304.50 per credit hour for residents of Texas;
$655.50 per credit hour for residents of Texas
Degree Name: Master’s of Science in Applied Psychology

3. Union College- Cost: $410 per credit hour
Degree Name: Master of Arts in Psychology

4. Grand Canyon University- Cost: $18,370 for the entire program
Degree Name: Master’s of Science in Applied Psychology

5. Palo Alto University- Cost: $1,046 per unit
Degree Name: Master’s of Science in Psychology

6. Walden University- Cost: between $21,000 and $44,000 per degree program
Degree Name: Master’s of Science in Psychology
Specializations: Applied Psychology, Educational Psychology, General Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Health Psychology

7. Northcentral University- Cost: $675 per credit hour
Degree Name: Master of Arts in Psychology

8. Capella University- Cost: between $420 and $430 per credit hour
Degree Name: Master’s of Science in Psychology
Specializations: Clinical Psychology, General Psychology, Child and Adolescent
Development, Counseling Psychology, Educational Psychology

9. University of the Rockies- Cost: $726 per credit hour
Degree Name: Master of Arts in Psychology
Specializations: General Psychology, Business Psychology, Career Management and
Counseling, Mental Health Administration, Sport and Performance Psychology

10. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology- Cost: $982 per credit hour
Degree Name: Master of Arts in Psychology

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Getting a degree online is becoming increasingly common in the field of psychology. While most students do attend classes on campus, telecommunication options currently allow more students to gain the same level of education from remote locations. If you are considering either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology, you might want to consider the following reasons for choosing an online degree path.

Access to Better Classes

Psychology is one of the larger majors at most universities. Even if most students do not stick out the course of study over four years, it can still be difficult to get into classes. Even worse, it can be almost impossible to get into the higher level courses, as they tend to be dominated by those who have been at the school the longest. If you want to get access to the best classes, you may want to take them online. These courses tend to allow more students to register at once, and you will no longer have to worry if two of your valued classes overlap.

A More Reasonable Schedule

Scheduling is a huge issue for psychology majors. Due to the way the major tends to be structured in most schools, it is quite difficult to find a class that takes place outside of working hours. Even if you can find a single class, you might find that many of the major’s required courses are only available during those hours which are most open occupied by work or family obligations. If you choose to get your degree online, though, you can typically do your classwork at a more convenient time. This is especially useful for those pursuing graduate degrees, as this will allow them to pursue their education without requiring them to quit their current jobs.

Pacing Concerns

Perhaps the best reason to get your psychology degree online is the ability to set your own pace. Traditional lecture courses, while useful, are time consuming. There are only so many classes in a day, and it is often impossible to accelerate the speed of your education if you follow the school’s traditional schedule. Rather that finding a method of attending multiple physical classes at once, you can pursue your degree online and go as fast or slow as you like. Most online programs have different options for those who want to go more slowly or those who want to go faster, and it is easy to find a way to get into courses when you need them.

Getting an online degree gives you more freedom in choosing your courses, a greater ability to choose your own hours and a great chance to get the degree at your own pace. While choosing the online path may not be perfect for every student, it is often the best choice for those who value a bit of independence in their own studies. It can take time to get used to online classes, but those who have taken such courses are often amazed at how valuable the experience can be.

About the Author

Jim Rayfield is a columnist for Online Psychology Degree, a resource for prospective psychology students.

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