OnlinePsychologyDegreeGuide.com was created with the intention of helping prospective students to find a psychology degree program that truly fits their needs. Whether you’ve gotten a degree before but now want to change fields, you’re interested in improving your resume and moving up the corporate ladder, or you’re simply looking to study a particular subject, earning a degree can take up far too much of two resources: time and money.

To assist with this issue, we first researched accredited colleges offering 100% online psychology programs. Over time, and particularly with the COVID-19 pandemic, online schooling has transformed into the new standard of learning. With this in mind, we endeavored to find and review colleges with flexible scheduling, self-paced courses, and 24/7 access to the classroom. To put it more simply, we searched for the programs that can adapt to your busy life. We then looked at tuition and other costs, financial aid availability, and credit transfer options to determine the schools with the best value. The result is our list of the Top 5 Colleges for Online Psychology Degree Programs.

Wherever you are in life currently, entering the world of psychology and achieving your dreams in the field is always possible -- and the best way to get started is by earning your degree. We’ve created this site with the hope that we aid your decision and help get you on the path towards a successful career.

For anyone looking for a career that will make a huge difference in the lives of others, look no further than the field of psychology. While there are many lines of work within the field, each job path aims to assist others through an understanding of human mental and behavioral processes. Besides offering a career centered around helping other people, earning a degree in psychology will provide you with invaluable communication and problem-solving skills that can also open up a number of opportunities in other fields.

Within psychology, there are several branches of study to consider -- general psychology, social work, and counseling being just a few. Each branch offers its own career path, which means you can truly tailor your interests to find the perfect line of work within the field. Whether you are interested in helping kids get through school, helping people work through their substance abuse problems, or working in a large company with the goal of improving work conditions for all employees, earning a degree in psychology is the first step in getting started. As most psychology-related jobs are expected to see massive growth over the coming decade, opting for a psychology degree is likely to lead you to a career that is both stable and fulfilling. Here are just a few of the jobs a degree in psychology can offer you:

1. Becoming a General Psychologist: Psychology Degrees

   Psychologists study the emotions and behaviors of their clients. Whether it’s conducting scientific studies, working in a private practice, or working within a broader healthcare team, this work can involve a variety of specializations. Most psychologists have a doctorate degree, but there are some positions that only require a master’s and a license to practice. It’s important that anyone choosing this career has significant communication and organizational skills, as the work requires that you try to understand the mindsets of others in order to offer constructive and often life-changing assistance.

   Those looking for a fulfilling line of work that will allow you to help others can find ample opportunity in a career as a psychologist.

   Median Pay: $102,900

   Job Growth: General psychologist positions are expected to grow by 6% between 2021 and 2031, which is about average⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾.

2. Becoming an Organizational Psychologist: Psychology Degrees

   Organizational psychologists work within a company or organization with the aim of improving the work environment, increasing productivity, and in general using their knowledge of psychology to fine-tune operations. People working in this field typically have a master’s degree in psychology, though many go on to earn a doctorate. While you will be working within organizations rather than with individuals, the variety of workplaces available to you will be immense -- you could work anywhere, whether it’s in a hospital, a Fortune 500 company, or a small, family-owned business. Succeeding in this field of work will require notable communication skills, organizational abilities, and background knowledge on the wider field your organization exists within, whether that’s finance, healthcare, or something else. If you are interested in psychology, interested in socializing with a variety of people, and willing to build up and utilize business skills, becoming an organizational psychologist may suit you.

   Median Pay: $105,310

   Job Growth: Organizational psychologist positions are expected to grow by 4% between 2021 and 2031, which is about average⁽²⁾.

3. Becoming a School Psychologist: Educational Psychology Degrees

   As the name implies, school psychologists work in schools to provide support to students with regards to their mental health and their ability to learn. They may work directly with individual students by providing care relevant to their personal situation or needs, or they may work on improving the learning environment for all students at a school by working with teachers and staff to implement new systems that better meet student needs. This type of psychologist can work at any school or related organization, from public and private elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and colleges, to community youth centers to juvenile justice centers, so being equipped to work with people with varying backgrounds is necessary. Most people in this position hold either a master’s or a doctorate degree in psychology or educational psychology, with an emphasis on hands-on training. Besides a strong background in psychology and education, school psychologists need strong interpersonal skills and the empathy and patience to work with children of all ages. Anyone interested in both psychology and helping students through school should consider this career path.

   Median Pay: $78,780

   Job Growth: School psychologist positions are expected to grow by 6% between 2021 and 2031, which is about average⁽²⁾.

4. Becoming a Community Service Manager: Psychology Degrees

   Community service managers, also known as social service managers, coordinate community organizations and community service programs. While managing a program, supervising staff, and working towards program improvements are always key functions of this role, exact duties will be determined by the organization in question. Some organizations or services focus on working with specific groups of people, such as homeless people, the elderly, or youth, while others focus on particular social issues, including helping with hunger in the community or providing resources to alleviate unemployment -- common workplaces include hospitals, shelters, or offices. You may be in charge of budgeting, drafting proposals, coming up with new initiatives, and hiring within the organization. Typically, community service managers hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology or another degree related to public health or business in general, with some managers opting for a master’s degree. Having a background in psychology will provide a strong foundation for working with a diverse group of people and understanding the varied needs that they might have. Other relevant skills include knowledge on how to run a business and maintain a budget, and notable public speaking skills as you’ll likely need to make frequent presentations as manager.

   Median Pay: $74,000

   Job Growth: Community service manager positions are expected to grow by 12% between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than average⁽³⁾.

5. Becoming a Social Worker: Social Work Degrees

   Social workers assist individuals and communities with their everyday problems, their mental and behavioral health, and their emotional regulation, and work to advocate for the clients and groups they work with. A social worker’s duties will depend on their location, their education level, and the type of social worker they are -- types include child and family social workers, school social workers, healthcare social workers, and mental health and substance abuse social workers. Each of these types focus on helping people within the scope of their concentration. Regarding education, social workers interested in more administrative work can earn a bachelor’s in psychology or social work. For those looking to work directly in the field at the clinical level, earning a master’s in social work and getting a license to practice in your state is generally expected. In most cases, social workers who have earned a master’s degree will need at least two years of supervised work after they graduate, and will also need to pass a licensing exam. As far as skills go, exceptional communication and problem-solving skills are necessary to thrive in this line of work. With a variety of concentrations to opt for, social work is an appealing field to many, and it is expected to see massive growth over the next decade. Those interested in psychology and in helping others are likely to find fulfillment in this career, as social workers have a direct effect on the people they work with.

   Median Pay: $50,390

   Job Growth: Social worker positions are expected to grow by 9% between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than average⁽⁴⁾.

6. Becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist: Marriage and Family Therapy Degrees

   Marriage and family therapists work with individuals, couples, and families in a therapy setting with the aim of improving their emotional regulation, their coping skills, and their problem management. Clients are encouraged to discuss their emotions and experiences openly with their therapist as a means of processing past events, future decisions, and emotions. In turn, therapists typically work with clients by offering advice and techniques that can develop their coping skills and change any damaging behavior patterns. In general, the role that family or marriage plays in a client’s life is often a big theme of these sessions. Marriage and family therapists need a master’s degree in psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related field, as well as a license to practice in their state, which typically requires post-degree supervised work in the field. It’s important that therapists have the communication skills necessary to work with a variety of people -- both speaking and listening skills are pertinent to success in this career. If you are interested in psychology and want a hands-on job that will allow you to make a difference in the lives of your clients, this field is expected to see significant growth over the coming years.

   Median Pay: $49,880

   Job Growth: Marriage and family therapist positions are expected to grow by 14% between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than average⁽⁵⁾.

7. Becoming a Mental Health Counselor: Psychology Degrees

   Mental health counselors work with clients suffering from mental and behavioral illnesses and problems, such as depression, anxiety, or chronic stress. They assist clients in finding appropriate treatment and changing damaging behavior patterns for the betterment of their lives. This can involve working with the client’s family, considering treatment plans in conjunction with a larger healthcare team, or suggesting resources such as career centers for job placement. Education requirements can vary, but in most cases mental health counselors need a master’s degree in psychology or a related field and a license to practice. Interpersonal skills, which include listening and speaking skills, are needed to succeed as an effective mental health counselor. Patience and compassion are also key, as you will be dealing with sensitive subject matters. Expected to grow significantly over the next decade, mental health counseling is a great field to consider for anyone looking to make a difference in the lives of others.

   Median Pay: $48,520

   Job Growth: Mental health counselor positions are expected to grow by 22% between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than average⁽⁶⁾.