An online master's in clinical psychology can lead to doctoral study and licensure as a clinical psychologist. A master's degree may also open doors to positions in government offices and schools or as a counselor or therapist.
Explore our rankings list of the top online clinical master's programs. Find out what it costs to earn your degree and how much you can make as a clinical psychologist.
Why Get a Master's in Clinical Psychology Online?
A master's in clinical psychology prepares students for a lifetime of fulfilling work. Clinical psychologists can positively impact the lives of those with emotional and behavioral health conditions.
Online clinical psychology programs provide convenience and flexibility. Learners save time and money by not commuting to campus. Asynchronous online programs allow students to complete coursework at their own time, making room for other responsibilities.
Earning a master's in clinical psychology can help prepare graduates for higher-paying positions. According to Dec. 2023 Payscale data, professionals with a master's in clinical psychology earn an average annual salary of $61,000. Those who go on to complete a doctorate in psychology earn an average of $92,000 annually.
Popular Online Master's in Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Master's Programs in Clinical Psychology
#1 Best Online Clinical Psychology Master’s Programs
Pepperdine University
- Malibu, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: American Psychological Association
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,875
Out-of-State | $1,875
Credits to Graduate: 62-68
Students enrolled in Pepperdine University's online master's in clinical psychology receive a practice-based course of study with the ability to complete clinical training in or near their residence. Core coursework covers key topics, such as multicultural counseling and substance abuse treatment, preparing graduates to pursue licensure as licensed clinical counselors or licensed marriage and family therapists.
The online curriculum features weekly live classes that encourage participation and collaboration and an interactive delivery format that includes modules, video lectures, and case studies.
Percent Online Enrollment
36%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#2 Best Online Clinical Psychology Master’s Programs
University of the Cumberlands
- Williamsburg, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $449
Out-of-State | $449
Credits to Graduate: 60
University of the Cumberlands' master's in clinical mental health counseling program trains students for an array of counseling careers working with diverse populations. The online degree fits the needs of recent baccalaureate graduates and professionals who want to broaden their career prospects. The program comprises 48 credits in core counseling areas and field requirements and 12 credits that focus on mental health counseling for children, adults, couples, and families.
The online course delivery format consists of two eight-week classes per semester over three semesters each academic year.
Percent Online Enrollment
95%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Best Online Clinical Psychology Master’s Programs
Palo Alto University
- Palo Alto, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $580
Out-of-State | $580
Credits to Graduate: 94.5 quarter credits
The clinical mental health counseling master of arts degree at Palo Alto University prepares graduates for licensure in California as a marriage and family therapist or professional clinical counselor.
The program, which takes two years to complete, uses a cohort model, assigning students to groups who follow the same schedule and course sequence throughout the entire program. Online classes take place through the Zoom video conferencing app. Distance learners must attend two in-person training sessions preparing them for clinical fieldwork.
Retention Rate
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#4 Best Online Clinical Psychology Master’s Programs
LeTourneau University
- Longview, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $625
Out-of-State | $625
Credits to Graduate: 66
Grounded in a Christian worldview, LeTourneau University's master of arts in clinical mental health counseling trains students to work with diverse populations through ethical practice, holistic attention, and a systemic orientation. This fully online degree prepares graduates to take the National Counseling Exam required for licensure in Texas.
In addition to the core curriculum, distance learners take classes in theological approaches to counseling and specialization coursework in human sexuality and sex therapy, family assessment, addictions counseling, and couples therapy and assessment.
Percent Online Enrollment
63%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Read our methodology to learn more about how we rank the schools in this list.
How Much Does a Clinical Psychology Degree Cost?
With psychology master's tuition and fees averaging $12,050 during 2020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), students often need help financing their degrees. Distance learners can submit the Free Application for Financial Student Aid form (known as FAFSA) to apply for federal student loans and work-study opportunities.
Online clinical psychology master's students can also explore privately donated and institution- or program-based scholarship funding. Other ways to pay for school include grants from governmental and non-profit organizations, teaching and research assistantships arranged through psychology departments, and fellowships offered by professional organizations like the American Psychological Association.
Additional Online Student Fees and Expenses
Online learners save money by not paying for commuting, campus housing, or meal plans. However, additional costs and expenses — on top of tuition and fees — increase the average annual cost of an online master's in psychology program to $28,170, as reported by the NCES for 2020.
Examples of additional costs include online class materials and distance learning fees. Students may need to buy a new computer or upgrade their internet. Schools may charge extra fees to access online classroom platforms. Some clinical psychology courses may require extra computer software.
Online students must also buy books and other class materials. Buying used books or renting books can save money. Some publishers offer digital versions, which often cost less.
Financial aid funds may often be used for these additional costs and expenses.
How Much Do Clinical Psychology Majors Make?
According to Payscale data from November 2023, master of science in psychology degree holders earn an average of $63,000 per year. However, your salary with a clinical psychology master's depends on what you do with it. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marriage and family therapists earned a median annual salary of $63,300, school psychologists made $87,550, and substance misuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors brought in $56,230 as of May 2022.
Earning a doctorate can significantly raise your income. The BLS reports an average annual salary of $102,740 for clinical and counseling psychologists. Obtaining licensure — especially in states like New Jersey, Oregon, New York, Arkansas, and California — can increase the average wage for this occupation, which could range from $124,450 to $164,110 per year.
Master's in Clinical Psychology Online Courses
Master's programs in clinical psychology teach learners how to observe clients and report findings. The curriculum emphasizes research. Students complete 30-40 credits over 2-3 years. Most classes include lectures, discussions, research projects, and exams. Advanced courses often include a clinical component.
Many programs offer concentrations such as child psychology and forensic psychology. See below for three common courses in clinical psychology master's programs. Please note that course offerings vary by school.
Human Biology and Behavior
Enrollees study the correlation between brain function and behavior. Learners discover how cognitive development in adolescence influences adult behavior. Coursework also covers evolution theories. Students gain in-depth knowledge of health psychology.
Psychological Interventions
Learners explore common treatment tools and proven patient therapies. Coursework covers how to work with other mental health professionals to complete treatment plans. Students learn how medication plays a role in patients' psychological recovery. However, the class does not teach students how to prescribe medications.
Ethics in Clinical Psychology
Ethics classes cover best practices for therapeutic boundaries. Learners examine case studies to identify ethical dilemmas that could arise during sessions. Students learn the importance of protecting patient privacy. They also study the process for mandated reporting. The class trains students to make ethical decisions. Part of the class also focuses on laws that impact the profession.
How to Become a Clinical Psychologist
All states require a doctorate to become a licensed clinical psychologist and a license to practice clinical psychology. Doctoral programs generally take 4-7 years to complete, including a one-year internship.
States license clinical psychologists with a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.), which emphasizes clinical practice and tends to take fewer years to finish, or a Ph.D. in psychology, which focuses more on research and academia.
Most licensing boards require 1-2 years of supervised clinical experience post-graduation.
Licensure for Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychologists must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) oversees the exam. The exam costs $691.88, including fees.
Test-takers complete 225 multiple-choice questions and must finish the exam in four hours. You must correctly answer 70% of the questions to get a passing score of 500. The questions cover eight topics. ASPPB offers practice exams and study materials.
Clinical psychologists must pursue continuing education (CE) to renew their licenses. Organizations like the American Psychological Association offer CE opportunities. Professionals who want to transfer their practice to a different state may need to meet more requirements.
Clinical Psychology FAQs
Licensed clinical psychologists need a master's and a doctorate. Master's degree holders can practice at educational institutions. They may also work as psychological or assessment assistants.
Clinical psychologists spend 8-12 years in higher education. In addition, most state licensing boards require around 3,000 clinical hours. These hours take at least two years to complete.
Graduates may work as psychologists, school psychologists, or in private practice. According to the BLS, 27% of clinical psychologists work as self-employed professionals.
A master's in psychology may emphasize teaching practitioners how to assist clients with daily challenges -- such as anxiety, mild depression, and compulsive disorders -- using holistic counseling methods like talk therapy. On the other hand, a master's in clinical psychology may focus on developing skills in diagnosing and treating specific mental disorders, such as clinical depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia, using psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
It is important to note, however, that there is little distinction between these two concentrations, as both prepare practitioners to address a wide range of mental health conditions.
Note: Page last reviewed on December 15, 2023. The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Best College Reviews.
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