Thinking about what makes people tick and want a job that pays well? Psychology could be for you! And guess what? You can even study it online from your couch. But with so many online schools, how do you pick one that’s good and will help you get a job that pays the bills?
This simple guide will show you some of the best online psychology degrees that can lead to good-paying jobs. We’ll talk about different types of psychology you can study, what you’ll learn, and the jobs you might get. This will make it easy for you to decide what’s best for your future.
Why Study Psychology Online?
Let’s quickly see why getting your psychology degree online is a smart move:
- Learn When You Want: You can study when it fits your life, like around work or family.
- Go to School Anywhere: You can learn from good schools even if they’re far away.
- Save Some Money: Online schools can sometimes cost less.
- Lots to Choose From: You can find many different kinds of psychology to study online.
- Get Tech Smart: Studying online helps you get better with computers, which is good for any job.
Good Online Psychology Degrees That Can Lead to Good Jobs
While a bachelor’s degree in psychology can get you started, getting a master’s or doctorate often means you can do more specialized work and earn more money. Here are some of the best online psychology degrees known for leading to good careers and paychecks:
1. Clinical Psychology (Master’s or Doctorate)
Easy Keywords: online therapy degree, online mental health degree, become a therapist online, psychology doctor online, help people with their minds
What it is: Clinical psychology is about understanding and helping people with their mental and emotional problems. People in this field talk to people, figure out what’s wrong, and help them feel better.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to tell what mental health problems someone has.
- Ways to help people feel better through talking (like therapy).
- How to help when someone is having a really hard time.
- How to do research and see if treatments are working.
- What’s right and wrong when helping people with their mental health.
Good Jobs You Can Get:
- Clinical Psychologist: You can have your own office or work in hospitals and clinics, helping people with their mental health. They make around $85,000 a year on average, and experienced ones can make even more.
- Therapist/Counselor: You can talk to people one-on-one or in groups to help them with their problems. How much you make depends on what you specialize in, but there’s a big need for therapists.
- Mental Health Boss: You can be in charge of mental health programs in different organizations.
- Researcher: You can study mental health problems and how to treat them at schools or research centers.
Things to Think About for Online Programs: If you want to be a clinical psychologist (especially with a doctorate like a PsyD or PhD), make sure the school is approved (like by the APA in the US). Also, you’ll need to get real-world experience working with people, which might mean doing some things in person.
2. Counseling Psychology (Master’s or Doctorate)
Easy Keywords: online counseling degree, online career help degree, online school counseling, help people with life problems
What it is: Counseling psychology is about helping people with everyday life problems, like stress, relationships, and school issues. They help people grow and reach their goals.
What You’ll Learn:
- Different ways to help people talk through their problems.
- How to figure out what people need and what they’re good at.
- How to help people with their careers and find jobs.
- How to lead group talks.
- How to be respectful of different backgrounds when helping people.
Good Jobs You Can Get:
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): You can have your own practice or work in places like schools and community centers, helping people with their mental health. They often make around $60,000 a year, and you can make more as you get more experience.
- School Counselor: You can help students with their schoolwork, feelings, and social life. They make around $61,000 a year on average.
- Career Counselor: You can help people figure out what jobs they want and how to get them.
- Mental Health Counselor: You can work in different places helping people with various mental health issues.
Things to Think About for Online Programs: Just like with clinical psychology, make sure the online counseling program is approved (like by CACREP in the US). You’ll also need to get hands-on experience through internships.
3. Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology (Master’s or Doctorate)
Easy Keywords: online business psychology degree, online HR psychology, psychology at work, make work better
What it is: I-O psychology uses psychology to make workplaces better. They help companies hire the right people, make employees happier and more productive, and improve how the business works.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to figure out what skills are needed for a job.
- How to pick the best people to hire.
- How to train employees and help them grow.
- How to see how well people are doing at their jobs.
- How to make organizations run better.
- How to be a good leader and build strong teams.
- How to look at data and do research.
Good Jobs You Can Get:
- I-O Psychologist: You can work inside a company or as a consultant, using psychology to solve problems at work. They make a lot of money, around $118,000 a year on average!
- Human Resources Manager: You can lead the HR department, often using what you learned in I-O psychology. They make around $136,000 a year on average.
- Management Consultant: You can give advice to companies on how to be more efficient and make their employees happier.
- Recruiter: You can focus on finding and hiring the best people for a company.
- Training Specialist: You can create and run training programs for employees.
Things to Think About for Online Programs: Look for online I-O psychology programs that teach you how to do research, understand numbers, and use psychology in the business world. It’s also good if the program helps you connect with people in the business field.
4. School Psychology (Master’s or Specialist Degree)
Easy Keywords: online school psychologist degree, help kids at school, child psychology online, education psychology online
What it is: School psychology is about helping kids with their learning, feelings, and behavior at school. School psychologists work with students, teachers, and parents to make school a good place for everyone.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to see what kind of help students need with their schoolwork and feelings.
- How to create plans to help kids learn and behave better.
- How to talk to students and families.
- How to give advice to teachers and principals.
- How to help when there’s a crisis at school.
- How schools work and the rules they have.
Good Jobs You Can Get:
- School Psychologist: You can work in schools and help students with different problems. They make around $61,000 a year on average, but you can make more with more education.
- Education Consultant: You can give advice to schools on how to help students better.
- Child Development Specialist: You can work in different places that focus on how kids grow and develop.
Things to Think About for Online Programs: Make sure the online school psychology program is approved by the right groups (like NASP in the US) and that you get to do internships in real schools to get experience.
5. Forensic Psychology (Master’s or Doctorate)
Easy Keywords: online crime psychology degree, psychology and law online, criminal minds online, work with the law using psychology
What it is: Forensic psychology uses psychology in the legal system. Forensic psychologists might work with police, courts, and prisons, giving their expert opinions on people involved in legal cases.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to figure out what someone’s mental state is when they’re involved in a crime.
- How to give expert testimony in court.
- How to understand why people commit crimes (to some extent).
- How the law and psychology work together.
- How to help criminals change.
- How to help pick juries for trials.
Good Jobs You Can Get:
- Forensic Psychologist: You can do evaluations, give expert testimony, and work in legal and prison settings. How much you make can vary a lot, but experienced ones can make over $80,000 – $100,000 a year.
- Correctional Psychologist: You can provide mental health care to people in prison.
- Probation/Parole Officer: You can supervise people who are on probation or parole, often using psychology.
- Consultant for Lawyers: You can help lawyers with their cases and jury selection.
Things to Think About for Online Programs: Look for online forensic psychology programs that teach you about both psychology and the law. Getting internships in legal settings is very important for getting experience.
What to Think About When Choosing an Online Psychology School
Besides the type of psychology, here are some important things to consider when picking an online program:
- Is it Approved? Make sure the program is approved by a good organization. This means it meets certain quality standards.
- Who are the Teachers? Check if the teachers are qualified and know a lot about psychology.
- What Will You Learn? Look at the classes they offer to make sure they match what you want to do.
- Will You Get Real-World Experience? For some jobs (like therapist), you need to work with people while you’re learning. Make sure the program helps you do that.
- How Does the Program Work Online? See if the classes are live or if you can do them anytime. Also, see if they offer help with technology and school stuff.
- How Much Does it Cost? Find out the tuition and if they offer any help paying for it.
- Can You Connect with Others? See if there are ways to talk to teachers and other students online.
Why You Need to Be Licensed
For many psychology jobs where you work directly with people (like clinical and counseling psychology), you need a license. Each state has its own rules for getting a license, but usually, you need a master’s or doctoral degree from an approved school, work experience under supervision, and to pass a test.
Make sure the online program you choose will help you meet the license requirements in the state where you want to work.
How to Do Well in Online Psychology Programs
To do well in online school, you need to be organized and manage your time well. Here are some tips:
- Have a Study Spot: Find a quiet place where you can focus on your schoolwork.
- Make a Schedule: Treat your online classes like real classes and set aside time to study.
- Join in Online Talks: Participate in online discussions with your classmates and teachers.
- Use School Resources: Take advantage of online libraries and tutoring.
- Stay Organized: Keep track of deadlines and assignments.
- Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to reach out to your teachers if you need help.
- Connect with Classmates: Talk to other students to support each other.
The Future of Psychology and Online Learning
More and more people understand how important mental health is, so there will likely be more jobs in psychology. Online learning makes it easier for more people to study psychology.
As technology gets better, online psychology programs will probably have even cooler ways to learn, like virtual reality.
In Short: Your Path to a Good Psychology Job Starts Online
Getting your psychology degree online can be a great way to start a career that you enjoy and that pays well. By looking at different types of psychology, thinking about what you want to do, and choosing a good, approved program, you can reach your goals. Remember to pick a program that will give you the skills and experience you need to get licensed and succeed in your chosen field. The world of psychology is waiting for you – your online journey begins now!
Easy FAQs About Online Psychology Degrees and Jobs
Q: Can I really learn psychology well online? A: Yes! Good online schools have qualified teachers and teach you what you need to know. Just make sure the school is approved by a good organization.
Q: Do employers respect online psychology degrees? A: Yes, if you go to an approved online school, employers will usually respect your degree. They care about what you know and can do.
Q: Will an online psychology degree limit my job choices? A: Not usually. Most jobs you can get with a regular psychology degree, you can also get with an online one, especially for master’s and doctorate degrees. However, some jobs might need you to have in-person work experience.
Q: How long does it take to get an online psychology degree? A: It depends on the degree. A bachelor’s is usually 4 years, a master’s is 2-3 years, and a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) can be 4-7 years. Some online programs let you go faster.
Q: Do I need a psychology degree to get a master’s or doctorate online? A: Many graduate programs prefer you have a bachelor’s in psychology, but some might accept other related degrees if you take some psychology classes first.
Q: What tech stuff do I need for online psychology programs? A: Usually, you need a good internet connection and a computer with a camera and microphone. The school will tell you if you need any special software.
Q: How do online psychology programs help me get work experience? A: For programs that lead to licenses (like therapists), the school will usually help you find places to do internships and get supervised work experience in your area.
Q: Can I get help paying for online psychology degrees? A: Yes! Approved online schools can usually get federal and other financial aid, like loans and grants. Check with the school about what’s available.
Q: How do I know if an online psychology school is real and not a fake? A: Always check if the school is approved by a recognized organization (like APA or CACREP for psychology programs in the US). Look at the school’s website, the teachers’ backgrounds, and reviews from students. Be careful of schools that seem too easy or quick.
Q: What skills do I need to be good at a psychology job? A: You need to be able to talk and write well, listen carefully, understand people’s feelings, think critically, solve problems, do research, make good ethical choices, and be respectful of different cultures.