Accredited Online Master’s in Psychology in Colorado [2024 Updated Guide]

Enrolling in an online master’s psychology program in Colorado allows you to explore the fascinating world of human behavior without ever having to leave the comfort of your home.

Online psychology master’s degrees are perfect for those who wish to develop a deeper understanding of psychological theories, research methods, and real-world applications, while building valuable skills such as critical thinking, data analysis, and communication.

Whether you are looking to advance your current career or embark on a new path in the field of psychology, an online master’s degree can be a flexible and convenient step towards achieving your goals.

best online masters in psychology

Online Master’s in Psychology in Colorado

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online psychology master’s programs in Colorado:

  • Colorado State University
  • Capella University
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • University of Denver
  • Adam State University Colorado
  • Southern New Hampshire University

Colorado State University

Online Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

With Colorado State University’s online Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology program, you can learn how to combine your knowledge of psychology with practical skills to tackle real-world workplace issues. This program focuses on providing you with practical knowledge and techniques centering around research and consultation, making it a fantastic choice if you are aiming to apply psychology to human resources and leadership challenges in organizations.

You will need to earn 38 credit hours to graduate, and the flexibility of the program allows you to finish in either two or four years. This can vary depending on factors like your prior education, how much you are able to study, and the availability of certain courses. You will also need to take some courses during the summer.

The curriculum offers comprehensive education in I-O psychology, with a particular focus on quantitative research methods. There’s also room for you to customize your additional coursework to align with your personal goals and future plans for either work or further education.

The core of the program is grounded in coursework that prepares you to conduct research and crunch numbers, empowering you to drive meaningful change in organizations. Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • Applied Industrial Psychology
  • Applied Psychological Research Methods
  • Applied Measurement Theory
  • Applied Organizational Psychology
  • Workforce Training and Development
  • Applied Organizational Development

This is a coursework-only program and you will get hands-on experience by working on applied research and consulting projects with actual businesses.

Through your studies, you will learn how to:

  • Attract and keep top-tier employees.
  • Spot where training and development is needed.
  • Design, execute, and oversee employee and leadership development programs.
  • Handle tricky subjects like diversity in the workplace and anti-discrimination policies.
  • Create and manage surveys about employee opinions and job satisfaction.
  • Check how effective different workplace programs are.
  • Evaluate how employees are performing.
  • Study and enhance the quality of work environments.

This program blends a broad I-O psychology curriculum with applied projects, giving you experience in a field with lots of job opportunities. Additionally, a license to practice as an I-O psychologist is not required, so you can start putting what you have learned to use right away.

University of Northern Colorado

Online Master of Arts in Educational Psychology

If you are intrigued by technology’s role in teaching and learning, the University of Northern Colorado’s online Master of Arts in Educational Technology might be best match for you. This master’s degree program offers a deep dive into how technology and teaching methods work together.

Once you graduate, you will be ready to work in a variety of learning settings – from K-12 schools to colleges, online platforms, military training, business environments, and even international contexts. You could become a scholar, educator, professional developer, program creator, or consultant.

To earn your MA in Educational Technology, you will need at least 30 credits beyond your undergraduate degree and will need to pass a comprehensive exam. You must also maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • Life Span Developmental Psychology
  • Theories and Principles of Learning
  • Motivation in Education
  • Introduction to Qualitative Research
  • Educational Assessment
  • Trends and Issues in Educational Psychology

As you move through the program, you will be encouraged to work with other students and faculty on research projects and other scholarly pursuits. There’s even a push for students to publish their research and present it at academic events. You will take two courses each term alongside your peers, moving through the program as a group.

This program offers a challenging yet practical approach to learning. You will be able to apply the latest research directly to tasks like updating lesson plans, testing out new programs, designing assessments, addressing diversity, and managing challenging students.

The focus of the program is on applying research practically in the classroom, offering plenty of opportunities for hands-on, real-world learning. You will work closely with experienced faculty and team up with other education professionals. You can access your virtual classroom anytime, and the program, which starts each summer term, can be completed in 19 months.

Once you are enrolled, you will work with your academic advisor to create a study plan that suits your professional needs. All students are required to complete the core content and research courses, but you can choose your electives to tailor the program to your professional interests within educational technology.

As you work through this program, you will expand your understanding of:

  • How the brain functions
  • Society’s and culture’s role in learning
  • Fostering deep-level learning and 21st century skills
  • The nature of student motivation
  • Building student confidence and interest in learning
  • Making learning a transformative experience

Your prior experiences, existing certifications, and personal interests can influence how this degree prepares you. It could help you excel in roles like:

  • Teaching: Improving your skills in K–12, community college, or childcare teaching
  • Educational consulting or training
  • Business and industry training, research, or evaluation roles
  • Measurement and assessment roles in industry, business, or the school system

University of Denver

Online Master of Arts in School Counseling

The University of Denver offers a CACREP accredited online Master of Arts in School Counseling program . This program is designed to enable you to become a licensed school counselor, advocating for kids and teenagers in different P-12 school settings like private, public, and charter schools, using a comprehensive data-driven approach.

This online program is deeply grounded in developing your professionals skills and self-awareness. It will help you become aware of your personal experiences, strengths, and areas that need improvement, enabling you to serve the students in your school and community better.

During the program, you will gain a thorough understanding of educational systems and complex counseling concepts, allowing you to serve and advocate for children and adolescents in P-12 schools. This online degree will strengthen your school counseling identity and train you to address the academic, career, and social/emotional needs of students from diverse backgrounds. You will also be taught how to use data to recognize schoolwide trends and formulate suitable programs to help the entire student population flourish.

The program consists of 18 courses, totaling 72 quarter credit hours, and you can complete it in as little as 24 months if you are studying full time. You will learn directly from professionals in school counseling and mental health, and you will develop your personal counselor identity through activities like field training, mock counseling sessions, journaling, and lots of self-reflection.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • Basic Counseling Techniques
  • Counseling Theory
  • Research Methods and Program Evaluation
  • Group Counseling Theory
  • Roles & Responsibilities of the School Counselor
  • Diversity: Multicultural Counseling Psychosocial Issues

In addition to mock counseling sessions built into the courses, you will gain direct and indirect school counseling experience in this program. You will fulfill a 100-hour practicum experience and two 300-hour internship experiences at a P-12 school close to where you live.

Throughout the program, you will learn how to offer effective school counseling services to students in different educational settings. After graduating, you will be prepared to:

  • Use your critical thinking skills to actively engage in changes within the school counseling community.
  • Work with kids and teenagers to fulfill their academic, career, and social/emotional needs.
  • Recognize differences in identity and strive to bridge the gap between access and opportunity.
  • Use data to recognize the unique needs of your school community, creating programs to address social and academic issues schoolwide.
  • Act as a proactive and effective advocate for students in your school.

Upon graduating from the school counseling master’s program, you will be ready to serve and advocate for P-12 students from diverse backgrounds. You will collaborate with parents and guardians, teachers, administrators, and other mental health professionals to create safe educational environments for students by designing data-driven and comprehensive school counseling programs.

Adam State University Colorado

Online Master of Science in Applied Sports Psychology

Adams State offers an online MS program in Applied Sport Psychology that you can consider. This 36-credit course is packed with a variety of courses and real-life experiences aimed at giving you the expertise needed to become a sport psychology professional. The best part? All the courses are online, providing the perfect balance and convenience for those of you who are already working full-time or can’t move to a new location. You can finish the entire program, which includes both coursework and internships, in just two years.

The Applied Sport Psychology degree at Adams State strongly emphasizes practical sport psychology. It follows a scientist-practitioner model. This means it focuses on understanding the interconnections between theory, research, and practical applications or interventions in the field.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • Positive Psychology
  • Sport Physiology
  • Mental Health in Sport
  • Applied Sport Psychology
  • Diversity and Equity in Sport
  • Ethics in Applied Sport Psychology
  • Mental Strength & Conditioning
  • Case Studies in Applied Sport Psychology

Southern New Hampshire University

Online MS in Psychology – Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology is an growing field that combines psychology and criminal justice. If you are interested in this exciting field, consider the Master of Science in Psychology degree with a focus on Forensic Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. This program prepares you to work within the criminal justice system as well as various social service organizations.

During this program, you will learn essential skills such as critical thinking and research. You will also get an overview of forensic psychology and understand the workings of the criminal mind. Other important topics you will explore include ethics and diversity.

While this program doesn’t lead directly to professional licensure, it gives you potential career opportunities in various places like courts, law firms, correctional facilities, police departments, and government agencies. Once you graduate, you will have the knowledge necessary to start or continue a career in this field.

Throughout the program, you will learn to apply psychology research and theories in various practical legal situations. By completing this degree, you will understand how psychological theories are connected to criminal behavior and how this affects individuals and society.

You will also get to know the history and application of common assessment techniques in legal settings. Your critical thinking skills will improve, you will learn to appreciate diversity more, and you will know how to apply professional ethics in different situations.

During the program, you will learn from experienced instructors in courses such as:

  • Forensic Psychology: This course gives you a solid understanding of the field of forensic psychology, its history, and current trends. You will explore practical and research-based approaches in clinical settings.
  • Assessment for Forensic Psychology: This course introduces you to forensic assessment topics, including history, theories, techniques, tools, and procedures. You will use modern assessment methods to understand issues like criminal justice and family and child custody law. You will also consider ethical, multicultural, and age-based factors when interpreting case results.
  • Intersection of Law and Psychology: This course delves into where psychology and law intersect. It covers the role of forensic psychologists and the challenges they face within the legal system. You will discover how psychologists can influence court proceedings through expert testimony and mental state evaluations. You will also review current legal rulings that affect incarcerated individuals.
  • Psychology in the Courtroom: In this seminar, you will use your knowledge from the previous courses to fully understand the role of forensic psychologists in the courtroom. You will also show your comprehensive understanding of the course content through a project.

If you don’t have a background in psychology or a related field, you might need to take up to three foundation courses. If you don’t meet the minimum requirements, the following courses might be necessary:

  • Foundations of Psychology
  • Foundations in Statistics
  • Foundations in Research Methods

Can You Be a Licensed Psychologist With a Master’s in Colorado?

In the state of Colorado, a master’s degree can allow you to practice as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or a licensed addiction counselor, but not as a licensed psychologist.

A licensed psychologist in Colorado typically requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology, completion of an internship and supervised experience, and passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

Is Capella Master’s Psychology Program Accredited?

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditation agency. Accreditation provides assurance that the university meets the required standards in areas such as faculty quality, curriculum design, student services, and financial stability.

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