Accredited Online Master’s in Psychology in Kentucky [Updated For 2024]

Last Updated: September 14, 2024

Do you feel drawn towards understanding human behavior, emotions, and mental processes, but struggle to fit traditional campus-based education into your busy schedule? As someone passionate about psychology, you probably know that a bachelor’s degree in psychology can only take you so far in this competitive field.

That’s where online master’s in psychology programs come into play. These programs are specifically designed for people just like you – dedicated, curious individuals who seek a flexible learning environment without sacrificing the quality of education.

With the chance to learn from experienced faculty and interact with a diverse group of peers, you will be equipped with advanced skills and knowledge, preparing you to make a significant impact in various psychological field.

It’s time to take a leap towards your passion and potential. Start your journey with an online psychology master’s degree in Kentucky!

best online psychology master's in Kentucky

Online Master’s in Psychology in Kentucky

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

  • Eastern Kentucky University
  • Capella University
  • Brescia University
  • University of the Cumberlands
  • Campbellsville University
  • Southern New Hampshire University
  • The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Eastern Kentucky University

Online Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology

Eastern Kentucky University’s online master’s program in Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology enables you to gain the essential skills to understand human behavior in workplace environments. The program is designed to equip you with techniques to enhance performance and productivity within different types of organizations.

You will have to successfully complete a total of 36 credit hours to earn your MS in I-O Psychology. This will include 33 hours of core classes, along with a 3-credit hour practicum experience.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • Introduction to I-O Psychology
  • Work Analysis
  • Performance Management
  • Organizational Psychology
  • Organizational Change and Development
  • Training and Development

The online I-O psychology degree at EKU is a flexible online program that covers a wide range of subjects. You will learn about research methodologies, explore the nuances of industrial and organizational psychology, and polish your professional abilities. The cherry on top is a capstone project that lets you blend and apply the knowledge and skills you have gathered throughout the course in real-world work scenarios.

EKU’s approach, known as the scientist-practitioner model, prepares you to become a top-notch professional. The program provides you with a strong base in theories, methodologies, and the latest research findings from both basic and applied psychology. The program also ensures you are adept at using this knowledge effectively in both private and public organizations.

Upon graduation, you will be ready to dive into a wide array of fields, including but not limited to human resource management, consulting, data analytics, talent acquisition and development, training programs, performance evaluation and development, organizational enhancement, job design and assessment, and managing compensation and benefits.

Eastern Kentucky University’s I-O Psychology program emphasizes research involvement. It aims to enable you to:

  • Embrace an empirical approach to the practice of I-O psychology, applying skills and experiences from research projects to ensure accountability in your professional practice.
  • Refine your skills in critically evaluating research literature, enhancing your effectiveness in both carrying out and consuming research.

A crucial part of the program is the hands-on practicum requirement. This allows you to apply what you have learned in the classroom to real-life projects in businesses and organizations, all under expert supervision. These practicum experiences are at the heart of EKU’s I-O psychology program, requiring you to complete a total of six credit hours of field work.

Brescia University

Master of Science in Clinical Psychology

If you are interested in helping people overcome emotional, mental, or addictive disorders, consider enrolling in the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology program at Brescia University. This program equips you to provide both direct and supportive care to individuals, families, and groups.

You get the flexibility to pursue the program in a way that suits you. You can take all your classes online or on campus, and you can choose whether to study full-time or part-time. There’s also an option to write a thesis as part of your degree, which is especially recommended if you are planning on pursuing a doctorate later.

The program consists of 45 credit hours, and you will also do two practicums and an internship, each 300 hours long, totalling 600 hours of hands-on experience in the field.

On completing the program, you will be ready to fulfill the academic and practical requirements to become a licensed psychological associate in Kentucky. If you are already licensed and looking to progress further, Brescia University can provide extra courses to help you reach the next licensure level.

During the program, you will take a number of core courses, including:

  • Advanced Adult Development: You will learn about the psychological growth of humans from young adulthood to old age.
  • Advanced Child Development: You will explore the psychological growth of humans from infancy to adolescence.
  • Substance Abuse and Addictions: You will explore the latest happenings in addiction treatment and assessment.
  • Theories and Systems of Psychotherapy: Here you will understand different counseling and psychotherapy techniques and concepts.
  • Biological Bases of Behavior: In this course, you will study how biological factors affect our behavior.
  • Individual Differences: In this course, you will examine how elements like culture, gender, age, and location affect our understanding and practice of clinical psychology.
  • Social Bases of Behavior: You will understand how other people’s presence can influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

To apply for the program, you will need an undergraduate degree from a recognized and accredited institution and at least 12 academic hours of psychology courses, with grades of C or above.

Prerequisites can be fulfilled with psychology, social work, and/or counseling courses. Also, you should have three credits of coursework in both Statistics and Research Methods.

If you don’t have credits in Statistics or Research Methods, you might still be admitted under certain conditions. You will just have to commit to completing these courses in your first semester of the graduate program.

University of the Cumberlands

Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

At the University of the Cumberlands, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program provides you with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for a fulfilling career in this field. Not only will you learn the basics, but you will also participate in practicums and internships, crucial for obtaining relevant licensures. This process will allow you to develop a unique set of skills invaluable for a career in mental health counseling.

A master’s in clinical mental health counseling is a branch of psychology concerned with aiding individuals with their mental health, emotional struggles, and relationship issues.

In this program, you will gain the necessary skills to evaluate patients, diagnose mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, and provide effective treatment. You will get a hands-on understanding of working directly with patients in different context – individual, group, and family sessions. Additionally, you will learn effective counseling strategies for diverse age groups, ranging from children to older adults.

The program comprises 60 credit hours in total. Most of the coursework is delivered online in 8-week sessions (referred to as bi-terms). Two of these bi-terms complete a semester. You have the opportunity to join the program at the start of any bi-term in the fall, spring, or summer semesters.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • Introduction to the Counseling Profession
  • Lifestyle and Career Development
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Theories in Counseling
  • Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling
  • Group Counseling
  • Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling

top psychology master's degrees in Kentucky

You can transfer up to 18 semester hours of credit from another regionally-accredited higher education institution. The transferred credits should be from courses that align with those required in the online counseling psychology program.

The program aims to guide you towards achieving several goals, including:

  • Establishing a professional counselor identity that adheres to the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics.
  • Preparing to become a culturally competent counselor serving diverse populations.
  • Enhancing your understanding of developmental theory and individuals in context throughout their lifespan.
  • Applying career development theory effectively while recognizing related life-work roles and factors.
  • Demonstrating effective counseling skills and techniques for both groups and individuals.
  • Enhancing effectiveness in assessment, diagnosis, and intervention planning.
  • Utilizing research successfully in clinical practice and program evaluation.
  • Equipping you with the foundational knowledge and skills to seek licensure as a mental health counselor.

Earning a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling can empower you to make a positive impact as a counselor in various settings such as:

  • Private Practice
  • Clinical Mental Health Centers
  • Community Agencies
  • University Counseling Centers
  • Hospitals
  • Correctional Facilities

Campbellsville University

Online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

Are you passionate about helping others improve their lives and form positive relationships? Campbellsville University’s online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program can equip you with the necessary skills. This 30-credit online master’s program is designed to give you the expertise to assess and guide those struggling with problematic behaviors.

ABA is a valuable approach for dealing with individuals who have conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, behavioral addictions, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and problems with anger management or impulse control.

Through this online program, you will learn to assess individuals with behavioral issues and devise plans that aid them in overcoming difficulties. This will enable them to develop crucial life skills and form healthy relationships with others.

Campbellsville University’s online M.S. in ABA combines theories of learning and behavior to train you to work effectively with clients exhibiting problematic behaviors. You will become proficient in using behavioral assessment tools and techniques, analyzing the resulting data, and creating intervention plans to help individuals eliminate these issues.

Throughout this program, you will be introduced to the concepts of autism spectrum disorder and other conditions that impact behavior. You will also get hands-on experience with intervention strategies, classroom management techniques, counseling theories, and more while learning about the ethical aspects of applied behavioral analysis and managing personnel.

Key courses you will take as part of this program include:

  • Intervention Strategies and Implementation: This course is designed to help you identify and apply evidence-based interventions for individuals who struggle with behavioral problems.
  • Behavior Assessment in ABA: This course aims to give you the knowledge and skills to apply psychological and educational assessments for social-emotional behavior. You will learn how to identify behavioral assessments within the field of applied behavior analysis.
  • Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis: In this course, you will learn about ethical practices in applied behavior analysis across a variety of settings. The course covers topics such as responsible behavior of analysts, setting boundaries, integrity, professional relationships, and conducting research.
  • Personnel Supervision and Management: This course provides training for administrative roles within applied behavior analysis, such as ensuring adherence to policies and procedures, record-keeping, staff development, legal processes, and using support services.
  • Counseling Skills: This course will help you understand essential counseling techniques for establishing therapeutic relationships while maintaining professional boundaries. You will learn how to set suitable counseling goals, design intervention strategies, evaluate client outcomes, and successfully conclude the counselor-client relationship.

Southern New Hampshire University

Online Master of Science in Psychology

At Southern New Hampshire University, the online Master of Science (MS) in Psychology program is designed with your future role in mind. The program aims to equip you to play a vital part in fostering mental health and wellness among diverse communities in various settings, including hospitals, schools, government institutions, and more.

Undertaking this online master’s degree in psychology prepares you not only for potential doctoral studies but also a career in a multitude of fields.

The master’s program is designed with flexibility at its core, allowing you to blend your psychology studies with other complementary disciplines. An eight-course core curriculum covers essential topics such as research in psychology, measurement techniques, ethics, and more.

In this program, you will deepen your understanding of areas like research methods, cognitive psychology, social psychology, personality, learning theory, and ethical practice, all with a focus on their practical application in the real world.

Professional instructors, holding relevant credentials and experience, teach the curriculum of this MS in Psychology. The program aims to provide you with a robust foundation in psychology that aligns with industry expectations and standards. Throughout your coursework, you will expand your understanding of key aspects of psychology:

  • Cognitive Psychology: You will get a grasp on mental processes such as memory, language, attention, learning, and decision-making.
  • Ethical Practice: You will explore moral principles in the field of psychology and practice professional conduct standards.
  • Personality: You will gain insights into the theories, research, and approaches related to personality and its variations among populations.You will learn techniques to collect and analyze data, plan and conduct research in real-world contexts.
  • Social Psychology: You will understand both contemporary and classic theories about how individuals interact with their environment, technology, and society.

You will also refine your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, applying theory to practical situations.

Although this online degree doesn’t lead to any licensure, graduating from SNHU will provide you with a solid grounding in psychological theory and methods. These skills are relevant and applicable across a variety of settings in the nonprofit, corporate, and education sectors. After completing the program, you will have the knowledge and skills needed to instigate change within organizations.

You have the option to enhance your knowledge by following the general track or delve deeper into your interests by choosing one of three concentrations:

  • Child and Development Psychology: Focus on the wellbeing of children. Learn strategies for assessment, intervention, and consultation, addressing the unique needs of children from different individual, cultural, and psychological backgrounds. This concentration sets a solid foundation for you if you are considering a doctorate in child psychology.
  • Forensic Psychology: Prepare for a career working alongside lawyers, police officers, victims, and offenders. Understand the research, analysis, assessment, and human behavior skills necessary to apply psychological principles within the criminal justice system. Potential job roles could include crime analyst, forensic case manager, or jury consultant.
  • Industrial Organizational Psychology: Enhance employee performance, motivation, and wellbeing. Learn about individual and group behavior in the workplace, a field known as Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Your studies will conclude with a capstone project and seminar, where you will integrate all your learnings into a project centered on a contemporary issue in psychology, which will be reviewed by your peers and faculty. You will have the chance to showcase the knowledge and skills you have developed throughout your coursework.

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