Accredited Online Master’s in Psychology in Missouri [2024 Guide]

Embark on a transformative journey, one that takes you deep into the fascinating world of the human mind, all from the comfort of your own home. Online psychology master’s programs in Missouri offer an opportunity to explore the complexities of human behavior, cognition, and emotions while developing an in-depth understanding of core psychological concepts.

Online psychology master’s programs blend traditional and virtual learning, providing a learning platform that is both flexible and comprehensive. Whether you are a seasoned professional eager to climb the career ladder, or an ambitious graduate set on making a difference in people’s lives, these online programs are designed to suit your needs.

Online Master’s in Psychology in Missouri

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

  • Southeast Missouri State University
  • Capella University
  • William Wood University
  • Missouri S&T
  • Northwest Missouri State University
  • University of Missouri – St. Louisis
  • The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Southeast Missouri State University

Online MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

The 42-credit online Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology program offered by Southeast Missouri State University is designed to help you understand and improve workplace culture. It equips you with the skills to assess data and apply psychological knowledge to solve workplace issues.

The duration required to complete this degree can vary based on several aspects like your course load and if you choose to enroll during the summer. You will collaborate with an academic counselor each semester and employ a tool called Degree Works to keep track of your progress. You have the flexibility to kick off your degree during any term.

Some of the core courses you will take include the following:

  • Consumer Psychology
  • Organizational Psychology
  • Personnel Psychology
  • Psychometrics
  • Advanced Social Psychology
  • Research & Practice in I/O & Social Psychology
  • Legal/Ethical Considerations

As a student of industrial-organizational psychology, you will gain skills to improve how organizations operate by enhancing the human aspects of the workplace. In particular, you will get the chance to:

  • Learn about key areas like providing performance feedback, motivating workers, and organizational development.
  • Assess the reliability, validity, and generalizability of different information sources.
  • Understand and interpret both descriptive and inferential statistical findings and graphs.

Obtaining a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology sets you up to devise solutions in various organizational environments. You can tailor this program to your career goals by choosing either original research or an internship track. Once you have completed the program, you will be prepared to work in various organizational settings.

You can earn this degree completely online, from wherever you are. You will be taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus classes. Plus, all advising for online programs and other support services are available online, provided by staff who specialize in assisting distance learners.

William Wood University

Online Master of Arts in Psychology

At William Wood University, the online Master of Arts in Psychology program is all about deepening your understanding of psychology while strengthening your skills in research design and statistical analysis.

The knowledge and skills you will gain from this program are versatile, allowing you to apply them across different scenarios and settings. Upon graduation, you will be ready to step into a variety of career opportunities or further your studies in psychology or related fields through PhD programs. So, if you are a professional seeking to climb up the career ladder, or someone seeking deeper insight before jumping into a psychology PhD program, this could be the right path for you.

In this program, you will explore courses that cover the critical areas of psychology, with an emphasis on research design and statistical analysis. With this well-rounded approach, you will develop a comprehensive knowledge base that you can use in numerous settings. Here’s a glimpse at some of the key courses you will be studying:

  • Advanced Developmental Psychology: In this course you will explore the various stages of human development throughout life. You will study research articles that examine how cognitive, biological, and social factors play a part in human development.
  • Advanced Cognition: This course brings you closer to understanding the cognitive processes in humans. You will study research articles that uncover key cognitive aspects like learning, memory, sensation and perception, attention, and language.
  • Advanced Psychopathology: This course lets you study psychological symptoms and disorders more closely. You will consider the factors affecting the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of these disorders, while engaging with current theories and research shaping the practice.
  • Psychological Testing and Assessment: In this course you will understand the usage of psychological tests and assessments in diagnosing and treating patients. You will learn how to interpret these results and understand the impact of social and cultural factors on them.
  • Diversity and Multicultural Issues: In this course you will engage in discussions about how societal factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and ability status influence human behavior. You will read and discuss select research articles and relevant case studies to deepen your understanding.
  • Biological Bases of Behavior: This course takes you through the biological processes that influence behaviors, with a detailed exploration of the anatomical structures and physiological processes involved.

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T)

Online Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Imagine all the different ways you could make the workplace a better place. You have noticed how good communication can spark teamwork, and you know data can help fine-tune recruitment and clarify performance standards. And you are aware that the culture of a company is always evolving, whether it’s adapting to new technology or finding ways to inspire the team. This is where industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologists come in, whether in human resources, training and development, or as organizational behavior consultants.

The online Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is designed to give you an advantage in these areas. If you are keen to use your understanding of psychology or are interested in reshaping aspects of the workplace like culture, hiring practices, training, and performance management, this program is an excellent fit.

This program will help you explore the connection between human behavior and the work environment, using research, statistics, data analysis, and psychological theories. You will learn how psychological principles can encourage workers to reach key goals and cultivate a more inclusive, supportive culture for everyone.

The online Industrial-Organizational Psychology master’s degree at Missouri S&T involves a total of 37 credit hours. This is spread across three sections: a primary section (21 credit hours), methodology courses (10 credit hours), and an additional six credit hours for a thesis or elective courses. Some of the core courses you will take include the following:

  • Introduction to Industrial-Organizational Psychology
  • Small Group Dynamics
  • Leadership, Motivation, and Culture
  • Organizational Development and Employee Perspectives
  • Training and Development

You can opt for either a thesis or non-thesis track. If your vision for your career involves extensive research or perhaps applying to a doctoral program in the future, a thesis track would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, those beginning with a graduate certificate program will join the non-thesis track.

The reason I-O psychology is a fast-growing career path and a popular area of psychology is clear. Organizations want to make smarter decisions to stay competitive, attract the right people, and adjust attitudes to meet certain goals. But resources are limited, so there’s not much room for trial and error. This is where I-O psychologists can make a significant impact. They design a smarter, more efficient workplace across the board, right from top management to various departments and divisions.

After graduating from the program, you will:

  • Gain skills to improve the management of human resources, hiring, training, and retention.
  • Understand the role of human factors in attracting, motivating, training, and keeping employees, and in implementing technology at work.
  • Discover how research and scientific methodology can sway organizational decision-making, from hiring choices to workflow adjustments and long-term growth planning.
  • Be able to apply your understanding of psychology to enhance an organization’s performance across various areas, like management, hiring, engagement, and transforming the company culture.
  • Grasp the complex relationship between individuals, their workplaces, and their communities, and how these relationships impact management, hiring, training, and diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
  • Be ready to assist organizations in tackling issues like high turnover rates, conflicts, safety issues, culture clashes, and stagnant or declining productivity.

Northwest Missouri State University

Online Master of Science in Education with School Psychological Examiner Certification

Enhance your ability to support students more effectively by learning to identify, analyze, and determining the eligibility for students who have conditions like ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can achieve this by earning your certification as a school psychological examiner through an online MS in Education with School Psychological Examiner Certification degree from Northwest Missouri State University.

With this certification, you will be prepared to conduct formal assessments to track student development, and integrate the resulting data into comprehensive action plans. You will also learn to collaborate with schools and families to design multi-layered strategies for student success.

This program, designed based on feedback from an advisory board of teachers and administrators, keeps you updated on the latest trends in educational diagnostics. You will explore areas such as literacy-based assessments, practical learning theories, theories of individual cognition, and academic interventions.

All courses in this program feature hands-on field experiences, allowing you to put your new skills into practice right away. Early in this online master’s program, you will also begin working with a mentor to enhance your learning experience.

Here are some of the key courses you will take:

  • School Data Literacy and Evaluation: In this course, you will focus on developing skills for finding, evaluating, analyzing, and integrating data to boost student learning.
  • Behavior Analysis and Intervention Techniques: This course aims to provide teachers with a solid understanding of applied behavior analysis and strategies for practical application of behavior management in classrooms and other educational environments.
  • Teaching Fundamentals: This course is specifically tailored for those seeking Alternative Certification. It provides instruction in teaching psychology and the psychological development of children and adolescents.
  • Culturally Diverse Education for Equity and Inclusion: This course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to promote the success and wellbeing of each student, applying equitable protocols for student support and fostering a supportive school culture where each student and family is treated fairly.
  • Assessments for Intervention – Academic Skills: This course looks at the best practices for using research and assessments to implement evidence-based interventions for students.

Upon completion of this online master’s program, you will be able to:

  • Implement appropriate research methods for special education.
  • Use assessments to determine student eligibility and design more effective educational plans.
  • Create high-quality educational experiences for students with exceptionalities through assessments and by involving stakeholders in the creation of a comprehensive educational plan.
  • Meet the certification requirements for the Missouri School Psychological Examiner designation (no test required).

University of Missouri – St. Louisis

Online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

By obtaining the online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) degree from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, you can help individuals who are struggling with various behavioral issues. This two-year, 39-credit program is designed to provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Once you have completed this program, you will also be eligible to take the national BCBA examination.

If you are a professional working with individuals with behavioral challenges, or a school staff member providing direct instruction and guidance to children in inclusive settings, this program is designed to enhance your understanding and application of strategies proven to improve the quality of life for children and families.

Applied Behavior Analysis is a growing field within the helping professions, with a solid foundation of scientific knowledge, established standards for evidence-based practice, and unique methods of service delivery. BCBAs are behavior intervention specialists who:

  • Conduct detailed and organized behavioral assessments and provide behavior analytic interpretations of the results.
  • Design and oversee behavior analytic interventions.
  • Develop and implement appropriate assessment and intervention methods for use in different situations and for a variety of cases.
  • May work as independent contractors for organizations.
  • Educate others to execute ethical and effective behavior analysis interventions based on published research.
  • Offer instruction in behavior analysis.
  • Oversee the work of Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) as well as others who implement behavior analytic interventions.

To earn your master’s degree in ABA from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, you will need to complete at least 23 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, 10 credit hours of practicum experience, and at least 6 credit hours of thesis research. As part of the thesis research, you will be required to write and defend a thesis.

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