Dive into the exciting world of psychology in the picturesque state of Virginia by pursuing an online master’s degree in psychology. Blending Virginia’s rich history with the ease and adaptability of online education, these programs are perfect for students interested in becoming psychologists as well as professionals seeking career advancement.
Online master’s programs in psychology in Virginia cover a wide array of topics, from grasping human behavior to examining the complexities of mental health.
Whether your interests lie in counseling, industrial-organizational psychology, or helping those battling addiction, Virginia’s online psychology master’s programs offer an excellent foundation for personal and professional development.
Online Psychology Master’s Degree Programs in Virginia
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online master’s in psychology in Virginia:
- Regent University
- Liberty University
- Divine Mercy University
- Capella University
- Arizona State University
- Purdue Global
Regent University
Online Master of Science in Psychology
Earning a 39-credit online Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology from Regent University opens doors for you to apply psychological principles in various fields, such as academics, science, healthcare, and business. During the program, you will dive into the core areas of psychological science, from cognitive neuroscience to the dynamics of human social interactions.
You can choose from many exciting concentrations: Addictions, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Cyberpsychology, Leadership Coaching, and Marriage and Family.
With the Addictions concentration, you will learn how to use psychological principles to assess addictive disorders. This in-demand degree addresses the growing need for addiction research as substance abuse rates continue to rise.
Focusing on Industrial-Organizational Psychology, you will use a scientific approach to study human behavior in the workplace. You will better understand employee conduct and attitudes, making a positive impact on productivity, hiring, morale, and more. You will also learn performance management principles to enhance productivity and improve employee satisfaction and retention.
The Cyberpsychology concentration, a rare and specialized discipline, explores the scientific aspects of how cyber interactions affect human behavior. You will investigate cybersecurity and internet safety issues. You will also discover how modern technology has changed society while gaining insight into the psychological processes, motivations, and intentions behind online interactions.
In the Leadership Coaching concentration, you will learn how to facilitate growth and change, helping people advance personally and professionally. You will develop essential skills to build coach-client relationships, design coaching interventions, and create client-generated goals.
In the Marriage & Family concentration, you will explore ideas that promote strong relationships and family well-being. By using a scientific method, you will broaden your knowledge of behavioral healthcare and topics related to this unique field, including enhancing marriages, working with teenagers, understanding human sexuality, navigating blended families, handling divorce, and embracing remarriage.
You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with esteemed psychology professors and learn alongside motivated classmates who share your goal of growing both professionally and personally.
Liberty University
Online Master’s in Applied Psychology
In applied psychology, you will use ideas from psychological theories and put them into action in various settings like schools, businesses, and clinical spaces. Instead of just researching and creating theories, you will be actively making a difference.
While pursuing an Online Master’s in Applied Psychology at Liberty University, you will find innovative ways to apply these theories to enhance your field. A master’s degree in applied psychology can help you understand people’s needs and how to address them.
This 36-credit-hour program offers courses tailored to your chosen specialization, providing the foundation for a psychology career while also focusing on your specific goals.
You can choose from these specializations:
- General Psychology – Customize your degree by selecting different course options, covering topics from child psychology and behavior support to adult psychology and developmental neuropsychology.
- Developmental Psychology – Learn how people grow and develop throughout their lives, and help them reach their full potential. You might work in hospitals, schools, or even your own practice.
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology – Use your skills to enhance work relationships within a company, improving company culture and employee satisfaction.
- Public Mental Health – Create programs and methods to promote mental well-being in communities and organizations. Potential career paths include mental health education, epidemiology, case management, and more.
To apply, you submit the following:
- Admission application
- Application fee
- Official college transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency
Divine Mercy University
Online Master of Science in Psychology
At Divine Mercy University (DMU), the online M.S. in Psychology program is a distinctive 33-credit hour program that prepares you to apply psychological knowledge and practical skills in a wide range of settings, such as business, leadership, human services, and ministry.
You will learn to combine a understanding of the person with the best practices in psychology, including theory, research, and intervention. This program, which doesn’t lead to a license, focuses on broader interventions and fostering work and ministry environments that promote well-being.
To offer specialized training for various applied settings, the program features concentrations in:
- Marriage and Family Studies
- Leadership
- Pre-PhD
- Human Services Counseling
- Self-designed (choose your own electives)
Each concentration helps you develop advanced skills to become a transformative leader. These skills encompass:
- Effective communication and negotiation
- Interpersonal relationship abilities
- Leading a team during crises
- Program evaluation strategies
- Psychological research capabilities
- Analyzing decision-making processes
- Cultivating cultural awareness
- Identifying mental health issues and making referrals as necessary
You can complete the online M.S. in Psychology program in as little as 16 months or 26-30 months, depending on your availability. To finish the program in 16 months, you should have a GPA of 3.0 when applying.
Capella University
Online MS – Clinical Psychology: Forensic Psychology
In the online Master’s program in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Forensic Psychology at Capella, you will gain the expertise needed to advance your capabilities in a specialized area of psychology.
This program will help you develop research abilities and implement evidence-based practices while emphasizing cultural and social diversity. You will delve into the relationship between human actions, criminal thought processes, and the legal system, as well as expand your knowledge of criminal law and legal institutions. This coursework is also designed to put you on the right track for pursuing a doctorate.
To complete this degree, you will need a total of 53 program credits, which include five fundamental courses and six courses within the specialization.
In the Master’s program in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Forensic Psychology, you will acquire a strong theoretical and practical understanding of clinical psychology, with an emphasis on forensic methods, the connection between psychology and the law, ethical concerns, and current trends in the forensic psychology field.
The curriculum will help you develop the skills to conduct forensic evaluations and research across various programs and populations, such as prisoners and individuals who have been recently released. This program can also prepare you for doctoral study.
Upon successfully finishing this program, you should be capable of:
- Analyzing research connected to clinical and forensic psychology.
- Applying ethical principles of clinical psychology in educational, research, and professional settings.
- Incorporating theory and research findings into the practice of forensic psychology.
- Communicating through scholarly writing and various other technological methods while adhering to the professional standards of the discipline.
- Recognizing the importance of diversity and mastering multicultural competencies in academic work, particularly concerning forensic populations.
Online MS – Educational Psychology
In the online Master’s program in Psychology, focusing on Educational Psychology from Capella University, you will gain a deep understanding of the psychological foundations of education, teaching methods, and stages of human development.
During the program, you will learn practical and theoretical skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, cognition, research, and cutting-edge approaches in the education field.
This Master’s program in Psychology, with a focus on Educational Psychology, will help you develop advanced knowledge and abilities in learning science, human development and socialization, educational psychology, ethics, assessments and measurements, statistics, and fundamental research methods.
This extensive skill set can prepare you for career opportunities in various domains like educational technology, public education, lifespan development from early childhood through all ages, and educational psychology. The program can also set you up for success in pursuing a doctorate in psychology or related fields.
Upon successfully completing this program, you should be capable of:
- Examining professional literature in educational psychology and evaluating its scientific value.
- Incorporating theoretical and research findings into professional and academic activities within educational psychology.
- Behaving professionally and academically in accordance with the ethical principles and standards of the educational psychology discipline.
- Effectively conveying psychological concepts and information to both the professional community and the public, adhering to the discipline’s professional standards.
- Appreciating, respecting, and addressing individual differences and diversity in the practice of psychology.
Arizona State University
Online MS in Psychology – Addiction Psychology
At Arizona State University (ASU), you can enroll in an online master’s degree in addiction psychology to become proficient in providing essential counseling and assistance to individuals battling addiction. During the program, you will learn how to offer counseling services, manage clinical programs, and conduct case management.
The addiction psychology master’s program consists of 33 credit hours focused on addiction-related topics, a six-credit-hour practicum, and a six-credit-hour applied project.
The addiction psychology program combines up-to-date research from highly-regarded experts in addiction with hands-on expertise from licensed psychologists and addiction counselors who have extensive experience in the field.
This blend of research and clinical knowledge makes this program stand out, offering you an advantage in the field. Moreover, this online master’s degree meets the educational prerequisites for national certification, making you eligible for licensure in nearly every state.
With this addiction studies master’s degree, you will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to pursue state licensure and eventually work as an addiction counselor. The program also meets the educational requirements for national certification, allowing graduates to qualify for licensure in almost every state.
Once you complete your online master’s degree in addiction studies, you will have the necessary knowledge and skills for careers in addiction, counseling, education, and more in the human services sector. You may also opt to continue your education by pursuing a variety of doctoral programs.
To apply, you must provide:
- A graduate admission application and application fee.
- Official transcripts.
- A personal statement.
- An up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume.
- Two recommendation letters.