Accredited Online Psychology Master’s Degree Programs in California [2024 Updated]

Feeling stressed about juggling your career and pursuing a master’s degree in psychology? You are not the only one! Many professionals in California, like you, are looking for flexible and convenient ways to enhance their expertise and skills. Luckily, we have the ideal solution for you.

Discover Online Psychology Master’s Programs in California! These cutting-edge online programs are tailored to fit your hectic schedule while delivering top-notch education right from your home.

Immerse yourself in the diverse fields of psychology and learn from experienced faculty members without compromising your personal and professional responsibilities. With an array of concentrations available, you will be ready to succeed in your chosen area or continue your academic journey at the doctoral level, to ultimately become a licensed psychologist in California.

Online Psychology Master’s Programs in California

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

  • Pepperdine University
  • University of Southern California
  • California Coast University
  • Loyola Marymount University
  • Palo Alto University
  • Capella University
  • The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Pepperdine University

Online Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology

Are you passionate about supporting individuals, couples, and families in overcoming life’s obstacles and achieving well-being? The online Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program offered by Pepperdine might be just what you need.

Upon completion, you will be prepared to pursue licensure as either a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).  By opting for the online program, you can learn from esteemed faculty members without having to move, and you will go through the same comprehensive curriculum and clinical placements as on-campus students.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, you will be equipped to help people cope with mental health and substance abuse issues, working with individuals, families, and groups. You may assist clients grappling with depression, addiction, mental disorders, or stress resulting from abuse, grief, emotional distress, fear, angr, or guilt.

As a Marriage Counselor or Family Therapist, you will help couples and families address problems and issues affecting their relationships, mental health, and overall well-being. You may work with clients dealing with depression, addiction, mental disorders, relationship stress, family disagreements, grief, emotional distress, fear, anger, guilt, or evolving lifestyles.

The university accepts applications on a rolling basis, which allows you to start working towards your psychology degree at various times throughout the year. To apply, you will need a bachelor’s degree. No GRE scores are required.

Online Master of Applied Behavior Analysis

Are you interested in becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and improving people’s lives using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques? Pepperdine University’s online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program, consisting of 34-47 credits, is designed to help you achieve just that.

With a mix of real-time and self-paced online components, you will learn the essential skills needed to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds across various settings, such as education, developmental disabilities, autism, residential support, and rehabilitation. You will also explore how ABA can be applied to organizational behavior management.

As a participant in this online master’s program, you will gain a profound understanding of behavioral health analysis and contemporary methods used to identify, evaluate, and address human behaviors. Your studies will encompass ABA concepts and principles, assessment procedures, ABA applications for behavior change, and organizational behavior management.

The program’s verified course sequence is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in a wide array of clinical interventions for children, adolescents, and adults. Your work will focus on helping patients develop adaptive skills for optimal performance in educational, familial, social, and professional roles.

Once you complete the program and accumulate the required experience hours, you will be eligible to take the BCBA exam. Throughout the ABA program, you will benefit from mentors who facilitate learning, preparing you to qualify for BCBA certification.

University of Southern California

Online Master of Science in Applied Psychology

Are you a working professional looking to advance or switch careers in applied fields that combine psychology and business interests? The University of Southern California’s online Master of Science in Applied Psychology might be the perfect fit for you.

This program, designed for full-time enrollment, takes 16 months to complete, with students taking two courses per term. The curriculum uniquely combines consumer and organizational psychology, providing you with a professional advantage in tackling contemporary organizational challenges.

You will explore the intersection of psychology theory, research, and practice in organizational settings, focusing on both organizational and consumer psychology, which are vital for managing a workforce and marketing services in the global marketplace.

With a diverse group of peers and instructors, you will be challenged to grow and learn from senior-level executives who are active practitioners and experts in applied psychology. Students come from various parts of the United States and different industries, enriching your learning experience.

You will engage in small classes, group work, discussions, and professional-level projects that are project-based and real-world focused, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge to workplace situations.

As part of the program, you will be required to complete a one-semester internship or professional development opportunity in a role suited to your career goals. This experience, along with a concurrent course, will enable you to apply concepts learned in prior coursework.

Internships can be in any industry and must differ from your current job duties. You will gain real-world skills through on-the-job training and mentoring in your chosen area of interest.

To apply, you will need to submit:

  • A completed online application
  • Have a bachelor’s degree, provide transcripts
  • A personal statement of purpose
  • A professional resume
  • Three letters of professional or academic reference

California Coast University

Online MS Master of Science in Psychology

Are you a professional looking to deepen your understanding of psychology? California Coast University’s online Master of Science in Psychology program is designed to help you explore the theories, principles, and practices used in the field of psychology.

This degree program consists of 13 courses, and includes 39 total semester units. At the end of the program, you will be required to clear a final comprehensive examination.

By successfully completing the program, you will be able to:

  • Investigate the underlying theories of psychology, informed by professional research and established practices.
  • Explore the legal, ethical, and professional challenges faced by practitioners in the psychology field.
  • Analyze the biological, psychological, and social perspectives on the origins of abnormal behavior.
  • Examine essential concepts and theories associated with the program, employing critical thinking and academic writing abilities.
  • Assess the program content in relation to ethical judgment, social accountability, worldwide citizenship, and civic involvement.
  • Contrast and compare traditional and modern theories, techniques, and research approaches used in the field of family therapy.

To qualify for the program, you need to possess a bachelor’s degree in psychology or in a different field. If your degree is in another discipline, the Admissions Committee will evaluate your application, and if it demonstrates that you have the necessary foundation, you may be accepted into the program.

Loyola Marymount University

School Psychology Program

Loyola Marymount University provides top-notch, nationally accredited and NASP-approved school psychology graduate programs for candidates in California. They offer both online (statewide) and in-person (Los Angeles area) options to accommodate your needs. This program meets all requirements for becoming a licensed school psychologist in California.

Renowned for its outstanding reputation, the LMU School Psychology program draws highly qualified candidates from all over the country, eager to develop the knowledge and skills required to establish safe, supportive schools that promote academic, social, and emotional success for all students.

Upon completing the program, you will:

  1. Earn a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology
  2. Earn an Education Specialist degree in School Psychology

The LMU School Psychology program focuses on cultivating compassionate, ethical practitioners and leaders in the field. The program’s comprehensive training and dedicated support for candidates make them highly sought after by top employers and school districts.

The dynamic nature of school psychology demands a robust program to prepare graduates for success. Alongside coursework and fieldwork, the program integrates learning strands to ensure a positive impact on the students, families, and school communities you serve.

Coursework builds on theory and research, allowing you to apply your knowledge and skills in real-life scenarios through practical, field-based assignments.

As a school psychology graduate, you will be equipped to become a leader in schools, districts, and communities. Throughout the program, you will discover your strengths and leadership style, developing the necessary skills to effect meaningful change.

To be considered for admission to the program, you must have a major or minor in psychology, child development, education, or a closely related field as an undergraduate or graduate student.

Palo Alto University

Online Master of Science in Psychology

The Master of Science in Psychology program at Palo Alto University caters to working professionals seeking a career change or advancement in their field. With specialized master’s degree options and a fully online format, this graduate psychology program is convenient and easily accessible. You can even continue working while studying, as courses take place in the evenings.

This MS program offers a supportive academic environment to prepare you for the demands of graduate-level work. Depending on your chosen concentration, you will complete six or seven quarters of coursework to earn a terminal degree.

In the General Concentration, you will take a variety of psychology and research classes. The knowledge and skills you gain will be useful in fields like higher education, business, technology, and teaching.

In the Forensic Psychology Concentration, you will study a wide range of psychology and research classes and take two elective courses in forensic psychology. This concentration is perfect if you are interested in careers in criminal justice or legal fields.

In the Tech & Mental Health Concentration, you will learn about current mental health trends, the evolving technology workforce, the growing mental health and technology sectors, and how understanding psychology can benefit those working in technology.

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