Accredited Online Psychology Master’s Programs in North Carolina [2024 Guide]

Like many professionals, you might be wrestling with the reality of wanting to advance your career but being unable to set aside the time or resources for a traditional graduate program. Between work schedules, family commitments, and personal time, squeezing in graduate classes seems almost impossible.

Imagine the frustration of being unable to pursue your dream of exploring the human mind, learning how people behave, think, and interact, all because of logistical constraints.

But hold on! Online psychology master’s programs in North Carolina are designed to give you the flexibility you need while providing top-tier education from esteemed universities. These online psychology master’s programs allow you to learn at your own pace, on your own schedule, whether that’s early in the morning, late at night, or on the weekends.

Online Master’s in Psychology in North Carolina

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

  • Fayetteville State University
  • Capella University
  • North Carolina State University
  • Southern New Hampshire University
  • Regent University
  • Arizona State University
  • Purdue Global

To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.

Fayetteville State University

Online Master of Arts in Psychology

Fayetteville State University offers an online Master of Arts in Psychology that you can obtain right from your home. The program requires 36 credits to complete. This includes 27 credits of core psychology courses, 6 credits of psychology electives, and 3 credits of electives in any field. The university also has two 12-credit graduate certificates that you can pursue along with or separate from the master’s program.

If you can’t easily travel to a university or find it hard to juggle time between work and traditional, in-person classes, this online master’s program is perfect for you. It aims to prepare you for numerous careers not only in psychology but also in fields like business, education, human resources, social services, research, data analysis, and even jobs in local, state, or federal institutions.

If you are considering advancing to doctoral programs in psychology in the future, this program also serves as a solid base for that. However, bear in mind that this is a general program in psychology and does not qualify you for a clinical license as a psychologist in North Carolina.

During the program, you will take various core courses, including:

  • Statistics
  • Research Methods
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Ethical and Professional Issues
  • Psychology of Social and Interpersonal Communication
  • Psychological Consultation and Supervision

By the time you finish this program, you will have gained the following skills:

  • Understanding of Human Growth and Development: You will become well-versed with key theories about individual and family growth and behavior throughout their lives. You will also be able to apply these theories in professional settings.
  • Grasping Social and Cultural Diversity: You will understand the influence of different aspects of human diversity – be it socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, age, health, or physical/intellectual abilities – on an individual’s identity. You will also be capable of applying diversity theories and research to professional and psychological contexts.
  • Proficient Communication Skills and Relationships: You will explore communication theories and work out ways to use these theories and skills in your personal and professional life. This will help you in improving your relationships.
  • Expertise in Research: You will engage in the process of research – formulating questions, defining psychological variables, and choosing suitable statistical analyses. You will also become adept at understanding and critiquing psychological research.
  • Understanding of Ethics and Professional Identity: You will become knowledgeable about ethical principles and professional codes of conduct, including the APA ethical standards. You will be capable of making ethical decisions in professional settings. Also, you will define your career path and establish your professional goals and identity.

North Carolina State University

Online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Clinical Mental Health

North Carolina State University offers an online Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This program is designed for you if you are a counseling professional interested in working in clinical mental health settings. It also prepares you to contribute to promoting wellness in behavioral health fields.

This online program is designed to be completed part-time over three years, with courses running throughout the year, including summers. You will start in the summer (June), and typically take two online courses each in the fall and spring. Note that in your final year, you will need to attend some classes on-campus, but they will be scheduled over weekends.

The M.Ed. program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling doesn’t just focus on developmental theory and preventive interventions. It also provides a strong foundation in clinical counseling theory and practice. Additionally, you will explore topics related to multicultural diversity, which is a key part of the course structure and the faculty-student community.

During the program, you will take various core courses, including:

  • Techniques in Counseling
  • Career Counseling and Development
  • Theories and Tech of Counseling
  • Multicultural Counseling
  • Special Problems In Guidance
  • Strategies for Clinical Assessment in Counseling

The faculty and students at NC State University share a close relationship with professionals in the University Counseling Center. This allows for many internship opportunities in community settings, offering you hands-on experience in your field of study. All students must be able to complete their field experiences (Practicum and Internship) in the state of North Carolina.

The program also emphasizes multicultural diversity. It seeks to attract students from diverse cultural backgrounds. In fact, the percentage of students from culturally diverse backgrounds has risen from less than 5% to nearly 20%. The curriculum integrates cross-cultural perspectives into counseling theory, research, and practice.

To apply for this program, you will need:

  • Three recommendations from individuals who are familiar with your academic performance and potential for graduate study.
  • Official transcripts from all your post-secondary education.
  • If you’re an international student, you’ll need to provide an official statement of English Proficiency (like the TOEFL score).

Southern New Hampshire University

Online Master of Science in Psychology

Advance your career with Southern New Hampshire University’s online Master of Science (MS) in Psychology program. This accredited program is designed to prepare you for roles in mental health and wellness across a range of settings, such as schools, hospitals, and government facilities.

By enrolling in this program, you will gain a deeper understanding of various aspects of psychology, including social psychology, cognitive psychology, personality, learning theory, research methods, and ethical practice. More importantly, you will learn how to apply this knowledge practically, impacting the real world with your research findings.

The online MS in Psychology program offers a flexible study plan that allows you to pair your psychology studies with relevant disciplines. The core curriculum, consisting of eight courses, covers key topics in psychology research, ethics, measurement, and more. During the program, you will take various core courses, including:

  • Research Methods in Psychology I
  • Research Methods in Psychology II
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Processes
  • Theories of Personality
  • Ethical Practice in Psychology
  • Measurement and Assessment

The curriculum is designed and taught by professional instructors with significant experience in their respective fields. The program aims to provide you with a robust foundation in psychology, closely aligned with industry expectations and standards. You will expand your knowledge in important areas of psychology, such as:

  • Cognitive psychology: Learn about mental processes like memory, attention, language, learning, and decision-making.
  • Ethical practice: Study ethical guidelines in psychology and learn how to apply professional standards.
  • Personality: Understand theories, research, and approaches to personality and its variations.
  • Research methods: Learn to gather and analyze data, and how to conduct research that can be applied in real-life situations.
  • Social psychology: Explore classic and modern theories on how people interact with their environment, society, and technology.

In addition, you can customize your coursework by choosing a general track or opting for one of the following three concentration options:

  • Child and Developmental Psychology: Specialize in supporting children’s wellbeing. You will learn to develop assessment, intervention, and consultation strategies that cater to the unique needs of children.
  • Forensic Psychology: Prepare for a career working with legal professionals, police officers, victims, and offenders. In this concentration, you will learn about research, analysis, assessment, and human behavior in the context of the criminal justice system.
  • Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Learn to improve employee performance and wellbeing. This concentration focuses on understanding individual and group behavior in a workplace context.

Please note that the MS in Psychology program at SNHU is not a clinical psychology program and does not lead directly to licensure.

Regent University

Online Master of Science in Psychology

The online Master of Science in Psychology program at Regent University will equip you to apply psychological principles in different fields such as academia, healthcare, business, and science. You will explore the main areas of psychological science, studying everything from cognitive neuroscience to the complex dynamics of human social interactions.

During the program, you will take various core courses, including:

  • Contemporary Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Research Methods in Psychology
  • Affect, Cognition and Motivation
  • Biological Bases of Behaviour
  • Life Span Psychology

You can can tailor your studies to fit your interests and career goals by choosing from a variety of concentrations:

  • Addictions: This concentration prepares you to use psychological principles to evaluate addiction disorders and formulate treatment plans, including faith-based interventions.
  • Cyberpsychology: Understand how people interact online and develop strategies to improve interactions between humans and technology in various settings, from social to organizational.
  • Doctoral Preparation: This concentration provides a solid foundation for further studies, teaching you multicultural training and treatment techniques. You will also have the chance to conduct, write, and defend a psychology thesis.
  • Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Improve employee morale, productivity, and hiring processes by understanding employee behavior and attitudes.
  • Leadership Coaching: Learn how to establish coaching relationships, design coaching interventions, and develop client-focused goals to help individuals progress personally and professionally.
  • Marriage & Family: This concentration equips you with knowledge to foster healthy relationships and enhance family units, providing an understanding of behavioral healthcare and selected issues associated with marriage counseling.

After completing the MS in Psychology degree, you will be equipped to:

  • Apply multicultural perspectives in prevention, training, and treatment practices.
  • Develop skills in evaluating employees and fostering their development, contributing to organizational growth.
  • Pursue further study at the doctoral level in either basic science or applied psychology.

How Much Does a Licensed Psychologist Earn in North Carolina?

As of January 2024, the average salary for a licensed psychologist in NC is $141,923 per year. Top earning licensed psychologists make well over $250,000 per year in North Carolina.

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