Best Online Master’s in Organizational Psychology Programs of 2025

If you love the science of people and how group behavior can come together to make something better, then a master’s in organizational psychology might be for you.

Organizational psychologists work with and for businesses to equip employees to do their jobs more efficiently and work together to be more productive. To apply for a program, you don’t even have to have an undergraduate degree in psychology — you can apply with any bachelor’s as long as you meet prerequisites.

See our top choices for fully online master’s in organizational psychology programs and find your next flexible educational program.

Source: BestColleges

Before you choose your program, you should consider its cost, financial aid options, program length, salary potential, and job outlook. Each of these aspects together can impact your return on investment and how much you end up paying for your degree.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported in 2019-2020 that the average tuition and fees for online master’s students in psychology programs was about $9,600. However, with financial aid, you’ll likely pay less — the average net price was about $1,000 less. To see if you qualify for financial aid, submit your FAFSA.

Types of financial aid you can receive are grants and scholarships — which you don’t have to pay back — and loans, which you’ll need to pay back with interest. Once you complete the FAFSA, submit it to your college and you’ll receive a financial aid package to let you know how much you’ll pay for your program.

If you’re on the fence about an online vs. in-person program, NCES found that online master’s degrees are cheaper than in-person degrees by over 30%.

Typically, an online master’s in organizational psychology takes two years to complete, or 30 credits. Some programs may be longer or shorter depending on the method of instruction and your schedule. A degree could take you longer if you enroll part-time, which can allow for better work-life-school balance.

Make sure that your program is properly accredited. The APA does not accredit fully online psychology programs, thus leaving the programming up to the discretion of the college. To become an industrial-organizational psychologist, some states may require you to have a license to practice.

It is important that your institution be accredited so that it is recognized by employers and licensing organizations. However, you might not need licensure depending on your job. For example, human resources directors, consultants, and professionals in non-social work and non-psychology roles do not require a license to work.

A master’s in organizational psychology doesn’t limit you to being an IO psychologist. Some other common careers include:

If you plan on becoming a psychologist, check your state’s requirements for practice. Some licenses may require you to complete supervised experience hours, but according to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, it may vary since some states recognize the difference between health service psychologists and IO psychologists and have different requirements.

Source: BLS

That depends on your career goals and interests. If you’re already in a human resources role, management, or organizational role, this degree could boost your skills and could help you reach a higher income threshold if you only hold a bachelor’s.

There are two common types of doctoral degrees in psychology: the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) and the doctor of psychology (Psy.D.). They’re at the same educational level but can lead to very different career paths.

A Ph.D. prepares you for a career in research and academia, while a Psy.D. equips you to practice psychology and apply what you’ve learned to individuals, groups, and workplaces. If you plan to pursue organizational psychology and want more real-world experience, a Psy.D. might be more compatible with your goals than a Ph.D.