If you’re considering going for your master’s degree in psychology, there’s no more convenient way to do so than through a high-quality online program. And to add to that convenience, it’s now possible to be admitted into your degree program without having to take the GRE exam. That’s because more and more top colleges and universities have decided that the GRE isn’t a great predictor of student success in their grad degree programs.
This guide introduces you to this year’s best online master’s in psychology degree programs—covering educational psychology, forensic psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, and more—that you can apply to without taking the GRE. You’ll also learn about the many requirements you’ll need to meet to be accepted into the program of your choice. Finally, we’ve provided answers to several of the most-often-asked questions about no-GRE online master’s in psychology programs, including what they cost, how long they take to complete, and more. Keep reading to take the next step and find the program that’s right for you.
Top 25 No-GRE Online Psychology Master’s Programs in 2022
Below you’ll find our selections for the top-25 no-GRE online master’s in psychology programs currently available. We’ve based our selections on data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), giving top consideration to affordability, access to student support services, the number of online students enrolled at the program’s school, and more. For details on how our rankings were calculated, click on the “About the Ranking” button below.
Indiana’s Ball State University offers two no-GRE master’s in psychology programs online. The Master of Arts in Educational Psychology is designed to expand the knowledge and skills of nonclinical professionals responsible for training leaders and teachers in areas related to psychological theories of classroom assessment, developmental psychology, research, learning, and more. The curriculum combines core foundational courses in research methodology, tests and measurements, learning, and statistics with electives and coursework in the student’s chosen specialization: gifted and talented, human development, neuropsychology, or applied behavior analysis. All courses are presented in a 100% online asynchronous format.
Ball State’s Master of Science in Quantitative Psychology delivers foundational and advanced knowledge in social-science-related statistics and data analysis. Students complete 33 credits of core coursework, including courses in either the quantitative or mixed method concentration. Both thesis and research options are available. The program is presented in fully online asynchronous or blended (online/on-campus) formats. On-campus courses are held on Ball State’s main campus in Muncie.
Program Highlights:
MA in Educational Psychology; MS in Quantitative Psychology
Credits: 30 (MA in educational psychology); 33 (MS in quantitative psychology)
Length: Less than one year full-time; 18 months to three years part-time
Cost: $438/credit (Indiana residents); $656/credit (out-of-state residents)
Mode: Fully online (MA in educational psychology); fully online or partially online (MS in quantitative psychology)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) (school)
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
Touro University offers three online master’s in psychology programs, starting with its Master of Science in Forensic Psychology offered through Touro University Worldwide. This no-GRE online psychology master’s degree prepares students for employment in various settings through a curriculum that combines theoretical and applied concepts in forensic psychology. Students have the option of choosing a specialized area of study in either sex offender issues or community criminal issues.
The Master of Arts in Industrial & Organizational (I&O) Psychology, also offered by Touro University Worldwide, is designed for those interested in nonclinical careers in research, assessment, and analysis. Students choose one of three concentrations: coaching and consulting, human resource management, or occupational health psychology. Both the MS in forensic psychology and the MA in industrial and organizational psychology are 100% online with no required residency and no GRE.
Touro also offers a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology through the School of Health Sciences of Touro College. Coursework is entirely online. However, students are required to complete a 240-hour capstone internship in the New York City area. GRE scores are not required but are preferred for this program.
Program Highlights:
MS in Forensic Psychology; MA in I&O Psychology; MS in I-O Psychology
Credits: 36 (all programs)
Length: 1 year (MS in forensic psychology, MA in I&O psychology); 15 to 21 months (MS in I-O psychology)
Cost: $500/credit (MA in forensic psychology, MA in I&O psychology); $840/credit (MS in I-O Psychology)
Mode: Fully online (MA in forensic psychology, MA in I&O psychology); fully online with in-person internship (MS in I-O psychology)
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) (Touro University, School of Health Services of Touro College); WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) (Touro University Worldwide)
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
The Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program from the private nonprofit National Louis University (NLU) combines coursework in psychology, organizational development, organizational behavior, and human resource management to provide students with the knowledge and skills to resolve workplace issues and maximize employee satisfaction and productivity. The program culminates in a capstone project; each student identifies a specific business problem and conducts a literature review and assessment, resulting in recommended solutions detailed in a consultative report. The curriculum is presented in a 20-month accelerated format with 100% asynchronous courses, allowing students to complete their studies anytime and anywhere. Up to nine credits can be transferred into this no-GRE online master’s in psychology.
NLU’s MS in industrial and organizational psychology program is aligned with the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Guidelines for Education and Training in I/O Psychology.
Program Highlights:
MS in I/O Psychology
Credits: 36 to 42
Length: 20 months
Cost: $759/credit
Mode: Fully online
Accreditation: HLC (school)
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
The Texas Tech University (TTU) Master of Education in Educational Psychology program provides students with foundational knowledge and skills to do educational psychology research in nonclinical professional settings. The 45-credit program is presented in a hybrid format that combines online asynchronous coursework with face-to-face classes on TTU’s Lubbock campus. Students have the option of concluding their studies with or without a thesis. GRE scores were required for admission into this program the past, but they have been waived for several terms now and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.
Students seeking school psychology certification or licensure should consider pairing their MEd in educational psychology with TTU’s 15-credit School Psychology Graduate Certificate.
Program Highlights:
MEd in Educational Psychology
Credits: 45
Length: Varies
Cost (tuition and fees for nine credits): $8,653/semester (Texas residents); $16,180 (out-of-state residents)
Mode: Partially online
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) (school)
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
The Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania now features a 100% online format with no on-site requirements, making it an excellent choice for working students around the country. New cohorts begin each fall semester with foundational positive psychology theory, science, and research coursework. During the spring semester, students focus on the application of positive psychology knowledge and skills in a range of professional settings. The program culminates in the summer semester with a capstone project in which the student, working independently with guidance from an advisor, uses the theories and practical applications gained during their studies in writing an academic paper.
GRE scores are not required for admission into the MA in positive psychology program except for applicants who obtained their bachelor’s degree less than three years prior to applying for the graduate program.
Program Highlights:
Master of Applied Positive Psychology
Credits: 8 courses plus capstone
Length: 1 year full-time
Cost (total est. program): $71,784
Mode: Fully online
Accreditation: MSCHE (school)
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Ranks in Category
| Online Programs (in Subject) | # |
| Online Students | # |
| Students w/Institutional Aid | # |
| Institutional Aid per Student | # |
How to Get into a No-GRE Master’s in Psychology
Without GRE scores, admissions committees rely more heavily on all other admissions requirements in making their student selections. That’s why it’s vital that you consider each requirement carefully and provide the best responses and documentation possible. Specific requirements vary from program to program. Here’s a look at the most common admission requirements for online master’s in psychology programs with no GRE required:
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Bachelor’s Degree
As with practically all master’s degree programs, no-GRE online master’s in psychology programs require that an applicant possess, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. International students may be admitted with a degree from a foreign academic institution comparable to a U.S. bachelor’s degree, as determined by the psychology master’s program. Almost all programs accept bachelor’s degrees in any major.
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Minimum GPA
All online no-GRE psychology master’s program requirements include a stated minimum cumulative grade point average (3.0 is most common) on previously completed college coursework. Typically this applies to undergraduate coursework. However some programs include all previous college coursework, including any graduate level courses (even if you weren’t formally admitted to a graduate program). Applicants unable to meet the minimum GPA requirement may, in some cases, still be allowed to apply to a psychology master’s program by meeting other criteria, such as submittal of GRE scores.
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Prerequisite Coursework
Although most no-GRE online master’s in psychology programs accept students regardless of their bachelor’s degree discipline, applicants are often required to demonstrate foundational knowledge and skills related to the study of psychology on the master’s level. This most often takes the form of prerequisite introductory coursework in psychology as well as subjects such as research design, statistics and data analysis, and even engineering and economics. Some programs (including the University of Pennsylvania program spotlighted above) accept GRE scores or evidence of practical experience in lieu of the prerequisites.
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Written Statements
Statements of purpose, personal statements, and answers to essay questions are often required parts of your application to a master’s in psychology online program with no GRE. These statements offer admissions committees what is likely the best opportunity to evaluate the personality and talents of an applicant to determine whether he or she will be a good fit for their psychology master’s program. These pieces of the application package also act as samples of the applicant’s writing abilities. It’s crucial, therefore, that you devote the time and effort necessary to get your written statements right.
Check out our guides on How to Write a Winning Graduate School Personal Statement and How to Write an Exceptional Graduate School Admissions Essay for lots of useful information and advice on creating effective written statements.
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Additional Requirements
Other common application requirements for no-GRE online psychology master’s programs include:
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate programs and courses previously completed.
- Letters of recommendation: Typically two or three. Check out our letters of recommendation guide for more on obtaining quality letters.
- Current CV or resume.
- Demonstrated English proficiency for international students who are nonnative English speakers, typically in the form of TOEFL scores or scores from another approved English proficiency exam.
For additional information and advice on getting accepted into your no-GRE online psychology master’s program, be sure to visit our guide How to Get into Grad School: Guide for New Master’s Students.
Frequently Asked Questions About No-GRE Online Psychology Master’s Programs
Are there accredited online psychology master’s programs that don’t require the GRE?
Yes, many fully-accredited colleges and universities today are trending away from requiring GRE or other standardized test scores and relying instead on other, more meaningful metrics to predict student success. It’s important to remember, however, that each no-GRE online master’s in psychology program has its own policies regarding GRE scores, with some mandating their submittal for students who fail to meet other admissions requirements.
How much do no-GRE online master’s in psychology programs cost?
The cost of no-GRE online master’s in psychology programs varies, often substantially, from program to program. In fact, the costs listed for the five programs spotlighted above range from the mid-$10,000s to over $70,000 for the prestigious University of Pennsylvania. Major factors impacting program price tags include specific major, program length, whether the school is public or private, and whether the student resides in or outside the program’s home state.
Keep in mind, though, that the real cost of your program is what you pay once all sources of financial aid (like scholarships, grants, tuition discounts, etc.) are factored in. To find out more about potential financial aid resources for your no-GRE master’s in psychology program, check out our guide to Funding Your Online Master’s Degree.
How long are no-GRE online psychology master’s programs?
The completion time for your online master’s in psychology no-GRE program depends on several elements, including your specific psychology major, choice of full-time or part-time study, and the program’s stated maximum program length (sometimes five years or more). Ball State University’s programs (spotlighted above) provide a good example of typical program lengths of one year for full-time students and one-and-a-half to three years for part-time students. Be sure you have a clear understanding of specific completion time requirements for each program before you apply.
For online psychology master’s that do need GRE scores, can the requirement be waived?
Some, if not most, online psychology master’s programs with GRE requirements also specify circumstances under which those requirements are waived. For example, Eastern Kentucky University waives the GRE requirement for applicants to its online MS in Psychology-Applied Behavior Analysis program with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. And the GRE requirement is waived for applicants to Salem State University’s MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with a previously earned master’s or higher degree.
Should I provide my GRE scores even if an online psychology master’s program doesn’t require them?
Only if the program makes clear that submitting GRE scores is optional or preferable. If that’s the case, then you should strongly consider submitting your GRE scores—but only if they’re good. Submitting subpar scores will hurt your chances of acceptance, so if you’re not sure what constitutes a good GRE score don’t hesitate to contact the program and ask.