The best applied psychology master’s programs – 2024

Applied psychology master’s students learn how to use the principles and methods of psychology to solve day-to-day problems in various contexts. Most programs have a highly practical focus.

Applied psych programs often emphasize a specific setting where psychological principles can be “put to work.” This could be:

• Organizational/industrial psychology
• Behavior analysis
• Psychology for teachers

Importantly, not all applied psych programs lead to state licensure.

Some of the programs listed below lead to corporate psychology jobs (which don’t require licensure); others allow you to become a Licensed Behavior Analyst – someone who diagnoses, counsels, and helps people on the autism spectrum or with similar disorders.

Remember that licensing requirements – and minimum educational requirements for psychology jobs – vary from state to state.

In this article, we reveal the best applied psychology master’s programs in the country – by value for money.

Is a master’s in applied psychology worth it?

Someone with a master’s in clinical, counseling, or applied psych earns $14,137 less per year than the national average for all master’s holders.

Just 4 years after earning their degree, the average master’s in clinical, counseling, or applied psychology earns $55,263 per year. That’s 20.37% less than the average salary for a master’s degree holder.

The average debt for a master’s student with these degrees is $60,007 at graduation.

However, if you choose to pursue a doctorate, you could enjoy much higher earnings, with fully licensed clinical psychologists earning $80,000 – $90,000 a year according to the BLS.

Master’s in applied psych vs. other types of psychology degrees

Ironically, a master’s degree in practical psych has somewhat fewer practical applications than other types of psychology degrees.

If you want to become a clinical psychologist or a therapist, you will need to get a doctorate, or PsyD. Usually, PsyD students have a master’s in clinical psych.

Alternatively, if you want to stop your studies at your master’s, consider a degree in counseling psychology, which will prepare you to become a licensed professional counselor in some states. You could also study marriage and family counseling.

Depending on the individual program, a master’s in applied psych is best for people who want to work in a corporate context or become a licensed behavior analyst (in certain states). Otherwise you can earn a master’s in applied behavior analysis.

You can see a more detailed exploration of different types of psychology programs in our list of top applied psych schools below.

How we made this list

We rank degrees by value for money, i.e., return on investment (ROI). This rewards colleges that are the “best deal,” offering higher salaries after you leave school for relatively low costs up front. You can read more on our methodology page.

This ranking includes 14 accredited applied psychology master’s programs at 4-year universities in the U.S. We only include schools that disclose sufficient earnings and/or cost data to the National Center for Education Statistics.

We excluded:

• Community colleges
• Fully online schools
• Non-accredited institutions

To be included on this list, programs must be registered as applied psychology in the Department of Education’s CIP code classification system. These programs may be referred to by slightly different names by the universities themselves. You can explore how the Department of Education categorizes psychology degrees on the NCES website.

While school-level data on this page is for applied psychology degrees, aggregated data about how much applied psychology master’s grads earn on average is for the more general CIP Code Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (42.28).

Average salary with a master’s in applied psychology.

The average salary of people with a master’s in clinical, counseling, or applied psychology, 4 years after graduating college, is $55,263.  This data comes from NCES.

Getting a master’s gives you a 25.46% earnings boost compared to someone with just a bachelor’s in applied psychology. The table below shows how much people earn on average with a degree in counseling/clinical/applied psychology at various levels. Note that associate-level data is for degrees merely labeled “psychology.”

Not enough doctorate-level data is publicly available for us to show you earnings figures, but according to the BLS, licensed psychologists, who generally need a PhD, earn $85,330 per year.

Getting a master’s in applied psychology online

Because they are convenient and affordable, online degrees are getting more and more popular.

On average, 4 years after graduating, people with an online master’s in clinical, counseling, or applied psychology earn $53,213 yearly, which is 3.7% less than the average for all clinical/counseling/applied psych master’s holders– a negligible difference. Data comes from NCES  and covers both fully online and hybrid programs.

By value for money, the top 3 best online master’s in applied psych programs are:

1. University of Southern California
2. Capella University
3. University of Northern Colorado

 Also read: The best online master’s in psychology programs with no GRE

How long does it take to get a master’s in applied psychology?

Generally, programs are 2 years. However, if you study part time, your program might be longer.

Other degrees that involve applied psychology

Strictly speaking, these are not “applied psychology” degrees; however, they involve elements of applied psychology in that they leverage psychological sciences to make a real, practical difference in people’s lives.

---

Clinical psychology

Clinical psychology is a popular specialty and involves working closely with patients. This interaction can occur individually or in a group setting. Professionals diagnose and treat mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, schizophrenia, and eating disorders. A few states allow clinical psychologists to prescribe medications.

Clinical psychologists may choose to treat many different types of disorders or focus on one. They work to help clients identify their emotional and behavioral challenges and guide them as they develop plans and goals that will improve the quality of their lives. These professionals tailor their interventions to meet the needs of individual clients.

Self-employment is an option for clinical psychologists who decide to establish a private practice. They may also work in partnership with other mental health professionals in a joint practice. Additional settings include:

• Mental health hospitals
• Group homes
• Government or nonprofit programs that serve the community
• Eating behavior residential programs
• University programs that serve staff and students

---

Counseling psychology

Counseling psychologists work with clients in many of the same settings as clinical psychologists. They can also have private or group practices or work in larger organizations.

The main difference is that clinical psychologists typically work with people who have more significant mental health impairments.

Psychologists in this field focus on how their clients handle personal relationships. They use the results of neuropsychological studies to help people deal with physical, emotional, social, work- and school-related problems. They can help clients make choices regarding career development.

---

Applied behavior analysis

Applied behavior analysis (ABA), also called behavioral engineering, is a therapeutic technique for modifying human and animal behavior. It is carried out using psychological principles related to learning.

ABA can be used to understand behavior and how it is influenced by environmental factors. The most important task of an applied behavior analyst is to increase desirable and helpful behavior and decrease harmful or undesirable behavior.

ABA is mainly applied to helping children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cope with a neurotypical world. It is the only evidence-based therapy for treating behavioral issues associated with ASD.

---

School psychology

School psychologists typically work in elementary and secondary schools. They support students as they deal with interpersonal issues and can help improve communication skills.

School psychologists can provide information and guidance to students who are unsure about their class and career choices. Professionals in this field collaborate with teachers and parents to help them provide a healthy learning environment for children and teens. They can also offer behavior management techniques for use in the classroom and at home.

Psychologists who work in schools can assist students in individual and group settings. They can also work on a more organizational level, providing services like:

• Consultation and collaboration
• Instructional support for the development of academic skills
• Mental health services
• School-wide learning strategies
• Mediation of the relationship between school and family
• Diversity in learning and development
• Program evaluation

School psychologists can also find employment in schools, universities, hospitals, state agencies, and private clinics.

---

Forensic psychology

Forensic psychologists provide services in the justice system, working with judges, lawyers, and other legal specialists regarding the psychological details of specific cases. They have the expertise to:

• Give expert testimony in court
• Develop profiles of suspects
• Perform child custody evaluations
• Evaluate whether a suspect is mentally competent to stand trial
• Screen potential police officers for employment
• Investigate suspected child abuse

Forensic psychologists may specialize in one area, such as family, criminal, or civil law.

---

Industrial and organizational psychology

Industrial/organizational (I/O) psychologists apply knowledge and principles to workplace behavior, including areas like sales, human resources, marketing, and organizational development. Professionals in this field assist businesses with the following tasks:

• Recruiting and selecting employees
• Organizational development
• Job training
• Improving productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness
• Ergonomics
• Maximizing employees’ quality of life and wellness
• Deciding which job best fits a worker’s skill set

I/O psychologists can work as independent consultants, serving a company on an as-needed basis, or hold a fixed position.

---

Rehabilitation psychology

Rehabilitation counselors work with individuals who have physical or developmental disabilities or chronic illnesses. They help treat psychological issues like stress and depression to improve their clients’ quality of life, including health and learning outcomes.

These professionals can work in several different settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Clinics
• Counseling centers
• Assisted living facilities

For example, in a rehabilitation facility, a psychologist might help patients accept their condition and adapt to any necessary assistive technology. They can also assist clients and their families in adjusting to new routines after illness or injury.

---

Sports psychology

Sports psychologists work with athletes to improve their mental and emotional health so they can perform their best. These professionals can help coaches and team owners assess talent and understand what players need to reach their potential. They may participate in developing training programs that respect athletes’ developmental and social particularities.

These professionals can aid athletes in enhancing performance through:

• Goal setting
• Visualization
• Mental rehearsal
• Cultivating positive attitudes and self-talk
• Improving attention and focus
• Managing anxiety
• Motivation

Sports psychologists also work with injured athletes to help them overcome strong emotions associated with the need to take time off from their sport. They can provide treatment for those suffering from depression or eating disorders.

Professional athletic teams tend to emphasize performance enhancement. However, sports psychologists who work with children and teenagers may focus more on how athletics improves overall mental health.

---

Cognitive psychology

Cognitive psychologists study mental processes like thinking, memory, language, attention, and perception. They also deal with issues related to problem-solving and learning. While there’s a lot of research involved, the profession also has various practical applications. For instance, professionals in this area can help people:

• Recover and adapt after brain injury
• Deal with memory disorders like Alzheimer’s or other dementias
• Improve learning outcomes
• Increase accuracy in decision-making
• Structure curriculum to facilitate learning
• Treat sensory or perceptual issues

They use strategies from research psychology to give people a better quality of life. For example, by understanding that attention is limited and selective, these professionals can guide people to develop practical solutions to improve their concentration.

Professionals who study cognitive processes can use different titles, such as counseling psychologist or clinical psychologist. Many psychiatrists also apply principles of cognitive psychology in their practice.

---

Developmental psychology

Developmental psychologists study the phases of life from infancy through late adulthood. They conduct research and create theories about how people change during their lifetime.

These professionals contribute to society in the following ways:

• Evaluating children to see if they have developmental delays or disabilities
• Informing educators regarding how children acquire language skills
• Developing ways to help elderly people stay independent
• Helping parents understand how to interact with their children at different ages

Developmental psychologists may choose to concentrate on one specialty area, such as developmental delays. Others might focus their research or practice just on children, teens, or the elderly. These professionals can work in hospitals, private or government services, offices of mental health practitioners, or schools.

Financial aid opportunities

Many programs offer funding to help applied psychology students pay for their studies. You might consider beginning your search with the Federal Student Aid website. It provides general information about grants, scholarships, and other forms of aid. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to discover which funding sources may be available to you.

Award amounts start as low as a few hundred dollars. In other cases, they can reach thousands. It all depends on the organization offering the funding. We’ve listed a few possibilities that may be helpful:

• The APAGS/Psi Chi Junior Scientist Fellowship offers $1,000 research fellowships to 12 first- and second-year graduate students. To qualify, they should be members of both Psi Chi and APAGS.
• The APA Society Convention Research Awards recognizes outstanding empirical research presentations at the annual APA convention. It awards $400 to 2 undergraduates and $500 to 2 graduate students. Submissions are due by April 15 of each year.
• The APF Graduate Student Scholarships program awards 21 graduate scholarships annually. The amount ranges from $2,000 to $5,000.
• The APS Society Convention Research Awards recognize outstanding poster presentations at the annual APS Convention. Prizes of $500 go to 2 graduate students, and 2 undergraduates receive $400 each. Applications are due by February 1.
• The Kay Wilson Presidential Leadership Award is a $1,200 cash prize that goes to an outstanding Psi Chi chapter president each year. It is awarded by nomination rather than application.
• The NASP-ERT Minority Scholarship Program (NASP-ERT MSP) supports the graduate education of minority students studying school psychology. Selected scholars receive awards of $5,000 each year.
• The Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant awards $10,000 to 1 graduate student working to increase public understanding of the challenges adults face when they have visible physical disabilities.