The necessity for accreditation with a distance education program aimed toward psychology cannot be stressed enough. Psychology is a licensed profession and all state licensing agencies require that coursework used to fulfill licensing requirements be taken through an accredited program.
While the majority of distance education programs available that grant graduate degrees in psychology also have a campus-based program, a few are online only. It's especially important to check the accreditation status of these institutions.
Be certain to check that the program you wish to pursue is accredited. As a practical note, all institutions offering federal financial aid are accredited, as accreditation is required to be admitted to the financial aid program.
To pursue a graduate degree in psychology, you will have to have a bachelor's degree and meet the undergraduate prerequisites. Check with your desired program to determine which of your courses qualify and if you need to take additional courses before beginning the program.
The two types of graduate degrees available within psychology are the master's degree and the doctorate. The full range of occupations open to you will vary from state to state. However, many states allow those with a master's degree in psychology to be licensed counselors and work with minimal supervision. A doctorate is usually required for university teaching positions or private practice work.
If you begin your graduate work with all undergraduate courses in place, you will need to allow for a minimum of one year for a master's degree and three years for a doctorate. This will vary based on your program and how quickly you move through it. In general, it will take as much time for distance study as it does for on-campus study.
The ability to work towards your degree at your own pace, the lower tuition costs and the ability to continue working are obvious advantages to pursuing a graduate degree in psychology through distance education. However, because you are able to continue working, you can be setting up your post studies career while earning the degree. Depending on your workplace, you may be eligible for continuing education help. You will certainly be able to deduct your education expenses from your taxes.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, distance education programs are projected to have above average growth for at least the next decade before beginning to level out. This growth is predicted to be highest in the social sciences areas such as psychology.
Because psychology graduate degrees do not require on-campus work, these programs are well suited to the distance education method of study.