Finding an affordable online Master’s in Developmental Psychology degree may be an exhaustive process, but it doesn’t have to be. The field is continuously growing and this has made it easier for professionals to find degrees that either exists in the field or those that lead to a pathway into it through a related discipline; a great example of this is educational psychology. And since more of these professionals are needed in the field, the number of programs that are becoming available as online or low-residency options is opening the field up to passionate working adults.
Because developmental psychology is closely related to child and adolescent development, this ranking will provide professionals with a mix of educational psychology, childhood and adolescent developmental psychology, and general development psychology programs. This is done for several reasons, the most important being that developmental psychology is already a discipline found in the previously mentioned list of programs; stand-alone developmental psychology degrees with online options are also hard to come by. Professionals will note, however, that all the degrees listed represent developmental psychology in one form or another and will make great choices for those who have a specialty within the field that they would like to pursue.
The number of psychologists or working professionals who are already in the workforce who wish to earn a graduate education is astounding, but the fact remains that campus-only programs are not a viable option for most professionals. Traditional programs tend to be more expensive, require more time and are less flexible than online programs. This ranking proves that it is possible to find online or low-residency programs that are the opposite of traditional programs; they are affordable, provide more flexibility in terms of time spent studying, and take less time to earn, making them great choices for the busiest of professionals.
Methodology
This ranking began as a research question that utilized the National Center of Education Statistics and its publicly available College Navigator database. A list of 35 schools made the initial cut and was identified by searching for “online Master’s in Developmental Psychology” degrees. They were then individually reviewed and compared to other schools based on several factors, the most important being tuition rates. The final 10 programs were chosen and ranked based on the school’s total estimated in-state graduate tuition cost for the program.
Ranking Low-Cost Master’s in Developmental Psychology
10. CUNY School of Professional Studies
New York City, New York
Online Master of Arts in Psychology, Concentration in Developmental Psychology
Tuition: $16,380
Students at the CUNY School of Professional Studies have access to a cheap Master’s in Developmental Psychology online that is the first and only degree of its kind in the country. This program is offered 100 percent online; students never have to step foot on campus. There are two concentrations for this degree, both of which are available online: Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Developmental Psychology. Students will find all of their coursework available through the school’s virtual portal; the portal is also home to online features such as a library, a bookstore, and a tutoring area. This degree is very competitive; interested students are encouraged to inquire about the program and its graduation requirements by contacting the school’s graduate admissions office.
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
Online Master of Science in Educational Psychology, Concentration in Learning and Cognition
Tuition: $15,993
Florida State University is home to an affordable online Master’s in Developmental Psychology degree that is designed to specialize a student’s understanding of learning and cognition through the scope of educational psychology. The program is available entirely online with no residency requirements. Students will be able to choose between completing a thesis or a course-work only option for the degree. Courses are found through the school’s learning management system and feature small class sizes, part-time and full-time options, live and on-demand classes, and more. This degree requires that students complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework and a thesis or comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Theories of Social Psychology, Theories of Learning and Cognition in Instruction, and Lifespan Development.
8. Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
Online Master of Arts in Educational Psychology
Tuition: $15,600
The affordable online Master’s in Developmental Psychology degree that is offered by Ball State University was designed to be a research-based degree aimed at education professionals. A student who studies part-time can reasonably complete this degree in two years, making it a great choice for busy professionals. This degree is offered exclusively online and utilizes the school’s virtual portal to deliver live and on-demand sessions in eight-week sessions. There are four concentrations available for this degree: Gifted and Talented, Human Development, Statistical and Research Methods, and Neuropsychology. All tracks require a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework, a culminating experience, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Advanced Educational Psychology, Child Development, and Adolescent Development.
7. The University of North Texas
Denton, Texas
Online Master of Science in Educational Psychology, Concentration in Research and Evaluation
Tuition: $15,400
The University of North Texas confers an affordable online Master’s in Developmental Psychology degree that was designed as a 100 percent online course of study that is flexible enough to fit into any professional’s schedule. With no residency requirements attached to graduation, students can rest easy knowing that all of their coursework and exams are held online through the school’s learning management system. Courses are completed as live or on-demand sessions that run in eight-week terms, making it possible for a student to graduate in just 15 months. This degree requires a minimum of 33 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive final exam. More information on this degree and its requirements can be found by contacting the school’s graduate admissions office.
6. The University of Nevada at Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Online Master of Science in Educational Psychology
Tuition: $12,243
Students at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas are offered the chance to complete an affordable online Master’s in Developmental Psychology that is offered entirely online with no residency requirements. Students will be able to complete the degree through the school’s virtual portal; courses are delivered live and on-demand. Students will focus on educational psychology but also have the chance to tailor their degree to their specific needs, providing them with an individualized program that was built for their career goals. Students can also choose to complete a thesis or a non-thesis track for graduation. Both require a minimum of 33 credit hours and a capstone seminar. Sample courses include Human Growth and Development, Foundations of Learning and Cognition, and Psychometrics.
5. Oklahoma State University
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Online Master of Science in Educational Psychology
Tuition: $12,139
Oklahoma State University delivers students an affordable online Master’s in Educational Psychology that puts a strong emphasis on developmental psychology. It is a great choice for professionals in the field or who work in a related setting. Students will note that there are two concentrations for this degree: Educational Psychology and Educational Research and Evaluation. This degree is offered 100 percent online with no residency requirements. All courses are delivered asynchronously or synchronously through the school’s learning management system. More information on this degree, such as graduation requirements and sample course offerings, can be found by contacting the school’s graduate admissions office.
4. Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
Online Master of Education in Educational Psychology with an Emphasis in School Counseling
Tuition: $15,144
The affordable online Master’s in Developmental Psychology degree available from Texas A&M University was designed for professionals who are interested in pursuing a career in educational psychology. This degree is offered entirely online in both asynchronous and synchronous formats in order to offer students a variety of options for their education. Students will note that as of 2018, this degree will provide a pathway to become licensed as a school counselor in the state of Texas. Students will find that the program requires field practicums that are to take place in their community under the supervision of a preceptor. This degree requires a minimum of 48 credit hours of coursework, two practicums, a culminating experience, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Planning and Organizing Comprehensive Guidance Programs, Issues in Child and Adolescent Development, and Techniques of Research.
3. Marist College
Poughkeepsie, New York
Online NCATE Accredited Master of Arts in Educational Psychology
Tuition: $11,988
Marist College is proud to offer an affordable online Master’s in Developmental Psychology degree that focuses on educational psychology. The program is fully accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. This program meets the requirement to license students as professional teachers and comes with two certification tracts: Professional Certification in Childhood Education and Professional Certification in Adolescent Education. This degree is offered entirely online; there are no residency requirements. Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework, an electronic portfolio, and a comprehensive final exam. More information about this degree and its graduation requirements can be found by contacting the school’s graduate admissions office.
2. The University of Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Online Master of Arts in Educational Psychology, Concentration in Learning and Assessment
Tuition: $11,820
Students interested in an affordable online Master’s in Developmental Psychology degree will be pleased to hear that the University of Alabama is a great place for their education needs. This program is offered exclusively online, negating the need for residency on campus. The program also boasts full accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The program does not lead to certification and is best suited for professionals who have licensure. Students can expect to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework, a research project, and a capstone project. Sample courses include Development of Self-Regulation, Social and Cultural Foundations of Behavior, and Advanced Educational Psychology.
1. Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas
Online Master of Science in School Psychology
Tuition: $8,633
Fort Hays State University confers an affordable online Master’s in Developmental Psychology degree that is designed for professionals who are interested in becoming supervisors in the field of educational psychology. This degree was devised to be completed entirely online with no residency requirements. Students will note that this degree does not lead to licensure. All courses for this degree are available through the school’s learning management system and are completed as live or on-demand sessions that run in 16-week terms. Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Appraisal of Children, Professional Ethics in Psychology, and Developmental Psychology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Career Options for an Affordable Accelerated Online Master’s in Developmental Psychology?
- University Professor
- Adolescent Development Specialist
- Group Home Manager
- Psychological Coordinators
- Developmental Psychology Researcher
- Developmental Disabilities Service Coordinator
- Substance Abuse Social Worker
- Educational Consultant
- Residential Youth Treatment Specialist
- Early Childhood Education Specialist
- Hospital Facilitator
- Developmental Psychologist
- School Psychologist
- Rehabilitation Center Program Director
- Qualified Developmental Disability Professional
How Much Can You Earn in this Field?
The national median salary for professionals in the developmental psychology field is $75,230. The starting salary for professionals is $54,000. The salary range for the field is between $45,000 to $85,000. These figures take into account sectors in which a professional can work, their specialization, domestic and international positions, and region of the country where similar positions may net higher or lower salaries. It does not include any additional forms of compensation that may be accrued through a position; this includes overtime pay or commissions for speaking at a conference and may also extend to additional projects that are related to, but not part of, a professional’s normal duties and responsibilities.
Psychologists and therapists in the field tend to make the lowest salaries; the range is between $45,000 to $55,000. Those who choose to specialize in developmental disabilities may make up to $75,000, depending on whether they work as a specialist or a coordinator. Those who choose to pursue administrative roles make the most in terms of salary, which is estimated to be around $95,000 but also have a lot of responsibility that makes the job challenging.
It is possible to work towards, and earn, a supervisory role with just a master’s degree in the field; however, most administrative and leading roles will require a doctorate in the field in order to even apply for the position. This is something that professionals will want to keep in mind, especially once they consider that it is possible to make over $100,000 in private settings with a doctorate degree.
Students will note that their specialty, should they have earned one during their education, may play a key role in the salary they may net in the workplace. Those who choose to specialize in helping children or work in special education are in higher demand than other specialties and so may find salaries to be much more competitive. Other positions, such as that of professor or researcher, will also depend on specialty and a professional may find themselves in high demand if they choose a focus area that is coveted in the field.
What are the Various Disciplines of Developmental Psychology?
Developmental psychology is the method of learning how humans grow and adapt to their surroundings throughout the lifespan. The purpose of the field is to uncover how humans think and behave at the different stages of life, explain it to their peers and the public, and then work out new ways to optimize development in populations who may be struggling with certain aspects of the process. It is an academic and research-driven discipline at its core but has recently become critical to applied psychology, especially as it pertains to school-age children and adolescents.
The field is informed by several disciplines. Psychology and sociology are the most important disciplines as the field focuses on human development and the communities that help or hinder the process. Other disciplines include anthropology, archaeology, medicine, neuroscience, linguistics, history, culture, religion, and philosophy. Special education and education are also incredibly important to the field as it tends to share strong similarities with educational psychology; both fields focus on children and adolescents and their developmental processes from infancy into adulthood, albeit through different perspectives.
The field has some specialties, or sub-disciplines, that it informs. These will be known to most psychologists as these focus areas are found to be critical areas of research and applied practice. They include substance abuse, research, gerontology, childhood and adolescent behavior, developmental disabilities, and special education. While these are specialties, not all programs will offer them as such and so it will be up to the professional to choose a program that meets their needs.
While developmental psychology is still finding its way into applied practice, thereby making finding programs that are dedicated to them difficult, it is a field that may have enormous implications on how society views the development process in the future. From learning how to help individuals with developmental disabilities find a way to build a productive life independently to learning how certain situations may negatively or positively impact a child’s view of the world, the field is going to great lengths to teach humans about how and why they develop the way they do. Professionals who interested in taking part in this field are strongly encouraged to look towards the affordable online Master’s in Developmental Psychology degrees on this list to find the program that will help them reach their career goals.
This concludes our ranking of the Top 10 Most Affordable Accelerated Master’s in Developmental Psychology Online degree programs.
By OPD Staff