9 One Year Masters in Psychology Programs (And How to Find a Psych Program That May Save You Time!)

Pepperdine is a Christian university based in Malibu, California. (They also have five graduate campuses throughout Southern California, six international locations, and flexible online programs.) Welcoming students of all faith backgrounds, Pepperdine values diversity as well as making the world a better place through service.

Pepperdine University’s Master of Arts in Psychology program features online courses designed to suit your busy life, plus in-person volunteer work. In this non-licensure program, you’ll study psychotherapy techniques, multicultural counseling, career development, and more. The online MA in Psychology program is available in many but not all states.

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is an accredited institution dedicated to education in Psychology and beyond. They offer over 20 advanced study degree programs in areas like Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, and more. Many programs are offered online, and others may be pursued at campuses in Chicago, New Orleans, Dallas, Southern California, and Washington, D.C.

TCSPP is home to an MA in Psychology program that may be earned in as little as one year, for full-time students. Choose from potential concentrations in areas like Social & Community Psychology, Organizational Leadership, Forensic Psychology, Theory and Practice and more. Generally, students take 21 credits and foundational courses, in addition to 9 credits in their concentration.

Tiffin is a private, nonprofit university founded in 1888 in Tiffin, Ohio. They serve over 3,000 students, across 50+ undergraduate majors and more than 25 graduate programs. Tiffin University’s popular programs include Psychology, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Management, and more.

Tiffin’s online MS in Psychology program in their psychology department takes an interdisciplinary approach, with courses taught by faculty across the fields of both mental health and criminal justice. This non-licensure program focuses on scientific and experimental psychology, not counseling or clinical psychology. So, you’ll study areas like social psychology, cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, and more.

For over 45 years, Walden University has served adult students in online programs across diverse disciplines. Committed to positive social change, Walden emphasizes ethical integrity, diversity, information literacy, and a passion for lifelong learning. The university enrolls over 57,000 students. Walden’s online M.S. in Forensic Psychology programs features ten career-focused concentrations, so you can zero in on the area you’re most interested in – from Cybercrimes to Terrorism. You’ll study the biological, psychological, and social factors that lead to crime, as well as research and assessment methods that may be used in forensic cases. The program’s interactive online coursework includes case studies, podcasts, expert interviews, and other ways to engage with what you’re learning.

The University of Southern California is a private research university based in Los Angeles. Founded in 1880, USC developed alongside (and became a key part of) the city of LA. Today, the university serves about 44,000 students across diverse degree programs that focus on interdisciplinary study, research, and collaboration.

USC’s online Master of Science in Applied Psychology is designed for working professionals with interests in both business and psychology. The program features 34 credits in core coursework and electives within your concentration, plus a required internship. Students who take two courses per term may earn the degree in 16 months – just a little over one year!

Did you know students at Sacred Heart University volunteer over 100,000 hours every year? A private, Catholic university based in Fairfield, Connecticut, Sacred Heart takes pride in offering contemporary education true to its faith-based roots. The university serves over 8,500 students across more than 80 academic programs – both on campus and online.

The online Master’s in Applied Psychology (MSAP) program at Sacred Heart is designed to cover the ins and outs of behavioral and workplace psychology. Candidates may choose from concentrations in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Community Psychology, and General Applied Psychology. The psychological research based program may be perfect even for those with an undergraduate degree in a field other than Psychology.

Chartered in 1949, Grand Canyon University has undergone decades of evolution to become a diverse institution offering graduate programs and online learning in addition to a traditional, undergraduate college experience. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, the university serves over 19,000 students on campus and 60,000+ students online.

GCU’s Master of Science in Psychology program focuses on contemporary issues, offering a general overview of the field in addition to concentrations in Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Social Service, and more. Students may choose to study online or on campus, in a format featuring once-per-week evening classes designed for working adults.

Pennsylvania State University is a public, land-grant, doctoral university serving around 100,000 students across 24 campuses. The second-largest campus in the university system, Penn State World Campus, makes learning accessible to students beyond Pennsylvania via over 150 online degree and certificate programs.

The online MPS in the Psychology of Leadership program offered through Penn State World Campus is designed for working professionals looking to explore the social, cultural, and psychological components of leadership. The 33-credit program covers areas like motivation, mentorship, human resources strategy, human development, team dynamics, leadership psychological theory, and research related to the field. Candidates pursue core coursework, electives, and a Capstone Experience.

Northcentral’s University is a regionally accredited online institution designed to serve students with diverse goals. The school’s programs feature 100% doctoral faculty and a one-on-one learning model, meaning you partner with a professor in each of your courses. With weekly course starts, you may even be able to launch your studies right away. Northcentral offers multiple paths to earning a Master’s in Psychology online. The program with the shortest average length is the MA in Psychology, which requires 30-36 credit hours depending on your specialization. The program focuses on behavioral, emotional, and cognitive processes, with an emphasis on critical thinking, research, and writing.