Master’s in Behavioral Psychology Online Degrees

What Is Behavioral Psychology?

Behavioral psychology focuses on observable behavior and how behavior is learned and changed through interactions with the environment . Professionals who use behavioral principles may assess patterns of behavior and design interventions to help people address mental health or behavioral concerns, including depression, trauma, and stress management.

Many behavioral psychologists use applied behavior analysis (ABA), a type of therapy rooted in behavioral psychology research. ABA puts behavioral psychology into practice through careful monitoring and continuous evaluation to help modify clients’ learned behaviors.

Psychology professionals interested in providing ABA services may earn the Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification. Those interested in ABA may also pursue bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees in this area.

What Is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the application of behavioral psychology principles based on the science of learning and behavior. Studying and utilizing ABA can be beneficial in a number of ways. It helps people understand how behavior works, how a person’s environment affects their behavior, and how behavior is learned. Over time, ABA uses systematic assessment, intervention, and ongoing measurement to help improve socially significant behaviors and skills. ABA therapy may be applied in a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, and homes.

Regardless of the environment, ABA can be used to create interventions tailored to the client, adapting to their needs, interests, skills, preferences, and family situation. Driven by positive reinforcement, ABA helps behavioral analysts identify and modify behavioral responses while decreasing problematic behaviors.

Insights Into Online Master’s Degree in Behavioral Psychology Programs

Considering any of the programs listed above? We’ve gathered admissions information for your review below, but it is always best to check the university’s website for the most up-to-date information.

The data collected below was last updated in April 2026.

How to Choose a Master’s Program in Behavioral Psychology

When choosing a master’s program in behavioral psychology, it’s useful to consider accreditation. Students interested in becoming Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) should carefully evaluate whether a program’s curriculum aligns with current BCBA eligibility requirements. ABAI-accredited or recognized behavior-analysis programs may help students meet widely recognized standards for behavior-analytic coursework, and they can support preparation for supervised fieldwork requirements that may also align with some state licensure expectations.

If the degree program is accredited, aspiring behavioral psychologists may consider how well it fits their lifestyle. For individuals with professional or personal obligations, an online master’s in behavioral psychology may be a viable option as it allows students to pursue their education without relocating—and often on their own schedules.

Master’s in Behavioral Psychology Program Requirements

The criteria for admission to a master’s in behavioral psychology program will differ between universities, but there are some general expectations. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is typically required. Some schools may require a minimum GPA of 3.0 and prior coursework in psychology and/or education. Letters of recommendation may come from academic or professional sources.

Master’s in Behavioral Psychology Coursework

ABAI-accredited master’s in behavioral psychology programs should include at least 405 hours of instruction and 90 hours of supervised experiential learning. Additionally, coursework may cover six specific subject areas—principles of behavior, research methods, conceptual analysis, applied behavior analysis, basic behavior analysis, and ethics—and the curriculum should culminate in a thesis or equivalent component.

Sample ABA courses might include:

• Conditioning and learning: Students examine conditioning and learning from an experimental perspective of behavior analysis, with an emphasis on demonstrating basic laboratory research procedures and findings.
• Professional and research ethics: Introduces students to today’s professional conduct standards and the issues they may face in living up to them and resolving the ethical issues that impede professional conduct.
• Behavioral assessment: Students learn to assess and understand social behaviors relevant to behavioral interventions.

Career Paths in Behavioral Psychology

While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not collect data on behavioral psychologists, it does track career outlook and salary information for all psychologists. The BLS reports that the annual median pay for psychologists was $94,310 in May 2024. From 2024 to 2034, the overall employment of psychologists is expected to increase by 6%.

Many psychologists need a doctoral or professional degree, although some positions in school and industrial-organizational psychology may be available with a master’s degree. As previously mentioned, if you wish to specialize in ABA, you can obtain the Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification. To earn this credential, you generally must complete a qualifying graduate degree, approved coursework or pathway alignment, supervised fieldwork, and a passing exam under current BACB requirements. How much you earn as an ABA-related professional depends on factors such as location, employer, education level, and more.

The career paths listed below are examples of professional opportunities that individuals interested in behavioral psychology and human relationships may pursue, though this list is not exhaustive. Do keep in mind that certain positions may require specific education and training in order to obtain licensure to practice. If any of these careers interest you, be sure to research the necessary steps and requirements for practice.

Psychologist

Psychologists analyze their clients’ cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behaviors to make sense of their thoughts, feelings, and relationships with others and with their environment. This understanding serves as a foundation for psychologists to enhance their clients’ processes and behaviors. They achieve this by interviewing clients and using psychological tests and other assessment tools to formulate tailored treatment plans, which they then discuss with their clients.

Earning a master’s degree in psychology (or a subfield like behavioral psychology) may be sufficient to practice in school and industrial organizational settings, though most psychologists need a doctoral degree.

Marriage and Family Therapist

Marriage and family therapists provide support to individuals grappling with challenges in their family and other interpersonal relationships. Through therapeutic techniques, they encourage clients to openly discuss their emotions and experiences, helping them process their feelings, especially those triggered by reactions to and adjustments to significant life changes. Marriage and family therapists then guide their clients through future decision-making processes. These professionals may also refer clients to other community resources and services, such as support groups.

Practicing as a marriage and family therapist requires a master’s degree, as well as a license. Master’s programs for marriage and family therapists may include psychology courses that show students how marriages, families, and relationships function, as well as how these sorts of relationships tend to affect mental and emotional disorders.

Social Worker

Social workers help clients address the challenges that affect their day-to-day lives. Individuals on the path to becoming licensed social workers are taught to assess a client’s needs, strengths, and available support networks to understand their goals. They then work to address any obstacles hindering the achievement of those goals and respond to crisis situations that may exacerbate the client’s problems. Social workers are also trained to research and advocate for community resources on behalf of the clients.

While some social workers need only a bachelor’s degree, clinical social workers must possess a master’s degree, as well as a license to practice. Master’s in social work programs may touch on human psychology and prepare learners to practice their chosen specialty.

Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance abuse counselors support clients facing substance abuse challenges such as alcoholism, drug addiction, and related behavioral health conditions. Their purpose is to explore various treatment options, enabling clients to modify their behaviors and work toward recovery. They may also educate clients’ family members about the disorder to help them develop effective coping strategies. Additionally, they may direct clients to other resources and services, such as job placement programs.

If you plan on working as a substance abuse counselor in private practice, requirements vary by state, but counselors typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, and licensure often requires a master’s degree, supervised experience such as an internship or residency, and passing a state-recognized exam. Master’s degree programs for substance abuse counselors may delve into topics like psychology, behavioral disorders, or mental health.

Behavioral Psychology Degree & Career Comparison

Behavioral psychology may lead to a variety of career outcomes depending on which degree you decide to pursue. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), a bachelor’s degree in psychology can prepare graduates to work in public affairs, education, and health. They may work as counselors, probation officers, or writers.

Earning a master’s in behavioral psychology online—which typically requires an additional two years of coursework plus a thesis—can prepare students for roles in consulting, market research, government, counseling, or academia. Pursuing a PhD also prepares graduates for research and, on average, takes 5 to 7 years to complete. Career options at the master’s level vary by specialty, employer, and state licensure rules, so students should verify requirements for any role involving independent clinical practice.

Behavioral Psychology vs. Cognitive Psychology

Those who earn a master’s in behavioral psychology online focus on the relationship between environmental factors and behavior. Conversely, cognitive psychology focuses on the relationship between internal mental processes and behavior. In other words, behavioral psychology examines the patient’s external world, while cognitive psychology focuses on their internal world. APA defines cognitive psychology as the branch of psychology that explores mental processes such as perception, attention, thinking, language, and memory.

Behavioral Psychology vs. Clinical Psychology

Individuals who earn a master’s in behavioral psychology online focus on external influences affecting behavior. Clinical psychology is a specialty focused on the assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of emotional and behavioral disorders, and independent clinical psychologist roles typically require doctoral training. Health psychologists, for example, study how biological, psychological, and social factors affect health and illness; some may work in clinical or medical settings depending on their role and training.

Interested in a career in behavioral psychology? The following questions and answers describe what behavioral psychologists do and what training is required to become one.

Related Online Mental Health Degrees

• Online Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Online Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Online Master’s in Social Work (MSW)