Whether you didn’t score high enough on the GRE or you simply don’t have the time to study for and take the test, but if you want to earn an online master’s in psychology you may not have to worry any more. Here, you’ll find 11 online master’s in psychology no GRE required and the admissions requirements at each.
Many online psychology master’s degrees don’t require the GRE for admissions. Other psychology programs only require the GRE if you have earned less than the recommended GPA. However, usually these schools are still competitive in nature and have other admissions requirements.
Check out the sponsored listings below to see programs for Online Master's in Psychology no GRE required, and click on any of the links to contact the school directly and learn how to apply.
written by Shannon Fandler
A Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence, Pepperdine University strives to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
The admissions requirements for the online master’s in psychology programs at Pepperdine do not include the GRE, but do include:
In addition, if your native language isn’t English and you did not earn the equivalent of a four-year US undergraduate or graduate degree, you must provide TOEFL scores.
One of three online master’s in psychology programs at Pepperdine is:
This program is designed to provide you with a thorough understanding of how to use techniques and researchh methods based on applied behavior analysis, or ABA, to improve behaviors with those who have been diagnosed with autism or have other developmental disabilities.
The unique model of education at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology is based on more than just theory, which is why the practitioner faculty integrates classroom learning with relevant, applicable examples from their own experience.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology doesn’t require the GRE for any of the master’s in psychology programs, including all of the online programs.
Many of the master’s programs require a 3.0 GPA, however every applicant is viewed holistically, including an emphasis on personal and professional experience and accomplishments.
Designed to offer a diverse array of innovative academic programs that foster academic excellence, intellectual inquiry, leadership, research, and commitment to community, Nova Southeastern University offers a dynamic, life-long learning environment that may start with earning your master.
Nova Southeastern only requires applicants who have less than a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credits of undergraduate study to submit GRE results with a preferred score of 300 (verbal and quantitative). You may also avoid having to submit your GRE scores if you’ve completed a minimum of 18 credits of graduate study with a 3.0 or higher.
With more than 1,600 graduate students, the University of Hartford strives to provide a robust, distinctive educational experience in order to prepare students for success in the 21st century.
There are no GRE requirements for the online psychology programs at the University of Hartford.
The other admissions requirements include:
This program addresses the critical leadership skills required to enhance organizational effectiveness through a theoretical framework combined with research design, data collection and analysis, communication, facilitation, and organizational issues.
By mentoring students one-on-one via advanced delivery modalities, Northcentral University is committed to helping students achieve their academic goals and become valuable contributors to their communities.
There are no GRE requirements for any of the master’s programs at Northcentral, including the online master’s in psychology programs.
When applying, you work with an Enrollment Advisor who reviews your application materials, including a bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution and your official transcripts.
Designed to build upon Purdue’s mission to provide greater access to affordable, high-quality education, Purdue University Global is a pubic, nonprofit institution that offers adult learners the flexibility while earning a world-class education to fit their busy lives.
There are no GRE requirements for master’s programs at Purdue Global, which include the online psychology degrees.
The other admissions requirements include:
As of 2016, Walden had more than 57,000 students enrolled in the various degrees and levels offered by the school because for the past 45 years, the school has been serving the higher education needs of adult learners.
When applying to graduate programs at Walden, there are no GRE requirements. However, there are other admission requirements, which include:
Founded in 1978, California Southern University is regionally accredited. They’re focused on offering non-traditional students affordable, convenient, and exceptional higher education programs.
There are no entrance exam requirements at Cal Southern, including the GRE. Plus, courses start monthly throughout the year, so most of the time, once accepted you can start as soon as your schedule permits.
Other admissions requirements include:
Sacred Heart University believes that the true value of your experience while earning your degree won’t be in the facts you’re taught, but in the pursuit of knowledge and intelligent reflection, which will challenge your curiosity and lead to new opportunities.
GRE scores are not required, but are recommended as additional evidence of eligibility. The other admissions requirements include:
Sponsored Listings
For many years, the GRE has been the standardized test that graduate schools used to determine if an applicant was ready to handle the rigors of pursuing a master’s degree.
However, some recent studies suggest that there is no correlation between GRE scores and final graduate school GPA. In fact, there are better determining factors, including your undergraduate GPA.
As a result, there are many online master’s in psychology programs that don’t require the GRE. In addition to the lack of correlation, there are four other reasons that a graduate school may choose not to require the GRE, which are listed below.
As mentioned, there is a higher correlation between your undergraduate GPA and your final graduate school GPA than between your GRE score and GPA. As a result, many online psychology master’s programs will not require you to submit GRE scores if you have a higher GPA.
On the flip side, some schools only require you to submit your GRE scores if you do not meet certain GPA requirements. Check with each of your potential schools before applying to see specific requirements.
Another of the most common reasons a master’s program won’t require the GRE is because you’ve already earned a graduate degree. After all, one of the best ways to prove you can handle the rigors of a master’s degree is if you’ve already earned one.
If you have a number of years of professional experience, especially in leadership or management positions, online psychology master’s programs are more likely to not require the GRE as part of your admissions process.
This is usually a benefit to both you, the potential student, because you don’t have to take the time studying for and taking the GRE, but also a benefit to the school because you’ll be a valued contributor in your classes because of your professional experience.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the number of psychologists will increase 11% during the years 2016 to 2026.i As demand for psychologists continues to increase, many graduate schools are looking to enroll students in their master’s and PhD programs.
By not requiring the GRE, or only requiring it if an applicant doesn’t meet certain criteria, these schools are opening their doors to more potential students and applicants.
Find partner institutions for online psych masters programs that don't require a GRE below.
| Other Admission Requirements | |
|---|---|
| 1. Pepperdine University | Official Transcripts, Two letters of Recommendation, Statement of Purpose |
| 2. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology | All applicants full application is viewed on an individual basis |
| 3. Nova Southeastern University | 3.0 Undergraduate GPA or 18 graduate credits to avoid GRE |
| 4. University of Hartford | Online Graduate Application, Transcripts, Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation |
| 5. Northcentral University | Completed Application, Bachelor's Degree, Transcripts |
| 6. Purdue University Global | Bachelor's Degree, Transcripts, Interview |
| 7. Walden University | Bachelor's Degree, Resume, Employment and Educational history |
| 8. California Southern University | Bachelor's degree, Completed Application, Official Transcripts |
| 9. Sacred Heart University | Bachelor's Degree, Transcript, 3.0 GPA, Resume, Letters of Recommendation |
Featured Schools
Some of the most common concentrations while pursuing an online psychology master’s degree are:
Also, don’t forget to discover the available careers with a master’s in psychology.
Click on any of the sponsored listings on this page for more information about the online master’s in psychology programs with no GRE requirement.
Or, complete the form on this page to get matched to the perfect program for you and learn how to apply!
[i] bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-6
