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Best Online Psychology Bachelor's Degrees

Online Psychology Degree Overview

A wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in psychology are available through a variety of college programs, including online learning options for maximum flexibility. These programs help prepare students for various careers in the field and allow students to further specialize in areas of interest. Despite being online, students in these programs typically get hands-on experience in psychology research and may be encouraged to participate in other learning opportunities, including internships. Learn more about the different online degree levels and programs available below.

The Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in Psychology

Study.com is committed to finding the premier psychology bachelor's programs available to students in an online format. We scoured data from the U.S. Department of Education - like tuition and retention rates - to cultivate this list of top programs. Then we dug deeper into each school's program to find the ones that offered numerous student services, rigorous psychology courses, an emphasis on research, and opportunities for student growth through practical experience. Our list of the best of the best is below.

School Tuition* Acceptance Rate Graduation Rate Financial Aid % Placement Services Career Services Accepts
1 George Mason University $12564 87% 71% 74% Yes Yes AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits
2 Thomas Jefferson University $41715 66% 70% 99% Yes Yes AP Credits
3 Southern New Hampshire University $31136 88% 44% 77% Yes Yes AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits
4 Maryville University of Saint Louis $28470 83% 71% 99% Yes Yes AP / NCCRS Credits
5 Central Washington University $8273 85% 58% 90% Yes Yes AP Credits
6 University of Kansas $11166 93% 67% 85% Yes Yes AP Credits
7 University of Central Florida $6368 44% 72% 92% Yes Yes AP Credits
8 Utah State University $7659 91% 54% 86% Yes Yes AP / ACE Credits
9 University of Arizona $12379 85% 65% 91% Yes Yes AP / ACE Credits
10 University of Florida $6381 37% 88% 92% Yes Yes AP Credits
11 Lesley University $28875 75% 60% 99% Yes Yes AP / NCCRS Credits
12 Colorado State University-Fort Collins $11901 81% 70% 79% Yes Yes AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits
13 University of Northern Colorado $9987 91% 52% 93% Yes Yes AP Credits
14 Oregon State University $11715 82% 67% 85% Yes Yes AP Credits
15 Old Dominion University $10680 89% 53% 94% Yes Yes AP Credits
16 Oregon Institute of Technology $10485 97% 46% 78% Yes Yes AP Credits
17 Northwest Missouri State University $8238 73% 52% 98% Yes Yes AP Credits
18 Saint Cloud State University $8656 90% 48% 94% Yes Yes AP Credits
19 University of Alabama at Birmingham $8568 74% 63% 95% Yes Yes AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits
20 University of Louisville $11928 69% 59% 98% Yes Yes AP Credits
21 Bemidji State University $8940 65% 48% 90% Yes Yes AP / NCCRS Credits
22 SUNY College of Technology at Canton $8650 85% 47% 95% Yes Yes AP / NCCRS Credits
23 Fort Hays State University $5280 91% 43% 96% Yes Yes AP / ACE Credits
24 Missouri State University-Springfield $7588 88% 56% 97% Yes Yes AP Credits
25 Peru State College $7704 No Available Data (2019-2020) 34% 97% Yes Yes AP / NCCRS Credits
26 Saint Leo University $23750 72% 49% 100% Yes Yes AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits
27 Troy University $8908 88% 47% 92% Yes Yes AP / NCCRS Credits
28 Northwestern State University of Louisiana $8768 82% 44% 97% Yes Yes AP / ACE Credits
29 Chadron State College $6948 No Available Data (2019-2020) 45% 96% Yes Yes AP / NCCRS Credits
30 Regis University $38180 71% 64% 99% Yes Yes AP / NCCRS Credits
31 Northern Vermont University $12422 78% 40% 98% Yes Yes AP Credits
32 Endicott College $34154 69% 74% 95% Yes Yes AP / NCCRS Credits
33 Mid-America Christian University $18838 No Available Data (2019-2020) 33% 96% Yes Yes AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits
34 Clarion University of Pennsylvania $11149 95% 52% 96% Yes Yes AP Credits
35 Fayetteville State University $5274 69% 34% 95% Yes Yes AP / ACE Credits
36 Indiana State University $9236 90% 41% 92% Yes Yes AP / ACE Credits
37 Southeast Missouri State University $7800 86% 50% 96% Yes Yes AP Credits
38 Rider University $44460 71% 67% 100% No Yes AP / ACE Credits
39 Nicholls State University $7898 88% 49% 96% Yes Yes AP / NCCRS Credits
40 University of Northwestern-St Paul $32210 92% 68% 100% Yes Yes AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits
41 Drexel University $54516 75% 69% 100% Yes Yes AP Credits
42 McNeese State University $8102 81% 47% 99% Yes Yes AP Credits
43 Liberty University $16118 51% 47% 99% Yes Yes AP / NCCRS Credits
44 University of West Alabama $10990 35% 35% 97% Yes Yes AP Credits
45 Midway University $24850 60% 44% 100% Yes Yes AP / NCCRS Credits
46 University of Arkansas at Little Rock $9512 66% 43% 95% Yes Yes AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits
47 Eastern Illinois University $11804 53% 53% 95% No Yes AP / NCCRS Credits
48 University of Maine at Presque Isle $8330 99% 38% 91% Yes Yes AP Credits
49 University of Memphis $9912 85% 53% 97% Yes Yes AP / ACE Credits
50 Gardner-Webb University $31850 67% 56% 100% Yes Yes AP Credits

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.

*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Types of Online Psychology Degrees

Online Associate Degrees in Psychology

Online associate programs are usually available as Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degrees in psychology or applied psychology. These programs can typically be completed in 1.5 to 2 years and may require around 60 credits of coursework. Designed to give students an introduction to psychology and help them fulfill general education requirements, most programs aim to help students go on to transfer their credits to a 4-year school and continue their studies. Students may take introductory courses in various areas of psychology, such as abnormal psychology, counseling psychology, and developmental psychology.

Online Bachelor's Degrees in Psychology

Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology programs are widely available online. These programs generally require around 120 credits. Several programs may offer additional areas of concentration for students to further focus their studies in a particular area of psychology that they find interesting and/or to help prepare students for a specific career path. Students may have the chance to participate in research opportunities and/or other hands-on learning opportunities like internships. Some programs may conclude with a senior seminar and/or capstone project.

Online Master's Degrees in Psychology

There are several different types of master's degrees in psychology available online, including Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) degrees. The credit requirements for these programs vary, even within a program, with some programs requiring somewhere between 36 and 52 credits. Some programs can be completed in as little as 18 to 24 months. Students may be able to choose from various concentration areas; usually, these programs conclude with some type of capstone course and/or research experience.

Online Doctoral Degrees in Psychology

Online doctoral degree programs in psychology are offered as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degrees. These programs may require around 60 to 62 credits and typically conclude with a dissertation or some sort of applied research project. Several of these online doctoral programs provide students with a range of specialization options and some programs may allow students to finish their degree faster if they already have a master's degree. Coursework for these programs is usually customizable but may include some core research and psychology classes. A doctoral degree is typically required to become a psychologist.

Online Certificates in Psychology

Graduate and undergraduate certificate programs in psychology are available online. These programs may require between 12 and 28 credits, and some programs may be available in full- or part-time formats. Usually these programs can be completed in 1 to 2 years. Students may take some core courses and/or a few elective courses that help give them an overview of psychology. Graduate-level certificates may help prepare students for advanced study in the field, like a PsyD degree.

Psychology Specializations/Concentrations

Concentrations for psychology degrees are widely available at both the undergraduate and graduate level. These concentrations allow students to focus their studies in a particular area of psychology and/or help prepare them for a specific career within the field. Most programs that offer concentrations require students to take several courses from the area. Psychology students may be able to choose concentrations in areas like:

  • Abnormal psychology
  • Industrial organizational psychology
  • Counseling psychology
  • Forensic psychology
  • Criminal justice
  • Addictions
  • Child and adolescent development
  • Social psychology
  • Applied psychology
  • Sport and performance psychology

Curriculum/Coursework for a Psychology Degree

While there are some free online psychology courses and learning materials available, they typically don't lead to college credit. Undergraduate degree programs include some general education courses, concentration courses, and/or elective courses, while graduate-level programs may only have concentration and/or elective courses in addition to the core psychology courses. Several online psychology degree programs conclude with some kind of culminating experience, such as a capstone, dissertation, or other research project. Some common courses for psychology degree programs include:

  • Psychology
  • Statistics for psychology
  • Research methods
  • Ethics
  • Theories of personalities
  • Cognitive processes
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Theories of counseling
  • Psychology of childhood
  • Adult psychology

How Long Does it Take to Get an Online Bachelor's in Psychology?

Typically, bachelor's degree programs are known as and designed to be 4-year degrees. However, there are some degree completion programs that take transfer credits and/or prior degrees earned and count credits towards the bachelor's in psychology to help students finish faster. Some of these degree completion programs may allow students to finish their degree in as little as 2 years. There are also some online bachelor's programs that may offer a FlexPath that allows students to work at their own pace and finish their degree in as little as 1 year.

Accreditation for Online Bachelor's in Psychology Degrees

Many online bachelor's degree programs in psychology are available from regionally accredited institutions. These schools may be accredited from organizations like the Higher Learning Commission, the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This accreditation helps students know they are receiving a quality education and that the school qualifies for financial aid.

Some subjects, including psychology, offer additional program-level accreditation to indicate that programs have met specific guidelines to sufficiently prepare students for a career in that field. Although bachelor's degree programs in psychology typically do not have this additional level of accreditation, some doctoral degree programs in the field do. These doctoral programs may be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) in areas like clinical, school, or counseling psychology.

Psychology Licensure & Certification

There is a wide range of licensure and/or certification requirements or options in the field of psychology; these vary by position. For example, most practicing psychologists must have a state license. Requirements for licensure may vary by state and/or type of psychologist.

Clinical and counseling psychologists usually need a doctorate, an internship experience, and supervised work experience and must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). There are also organizations, like the American Board of Professional Psychology, that provide a range of certifications in different specialty areas within psychology.

Other careers related to psychology may also have their own licensure or certification requirements. Mental health counselors must obtain a state license to practice, while substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors typically need licensure in private practice, but requirements vary by state. Usually, counselors of any sort need to have a formal degree, supervised clinical work, and must pass an exam before earning their license.

Psychology Career Information

Students wondering what you can do with a major in psychology will be happy to know that there are all sorts of options. Although there are some psychology-related careers for those without a degree, a degree in the field opens up career opportunities in a wide range of industries. For example, students may pursue a sports psychology career or advanced education in psychology to become a psychology professor. While specific education requirements may vary, graduates with a degree in psychology may be able to pursue careers like:

  • Psychologist
  • Counselor
  • Youth worker
  • Case management aide
  • Training and development specialist
  • Instructional coordinator
  • Executive coach
  • Child development specialist
  • Market research analyst
  • Researcher

How to Become a Psychologist

Psychologists typically need to have a master's or doctoral degree in the field, but requirements vary by position. For example, a master's degree is usually sufficient for an industrial organizational psychologist, but a doctorate may be needed for a clinical or school psychologist. Typically, these professionals need to undergo extensive training and clinical experience through internships and/or other supervised experiences. Psychologists also typically need to obtain a state license.

Psychologists' job duties vary by position, but in general, these professionals aim to study various behaviors in people and/or may apply their findings to help people curb unhelpful behaviors and responses. This usually requires psychologists to design research projects, collect data, and analyze their results. As of 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) stated that these professionals made a median annual salary of $80,370 and had a job outlook of 3% from 2019 to 2029.

How to Become a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, or Mental Health Counselor

Most counselors need to have at least a bachelor's degree, typically in areas like psychology or mental health counseling. Some positions may require as little education as a high school diploma. However, some positions, like mental health counselors, may need to have a master's degree and additional clinical experience, such as an internship. Counseling experience in general is a benefit to those wishing to become a counselor, and some substance abuse counselors may even have overcome their own addictions and use their experiences to help during counseling. Many counselors need to obtain state licensure to practice.

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors all aim to help their clients overcome various types of behavioral or mental problems. This may involve extensive individual and/or group counseling, connecting clients with available resources, offering outreach programs, and more. The BLS reported that substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors made a median annual salary of $46,240, as of 2019, and had a job outlook of 25% from 2019 to 2029. This is quite a bit higher than the national average for all occupations, which stands at 4%.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information for Psychology Degrees

There are several ways that students can receive additional help paying for their postsecondary education. First, to see which federal loans and/or grants they may qualify for, students need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students can also research and compete for scholarships based on a number of factors, including for specific majors.

In the case of psychology there are many organizations and schools that offer scholarships specifically for psychology students. For example, the APA sponsors a number of awards, fellowships, and grants in the field. There are also schools that offer scholarships for psychology majors, such as the Fahringer-Fox Scholarship at Texas State University that awards $2,000 to the winning undergraduate. Some schools may also offer additional scholarships specifically to help pay for students' travel to psychology-related conferences, such as the Psychology Conference Travel Scholarship at the Ohio State University.

How to Choose a Psychology School and Program

Students trying to decide between various psychology programs may want to consider their career goals and find a program that will best prepare them for their specific goals. This may mean checking the available concentration areas and/or electives that a given program offers. Students may also look for any unique learning opportunities, like applied research projects or available internship opportunities for hands-on learning.

Students may also need to determine if a BA or a BS in the field is a better fit. Generally speaking, BA programs have more liberal arts courses, while BS courses may have more math- and science-oriented courses. Students may also want to check what type of culminating project requirements a program may or may not have. Outside of these psychology-related factors, students may need to consider the tuition rate at a given school, the program format, and other personal preferences, like class size.

Professional Organizations in Psychology

Many fields, including psychology, have a number of professional organizations available to help workers connect and further advance their careers. The websites of these organizations often contain a wide range of resources for professionals and offer other unique benefits for members. Some professional organizations specifically in psychology include:

  • American Psychological Association- Not only does the APA offer membership, accreditation for doctoral programs in psychology, and various awards to psychology students, but the organization also provides a number of field-related educational resources. Students can browse the organization's publications and databases, career information, news, and upcoming events on the group's website.
  • Association for Psychological Science- The APS also offers membership and helps students connect with potential job opportunities. Students can access online journals from the website and learn about news, meetings, and events. Members can participate in professional development with webinars and compete for awards.
  • National Association of School Psychologists- Specifically for school psychologists, NASP offers membership, mentoring opportunities, grants and awards, and a wide range of publications and written resources. The group is also involved in policymaking in the field, provides national certification for school psychologists, and a number of conventions and trainings for professional development.

Find the best online psychology degree programs at an in-state school near you:

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