Top Psychology Degrees Online in 2024

Psychology is a popular major that can prepare you for rewarding careers in counseling, research, and human services. Psychology degrees are commonly available online and can provide a flexible, convenient way to pursue your career goals.

Explore the best online psychology degree programs to find an option that fits your personal and professional needs. This guide covers information on online learning, degree requirements, tuition costs, and career possibilities.

Earning a psychology degree online has some major benefits, like the opportunity to learn from anywhere on your schedule. Plus, online psychology degrees cost less, on average, than traditional psychology degrees. Key benefits of earning a psychology degree online include:

A bachelor’s in psychology provides a solid overview of human and animal behavior, focusing on the latest research and theories. As a psychology major, you can develop strong scientific and statistical skills to help you evaluate data, claims, and theories.

Bachelor’s in psychology programs typically require 120 credits and take four years of full-time to complete. However, earning your psychology degree online can offer greater flexibility as you work through your degree requirements.

Some programs let you access course material anytime, while others use live virtual lectures and workshops at set times. You can expect to interact with professors and classmates through discussion boards and emails in asynchronous programs, for example.

The best online psychology programs offer academic advising, online tutoring, and various student support services. Like you would for an in-person psychology degree, expect to conduct research and get hands-on experience with fieldwork.

Even if you’re pursuing your degree online, you may have some in-person requirements to fulfill. Psychology bachelor’s degrees often require you to attend in person for things like internships and supervised hours. Some programs may allow you to complete residency or fieldwork requirements at local labs and other facilities.

Online psychology degrees cover subjects like behavioral development, social context influence, and mental health disorders. Common courses include:

Consider factors like a school’s reputation, cost, and available specializations to find the best online psychology degree for your needs. For example, if you’re planning to earn a graduate psychology degree, prioritize programs with a strong reputation for graduate placements.

Online degrees from public schools with in-state tuition rates typically offer the most affordable options. However, many out-of-state public schools offer in-state or flat-rate tuition for online learners. Transfer credits can also save you time and money on your online psychology degree, especially if you attend community college.

Research each program’s available specializations and prioritize schools with options that appeal to your personal and professional interests. Commons psychology concentrations include abnormal psychology, social psychology, and school psychology. Many psychology careers require a graduate degree.

After completing an undergraduate psychology program, many graduates pursue master’s-level psychology programs to open up more career opportunities. Aspiring counselors or social workers can also earn master’s degrees in social work.

Accreditation matters for online bachelor of psychology degrees. Without it, you may not receive financial aid, transfer credits to other accredited schools, or meet certain licensing requirements. Many graduate programs only accept degrees from institutionally accredited schools.

Schools earn accreditation through voluntary review by approved agencies. These accreditors check faculty, graduation requirements, and student outcomes, among other criteria. While bachelor’s- and master’s-level psychology programs are not individually accredited, the American Psychological Association accredits doctoral programs in the United States.

Graduates can apply their psychology degrees in many industries, including business, social work, and education. With a solid understanding of psychology, research, and statistics, they can excel in various fields. Note that some of the following positions may require a master’s degree.

You can pursue many types of jobs with a bachelor’s in psychology, including careers in social services, human resources, marketing, and healthcare. Potential roles include substance use counselor, marketing or advertising specialist, social services assistant, and training specialist.

Psychology programs typically involve significant reading and research but rank among the most commonly conferred undergraduate degrees, according to NCES. Regardless, you may find it challenging if you struggle with heavier reading loads and complex theories.

A BA in psychology can pay off. Psych majors strengthen in-demand research and communication skills. With a psychology degree, you can qualify for entry-level marketing, public relations, and social services roles. You’ll need a master’s in psychology or a doctoral degree if you’re interested in counseling, therapy, or psychology licensure, however.

The highest-paying job for psychology graduates depends on the degree level. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $157,620 for marketing managers as of May 2023. These professionals must possess work experience or degrees in business, communications, or other related fields.

Psychology degrees can provide applicable training and skills in many fields. BLS data indicates that more than 3 million psychology graduates work nationwide as of 2022.