Top Psychology Degrees Online in 2024
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Are you ready to discover your college program?
Psychology is a popular major that can prepare you for many rewarding careers in the helping professions. Earning your degree online offers a convenient, flexible pathway for achieving your education goals.
Explore the best online psychology degrees to find a program that fits your personal and professional needs. Learn more about online learning, degree requirements, tuition costs, and career possibilities.
Popular Online Psychology Bachelor’s Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Psychology Degrees
University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, FL- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$3,358
- Out-of-state$15,000
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled5,168
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment0%
- AccreditationYes
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,000
- Out-of-state$15,000
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled145,533
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,721
- Out-of-state$16,529
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled56,664
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,478
- Out-of-state$19,810
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate36%
- Students Enrolled70,310
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
University of Utah
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,749
- Out-of-state$27,201
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled34,464
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses
- Fort Wayne, IN
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$9,576
- Out-of-state$9,576
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled1,367
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
The Pennsylvania State University
- University Park, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,400
- Out-of-state$25,084
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled88,914
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
University of Missouri-Columbia
- Columbia, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,017
- Out-of-state$28,992
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled31,401
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
Excelsior College
- Albany, NY
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$0
- Out-of-state$0
- Retention Rate0%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled17,166
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment0%
- AccreditationYes
Liberty University
- Lynchburg, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,409
- Out-of-state$15,409
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate99%
- Students Enrolled94,709
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment92%
- AccreditationYes
Choosing an Online Bachelor of Psychology Degree Program
Students should consider factors like a school’s reputation, cost, and available specializations to find the top online schools for psychology degrees. For example, a candidate planning to earn a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology can prioritize programs with a strong reputation for graduate placements.
In-state public schools typically offer the lowest tuition rates. However, many out-of-state public schools offer in-state tuition for online learners. Transfer credits can also save students time and money on their online psychology degrees, especially if they attend community college.
Students should also research each program’s specializations. These concentrations include abnormal psychology, social psychology, and school psychology.
Many psychology careers require a graduate degree. After completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, graduates often enroll in online master’s programs in psychology. Aspiring counselors or social workers can also earn master’s degrees in social work.
What to Expect From an Online Psychology Program
An online degree in psychology provides flexibility for students with significant work or family responsibilities. When comparing the top online schools for psychology, consider how the learning environment fits your needs.
Some programs use asynchronous formats that allow you to access course material on your own time. In synchronous classes, professors and students meet in real time during regularly scheduled virtual lectures and workshops.
Online learning can involve a great deal of interaction. You can communicate with your professors and classmates via discussion boards and emails. The top online schools for psychology programs also encourage collaborative learning, providing opportunities to meet virtually with other students to work on projects or study for exams.
What Will I Learn in an Online Bachelor in Psychology Program?
An online psychology degree covers topics like behavioral development, the influence of social context over behavior, and mental health disorders. Examples of common bachelor’s-level psychology courses include:
- Psychological Foundations of Learning: This course covers human development, including the cognitive, social, and emotional development of children. Students explore research into effective teaching methods, educational practices, and environments to encourage healthy learning environments. The course may incorporate a field experience that allows learners to observe child development and learning directly.
- Social Psychology: Social psychology explores how social context influences people’s thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Students learn about the role of social influence on group behavior and how social environments shape behavioral attributes like aggression and attraction. Enrollees explore gender norms and apply social psychology to practical problems.
- Physiological Psychology: This class covers the connection between the brain and human behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. Students examine the role of neurons in the central nervous system and how neuron communication shapes behavior and mental health disorders. The course may also cover biological psychology, gender, and culture.
- Abnormal Psychology: These courses explore the causes of and treatments for mental health disorders. Enrollees learn to classify mental health disorders and common treatment methods. The course covers addictive disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, psychology theory, and clinical practice.
- Behavioral Psychology: This course examines the mind-behavior connection. It covers human activity across the lifespan, disorders and treatments, and research in the field. Some behavioral psychology courses incorporate a lab or practicum. The course can prepare graduates for research careers and graduate study.
Accreditation for Online Bachelor of Psychology Degrees
Psychology students should always check that a school holds institutional accreditation. Degrees from non-accredited schools do not qualify for most financial aid. They may not meet licensure and certification requirements. Many graduate programs only admit students with accredited undergraduate degrees.
To earn accreditation, a school submits to a voluntary review from an independent accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The agency assesses the institution’s faculty qualifications, graduation requirements, and student learning outcomes.
Programs and departments within schools can receive programmatic accreditation, but bachelor’s programs for psychology do not receive accreditation. Still, several agencies accredit psychology programs at the graduate level:
- The American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation
- The Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System
- The National Association of School Psychologists
Jobs for Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Holders
Earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology allows graduates to pursue jobs as a substance use counselor or behavioral counselor. Graduates can become psychologists, marriage and family therapists, or psychology professors with more education. Find out what you can do with a bachelor’s in psychology degree.
Substance Use Counselors
These counselors help people with substance misuse and behavioral disorders. They meet with clients to evaluate their mental and physical health and create treatment plans. Through counseling, substance use counselors help clients modify their behaviors and develop new skills.
In addition to providing counseling services, substance use counselors may refer clients to support services or lead outreach programs to educate the public about behavioral disorders. These professionals typically need bachelor’s degrees in addiction counseling or related mental health fields, along with state licensure or certification. Some states may require a master’s degree.
Market Research Analysts
Market research analysts examine data relating to customer demand, sales trends, and competitors. They forecast potential sales and determine target customers and pricing strategies. These research analysts also create reports for marketing managers and clients.
A background in psychology strengthens the analytical and research skills required for marketing careers. Psych majors also benefit from their understanding of human behavior. With work experience or a master’s degree, a market research analyst can pursue promotions into higher-paying roles, including marketing manager.
Public Relations Specialists
Public relations specialists write press releases, run social media programs, and coordinate with advertising specialists to promote a positive public image for their clients and organizations. They also implement strategies to boost public awareness and strengthen brand identity. Psychology majors apply their research and communication skills to work in PR. These careers require strong writing, interpersonal, and critical thinking abilities.
Human Resource Specialists
Human resources specialists manage administrative tasks for organizations. They may work in recruitment, training, employee relations, and other specializations. Common job tasks include benefits administration, payroll processing, and employment compliance.
A background in psychology helps HR professionals apply behavioral techniques when evaluating potential hires or resolving disputes. Psychology also strengthens the communication skills required for HR careers. With a master’s degree or experience, HR specialists can pursue roles as HR managers and training and development managers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology
Graduates can pursue many psychology degree jobs, including careers in social services, marketing, human resources, and healthcare.
The psychology discipline may involve a significant amount of reading and research. Still, students who commit the appropriate amount of time and effort to their education should not find it more challenging than similar programs.
A BA in psychology can pay off. Psych majors strengthen in-demand research and communication skills. With a psychology degree, you’ll qualify for entry-level marketing, public relations, social services, and human resources roles. You’ll typically need a master’s or doctoral degree if you’re interested in pursuing counseling, therapy, or psychology licensure.
The highest-paying job for psychology graduates depends on the degree level. The median annual wage for marketing managers, who must possess work experience or a degree in business, communications or a related field, reached $166,410 as of May 2023.
Psychology degrees provide graduates with applicable training in many fields. Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that more than 3 million psychology graduates work nationwide.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by TheBestSchools. Page last reviewed January 5, 2024.
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