Best Online Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology
Are you ready to discover your college program?
Behavioral psychology studies all aspects of human development and behavior patterns. A behavioral psychology degree can lead to jobs in various settings, including mental health, social services, education, and business. This degree also provides a strong foundation for graduate study.
Check out our rankings of the best online bachelor’s in behavioral psychology to find the best program to fit your needs, what to expect while earning your degree, and the career possibilities once you graduate.
Popular Online Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology
Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies
Fayette, MO- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,070
- Out-of-state$6,070
- In-State$5,940
- Out-of-state$5,940
- Retention Rate0%
- Acceptance Rate100%
- Students Enrolled3,821
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
Ball State University
- Muncie, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,358
- Out-of-state$26,138
- In-State$8,850
- Out-of-state$21,954
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled22,443
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Bellevue University
- Bellevue, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$7,176
- In-State$10,530
- Out-of-state$10,530
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled11,637
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
What Is an Online Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology Degree?
Behavioral science programs focus on the reasons behind group and individual behavior and hone communication, research, and assessment skills.
An undergraduate degree in behavioral psychology introduces you to fundamental psychological theories and concepts, behavioral analysis, behavioral assessment, and research. Although course requirements vary by school, most degrees require approximately 120 credits completed over four years if attending full-time. Some online programs offer accelerated options.
Depending on your interests, you may choose to enroll in a bachelor of arts (BA) degree that provides a strong humanities and social sciences focus alongside the psychological course offerings, or a bachelor of science (BS) that places more emphasis on statistics, data analysis, and research.
Choosing an Online Program
Accreditation is one of the most important factors when choosing a behavioral science online degree. Accredited schools are regularly reviewed to ensure that they meet academic standards.
Before applying to any program, consider whether you meet the admission criteria. Schools with more selective admission policies may require a higher GPA than others or submission of GRE scores.
Some behavioral psychology programs offer all courses online while others use a hybrid format that combines on-campus and remote sessions. Online programs can follow asynchronous or synchronous formats. An asynchronous program gives you the flexibility to view lectures and complete coursework when convenient. In contrast, a synchronous program meets at fixed times and offers more opportunities for faculty/student interaction.
Online learning sometimes offers a more affordable option than a traditional program by reducing costs for tuition, housing, and commuting. Programs with in-person residencies may require you to pay for travel and lodging for on-campus sessions.
What Can I Expect From a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology Program?
Online psychology programs explore behavioral patterns and human development to help learners assess and treat social, psychological, and emotional issues. Most programs cover abnormal psychology and general psychology research, and they usually include clinicals that help students pursue licenses and certifications.
Curricula vary by school and concentration. However, common courses address the following topics.
Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology Curriculum
- Abnormal Psychology: This course covers the many ways in which people experience abnormal development and can display adverse behaviors. Students uncover the physical, emotional, and social causes of psychological disorders and learn about common treatment strategies. This essential information benefits any professional working with patients who experience emotional, psychological, or developmental disorders.
- Childhood Development: This course covers human development, beginning with infancy and continuing through young adulthood. Learners learn about factors that help children to meet developmental norms and what might disrupt this growth. Students also learn about common childhood development disorders.
- Social Psychology: This course covers the vital ways in which social interactions affect individual people’s emotions and behaviors. Students learn about the prevailing theories of social behavior and how to apply these ideas to help patients. Detectives, human resource managers, social workers, and professionals who work with children all rely on this knowledge.
Behavioral Psychology Concentrations
Students can specialize their degrees in behavioral science based on their career interests. Common concentrations include addiction, human resources, criminal justice, and child development.
The skills acquired through specialized degrees can give graduates a competitive advantage when seeking employment.
- Applied Behavioral Analysis: Students who choose this concentration learn about the symptoms and causes of common behavioral disorders and explore practical methods to help patients alter destructive behaviors. This concentration also covers autism spectrum disorders and delayed development.
- Addiction: Many patients experience addiction to illegal substances, alcohol, cigarettes, and destructive behaviors like gambling. Students who specialize in addiction treatment learn the physical and psychological origins of addiction. Coursework covers diagnostic criteria and treatment options for people with addictions.
- Childhood Development: Children can develop rapidly on mental, physical, and emotional levels. Students who pursue this concentration learn about the many stages of childhood, what typical development looks like, and the many disorders that can affect childhood growth.
- Criminal Justice: This concentration explores the psychological and social reasons that people commit crimes. Students learn about the criminal justice system, abnormal psychology, and how to help people with convictions reintegrate into society.
- Organizational Psychology: This concentration explores why people behave as they do at work and how to best manage employees. Students learn theories about organizational behavior and practical ways to apply those theories in companies. This concentration prepares graduates for careers in human resources.
What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology?
Behavioral psychology is a versatile undergraduate degree that can launch you into various careers in mental health, social and community services, and education.
You may also use your degree to pursue roles outside of psychology, including those in criminal justice, human resources, marketing, or business.
Many careers in psychology require a master’s or doctoral degree. With further graduate training and certification, you may become a therapist, counselor, and psychologist, working in hospitals, clinics, and schools, or establishing your own practice.
Mental Health Counselor
Mental health counselors advise individuals, families, couples, and groups to identify and cope with emotional and behavioral issues that impact their well-being. They treat clients with conditions such as depression, anxiety, and grief. Some counselors specialize in a specific population, such as children or the elderly, or in a single treatment area such as trauma or addictions.
- Median Salary: $53,710
- Outlook: +18%
Marriage and Family Therapist
Working with individuals, couples, and families, marriage and family therapists diagnose and treat cognitive, affective, or behavioral disorders within the context of couple and family relationship systems. They assess relationship dynamics and implement treatment plans for their clients, using several approaches, including psychotherapeutic, cognitive behavioral, and family systems theories and techniques.
- Median Salary:$58,510
- Outlook: +15%
Psychologist
Psychologists are doctorally trained mental health professionals who assess, diagnose, and treat cognitive, emotional, and behavioral conditions. Some psychologists work directly with clients, while others engage in research. Psychologists apply psychoanalytic and psychotherapy approaches and administer various types of tests to help clients deal with problematic mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.
- Median Salary:$92,740
- Outlook: +6%
School Counselor
School counselors work in K-12 settings to help students overcome emotional and behavioral issues that interfere with their academic success. They may perform aptitude and achievement assessments and consult with parents and administrators to implement measures that address a student’s developmental or special needs. At the secondary school level, they provide career planning, college application, and financial aid assistance.
- Median Salary:$61,710
- Outlook: +5%
How Much Does a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology Cost?
For many students, one of the biggest challenges to earning a behavioral psychology degree is the cost. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the median annual cost of an online bachelor’s in psychology is $9,328. A growing number of degree-seekers choose online programs because they sometimes offer discounted tuition rates, accelerated formats, and savings on housing and transportation.
With careful planning, you can find other ways to reduce your educational costs. For example, you may be able to save on tuition by attending a public university in your home state instead of a private school. Apply for financial aid opportunities offered by your school, private organizations, and the federal government. Make sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine eligibility for federal loans and grants.
Behavioral Psychology Professional Organizations
Professional organizations provide opportunities for graduates and students to network with professionals, keep up with new developments in the field, and advance their careers. Members usually pay annual fees in exchange for opportunities for certification, access to professional journals, and discounts on yearly conferences. Many associations also offer job boards and continuing education opportunities.
American Psychological Association
APA serves behavioral science professionals and students at all levels. This large association publishes one of the leading psychology magazines and hosts conferences for professionals in different psychology subfields.
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
ABCT advocates for behavioral and cognitive therapies and the professionals who facilitate them. Members receive journal subscriptions and tools that help them in their practices. Members can also join the listserv to connect with fellow professionals and advocates.
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
SPSP offers events like an annual convention and the Summer Psychology Forum. The society also publishes three journals. Members can earn awards for professional achievements, receive grants, and access a job board.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology Programs
Yes, online degrees have the same weight and value as traditional on-campus degrees in terms of academic quality and career preparation. Regardless of the program’s format, ensure you enroll in an accredited program. Accredited online programs in behavioral psychology programs offer the same courses, often taught by the same faculty, as accredited on-campus programs. Your diploma will not indicate that you earned your degree online.
