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Want to study psychology, but cannot commit to a traditional college life? Online programs are convenient and flexible, especially if you work or care for your family.
Learn about the many benefits of an online psychology degree and why it could work for you and your budget.
What Should I Expect From an Online Bachelor's Program in Psychology?
An online bachelor's in psychology is a great starting point for those interested in studying and exploring the complexities of the human mind and behavior. These degrees are highly versatile and can open doors to a wide range of career opportunities across various industries. Additionally, they offer the flexibility to either directly enter the workforce or pursue further education.
Psychology consistently ranks among the most sought-after bachelor's degrees. In fact, in 2021 alone, over 130,000 bachelor's degrees in psychology were awarded, as reported by the APA.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology?
Full-time students in an online bachelor's in psychology program can take about four years to earn their degrees, with most schools requiring 120 credits to graduate. Some institutions offer accelerated or intensive undergraduate programs, which may shorten the completion time to about 3.5 years.
Dual-degree options, including accelerated master's programs, allow students to begin graduate-level coursework while earning their bachelor's degrees. These programs usually require an extra year to complete additional graduate-level coursework and internships.
Eligible transfer students can also benefit by selecting a program with a generous transfer credit policy.
Other factors include field learning requirements, the amount of coursework, and cohort vs. individually paced structure. In a cohort, students proceed through the program together to graduate as a group.
What Classes Will I Take in an Online Bachelor's Degree in Psychology Program?
Psychology students study human behavior, development, motivation, cognition, learning, and perception across the lifespan. While classes and concentrations differ from school to school, every student in an online psychology program must complete a series of foundational courses.
Common core coursework includes:
- Statistics and research methods for behavioral sciences
- Child and adult development
- Personality theory
- Social psychology
- History and systems of psychology
- Learning and cognition
Popular Online Counseling Bachelor's Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Concentrations Available for an Online Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
Bachelor's psychology concentrations include forensic psychology and sports psychology, that vary based on focus, settings, and client or patient population.
Psychology Specialties
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Forensic psychology: Forensic psychology brings clinical services into the legal field. A forensic psychologist conducts court-ordered evaluations and testing. -
Educational psychology: This specialty focuses on how individuals learn and process information in various settings, such as classrooms and workplaces. Educational psychologists enhance teaching methods by considering the learner, their environment, and obstacles that hinder expected learning results. -
Sports psychology: Sports psychology involves providing motivational support to optimize athletes' performance. These psychologists help athletes manage anxiety and remove any mental blockades to achieve their goals. -
School psychology: School psychologists provide counseling in schools to students of all ages, from elementary to college. In school psychology, licensed professionals provide assessment and treatment based on a student's social and emotional needs and academic performance. -
Clinical psychology: Clinical psychologists provide mental and behavioral clinical services. You can work in clinical psychology in health practitioner offices, outpatient care centers, physician offices, and individual and family services.
What's the Difference Between a Traditional and Online Psychology Degree?
- Online: Distance learning provides greater flexibility as online platforms allow students to access course materials anytime. Individuals who juggle going to school with jobs, children, and domestic life can view lectures and complete coursework when convenient.
- Traditional: On-campus or traditional learning has less flexibility than online programs. A student must live locally or commute to campus to attend a traditional program. Traditional programs have specific class times and opportunities for face-to-face peer communication.
How Do Online vs. Traditional Programs Compare?
- Flexibility: Students with work or family commitments may prefer flexible online programs. Asynchronous online programs allow learners to view lectures and complete coursework when convenient while meeting deadlines.
- Accessibility: Considers the availability of a program's resources for its students. An online program gives students access to faculty and course materials through online learning portals, discussion boards, and email, allowing students to view course materials anytime.
- Self-Discipline: In online learning, students need high levels of self-discipline to stay on task, as students are responsible for their learning. However, on-campus programs feature in-person learning and communication that some students find necessary to stay motivated.
Are Online Psychology Bachelor's Programs Cheaper Than Traditional Programs?
While online programs often share similar tuition rates as on-campus programs, distance learners can save money in other ways. Some schools offer online students in-state tuition rates for online programs, regardless of their location. Schools may also waive some of the fees associated with on-campus living, such as an athletics fee, student activities fee, and student health fee.
You may also be able to save in other areas, such as childcare, transportation, and room and board, by attending college online. Other factors that may affect the cost of your online bachelor's in psychology degree include:
- Choosing a public school rather than a private school
- Free or discounted laptops and internet access
- Travel costs for any required internships or field learning
- Exam proctoring fees
- Lab and activity fees
- Resource fees for campus technology use
How Are Online Psychology Courses Different From Campus-Based Programs?
Online programs offer remote learning, which gives students more flexibility than a traditional campus-based degree.
Online psychology programs differ from campus-based programs in several ways. Campus-based or traditional programs feature in-person lectures at a physical location at a specific time, known as synchronous learning.
Online programs offer several benefits, including flexibility and convenience. For most of their classes, students engage in asynchronous learning, which includes viewing lectures and completing discussion boards and coursework when convenient during the week.
Asynchronous formats give students with family and career commitments the flexibility to attend lectures and complete classroom tasks when convenient.
Do Online Psychology Bachelor's Programs Require Students to Be On-Campus?
While some online bachelor's in psychology programs require no campus visits, others follow a hybrid format with some in-person requirements. Typically, students seeking a master's degree in psychology online pursue clinical internships, but most undergraduate programs do not require internships.
Some bachelor's programs have an optional internship or an applied practicum component. Other programs include a few courses with on-site service learning or research requirements. Many students opt for summer internships in counseling centers, research labs, and mental health facilities.
Online bachelor's programs with internship requirements generally encourage distance learners to find internships independently. Resources available to online students include the Handshake and LinkedIn platforms and online career center services.
Do Online Students Still Qualify for Financial Aid?
Online students in psychology receive the same access to financial aid as on-campus students. Eligible students can access grants, loans, and scholarship opportunities through an identical application process, and some online programs also offer federal work-study options.
Like on-campus learners, online students fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Distance learners should start the application process early and verify the accreditation status of schools and programs of interest. Only students attending accredited schools are eligible for federal financial aid.
What License Do I Need to Practice as a Psychologist?
Students must meet rigorous licensing requirements to pursue licensure as a professional psychologist in the U.S. First, students need to learn their state's specific licensing requirements and select a program to fulfill these requirements.
Next, they earn a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a doctoral degree in psychology and complete a supervised internship. Finally, they must apply for licensure in their state and pass the examination for professional practice in psychology (EPPP).
The associated fees typically include $600 for the EPPP and $400 for an initial license, plus application costs. Many states offer helpful fee schedules. Some states require additional state-specific exams, so each candidate should check with their state's licensing agency. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards maintains a handbook of licensing requirements.
Some states license master's program graduates. Most states require 1-2 years of postmaster's supervised clinical work to become eligible for licensure to practice independently.
With a master’s in psychology, you can qualify for two levels of licensure. The first requires passing the National Counselor Exam (NCE) and practicing under a supervisor's license.
The second level requires you to complete two years of post-graduate supervised experience and pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). After you obtain the second license level, you can practice independently.
However, you must complete a doctorate in most states to call yourself a psychologist. Prospective psychologists must graduate from psychology programs accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) to ensure they can get licensed and find a job.
An online bachelor's degree in psychology is insufficient for licensure as a professional psychologist, but undergraduates can pursue employment in marketing, social services, and career counseling.
Careers for Graduates of Online Psychology Programs
Without a graduate degree in psychology, you cannot practice as a counselor or a psychologist. That said, psychology programs provide a broad education that is useful in a variety of fields. Bachelor's degree holders can pursue alternative jobs in law, business, healthcare, and social services. Business occupations pay the most. Below, we explore possible psychology careers for graduates, some of which may require additional education or certification.
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Research performed by market research analysts allows companies to better understand how to advertise products. Market research analysts review sales trends and collect customer data. This information helps marketing teams to improve campaigns for the next round of product development.
Human Resource Specialists
Human resource specialists recruit candidates, onboard new employees, and address employee issues. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that human resource specialists' median annual pay is $67,650.
Public Relations Specialists
Public relations specialists curate a public image for individuals and companies. Common duties include writing press releases, updating social media, and handling media relations. Most public relation specialists work in education services and advertising, but they also hold jobs in government, healthcare, and business.
Administrative Services and Facilities Managers
Administrative services and facilities managers oversee the back-end operations of a company. These managers supervise staff members and keep facilities in working order. Many work in healthcare, educational services, finance, and government.
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists determine pay structures, manage compensation programs, and review employee job descriptions. Companies rely on these managers to ensure federal and state employment compliance.
Page last reviewed on December 6, 2023