Best Online Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Programs 2021
| Staff Writers
As the study of the human mind, psychology explores behavior, thinking processes, and emotions. Thanks to the field’s broad scope, individuals with a bachelor’s degree in psychology use their expertise to succeed in many areas. Psychology graduates go on to become caseworkers, community service managers, career counselors, advertising agents, real estate assistants, and technical writers, among other roles.
A bachelor of psychology traditionally lasts four years. However, an increasing number of schools accommodate working and adult students who may prefer an online psychology degree instead. Pursuing a BS or BA in psychology online allows distance learners to study from their own homes, skip the campus commute, and listen to lectures on their own time. Many students who work full time or care for families prefer online psychology degrees for this reason.
If you’re interested in pursuing a bachelor of psychology online, you can find a list of the best online schools and colleges for psychology below.
Applying to a Bachelor’s Program in Psychology
Candidates should hold a high school diploma or GED before pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in psychology. Individuals with an associate degree can often apply and transfer their previous credits toward a bachelor’s degree.
Prospective students should submit their high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. Schools usually define a minimum test score, although this varies between institutions. Applicants may also need to provide additional materials like letters of recommendation and personal essays outlining their academic and career goals.
At the undergraduate level, most schools do not look for applicants with work experience in the field. However, candidates can improve their applications by participating in volunteer or research experiences.
Located in Gainesville, UF ranks among the top five online bachelor's programs and the top 10 public universities nationwide. Aspiring psychologists can earn an online bachelor's degree in psychology to prepare for a career in education, business, personnel management, and healthcare.
This degree requires 120 credits, including a minimum of 30 credits in biological science, statistics, and math. The curriculum includes undergraduate research in the psychology of health disparities, undergraduate research in psychology, and introduction to teaching in psychology. UF offers specializations in general psychology, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, and behavior analysis. Students can complete optional senior honors theses in all specializations.
UF offers fall, spring, and summer start dates. Admission requires a minimum 2.0 GPA. Transfer students from accredited institutions who possess a minimum 2.75 GPA may also apply. UF is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
UCF, a public school based in Orlando that offers 13 colleges and over 230 degrees, ranks among the top 20 most innovative institutions in the nation. Its bachelor of psychology online program offers a pathway to diverse career paths in the field.
This degree requires 120 credits, including nine common program prerequisite credits, 31 advance core credits, three diversity elective credits, 15 track elective credits, and six math or science elective credits. Students can earn their degree in four years with full-time attendance. UCF offers multiple tracks, including clinical psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, human factors psychology, and experimental psychology.
UCF's online program does not require any in-person attendance. Admission requires a minimum 2.0 GPA. Transfer students who hold an associate degree from public schools in Florida may apply. UCF is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Established in 1965, FIU is the first and only public research university in Miami. FIU values innovation and student-centered learning. Students interested in examining human behavior through scientific methods can earn a BA in psychology online at FIU.
This online degree requires 120 credits, including 12 major prerequisite credits, 36 psychology credits, 10 research credits, and 15 specialization credits. Concentrations include social, experimental, applied, personality/abnormal and developmental psychology. Coursework covers development in infancy, motivation and emotion, and theories of personality.
Canvas provides students with access to online coursework. FIU offers one-on-one success coaching, online tutoring, and 24/7 technical assistance. Distance learners can complete the program without ever setting foot on campus. Admission requires each candidate to provide SAT or ACT scores and a high school diploma. FIU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Based in Angola, Indiana, Trine has offered postsecondary coursework for over 130 years. Trine enrolls nearly 4,700 students each year. School values include student-centered learning and diversity. Enrollees can earn their degree entirely online with no in-person requirements.
Trine's online psychology degree requires 120 credits, including 36 general education credits, 36 additional credits, and 48 content credits. Students can pursue multiple concentrations, including clinical, social and cognitive, and developmental. Enrollees explore lifespan developmental psychology, issues of substance abuse in family systems, and research methods in psychology. Trine requires a clinical internship or psychology capstone demonstration.
Online courses follow an eight-week format. Distance learners receive access to an academic advisor, career services, technical support, and online tutoring. Trine also offers librarian research support. Admission requires a GED certificate or high school diploma, official transcripts, and a government-issued ID. Trine is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
LCU is a private university founded as a Bible institute in Illinois. Students interested in the human mind can pursue an online bachelor's degree in psychology that leads to a career in social work, education, and religious organizations.
Courses include skills of the helping professional, lifespan developmental psychology, psychology and religion, and physiological psychology. Students access coursework through the LCU Enterprise Portal. This online program allows enrollees to pursue their education without interrupting their full-time employment. LCU provides academic counseling, counseling, and technical support.
Admission requires an essay and a Christian character reference. Other requirements include a high school diploma, ACT or SAT scores, and official transcripts. Transfer students from accredited schools with over 24 credits may apply. LCU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
LETU is a private Christian university located in Longview, Texas. This institution offers a diverse college experience, with a student body representing 44 states and over 40 countries. Degree-seekers interested in gaining pertinent knowledge and skills required to help people struggling with emotional, psychological, and interpersonal issues can pursue its online bachelor of psychology.
This degree requires 120 credits, including 42 major credits, 50 general education credits, 12 theology credits, and 16 general elective credits. Coursework includes theories and techniques of counseling, history and systems of psychology, and biblical theology for the Christian life.
Admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, official transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and a minimum 2.0 GPA. Transfer students with 12 or more credits from accredited schools may apply. LETU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
SEU offers a vibrant campus in Lakeland, Florida. The university accommodates distance students through online programs, including an online bachelor's in psychology with an optional pre-counseling concentration.
This degree requires 121 credits, including 56 foundational core credits, 45 psychology credits, nine psychology elective credits, and 20 general elective credits. Students can earn their degree in four years with full-time attendance. Enrollees engage with research methods in psychology, statistical methods in psychology, theories of personality, and abnormal psychology. This degree also requires a psychology capstone senior seminar.
Admission requires Christian character references, an essay, letters of recommendation, a high school diploma or GED certificate, and official transcripts demonstrating a minimum 2.0 GPA. SEU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Founded in 1882, EWU prioritizes accessibility and student-centered learning. The university offers a diverse college experience and holds multiple Higher Education Excellence in Diversity awards. Students interested in discovering the science behind human behavior can pursue its bachelor of psychology online.
EWU's health psychology degree prepares students to work in health education or social services. This degree requires 68 credits, including 52 core credits, eight elective credits, and eight focus experience credits. EWU requires a class in research methods and a health psychology capstone course. Enrollees must also select two of the three applied learning experiences: an internship, seminar, and directed study.
Coursework covers happiness and positive psychology, human sexuality, computer-aided data analysis, and behavior modification. Admission requires a minimum 2.5 GPA, SAT or ACT scores, and a high school diploma. EWU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Established in 1872, Maryville now enrolls nearly 11,000 students, including over 7,000 online learners. The student body represents 47 countries and all 50 states. Maryville also offers an active alumni network. Students can pursue over 90 degrees, including its BA in psychology online program.
Distance learners can complete their coursework entirely online and at their own pace. Students with eligible transfer credits can earn their degree in under two years with full-time attendance or 3.5 years with part-time enrollment. This degree requires 128 credits, including 39 general education credits, 24 core credits, 15 social science research credits, and 50 general electives.
Enrollees explore multicultural psychology, critical thinking in social sciences, and understanding statistical inference. Maryville does not require an application fee. Admission requires a minimum 2.5 GPA or a 2.0 GPA for transfer students. Maryville is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Mary is a private Christian university located in Bismarck, North Dakota. Over 3,800 students access its nearly 60 undergraduate programs yearly, including an online bachelor's degree in psychology.
This online degree requires 124 credits. Enrollees can graduate in four years of full-time attendance. Coursework includes industrial and organizational psychology, dimensions of diversity, research techniques for the social and behavioral sciences, and cognitive psychology. This program requires a senior capstone in psychology.
Distance learners can access coursework through the Canvas online learning management system. Mary offers multiple online resources, including career services, academic counseling, technical support, and 24/7 online tutoring through Smarthinking. Admission requires SAT or ACT scores and official transcripts. Mary is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
As the oldest and largest university in the state, UND offers 13% lower tuition rates than other institutions in the region. This university values community, diversity, and innovation. Students can access over 250 programs on campus or at a distance, including an entirely online psychology degree.
This program requires 120 credits, including 36 major credits. Each student must select a sub-plan content area. UND offers a concentration in clinical science and learning or social and cultural psychology sub-plan. The curriculum examines conflict management, physiology of behavior and psychophysiological measurement, and diversity psychology.
Enrollees access coursework through Blackboard. Learning modules include virtual lectures, assignments, and exams, as students engage with their professors and their peers through online discussion forums. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, SAT or ACT scores, and a minimum 2.75 GPA. UND is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
ULM is a public school that enrolls over 9,000 students, representing 39 states and 47 countries. The university values innovation, inclusion, and research, allowing enrollees to access over 95 majors and minors. ULM also prioritizes accessibility and offers over 35 online programs.
The university's school of behavioral and social sciences offers an online psychology degree, which requires 120 credits. Full-time enrollees can earn their degree in four years, while part-time students should anticipate longer graduation timelines. Coursework covers history and systems, advanced general psychology, physiology, and statistics.
Distance learners access coursework through the Moodle learning management system to complete discussion forum posts, essays, and exams. ULM provides multiple resources for online students, including online databases, technical support, and academic counseling.
Admission requires ACT or SAT scores, official transcripts, and a minimum 2.35 GPA. ULM is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Located in Plymouth, Wisconsin, Lakeland is a private Christian school. This university values diversity, inquiry, and academic excellence. Its nearly 3,500 enrollees can access over 30 majors. Lakeland also prioritizes accessibility, offering multiple distance programs for online students.
An aspiring psychologist can earn a bachelor of psychology without ever setting foot on campus. This online degree requires 48 major credits, 24 content-area credits, and nine elective credits. Courses include history and systems of psychology, human growth and development, special topics in psychology, and survey of the exceptional person. Lakeland also offers an optional cooperative education learning experience.
Lakeland uses the BlendEd online learning format, allowing students to choose how they learn each week. Enrollees engage in synchronous learning through live streaming or watch recordings of classes at their convenience. Lakeland is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Shorter is a private Christian school based in Rome, Georgia. This institution prioritizes Christian learning, service, and academic excellence. Students benefit from intimate class sizes averaging a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. While enrollees can earn their degree in traditional classrooms, Shorter also accommodates working professionals through online programs.
Shorter's college of humanities and social sciences offers its BA in psychology online. Distance courses follow accelerated eight-week terms that do not require any on-campus attendance, with students typically taking two courses per term. Distance learners access their coursework through the Moodle learning management system. Asynchronous learning provides students with the flexibility to complete coursework at their convenience.
Enrollees receive access to online databases, technical support, and academic counseling. Admission requires a high school diploma, official transcripts, and ACT or SAT scores. Shorter is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Founded in 1901 in Nashville, Tennessee, Trevecca emphasizes a Christian college experience. Its values include student-centered learning, service, and inclusion. Students benefit from a diverse student body, which represents 47 states and 25 countries. Trevecca offers 74 bachelor's degrees, including multiple online programs.
Students interested in Christian ethics can earn their BA in psychology online. This degree requires 120 credits, including 30 general education credits, 36 core credits, and 54 elective credits. Enrollees explore the psychology of cognitive processes, psychology and the Christian faith, psychology in organizations, and current perspectives in psychology. Trevecca also requires a culminating psychology capstone course.
Admission requires 40 credits from an accredited institution, a minimum 2.0 GPA, and official transcripts. Students typically earn their degree in 18 months of full-time attendance. Trevecca is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Liberty offers a private postsecondary education in Lynchburg, Virginia. As one of the largest Christian universities nationwide, the university's current enrollment exceeds 100,000 students. Degree-seekers can access over 700 programs, including 200 undergraduate degrees. Liberty prioritizes accessibility and inclusion in its more than 100 online programs.
Aspiring psychologists can earn their degree online with no in-person requirements. This degree requires 120 credits. Liberty offers multiple concentrations, including addictions and recovery, Christian counseling, criminal psychology, and military resilience. Courses include psychological foundations of learning, behavior modification, resilient marriage and family, or psychological measurement.
Full-time students can earn their degree in 3.5 years. Courses follow an eight-week format, and students access coursework through the Blackboard online learning management system. Liberty allows students to transfer up to 75% of their total credits required to graduate. Liberty is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
OSU values research, social progress, and academic excellence as a public university. Its student body represents all 50 states and over 100 countries. OSU offers over 200 programs on campus and online. Students interested in human behavior can pursue its online bachelor's degree in psychology.
This online program requires 180 quarter credits, including 60 upper-division credits. Courses include health psychology, behavior modification, brain and behavior, and human lifespan development.
Admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, ACT or SAT scores, and a 3.0 GPA. OSU accepts transfer students from accredited schools. However, each candidate must complete at least 45 of the last 75 credits at OSU. Learners benefit from four start dates per year. OSU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Located in Georgia, KSU is the second-largest university in the state. The university enrolls over 41,000 students on-campus and online, with a vast alumni network of over 125,000 members. KSU values inclusion and accessibility. Students can access over 150 degrees in traditional classrooms and online.
Its department of psychological science offers an online psychology degree without any in-person requirements. This program requires 120 credits, including 42 general education credits, 18 lower-division major credits, 33 major credits, and 27 elective credits. KSU offers three options for the senior capstone experience: an integrative project, seminar, or internship.
Degree-seekers engage with forensic psychology, clinical and counseling psychology, learning and behavior, and statistical applications. Admission requires a diploma from a regionally accredited high school, ACT or SAT scores, and a 2.5 GPA at minimum. KSU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
UNW offers postsecondary coursework through a Christian lens. Enrolling over 3,500 students in 75 undergraduate programs and seven master's degree programs, the university values accessibility and offers multiple online programs for working students.
UNW's online bachelor of psychology does not require in-person attendance. This degree comprises 125 credits, including 31 general education credits, 36 major credits, and 58 elective credits. Enrollees explore health promotion through the lifespan, social science research methods, stress management strategies, and pain management strategies.
Asynchronous learning allows enrollees to work at their own pace within deadline dates. Assignments include online discussion board posts, exams, reading, and essays.
UNW provides academic counselors, technical support, and digital databases. Admission requires high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. Transfer students may apply. UNW is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
UofL, a public research university in Kentucky, comprises 12 colleges and schools. The university values inclusion, student-centered learning, and global engagement. Enrollment includes over 22,600 students who represent 91 countries and all 50 states. UofL offers 25 online programs.
The UofL online bachelor's degree in psychology ranks among the top online schools for psychology. This program requires 121 credits, including 31 general education credits, 69 core and elective credits, and 22 required credits. Courses include introduction to psychology, abnormal psychology, brain and behavior, and lifespan developmental psychology.
UofL does not require any in-person attendance. Degree-seekers typically graduate after four years of full-time enrollment. Admission does not require essays, SAT or ACT scores, or letters of recommendation. UofL is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Formed in Lebanon, Illinois, McK offers postsecondary coursework to its nearly 2,500 students. The university values community engagement, responsible citizenship, and academic distinction. Its diverse student body represents 41 states and 38 countries. While learners can earn their degree on-campus, McK also ranks among the top online colleges for psychology.
McK's division of social sciences offers an online psychology degree that teaches students to decipher, predict, and modify behavior. Coursework covers military psychology, sport and health psychology, applied behavior analysis, and social psychology. This degree requires a professional seminar and a senior thesis.
Online students access coursework through the D2L Brightspace learning management system. Resources for distance learners include tutoring, academic counseling, and technical support. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and an admission interview. McK is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Rowan is a public research institution in Glassboro, New Jersey. Its diverse student body includes nearly 20,000 enrollees. Degree-seekers can pursue 90 undergraduate programs and 56 graduate degrees. Rowan offers coursework both online and in traditional classrooms.
The university's School of Health Professionals features a 120-credit BA in psychology online program. Courses include navigating psychology, the essentials of psychology, psychology of ethnic identity and community in America, and perception. This program also requires a senior capstone. Rowan uses the Canvas online learning management system.
Rowan provides career services, undergraduate research support, and technical assistance for its online learners. Admission requires letters of recommendation, a resume, a personal essay, and official transcripts. Transfer students from accredited schools may apply. Rowan is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
UMD is a public university that values innovation, affordability, and accessibility, with enrollees earning their degree on campus and online. The university offers over 93 undergraduate programs and 20 graduate degrees. Enrollment exceeds 10,800 learners, and students benefit from an active alumni network.
Its College of Education and Human Service Professions offers a BA in psychology online without any in-person requirements. This degree comprises 120 credits, including 56 required credits within the major. Instructors examine history and systems of psychology, sensation and perception, experimental design and methodology, and general psychology.
UMD offers multiple resources for online students, including digital databases, librarian research support, online tutoring, academic advising, and technical support. Admission requires a minimum 2.5 GPA, a high school diploma, and ACT scores. Transfer students from accredited institutions may also apply. UMD is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
MSU values excellent teaching, research, and inclusion. With over 100 bachelor's degrees and nearly 70 graduate programs, including multiple online programs, enrollees can connect with a vast alumni network of over 122,000 members in the Missouri University public system.
Students interested in mental processes and human behavior can pursue its online bachelor's degree in psychology. This online degree requires 120-123 credits, and students typically complete the program in four years of full-time enrollment. Coursework explores life sciences, psychological statistical methods, cultural competence, quantitative literacy.
Admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate and SAT or ACT scores. Applicants with GPAs of 3.25 or higher do not need to submit test scores. Transfer students with fewer than 24 credits may apply following freshman admission policies. Missouri State is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Established in West Terre Haute, Indiana, SMWC is a private college that prioritizes academic innovation, faith, and social justice. This university also ranks among the best regional universities in the Midwest and the best value schools. Students can access over 50 programs through on-campus and online instruction.
Its department of social and behavioral sciences offers an online psychology degree requiring 43 major credits and 21 minor credits. Courses include ethical and legal issues in the helping professions, techniques of counseling, and crisis intervention. SMWC also offers an optional internship and research practicum.
Asynchronous learning allows enrollees to complete coursework when their schedule permits. Students engage with their peers through discussion forum posts and group work. Admission requires official transcripts, a high school diploma or GED certificate, and test scores. SMWC holds regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get a BA or a BS in Psychology?
That depends on your personal and career goals. A bachelor of science in psychology focuses more heavily on the sciences, so students interested in research or psychiatry often choose this option. A bachelor of arts usually incorporates more general education and humanities courses, so students can choose from a wider range of professions, including law, social work, or human services.
What is accreditation and why is it important?
As you research potential programs, look for the school’s and degree’s accreditation status. Accreditation guarantees quality, and employers prefer to hire job candidates with degrees from accredited programs. The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits many psychology programs.
How much do you make with a bachelor's degree in psychology?
According to PayScale data, individuals with a BA in psychology earn an average salary of $61,373. BS graduates make average earnings of $59,014. That said, these figures only represent national averages. Salaries can vary greatly.
What can I do with a bachelor's degree in psychology?
A bachelor’s degree in psychology prepares graduates for many different jobs. Some work in advertising or marketing, while others become case managers, childcare workers, or career counselors. Others might find fulfillment in research or teaching careers. Bachelor’s degree-holders may continue on to graduate school, earning law degrees, master’s in counseling, or doctorates in psychology.
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