Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs

Regent University, a top Christian college, enrolls 11,000 students in 135 programs administered online and on campus in Virginia Beach. The college offers a BS in psychology that blends psychological principles and methodologies with Christian values. The 120-credit program teaches students how to interpret scientific research and understand the effects of personality on human behavior. The curriculum covers the Old and New Testaments and general education such as biology, anatomy, and history.

Faculty members immerse students in psychological theories and their application in social, cognitive, abnormal, and developmental psychology. Learners can explore research methodologies in accordance with guidelines established by the American Psychological Association, while a capstone project examines the connections among psychology's many subfields and philosophical models.

Students may transfer up to 90 credits into this accredited online psychology degree. Regent awards credit for military experience, CLEP, and DANTES. Admission requires a high school diploma from each first-year student and school transcripts from transfer students.

Located amid the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Regis University offers students an education shaped by the school's Jesuit Catholic heritage. Regis offers a 120-credit BS in applied psychology emphasizing psychological theories applicable to students' personal and professional lives. The program's general education requirements include communication, English, religious studies, and the social sciences.

The major delves into foundational courses in lifespan development, psychology of personality, and abnormal psychology, all accepted as transferable credits. At the upper level, students analyze subjects such as the family, cognitive psychology, addictive behavior, and trauma and PTSD. The upper-level focus on positive psychology, health psychology, stress and well-being, and forgiveness help to develop the whole person, as a key tenet of the Jesuit educational tradition.

Students in the online psychology degree learn in small classrooms from award-winning faculty. They may transfer up to 87 credits into this degree. Admission requires a high school diploma or equivalent and a transcript evaluation for each transfer student.

Founded in 1898, Northeastern University utilizes an experiential learning model to reinforce student learning and ignite a passion for discovery. The Boston-based school uses the Global Network to offer programs to students anywhere and at any time.

Northeastern's BS in psychology degree completion program trains learners in the psychological development and behavior theories applicable to many different careers. All students can fulfill the school's general education requirements covering subjects such as college writing, algebra, and biology.

In the major, students learn about human development, social and abnormal psychology, emotion, and motivation. They learn how behavioral scientists can use the scientific method to design and execute psychological investigations. With 15 elective credits, they can pursue particular areas of interest in psychology.

During a capstone, each student can apply their newly acquired research skills to independently investigate an area of interest, develop a report of their findings, and share it with peers. Admission to the online bachelor's degree in psychology requires a minimum 2.5 GPA on transferable credit.

Liberty University, a top Christian college, offers hundreds of programs through Liberty Online. Students interested in psychology enroll in the fully online, 120-credit BS in psychology — a degree they can typically complete in 3.5 years. The curriculum requires general education credits that many students commonly transfer. The core major credits of the online psychology degree provide foundational knowledge of psychology, human biology, developmental psychology, and statistics for the social sciences.

At the upper level, students examine social psychology, psychology of personality, and behavioral modification. Faculty members deliver the program using eight-week courses for accelerated degree completion. The transfer-friendly school allows learners to transfer up to 75% of the degree's requirements from prior college credit.

All students pay the same tuition regardless of residency, and military personnel receive steep tuition discounts. To help students save even more, Liberty offers free electronic textbooks for all undergraduate courses. Admission requires a minimum 2.0 GPA from each transfer student.

The University of Massachusetts-Amherst is the state's flagship college, situated on a scenic 1,450-acre campus in Western Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley. The school offers its BA in psychology with an applied psychology concentration through University Without Walls, UMass Amherst's unique academic department for nontraditional learners. UWW's format facilitates degree completion for learners with college credits and relevant work experience.

The curriculum of the online psychology degree covers topics such as abnormal psychology, substance abuse, child psychology and development, cognitive behavior, and family violence. Students may also design their own curriculums in applied psychology, applying related work and life experiences, along with up to 105 credits, to finish the degree faster. The degree prepares learners for careers in fields such as victim advocacy, counseling and administration, and social services.

Students may complete the degree entirely online or in a hybrid format to take advantage of the best of both worlds. Admission requires at least 12 college credits with a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Oregon State University ranks in the top 1% of colleges in the world and offers 200 programs on two campuses. Its e-campus serves distance learners interested in earning well-respected and affordable degrees. OSU offers both a 180-credit BA and BS in psychology in fully online and blended formats.

The curriculum examines topics such as cognition, abnormal psychology, behavior modification, and health psychology. In addition to psychological science, students can acquire skills in scientific methodology, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

All e-campus students may add a minor to their degrees to enhance their competencies and credentials. Enrollees who opt for a blended curriculum can also take classes at the new OSU Portland Center at Pioneer Square. OSU charges all e-campus students the same tuition regardless of residency, though hybrid learners pay more.

Students may transfer general education requirements to accelerate completion of their online psychology degrees. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED and a minimum 2.5 GPA for each transfer student.

Arizona Wildcats attend a college that existed long before the state. The school's evolution includes its history as a research powerhouse, a longstanding partnership with NASA, and a leader in the arts and sciences. Here, an aspiring Wildcat can earn an online BA in psychology from one of the country's top-ranked psychology departments. Faculty members immerse students in psychological theories applicable to real problems in all domains of society.

The degree offers a four-year plan for first-year students and a two-year plan for AZ Transfer Pathways, a program designed for in-state transfer students with associate degrees. Learners can complete or transfer their general education credits in subjects such as composition, math, and a second language. The major provides students with an introduction to psychology and allows them to explore social-personality science, cognitive neuroscience, and research methods.

Elective credits in the online bachelor's degree in psychology provide learners with the freedom to explore other areas in psychology. Admission requires a high school diploma or its equivalent and college transcripts from transfer students.

Old Dominion University, located in Virginia, manages a vast catalog that includes 120 undergraduate programs. ODU Online, a leader in distance education, offers many of those degrees in a virtual format. The university offers the BS in psychology as a degree completion option or a full program. To fulfill the 120-credit requirement, students can complete general education credits in areas such as literature, philosophy, and elementary statistics.

The major examines four areas: applied psychology, the biological bases and cognition, developmental changes, and personality and social processes. ODU's Monarchs receive access to peer mentoring and a subject-specific resource center. About 25% of the ODU student body is military-affiliated, ranking the school among the most military-friendly in the nation. ODU makes transferring easy, thanks to a guaranteed admission agreement between the university and schools in the Virginia Community College System.

Admission to the online psychology degree requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 for those looking to transfer and a high school diploma or equivalent plus SAT or ACT scores for a first-year student.

Central Methodist University, a liberal arts college located in Missouri, offers distance learning options through the College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES). While about 1,000 students study on campus, more than 4,000 CGES students pursue programs on-campus and online.

The 120-credit BA in psychology gives learners a broad liberal arts education, preparing them for diverse career options. The BS in psychology's strong emphasis on analytic skills suits learners interested in pursuing a graduate degree in psychology.

The major for both the BA and BS examines general psychology, experimental psychology, and applied quantitative data analysis. Students also choose one course from four areas in psychology: biological; applied; counseling, abnormal, and personality; and developmental and social psychology.

Each student can complete an oral and written examination to exit either online bachelor's degree in psychology. Enrollees participate in extracurricular activities through the psychology club and Psi Chi. Admission to CMU requires a college preparatory program with a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Concordia University St. Paul was established as a training ground for men entering the ministries of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Today, the coeducational college offers a distinctive catalog of online programs, such as the 120-credit BA in psychology. CSP designed the program for working professionals, providing a 44-credit, upper-level curriculum for this online psychology degree.

Faculty members use a rigorous curriculum to examine psychological concepts and their applications in real-world scenarios. These topics include abnormal psychology, lifespan development, and social psychology. A suite of electives provides learners with training in exciting areas such as forensic and sports psychology.

Each student can practice by applying these psychological theories during an internship at a relevant facility. Faculty members deliver the program using asynchronous seven-week courses to facilitate faster degree completion. Admission to the online bachelor's degree in psychology requires all college transcripts and a minimum 2.0 GPA on transferable credit.

Saint Leo University enrolls 15,000 students, most of whom study at regional campuses across Florida and online. The 120-credit BA in psychology provides a flexible curriculum that students can customize with specializations. Enrollees complete 42 credits of general education as part of the program, while the psychology core focuses on research methods, an introduction to psychology, and current issues in psychology.

The program features four specializations: general, clinical/counseling, developmental counseling, and experimental psychology. Students receive hands-on field experience through internships at sites such as the Florida Mental Health Institute, the Harbor Behavioral Health Care Institute, and Boys and Girls Club. As part of the BA, students can conduct research independently or with faculty, presenting their findings at the American Psychological Association and Southeastern Psychological Association conferences.

Participants engage in extracurricular activity through student organizations such as Psi Chi and Pi Gamma Mu. Admission to the online psychology degree requires a high school diploma or equivalent.

Founded in 1890, Washington State University is a top-tier college recognized for strong academic programs and high research activity. The WSU Global Campus suite of online degrees includes the BS in psychology, a program that allows students to explore psychological principles and scientific methods used in the field.

Requirements include general education coursework that many students satisfy by transferring their associate degrees. The major requires a four-course core that gives an introduction to psychology and explores experimental methods in psychology, statistics, and psychology as a science. Enrollees can choose courses in three subfields of psychology: neuroscience/cognition, clinical/counseling, and social motivational.

Students acquire hands-on experience through undergraduate research, peer tutoring, and roles as instructional teacher’s assistants. Online learners need not miss out on extracurricular activities, as the WSU Global Campus offers chapters of Psychology Club, Psi Chi, and the Psychology National Honor Society. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED; transfer students must provide transcripts.

With campuses across Florida and robust virtual programs, Nova Southeastern University expands learners' access to a comprehensive catalog of programs. The 120-credit BS in psychology exposes students to the major domains of psychology and how to integrate and apply this knowledge to real-world contexts. The major covers applied statistics, an introduction to psychology, theories in psychology, and psychological research methods.

During a required course on multicultural issues in psychology, faculty members introduce students to diverse attitudes about mental illness in different communities — and how those communities view one's desire to seek professional help. Students can use 18 credits to explore psychological areas such as sensation and perception; human development; and learning, memory, and perception. The use of electives allows enrollees to explore areas of psychology not outlined in the degree plan.

Students may transfer up to 90 credits into the online bachelor's degree in psychology. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED; transfer students must also supply transcripts.

The University of Houston provides students with the cutting-edge programs expected of a tier one research college. In addition to programs offered on campus in a sprawling metropolis, UH features degrees such as the 120-credit BS in psychology to virtual learners. This BS best suits enrollees who meet the school's general education requirements. The degree completion BS requires 36 credits of upper-level courses in psychology.

The curriculum includes an introduction to psychology and several areas such as psychological statistics, social psychology, cognitive psychology, and the psychology of personality. UH allows students to explore industrial-organizational psychology, a subfield of psychology focused on the use of psychology to optimize processes in training and motivating staff within organizations. Admission to the online psychology degree requires a minimum 2.0 GPA on transferrable credits.

Florida Institute of Technology, as one of the nation's top polytechnic schools, specializes in advancing science and technology. The fully online BA in applied psychology melds the liberal arts with the scientific knowledge of human behavior, as students can explore how to incorporate psychological principles to improve areas as diverse as health, business, and product design.

The core of the 121-credit degree examines topics such as social, experimental, and abnormal psychology. Students can use third- and fourth-year electives to pursue concentrations in clinical psychology, child advocacy, forensic psychology, and organizational psychology. Enrollees do not need to focus on just one concentration, as they can choose electives across the four to broaden their knowledge base.

Applicants to one of the nation's best online psychology degrees receive credit for CLEP, DANTES, and AP. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED. Florida Tech accepts transfer credits with a minimum C- grade.

Northern Arizona University manages one of the best online colleges in the nation, giving learners the option to earn degrees through traditional or competency-based formats. The 120-credit bachelor of psychology offers a traditional format that gives learners a firm foundation in psychological science. Students can complete general education in subjects such as English, math, and a foreign language.

The online psychology degree provides learners with an introduction to the field, the use of statistics, and research methods in psychology. Students can explore areas in the field, such as developmental, cross-cultural, and health psychology. They choose one of several options to culminate their degrees, including a supervised teaching experience or supervised field experience at an approved agency.

NAU's traditional online students choose from multiple start dates and pay per-credit tuition. Admission requires a minimum 2.0 GPA (for transfer students with an associate degree) and a minimum 2.5 GPA on the Arizona General Education Curriculum.

Dallas Baptist University offers a variety of educational programs in an environment that blends academics and faith. DBU offers a 120-credit bachelor of arts and sciences in psychology that suits working professionals. Students can complete math, kinesiology, history, and other subjects in the liberal arts.

The psychology major gives learners an overview of general psychology, the psychology of personality, human growth and development, and the research methods used in behavioral science.

A required course provides learners with an analysis of marriage and family life within a Christian framework. In another required course, faculty members examine major theories of counseling and psychotherapy. As one of the top military-friendly schools in the nation, DBU awards credits for ACE-approved military training. The school prides itself on affordability, with 82% of undergraduate students receiving institutional scholarships.

Admission to the online bachelor's degree in psychology requires a high school diploma or GED and transcripts from all colleges for transfer students.

The University of North Dakota began distance education with correspondence courses in 1911. Today, UND is a leader in distance education with 120 online programs that include the 120-credit BA in psychology. Students may enroll in this program on a full- or part-time basis. They complete general education courses such as algebra, composition, or a foreign language. The major covers cognitive psychology, psychology of behavior, biological bases for behavior, and research methods in psychology.

UND allows each student in this online psychology degree to customize their program with a certificate in one of three areas: forensic psychology, behavioral health, or cyberpsychology. Enrollees can acquire practical experience through fieldwork or repeatable volunteer experience for up to eight credits.

They also acquire hands-on experience not always available to undergraduates through research projects and teaching assistantships. Students may also participate in activities offered by the Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society and Student Psychological Association. Admission requires ACT or SAT scores from first-year students and at least 24 credits with a minimum 2.0 GPA for transfer students.

More than 18,000 students enroll in programs at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, a school that emphasizes hands-on learning and personalized attention. The continuing education division administers a comprehensive suite of online programs, such as the 120-credit BA in psychology. Students can complete the degree fully online or in a hybrid format. They acquire theoretical knowledge in the various subfields of psychology, including developmental, social, experimental, and clinical.

Enrollees can learn to apply this knowledge in various areas of everyday life. Juniors and seniors acquire hands-on experience through fieldwork at facilities engaged in psychological practice and research. They can also use up to 12 credits to research in specialized areas of interest.

Learners may accelerate degree completion by transferring up to 90 credits into this online bachelor's degree in psychology. Students study in classrooms with fewer than 20 students to foster personalized learning. Admission requires a high school diploma or equivalent and at least a C- grade on transferable credits.

Charter Oak, Connecticut's online college, offers degree completion programs such as the BS in psychology. The degree builds learners' knowledge of human behavior across the lifespan. The program requires a minimum of 39 credits in the major; enrollees begin the program with an introduction to the field, statistics in psychology, history and systems in psychology, and research methods for behavioral sciences.

Students can delve deeper into psychological science with courses that examine cognitive, adolescent, social, and abnormal psychology. Enrollees must use 15 credits to complete one of four concentrations: lifespan, social/behavioral, general psychology, or cognition and learning. Each student can complete a capstone that requires a literature review, an in-depth paper outlining a hypothesis, research methodology, and conclusions.

Learners may transfer in general education and electives totaling up to 87 credits from accredited institutions. The school awards credit for CLEP and DSST. Admission to this online psychology degree requires all school transcripts.