An online psychology degree is one of the most popular options because of its breadth and practicality. Students gain the background they need to think critically about careers in which they can use their knowledge of the mind to help others. Read on to learn how to locate the best online universities for psychology and to start your application processes.
Those who choose to study psychology as an undergraduate major can tailor their education to a wide range of professions. In most cases, you’ll need to complete about 120 credits in order to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. A bachelor’s degree in psychology typically takes 4 years to complete. Core courses for psychology majors include statistics, experimental psychology, abnormal psychology, and electives like consumer psychology, social processes, and human performance.
There is a plethora of options for obtaining a psychology degree online. There are some online graduate psychology programs, but all of them require on-campus internship or practicum experiences. Most people who take classes online do so at a public institution in their own neighborhood. Students should look for regionally accredited online psychology degree programs.
Simply put, what does it mean to study psychology?
To have an interest in psychology, you need only wonder why your sister must always look perfect before going to the grocery store, why your father doesn’t trust door-to-door salesmen, or why your uncle Frank must always sound like an idiotic braggart at the dinner table. Learning about the many facets of human nature in order to better understand one’s own and other people’s actions is what studying psychology is all about. Relationships and human interaction are the focus of psychological research.
However, learning about other people can shed light on your own personality and behavior in a number of key areas, including your interactions with others, your learning and performance styles, your resiliency under pressure, your social skills, and the reasons you keep saying yes when you really should be saying no.
Despite the constant promotion of the latest personality test to discover your “self” in glossy fashion magazines, this is not genuine psychology. There is a common misperception that studying psychology is a “fun and easy” major that won’t lead anywhere and will only provide you with a low salary and few job prospects.
Can you tell me why it’s important for online psychology degree programs to be properly accredited?
In order to become a licensed psychologist, you need to earn a degree from a recognized institution. Those interested in taking the state licensing exam in psychology must have an academic background sufficient to meet accreditation standards. Degrees earned at unaccredited schools are often not recognized by employers, and students cannot transfer credits earned there to a university that is part of a recognized accreditation system.
Grades in Online Psychology Programs
Let’s take a quick look at online psychology degrees, the benefits they offer both in and out of the classroom, and how they stack up against traditional psychology programs.
Education and Training for Freshmen and Sophomores
If you want to go into psychology as a career, getting a psychology degree at the undergraduate level is a great first step. Those who aren’t sure what they want to do with their lives may benefit from enrolling in an undergraduate program and earning a certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree even if they end up working in a field unrelated to psychology.
1. Two-Year Diploma in Psychological Science
Earning an associate’s degree in psychology is a fantastic first step toward fulfilling your career goals, as it opens doors to a wide range of opportunities that normally require further education. An associate degree is a relatively inexpensive way for students interested in a career in psychology to begin the four-year journey toward a bachelor’s degree in the field.
Two-year Psychology Undergraduate Degree
Psychology is one of the most popular choices for undergraduates. It’s perfect for college students who haven’t yet decided what they want to do with their lives but are fascinated by the human mind. For example, a bachelor’s in psychology can serve as a stepping stone to a master’s in business, a master’s in social work, or a juris doctorate in law. As a final note, if you’re looking into a career in psychology, you should know that most doctoral level degree programs require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree.
Exactly what sort of work can I expect to do if I earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology?
You can use the skills you learn in a bachelor’s program in psychology in a wide range of fields and settings. The mix of liberal arts and science classes that make up a typical psychology major makes its graduates marketable in a wide range of fields, including business, teaching, counseling, sales, and social work.
Some fresh grads get entry-level jobs where they can put their knowledge of people to use in formal or academic contexts. To further improve their marketability, they can earn a master’s or doctoral degree. Employers value a psychology major’s aptitude for independent study and analysis.
With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, what kind of salary can I anticipate?
According to the BLS, in 2021, the median salary for psychologists was $81,040. Ten percent of earners made more than $133,890, while ten percent made less than $47,850 annually. Nonetheless, salary varies considerably both by industry and by level of education. Higher salaries can typically be expected for those working in the fields of government and healthcare.
Top Rated Online Psychology Degree Programs
1. The University of Massachusetts’s Virtual Campus
UMass reports that its online psychology degree programs are in high demand. Completely online or hybrid programs leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology are available to today’s students.
The University of Massachusetts has been awarded accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The University of Massachusetts has been recognized as “One of the Best Public Online Colleges in the U.S.” and numerous other awards for the quality of its academic programs.
2. Ashford University
Students interested in earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ashford University online can do so through an accelerated program that may allow them to graduate sooner than they would be able to on a traditional campus. Ashford University has been granted accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Over 90% of Ashford University alumni are either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their degree. Ashford University’s mission to “provide accessible, affordable, innovative, high-quality learning opportunities and degree programs that meet the diverse needs of individuals pursuing integrity in their lives, professions, and communities” is something that will appeal to a wide range of people.
3. Online Brandman University
Brandman’s BA in Psychology program is highly flexible, allowing students to focus on areas of interest.
All four areas of psychology—child psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, preclinical psychology, and preclinical psychology—are available to online students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Online students at Brandman University can still take advantage of low tuition rates. There is a 50% tuition reduction for active duty military and their spouses. Brandman University was honored with the Best Value School Award by University Research and Review’s namesake, Joseph Schmoke. Brandman University has been officially acknowledged by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Conclusion
Depending on the type of psychology degree you earn, you can enter a wide range of interesting and lucrative fields. Many of the following subfields of psychology—which together make up the larger field of psychology—are expected to see rapid job growth in the coming years. Career opportunities are varied and specific to an individual’s skills, experience, and education.