Psychology Degree Program Guide

Earning a degree in psychology can be a launchpad to a fulfilling career as a clinical psychologist, counselor, or organizational psychologist. While more advanced positions require a master’s degree, with a bachelor’s you can also pursue diverse careers such as a psychological stress evaluator, correctional treatment specialist, or social worker.

Psychology is a growing career, with a slightly higher-than-average projected increase in psychology positions in the next 10 years. In this article, you’ll find an overview of program types, popular courses, and the application process to decide if a psychology degree is right for you.

In a psychology degree, you’ll study human behavior and emotional responses in courses such as cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and research methods. You can usually complete a bachelor’s program in four years, but some programs offer accelerated options so you can finish in three years.

After graduating, you’ll qualify for careers in mental health counseling, human resources, and market research. You can also apply for advanced degree programs leading to clinical and research roles or a career in academia.

If you’re interested in understanding human behavior, conducting research, working in a therapeutic setting, or exploring a career that requires strong interpersonal and analytical skills, you could be a good fit for an online psychology degree.

Psychology courses give you the foundational knowledge necessary in diverse psychological fields. If you’re undecided on a psychology concentration, they can also give you direct experience of different fields to choose a subspecialization.

There are different concentrations you can take when choosing a bachelor’s in psychology degree program. For example, you can choose degrees with a concentration in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, or addiction and mental health.

If you’re considering an online psychology degree, you might be wondering how to apply to a program and how long it typically takes to complete.

It typically takes four years to complete a bachelor’s in an online psychology degree program. Accelerated programs allow you to take more credits per semester or enroll in summer courses. However, accelerated programs can require more of a weekly time commitment, so they may be more difficult to juggle with work or other obligations.

Online degrees usually offer greater flexibility, allowing you to progress at your own pace. This flexibility can either shorten or lengthen the time needed to graduate. If you want to continue your education, master’s programs generally take two years to complete.

And, if you’d like to get a doctoral degree, it can take you up to seven years, depending on the length of your internship, whether you go to school full or part time, and how long your dissertation is.

You must meet certain prerequisites and submit the necessary documentation to apply for an online psychology degree program. Check specific application and admission requirements to ensure you qualify for the program. All programs require a high school diploma or equivalent, and you might find it helpful to complete coursework in social sciences, biology, and psychology in highschool. Other application components include:

The cost of an online psychology degree varies depending on the type of Institution and the program. In 2024, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that bachelor’s degree students paid an average of $9,750 per year at public, in-state schools for the 2022-2023 school year.

At many online schools, you’ll pay per credit, with full-time students taking around 12-18 credits per term. Examples of tuition costs for online psychology bachelor’s degrees include Southern New Hampshire University at $330 per credit, Capella University at $350-$415 per credit, and Arizona State University at $625 per credit hour for an online degree.

A bachelor’s degree in psychology allows you to pursue a wide range of employment options. These career opportunities can qualify you to earn a salary around the national average annual pay for all occupations.

An online psychology degree opens doors to career opportunities in management, social service, education, or health and technical occupations. You can work in mental health services as a counselor or therapist if you choose to earn a graduate degree. You may also work in educational settings as an academic advisor.

A psychology degree is valued in career fields that require interpersonal and analytical skills, such as criminal justice and public health. In 2021, 61% of graduates from a bachelor’s program in psychology worked in management, social service, educational instruction, office administration, healthcare practitioners, or technical occupations.

A bachelor’s degree in psychology qualifies you for entry-level positions across several fields where you’ll typically earn between $40,000 and $60,000 per year. You can expect your salary to vary depending on your level of education, experience, certifications, geographical location, and employer.

An advanced degree generally leads to a higher earning potential. Below are several popular careers you can choose from as a graduate from an online psychology degree program.

After graduation, you can pursue an advanced degree, including a master’s or doctorate (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), which opens doors to clinical practice, research, or academic careers. Applying to a graduate program usually requires submitting GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and a resume documenting your relevant work or volunteer experience.

These advanced degrees open doors to professional certifications such as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Certified Addiction Counselor (CATC), depending on your state. To obtain certification, you must complete additional coursework, supervised clinical hours, and pass a licensing examination. Once you are certified, you must stay up to date and pursue continuing education.

Consider several factors before choosing a psychology program that forms the foundation of your career development. These help ensure the program meets your educational and career needs.

Accreditation ensures that the institution or program meets quality standards. Institutional accreditation evaluates the entire college or university, while programmatic accreditation assesses specific programs. Both are crucial for credibility, financial aid eligibility, and credit transfer. You can find accreditation status through the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education and Accreditation websites.

Consider the cost before enrolling to avoid excessive debt. Students can save money by choosing online psychology degree programs, public universities, or community colleges for initial coursework. Explore grants, scholarships, and federal financial aid options to reduce expenses and make the degree more affordable.

Consider program length before enrolling as it affects your time commitment, overall cost, and how long it takes before you can start your career. Longer programs may increase expenses and delay earning potential. Assess if you can manage the program duration alongside personal responsibilities and financial constraints.

There are so many program types to choose from, including online or in-person courses. You can also choose between synchronous or asynchronous courses, potentially opting for greater flexibility. Finally, you’ll want to examine the professors, student services, internship opportunities, and unique college offerings.

It can be helpful to check specific course offerings and student placement or graduation rates to narrow down the programs you would like to consider attending.

Consider the program’s job placement data to ensure you receive a good return on your investment. High job placement rates indicate graduates have found relevant employment and suggest the college’s reputation and effectiveness in preparing students for the workforce is appropriate. Institutions provide these statistics, and you should evaluate them before enrolling.