Earn Your Accelerated Psychology Degree Online

An online bachelor’s in psychology degree teaches you all about how people think and behave.

Accelerated psychology programs allow you to earn your degree faster than traditional ones — typically in two years instead of four. The condensed schedules that these fast-track programs provide can save you time and money.

And the best part? You can learn from anywhere.

Once you earn your accelerated psychology degree online, you can pursue entry-level psychology roles or go on to earn a master’s or doctorate in psychology.

In an accelerated psychology degree program, you’ll study different types of psychology, such as social, abnormal, organizational, and cognitive psychology.

After you graduate, you can look for jobs in fields like counseling, advocacy, human resources, social services, and research.

Fast-track programs are designed to help you earn your degree more quickly. You’ll especially benefit from an accelerated psychology degree if you want to enter the workforce sooner or complete your education faster.

Note that most accelerated psychology programs are degree-completion programs. In other words, they cater to students who have previously earned an associate degree or some college credit. For example, you might’ve started a bachelor’s degree but never completed it.

You might also come across accelerated dual-degree psychology programs. These programs help you earn a bachelor’s and a master’s in psychology in less time — usually five years or less.

Note: The following programs may or may not offer accelerated options for degree-seeking students.

An accelerated psychology online program typically lasts around two years; however, the length of the program will depend on how many credits you transfer.

Bachelor’s programs normally require a total of 120 credits to graduate. With degree-completion programs, most students transfer anywhere from 30 to 90 credits.

You could further expedite your program by taking placement tests, getting credit for work and life experience, and/or enrolling in summer courses.

Credit requirements vary among schools. San Francisco State University, Texas State University, and Old Dominion University, for example, each require accelerated psychology students to complete at least 30 additional credits.

Meanwhile, schools like Eastern Illinois University and Georgia State University require students to complete 60 additional credits.

If you spend two years in an accelerated online psychology program, you can expect to pay around $24,000 total in tuition and fees, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

That said, this price can vary widely depending on the program and other factors, like whether you attend a public or private school.

Some real-world examples: Texas State University charges $404 per credit for its online psychology degree-completion program, whereas California State University, Channel Islands charges $475 per credit.

You can save money on your degree by applying for financial aid, so be sure to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year you’re in school.

In the table below, you’ll find a list of sample accelerated psychology programs. We only chose accredited nonprofit schools offering fully online psychology programs.

As a reminder, degree-completion programs typically require a total of 120 credits. The credits in this table are in addition to the credits you transfer into your program.

After completing an accelerated psychology program, you can pursue a variety of roles.

Popular jobs for psychology majors include:

To become a psychologist, you’ll typically need either a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) or a Ph.D. in clinical or counseling psychology in addition to state licensure.

As such, you might choose to enroll in a master’s in psychology program or a dual psychology master’s/doctorate program after you finish your accelerated bachelor’s.

Psychology is a growing career path. Jobs for psychologists are projected to grow 7% over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

An accelerated psychology degree can be worth the effort and resources if you have an interest in human minds and behavior. It’s also a great way to jumpstart your journey to becoming a psychologist.

The benefits of fast-track programs include a faster completion time, potential cost savings, and earlier career entry.

Consider as well whether your accelerated psychology degree will help you get an internship. Although not required, internships can strengthen your resume and illuminate your next steps after college.

“Internships give you work experience, which can help you decide what type of work you want to do after college or if you want to pursue a graduate degree,” says Juli Fraga, a licensed psychologist specializing in women’s health and parenting.

“You may find internships in various settings, such as schools, businesses, mental health centers, and hospitals,” she adds.

You should also expect a heavy workload during your program. The condensed format of an accelerated psychology degree may result in less time for your other commitments, potentially leading to college burnout.

So while an accelerated program can fast-track your psychology career, make sure you consider its impact on your work-life balance before committing to a school.