Psychology deals with the human mind and how the functions of our mind dictates our behaviors. The principles, theories and concepts of psychology can be implemented in any field of work. Whether you work in advertising and marketing, human resources, law enforcement or run a business, knowledge of psychology will help you advance in your field.
Obviously there are various professions directly related to psychology as well, including counseling, clinical practice, research and teaching, among others. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is part of the United States Department of Labor, projects that between 2016 and 2026 there will be a 14% increase in jobs in the field of psychology. You can study psychology at a bachelor’s level, master’s level and doctoral level. A doctoral degree is mandatory to get the necessary license and certification for clinical practice, as well as to teach the subject. You can get entry-level jobs in the field of psychology with a master’s degree or use it to advance in your profession. If you’re serious about a career in the field of psychology, then you should begin with a bachelor’s degree program. A bachelor’s program in psychology will teach you the foundations of the subject and prepare you for a master’s level program.
If you’re currently working or can’t afford to move to a different state or city to study psychology, then online psychology programs are the answer. A number of top universities and graduate schools around the country offer excellent online psychology programs. The curriculum in these programs is the same as what’s taught on campus and the same holds true for the faculty. Plus, you get a lot more flexibility in terms of coursework and assignment deadlines to be able to manage work and studies concurrently.
Online Psychology Degree Programs
The following choices are some of the best online psychology programs you can enroll in.
Northeastern University
Northeastern University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Psychology, along with various other online accredited degree programs.
The program consists of a total of 60 credit hours, including 21 major credits across courses in cognition, human behavior, research, project work and more. Some of the courses taught in these disciplines include social psychology, impact of social environment on human behavior, connection between language, sensation and perception and cognition and development of cognition through human lifespan, among others. Students will also have to pick a few elective courses as part of the degree program. This Boston, Massachusetts-based university also teaches students a variety of writing skills, data analytics, cultural interpretation, etc., which ensures they enter the professional arena fully prepared. The program is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.
University of Memphis Global
The University of Memphis Global offers various online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, including an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree program. The degree program consists of 120 credit hours, including 35 major credit hours and 24 concentration or specialization credit hours. Besides these there is a requirement of 41 general education credit hours and 6 to 9 college and degree credit hours.
The major courses you will be studying include general psychology, research and statistics, cognitive and neuroscientific bases of behavior (cognitive processes, animal behavior, alcohol/drugs/behavior and mind/brain/intelligence), social and developmental bases of behavior (child psychology and social psychology) and applications of behavior (health psychology and introduction to clinical psychology). You will also have to complete two 4-hour lab courses in social psychology, alcohol/drugs/behavior and health psychology. During your senior year, you will have to complete a psychological field test as well. In terms of concentration or specialization, you can pick from general psychology, behavioral neuroscience and cognitive science.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Oregon State University Ecampus
The Oregon State University Ecampus offers two online degree programs in psychology. Students have the option of pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree programs online only or as a combination of online coursework and offline classes at the Portland campus. The second option only makes sense if you’re a resident of Portland.
Students will have to complete a total of 180 quarter credit hours or 120 semester credit hours worth of coursework, as part of both degree programs. The programs are made up of five course areas, including a baccalaureate core worth 48 credits, a liberal arts core worth 15 credits, a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science requirements worth 15 to 24 credits, the psychology major coursework worth 65 credits and the remaining are taken up by electives. Some of the psychology major courses taught are brain and behavior, social psychology, abnormal psychology, cognition, consciousness and behavior modification, among others. At the beginning of the program, each students chalks out their course plan with the help of an academic advisor to ensure the credit requirements are satisfied. The tuition is $309 per credit.
The program is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Penn State World Campus offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and an online Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree programs. The Bachelor of Arts program is primarily a foundational program in psychology, which prepares students to move onto a master’s program. The study of psychology in this program is from the perspective of humanities and liberal arts. On the other hand, the Bachelor of Science program offers the option of specializing in life sciences or business. The coursework in the life sciences concentration covers biology, anthropology, human behavior, etc. You will be ready for a graduate program in psychology after this. Whereas, in the business concentration the coursework includes leadership, ethics, etc. This prepares you for careers in the business world, including human resources, management and more. Both degree programs consist of 123 credits, including 50 credits in the major courses.
The program is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that online psychology programs are more convenient and more students get access to quality education because of such online programs. However, do keep in mind that online programs demand a lot of self-discipline and self-motivation. You have to keep pushing yourself during the entire length of the program.