Get Matched With Psychology Programs

Overview of a Bachelor’s in Psychology


If you earn your in-person or online bachelor’s in psychology degree, you’ll have the chance to become a healthcare professional working with individuals who suffer from emotional disorders, mental illnesses, or who are dealing with difficult life events. You may also be a healthcare professional working for a social services agency, intervening with families who are in crisis. To have the most fulfilling, successful career in psychology, bachelor's in psychology graduates will need to earn a master's to work in clinical psychology and become fully licensed counselors, child psychologists, clinical psychologists, mental health counselors, work in psychological research, social psychology, etc.

Your bachelor’s in psychology degree will also teach you about the influences that culture, race, life experiences, and geography can have on your future clients. You’ll quickly realize that psychology degree programs use an integrated perspective. This helps to connect the various processes that affect our lives (social, biological, and psychological). A psychology program will begin with a psychology courses in general psychology and eventually take you through courses in social psychology, clinical psychology, human behavior, research methods, and much more. When you start your school search, you'll want to keep your eyes open for programmatic accreditation covering the psychology department and keep in mind the career you want as you move into your graduate degree.

What careers should you expect to enter? To start, you might find work as a healthcare advisor, behavioral technician, child development specialist, designated mental healthcare professional, resident site coordinator, or a mental health specialist. With a bachelor's in psychology, students can work as psychiatric technicians, rehabilitation specialists, addiction counselors, in human resources, and more. You may be able to choose an emphasis or concentration, such as wellness counseling or addiction studies and you may be able to choose between on-campus and online psychology degrees at this level. As for your core classes, many colleges and universities offer psychology programs that covers subjects such as the following.

  • Human Behavior
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Human Sexuality
  • Theories of Learning
  • Physiological Psychology
  • Criminal Psychology and Criminal Behavior
  • Forensic Psychology
  • And More

PROS

You may be considering earning a bachelor's in psychology degree because you want to be able to help people who are in need of counseling or psychological services. If you are considering moving into graduate study in psychology, a bachelor’s degree in psychology gives you an excellent foundation.

Some bachelor’s programs offer a bachelor's in psychology and pre-counseling, as graduates of a bachelor’s degree program cannot work as fully licensed counselors.

At other universities, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of many of the theories of human nature. These programs may also offers you the chance to earn your bachelor’s in psychology along with your master’s degree.

At graduation, you’ll be ready for entry-level positions in the mental health field, business, government, and other locations.

CONS

If you are interested in entering a counseling career with your psychology degree, you may be disappointed to find that many bachelor’s level psychology degree programs are light on the counseling material. While this is something that may disappoint you, there is actually a good reason for that. Universities wait to introduce most of this material until you are in a master’s degree. Only then are you ready to begin working on developing counseling skills. Also, it’s only with a master’s that psychology graduates will be able to gain licensure and work as child psychologists, clinical psychologists, mental health counselors, or other licensed counselors.

Compare Popular Online Psychology Programs

Top 25 Best Online Bachelors in Psychology Programs


1

University of Pennsylvania

Score: 90.2

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $63,452
    • Out-of-State: $63,452
  • Net Price: $26,123
  • Acceptance Rate: 7%
  • Retention Rate: 98%
  • Graduation Rate: 96%
  • Total Enrollment: 28,201
  • Undergrad Students: 11,250
  • Graduate Students: 16,951
  • Grads Salary: $93,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 8:1
  • University of Pennsylvania
2

Northwestern University

Score: 89.83

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $63,468
    • Out-of-State: $63,468
  • Net Price: $22,095
  • Acceptance Rate: 7%
  • Retention Rate: 98%
  • Graduation Rate: 97%
  • Total Enrollment: 23,161
  • Undergrad Students: 8,993
  • Graduate Students: 14,168
  • Grads Salary: $87,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 6:1
  • Northwestern University
3

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Score: 86.85

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,989
    • Out-of-State: $37,550
  • Net Price: $10,614
  • Acceptance Rate: 17%
  • Retention Rate: 96%
  • Graduation Rate: 91%
  • Total Enrollment: 31,705
  • Undergrad Students: 20,029
  • Graduate Students: 11,676
  • Grads Salary: $75,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
4

Northeastern University

Score: 79.15

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $60,192
    • Out-of-State: $60,192
  • Net Price: $35,827
  • Acceptance Rate: 7%
  • Retention Rate: 97%
  • Graduation Rate: 91%
  • Total Enrollment: 30,013
  • Undergrad Students: 16,302
  • Graduate Students: 13,711
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Northeastern University
5

University of Florida-Online

Score: 78.66

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $3,876
    • Out-of-State: $16,579
  • Net Price: $10,791
  • Acceptance Rate: 65%
  • Retention Rate: 92%
  • Graduation Rate: 79%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,356
  • Undergrad Students: 5,356
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 54:1
  • University of Florida-Online
6

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Score: 77.6

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $16,952
    • Out-of-State: $38,171
  • Net Price: $22,291
  • Acceptance Rate: 64%
  • Retention Rate: 90%
  • Graduation Rate: 83%
  • Total Enrollment: 32,229
  • Undergrad Students: 24,391
  • Graduate Students: 7,838
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • University of Massachusetts-Amherst
7

University of Central Florida

Score: 76.88

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,368
    • Out-of-State: $22,467
  • Net Price: $13,108
  • Acceptance Rate: 41%
  • Retention Rate: 93%
  • Graduation Rate: 76%
  • Total Enrollment: 68,346
  • Undergrad Students: 58,662
  • Graduate Students: 9,684
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 29:1
  • University of Central Florida
8

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Score: 75.93

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $16,182
    • Out-of-State: $34,550
  • Net Price: $17,240
  • Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • Retention Rate: 84%
  • Graduation Rate: 71%
  • Total Enrollment: 17,153
  • Undergrad Students: 12,389
  • Graduate Students: 4,764
  • Grads Salary: $80,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell
9

University of Utah

Score: 75.59

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,315
    • Out-of-State: $29,837
  • Net Price: $12,399
  • Acceptance Rate: 89%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 65%
  • Total Enrollment: 34,734
  • Undergrad Students: 26,355
  • Graduate Students: 8,379
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • University of Utah
10

Florida International University

Score: 75

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,565
    • Out-of-State: $18,963
  • Net Price: $9,881
  • Acceptance Rate: 64%
  • Retention Rate: 91%
  • Graduation Rate: 69%
  • Total Enrollment: 55,609
  • Undergrad Students: 45,688
  • Graduate Students: 9,921
  • Grads Salary: $68,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 24:1
  • Florida International University
11

George Mason University

Score: 74.89

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $13,401
    • Out-of-State: $38,983
  • Net Price: $18,479
  • Acceptance Rate: 90%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 71%
  • Total Enrollment: 39,049
  • Undergrad Students: 27,014
  • Graduate Students: 12,035
  • Grads Salary: $79,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • George Mason University
12

University of Arizona

Score: 74.52

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $13,275
    • Out-of-State: $39,577
  • Net Price: $17,075
  • Acceptance Rate: 87%
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Graduation Rate: 68%
  • Total Enrollment: 49,403
  • Undergrad Students: 38,751
  • Graduate Students: 10,652
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • University of Arizona
13

LeTourneau University

Score: 74.2

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $34,470
    • Out-of-State: $34,470
  • Net Price: $26,974
  • Acceptance Rate: 49%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 67%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,536
  • Undergrad Students: 3,350
  • Graduate Students: 186
  • Grads Salary: $85,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • LeTourneau University
14

Charter Oak State College

Score: 73.83

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,254
    • Out-of-State: $10,796
  • Net Price: $10,191
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 72%
  • Graduation Rate: 57%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,602
  • Undergrad Students: 1,501
  • Graduate Students: 101
  • Grads Salary: $80,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Charter Oak State College
15

Arizona State University

Score: 73.6

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $11,618
    • Out-of-State: $30,592
  • Net Price: $14,808
  • Acceptance Rate: 90%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 67%
  • Total Enrollment: 80,065
  • Undergrad Students: 65,492
  • Graduate Students: 14,573
  • Grads Salary: $75,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • Arizona State University
16

Regis University

Score: 73.22

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $42,220
    • Out-of-State: $42,220
  • Net Price: $26,377
  • Acceptance Rate: 76%
  • Retention Rate: 72%
  • Graduation Rate: 67%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,668
  • Undergrad Students: 2,398
  • Graduate Students: 2,270
  • Grads Salary: $86,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Regis University
17

University of Houston

Score: 73.21

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,699
    • Out-of-State: $21,891
  • Net Price: $14,056
  • Acceptance Rate: 66%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 63%
  • Total Enrollment: 46,700
  • Undergrad Students: 37,943
  • Graduate Students: 8,757
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 21:1
  • University of Houston
18

Mercer University

Score: 72.99

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $39,708
    • Out-of-State: $39,708
  • Net Price: $22,087
  • Acceptance Rate: 75%
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Graduation Rate: 74%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,889
  • Undergrad Students: 4,859
  • Graduate Students: 4,030
  • Grads Salary: $74,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Mercer University
19

Oregon State University

Score: 72.94

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,664
    • Out-of-State: $33,439
  • Net Price: $21,163
  • Acceptance Rate: 83%
  • Retention Rate: 87%
  • Graduation Rate: 70%
  • Total Enrollment: 34,292
  • Undergrad Students: 28,905
  • Graduate Students: 5,387
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • Oregon State University
20

University of Missouri-Columbia

Score: 72.7

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $11,981
    • Out-of-State: $31,970
  • Net Price: $19,889
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Retention Rate: 89%
  • Graduation Rate: 75%
  • Total Enrollment: 31,304
  • Undergrad Students: 23,745
  • Graduate Students: 7,559
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
21

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Score: 72.4

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,874
    • Out-of-State: $32,734
  • Net Price: $16,926
  • Acceptance Rate: 91%
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Graduation Rate: 67%
  • Total Enrollment: 33,403
  • Undergrad Students: 25,777
  • Graduate Students: 7,626
  • Grads Salary: $74,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Colorado State University-Fort Collins
22

American Public University System

Score: 72.22

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,360
    • Out-of-State: $7,360
  • Net Price: $11,172
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 90%
  • Graduation Rate: 55%
  • Total Enrollment: 48,668
  • Undergrad Students: 39,206
  • Graduate Students: 9,462
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 24:1
  • American Public University System
23

Washington State University

Score: 72.01

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,701
    • Out-of-State: $28,385
  • Net Price: $17,911
  • Acceptance Rate: 83%
  • Retention Rate: 81%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 27,539
  • Undergrad Students: 22,612
  • Graduate Students: 4,927
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Washington State University
24

California State University-Sacramento

Score: 72

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,484
    • Out-of-State: $19,364
  • Net Price: $11,596
  • Acceptance Rate: 93%
  • Retention Rate: 80%
  • Graduation Rate: 54%
  • Total Enrollment: 31,818
  • Undergrad Students: 28,921
  • Graduate Students: 2,897
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 24:1
  • California State University-Sacramento
25

Oregon Institute of Technology

Score: 71.72

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,122
    • Out-of-State: $33,956
  • Net Price: $17,283
  • Acceptance Rate: 93%
  • Retention Rate: 72%
  • Graduation Rate: 57%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,911
  • Undergrad Students: 4,802
  • Graduate Students: 109
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Oregon Institute of Technology

Certificate vs. Bachelor's


What Psychology Bachelor’s Degrees are Available Online?


  • Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology :
    Bachelor's in psychology programs give you the basics of psychology; how humans think, feel, and act. You’ll delve deeply into human development (developmental psychology) and human behavior and learn practical ways of helping clients to resolve their problems. You may participate in an internship that allows you to work in a care setting such as a homeless shelter, school, or community mental health center. Online programs may have less access to these kinds of experiences than in-person bachelor's in psychology programs and online students should keep this in mind during their school search.
  • BS in Counseling Psychology :
    This degree teaches you that counseling practice is built on a solid psychological foundation. You’ll take core general psychology courses that are expected in most psychology degrees, such as social psychology and human behavior, plus clinical psychology and counseling courses that will give you the preparation you need for a career in human services, counseling, psychology, and other fields. Online bachelor's programs can prepare you just as well as those you attend in person.
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)in Psychology and Addiction Counseling :
    This degree is designed to help bachelor’s degree students to prepare for a career in addiction counseling. Coursework focuses on fundamental aspects of family and individual counseling, healthcare ethics, and addiction-specific topics related to assessment, treatment, and prevention of substance abuse. At graduation, you’ll be equipped with a solid foundation in psychology concepts, sociology, and counseling theory that you need for a career in addiction counseling. In this program, you can tailor your education to meet your professional and educational goals. After completing this bachelor's in psychology program, you may be able to gain licensure and get right to work, depending on the licensure rules in your state.

Psychology Bachelors Admission Requirements


To be eligible for admission to most psychology school programs, you are required to submit transcripts from a state-approved secondary school or your GED and proof of a cumulative “C” average. Some universities prefer that incoming students have two years of foreign language instruction or be able to show proof of foreign language proficiency. You’ll also usually need to submit acceptable ACT or SAT test scores. Another available accomplishment would be to have already completed an associate in psychology. Each individual college or university will set their own standards for what scores they require.

How long does it take to earn a Psychology Bachelor's Online?


The larger majority of online bachelor’s degree programs are intended to run for four years. Because you will be required to earn between 120 and 130 credit hours, you should take at least 12-15 credits each semester. Doing so allows you to graduate in about four to five years. If you take one or two classes during the summer session, you will decrease the amount of time you’ll be in school.

Potential Careers in Psychology with a Bachelor’s


  • Child Welfare Specialist:
    You help support children who are at risk due to circumstances at school, home, or in other environments. You are a liaison between families and the various institutions involved with the family and the child. You will create a family treatment plan and work with the family to make changes in the environment that are currently a danger to the child.
    Average annual salary: $38,400
  • Community Support Worker:
    In this position, you actually hold a medical position. You’ll be responsible for creating a welcoming environment for people with disabilities who are enrolled in day treatment programs or group homes.
    Average annual salary: $34,400
  • Community Worker:
    You work within a group or assisted living community, helping it to function as it should. One of your biggest roles will be problem-solving and advocacy. Expect to participate in meetings and complete paperwork that is intended to help make healthy change within a community.
    Average annual salary: $34,400

Find Your Online Psychology Program

Salary by Occupation


Occupation Entry-Level Mid-Career Late Career
Psychiatric Technician $30,500 $42,000 $48,300
Case Manager $36,200 $44,200 $65,700
Health Educator $38,400 $50,500 $56,800
Career Counselor $40,500 $47,500 $53,100
Psychologist $63,600 $81,500 $91,100
Psychology Program Manager $67,600 $78,000 $100,000

Options to Advance


As of 2009, psychologists with a bachelor’s degree earned only $77,800. Doctoral graduates had an overall average salary of $64,000 in the same year. New doctoral psychologists who worked in criminal justice earned around $80,500. That’s quite a difference. If you are seriously considering returning to school for your master’s psychology degree, or possibly your doctoral degree, then salary may be a big factor for you.

If you want to become a counselor (addiction, marriage and family life, or child), then you must earn a master’s degree. Without this you will be able to work in almost any psychology specialty except for counseling. The biggest consideration as you think about going back to school should be your job satisfaction. Even if it means you may earn less money throughout your career, this may be the biggest factor for you to think about.

Frequently Asked Questions


Is a psychology degree worth it?

A psychology degree can definitely be worth it, even if you don’t go into psychology. It is a broad degree that provides a deeper understanding of human behavior, which can provide insight for those going into business, politics, healthcare, and much more. And having a bachelor’s degree is the most common prerequisite for jobs all over the country, whether they are specialized in a certain industry or not.

Do you meet admission requirements?

The admission requirements for a psychology bachelor’s degree are basically the same as they are for any other bachelor’s degree. This means that you will need to have a high school diploma or GED and transcripts, you may need references or to write an essay, many schools will require ACT/SAT scores (though this is becoming less common), and most public schools require immunization records or new immunizations for easily communicable diseases such as tuberculosis.

What is the salary outcome for graduates of bachelor’s degree programs in psychology?

The average outcome for those with a bachelor’s in psychology is similar to those with other bachelor’s degrees. The average income is around $65,000/year and they are afforded much greater access to positions than those with only a high school diploma or a non-industry-focused associate degree.

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