Online Psychology Degrees Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Yes. Our online psychology degrees are among some of the most popular programs that students pursue. In an online BA in Psychology program, you'll go through the same type of curriculum and learn the same skills that you'd experience in a brick-and-mortar program:

• Conduct research
• Organize data
• Draw conclusions
• Evaluate your findings
• Learn to present your findings

You'll also get a deep dive into ethics as it relates to psychology. As a student preparing for a psychology-related career, you'll have a responsibility to both the information that you gather and the people you build relationships with in order to collect that data.

We've graduated thousands of students with online psychology degrees – many of whom have found success in a variety of organizations and industries after their online program. Many others have moved on to graduate school and beyond after completing their online degree in psychology.

Not only are students able to earn a psychology degree and build their skill sets online, but oftentimes, it's the only way possible. At first, Karinne Colón '20 '23G didn't think she'd be able to have a personal experience without the in-person environment.

"I was tentative about attending school online," she said. "I thought that I would miss the interaction with my professors and peers. However, I did not find that to be an issue. The professors have been wonderful at finding ways to bring the information to life while providing meaningful support. There are also means for interaction with peers during classes, such as discussions and group work. I have never felt that something was missing because I attend school online."

No, you cannot become a licensed psychologist through online courses alone – but getting your bachelor’s degree online can be a good first step.

If psychologist is your dream career, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Level of education. The title “psychologist” is often reserved for those with a doctorate degree in psychology.
• State requirements. Each state has its own licensure and certification requirements.
• In-person experience. You will need in-person experience, such as supervised clinical hours, internships and practicums.
• Licensing examinations. Depending on what kind of psychology you want to practice and where you live, you may need to pass professional exams.

Although a bachelor’s in psychology doesn’t lead directly to licensure, it is the foundation for your future studies. And since undergraduate psychology curriculums focused theory rather than practice, there is no reason not to earn your bachelor’s in psychology degree online.

What are you looking for in a college that offers its psychology degrees online? There are factors that you'll want to discuss with your admission counselor before making your decision. Some specific to our psychology program include:

• Curriculum. Review course requirements and electives to make sure the material you'll cover throughout the program meets your career goals.
• Internships and experiential learning opportunities. Hands-on experience can not only help prepare you and give you confidence for your career, but it can also help add depth to your resume, helping you move to the top of the pile.
• Community. Psychology is about the human mind, so you might think it's critical to connect with others in the same boat as you. Find like-minded students in places like our online psychology club.
• Value. Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country when you enroll in our online psychology program. In addition, undergraduate students have the opportunity to reduce costs further by transferring up to 90 credits into our bachelor's in psychology programs.
• Specializations. What's best for you also might mean earning a more focused online psychology degree. We offer multiple concentrations for our bachelor's in psychology programs, meaning you could focus on an area of the field that's of particular interest to you. For example, if you're leaning toward working in a business environment once you graduate, adding a concentration in industrial organizational psychology could help you stand out in the job market.

They can be. But it all comes down to accreditation.

Accreditation is the most important factor in being respected by other academic institutions – as well as employers. It's a credential that shows an institution has met specific standards – the same set of standards that all other colleges and universities must meet.

Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). NECHE is one of 7 regional higher education accrediting bodies in the country. All of our degree programs – including all of our bachelor's in psychology online degrees – are encompassed by NECHE accreditation. Online and on campus programs at Southern New Hampshire University and across the country go through the same rigorous process.

You can learn more about the accreditation of higher education institutions and regional accrediting bodies through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

The amount of time it takes to earn your online degree in psychology all depends on you, your educational background and your goals.

Have you attended other colleges before? SNHU offers students a generous transfer policy, accepting up to 90 credits toward your program here. Our admission team provides free transfer credit evaluations, so you can see exactly where all your previously earned credits go on your program plan – and discover just what classes you have left to take before you can graduate with your psychology degree.

The types of credits that you transfer in to SNHU can also help determine how long it will take you to earn your degree. If you've already taken your general education courses – as well as a number of psychology credits – you'll position yourself to finish your degree faster.

In addition, you'll need to consider the number of courses you want to take each term. Think about the time you spend at work and your responsibilities to friends and family. While enrolling in multiple courses toward your psychology degree each term may, in theory, help you reach the finish line sooner, it may not be feasible for maximum success in each class. Your academic advisor can help you map out your courses so that you have a plan in place to reach your goals.

Tracey Burraston '15 , for example, has four children and a full-time job. The closest brick-and-mortar college is at least 75 miles away. Taking online classes at SNHU opened the door for her to earn her psychology degree while continuing to balance her other priorities.

“Living in … a rural area, I really needed an online program that would fit my life,” she said.

Read more about how Burraston and others have benefited from a degree at your own pace.

Not quite.

In order to call yourself a psychologist, you’ll need at least a master’s degree in psychology and, in most cases, you’ll need a doctorate.

If you're looking to become a psychologist, you’ll need to start by researching your state's specific licensure requirements. These requirements differ from state to state, so you’ll want to pay close attention to the state you’re seeking licensure in.

There are also several disciplines that psychologists can choose, such as school, clinical or counseling. This information will indicate the required level of education and any additional requirements such as clinical hours and likely a licensure exam.

In any case, the bachelor’s degree is the first step toward becoming a psychologist and serves as a strong foundation to build your career.

Pursuing your bachelor's degree can be a powerful first step in building your career in psychology. At SNHU, our team of dedicated career advisors is here from day one of your program to help prepare you for success in the real world. SNHU’s Career Services offers 1:1 career counseling, webinars, weekly postings from recruiters and more.

To help you stand out to employers, you can:

• Explore internship and experiential learning opportunities: Internships offer a chance for real-world experience in the psychology field, often for academic credit toward your program.
• Attend virtual career events: Build your network and learn of career opportunities through employer spotlights and virtual career fairs hosted by career services.
• Connect with professionals: Learn how to leverage your network in order to gain a deeper insight into a variety of career paths by connecting with folks who are already working in your field of interest.

Whether you’re changing professions or starting from scratch, we have the resources to help you get going.

In short, yes! There are opportunities in business to flex your psychology skills, especially in roles like human resources, behavioral analysis or team building and training (just to name a few).

If you have a blended interest in psychology and business, consider adding a concentration in industrial organizational psychology (I-O psychology) to your psychology degree. This concentration is the perfect cross-over between the two fields and provides ultimate career flexibility.

If you're leaning more toward business, you can also consider the business administration bachelor's degree program with a concentration in industrial organizational psychology. Both degree programs have the option to enroll in the I-O psychology concentration, so you have the freedom to choose which is the right fit for you.

The difficulty of a psychology degree can vary depending on individual strengths and interests. There isn't necessarily an "easiest" psychology degree. However, some people may find that general psychology programs, which cover a wide range of topics, are less challenging than specialized areas like clinical or neuropsychology.

Keep in mind that the perceived difficulty of a degree can also depend on the quality of the program, your professors and your study habits.

The choice between online and in-person psychology courses depends on your learning style, schedule and personal preferences. In-person classes offer face-to-face interaction with professors and peers, which can be beneficial for some students.

On the other hand, online classes provide flexibility and may be more convenient for those with busy schedules or those who prefer self-paced learning. The "better" option depends on what works best for you.

SNHU has been offering courses online since 1995, giving us over 25 years to refine our approach to online learning. Plus, you'll have 24/7 access to student support and resources, meaning you're never alone even while learning from a distance.

SNHU provides cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your online psychology degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.

Save time and tuition with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Depending on your scores, you could earn up to 12 math credits – the equivalent of 4 courses – toward your degree for less than $50 per assessment. For additional information, or to register for a Pathways to Math Success assessment, speak with your admission counselor or academic advisor.