Psychology is one of the most popular degree paths for undergraduate students. For those interested in eventually becoming psychologists, the job outlook is bright and the pay is promising. However, becoming a psychologist is not the only career outcome. A bachelor of Psychology can still provide a variety of job prospects after graduation.
Traditionally, students who’ve wanted to pursue a Psychology degree have had to attend classes on campus and in person. However, the pandemic has changed the way we view higher education. Students and teachers can now make a choice between in person and distance learning. More students have experienced the benefits of online learning, and in turn, are more strongly considering this option. Online degree programs offer great flexibility, without sacrificing a quality education. As a result, some students have found themselves wondering if they can complete the entirety of their degree from afar. Fortunately for you, it is entirely possible to complete a bachelor of Psychology online.
Online Psychology Coursework
Much like a traditional, in-person program, students who pursue an online bachelor’s degree in Psychology must complete a core of general education courses, including Science, Math, and Humanities courses. Additionally, students will take core, field-oriented classes in psychology. These may include the following:
- Child Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Research Methods
- Personality Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
Students in an online Psychology bachelor’s degree program will also take a selection of elective courses in Psychology. Some examples of elective courses include:
- Maturity and Aging
- Lifespan Developmental Psychology
- Animal Behavior
- Drug Effects and Behavior
- Biological Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
These elective credits may help guide students’ interests and help them decide how they’d like to apply their studies in Psychology in their future career.
Lastly, bachelor of Psychology students will take additional elective courses to finish out their online curriculum. If students choose, they can use these elective credits to form the basis for a minor in another area of study.
Benefits of Earning a Bachelor of Psychology Online
While many students crave the camaraderie and excitement of an on-campus college experience, there are many benefits to pursuing a degree online.
A Quality Education
As illustrated above, students who earn their bachelor’s degree online receive a comprehensive, well-rounded education, comparable to their peers who attend classes in person. In addition, online students may find that they benefit from distance learning. Online courses give students the ability to take their coursework at their own speed, giving them the time they need to understand the course material. Studies have also shown that retention rates for online students are higher than for more traditional students. While this may be due to the fact that online study frequently provides students with digital access to class materials and virtual office hours, it may also have to do with the amount of flexibility that online education provides.
Flexibility
Online programs offer students a degree of flexibility that in-person studies frequently cannot. For example, online programs often offer multiple start terms per year, allowing students to matriculate when and how they want to. Additionally, due to the very nature of distance learning, students can view lectures from anywhere in the world, complete and submit homework assignments online, and share class materials easily. This flexibility gives students the opportunity to complete their studies while working or even raising a family. School can happen wherever and whenever you need.
Accelerated Options
In addition to flexible online offerings, students may choose to complete their bachelor of Psychology quickly by enrolling in an accelerated degree program. This entails taking classes year round, in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. These accelerated Psychology courses may be completed fully online or in a combination of both on-campus and online formats. Courses can be taken on weekends, evenings, or during the day. With this level of flexibility, students can shorten their degree program from the standard four year term and begin their career as soon as possible.
Affordability
One of the top ways in which an online degree can be beneficial to students is that online programs are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Online study precludes the necessity for students to live on campus, saving them housing costs. Additionally, students studying from home won’t have to worry about the costs of parking or commuting. Of course, many online programs also charge students less in tuition and/or fees. For example, for online science courses students rarely are charged a lab fee.
Students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology should not feel obligated to complete their studies in a traditional way. For the working student, the non-traditional student, or even the student who feels safer studying at home, an online bachelor’s degree in Psychology is not only possible but, in many ways, beneficial. Online programs are affordable, flexible, and don’t diminish the quality of a student’s undergraduate education. Instead, online programs adequately prepare students for post-graduate studies or even in a career right after graduation.
Is a bachelor of Psychology online right for you? Learn more about University of Bridgeport’s online Psychology program!