The human race has come to an interesting moment in its history- the moment when for the first time ever we can investigate our own brains. Neuroscience is now intimately part of psychology and the current research trends are getting rather transcendental.
What was once considered “woo woo” and something for hippies (meditation) is now a common recommendation for individuals seeking therapy. Neuroscientists can now examine a brain and make judgements about that brain’s happiness levels, ability to attend, their memory and more.
It is a good time to head back to school for a degree in psychology particularly as humanity is struggling more than ever before with wellness and well being.
We analyzed the best online bachelor’s degree programs in the nation and looked for programs that ranked highly for their academics and provided the right kinds of support for their students. These programs had high graduation rates and offered something unique in their curriculum.
Take a look at what we came up with for the top 20 best online bachelor’s degrees in psychology.
1. University of Florida
The University of Florida (UF) is a public flagship university located in Gainesville, Florida. The university enrolls over 50,000 students and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1. The US News and World Report ranks UF as the 34th best school in the nation and the 7th best public school in the nation. It is likely no surprise that in recent years UF has made a name for itself as a top school for online degrees.
UF Online offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. This program is an extension of one of UF’s most popular traditional bachelor’s degrees programs. The faculty at department of psychology at UF have expertise in the following areas of psychology:
- Behavior Analysis
- Counseling Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience
- Social Psychology
2. University of Utah
The University of Utah is a public research university located in Salt Lake City. There are over 33,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Utah currently ranks as the 104th best school in the nation and 44th best public school in the nation. The university additionally ranks among the top for engineering programming, business programming, value, and social mobility. The University of Utah also offers a number of online degrees in the field of healthy, business, engineering and psychology.
The University of Utah offers an online Bachelor of Science in Psychology. The program includes opportunities for students to interact with their learning through group assignments, contributions to forums, and through “peer reviews.” Here are a few of the courses available through their curriculum:
- Child and Adolescent Development
- Social Psychology
- Social Development
- Stress and Development
- Health Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
3. University of Massachusetts- Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research university that enrolls over 30,000 students. It currently ranks as the 64th best university in the nation and 37th best college for veterans as well as 107th best value school. In recent years UMass Amherst has grown their online programming offering degrees for undergraduate and graduate students including health, agriculture, engineering, public administration and more.
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program can be completed online or in a blended way combining online and on campus programs. LIke with most traditional bachelor’s degrees the UMass Online bachelor’s degree in psychology is 120 credit hours and includes some general education courses in addition to the psychology course requirements. Let’s take a quick look at which psychology courses are required:
- Child and Adolescent Development
- Psychology of Personality
- Cognitive Psychology
- Introduction to Disability Studies
- Clinical Psychology
- Seminar and Contemporary Trends
4. University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a public university located in Tucson. There are over 44,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. According the the US News and World Report the University of Arizona ranks as the 117th best school in the nation, 76th best school for undergraduate teaching, 80th best for veterans, and 53rd top public school.
Arizona Online offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. This is one of Arizona’s most popular bachelor’s degrees for curious souls who wish to understand “the human condition” including programming in developmental psychology, cognition, bereavement and more. Take a look at a few of the classes offered through the online program:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Social Psychology
- Health Psychology
5. Washington State University
Washington State University is a public 4-year university located in Pullman, Washington. There are over 31,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. The US News and World Report ranks WSU as the 166th best national university, 121st best for veterans, 106th best for value and 79th for top public schools. WSU currently offers online programming in the fields of business, education, psychology, agriculture and more.
The online bachelor’s degree in psychology from WSU is an excellent choice for any individual looking to gain a broad understanding of psychology as this online degree is broad while also specialized. Students have the opportunity to focus on neuroscience and cognition, social and motivational or clinical/ counseling. Here is just a sample of courses available:
- Biological Basis of Behavior
- Human Sexuality
- Abnormal Psychology
- Principles of Learning
- Introduction to Personality
- Behavior Disorders of Children and Adolescents
6. University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public 4-year university located in Orlando, Florida. The university enrolls over 60,000 students and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 30:1. According to Carnegie this is a research university with “very high research activity.” UCF is tied for 166th best university in the nation and ranks 121st for best colleges for veterans, 154th for value and 16th for most innovative schools. UCF offers dozens of online degrees in a wide range of fields including among them business, health, psychology, engineering, and education.
UCF offers an online Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Their tuition is affordable and their programming is extremely flexible. In fact UCF offers 6 different tracks. If you are looking to venture into the field of psychology and want to start with a bachelor’s degree then we highly recommend investigating all that UCF has to offer. Take a look at their tracks:
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- Neuroscience
- General Psychology
- Human Factors Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
7. University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university located in Lawrence, Kansas. There are nearly 30,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. According to Carnegie the university has very high research activity. According to US News the University of Kansas ranks as the 130th best school in the nation and 59th for top public schools as well as 91st for best colleges for veterans. Kansas offers several online degrees in a myriad of fields including business, psychology, health, education and political science among others.
KU offers an online Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology. Their online program is identical to the program they offer on-campus. Like with most bachelor’s degrees the curriculum includes classes in general education as well as psychology. All students must complete the psychology core courses as well as elective courses in psychology. Take a look at their core courses:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Child Development
- Abnormal Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
8. Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. There are approximately 31,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. According to Carnegie their research activity is very high. The US News and World Report ranks Oregon State as the 139th best school in the nation, 99th best college for veterans, 138th best value school and 33rd for most innovative schools.
OSU students may either pursue a BA or BS in Psychology Online. Students have the choice to complete this program online or to take a combined approach and complete some of the course material online. Here are some of the sample course topics:
- Brain and Behavior
- Human Lifespan Development
- Social Psychology
- Personality
- Cognition
- Health Psychology
9. Florida International University
Florida International University is a public research university located in Miami, Florida. According to Carnegie FIU has very high research activity. The student body is close to 60,000 large and the student-to-faculty ratio is 26:1. According to US News FIU ranks as the 218th best universities in the nation and 63rd most innovative schools. FIU offers dozens of online degrees in a wide variety of subject areas including psychology.
FIU offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The program requires 120 credit hours to complete and the program is highly customizable including a number of focus areas. All students must earn a C or better to complete this degree. Take a look at the focus areas of study:
- Cognitive and Neuroscience
- Social
- Applied
- Clinical/ Personality
- Developmental
10. Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in Athens, Ohio. There are over 28,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1, They are a doctoral university with high research activity according to Carnegie. The US News and World Report ranks Ohio University as the 185th best university in the nation, 122nd best value school, 77th most innovative school and 92nd for top public schools.
Ohio University offers a flexible online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The program includes a wide range of courses including research experience. Thirty-five credit hours are core courses. Take a closer look at some of those:
- Statistics and the Behavioral Sciences
- General Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
11. Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public four-year university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. There are over 33,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. The US News and World report ranks CSU as the 166th best school in the nation, 77th most innovative school and 79th for top public schools. CSU has offered a wide range of innovative programs for a number of years and in recent years has grown its online presence.
One of their online degrees is their online Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. This is a 140 credit hour degree program where 30 credits of upper-division courses must be completed through CSU. There are many opportunities to transfer credits. Let’s take a look at a few of their core course offerings:
- General psychology
- Psychology of the Individual
- Research Methods in Psychology
- Mind, Brain, and Behavior
- Research Design Analytics
12. Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private 4-year Roman Catholic university. There are about 17,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. According to Carnegie this is a research university with high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks Loyola University Chicago (LUC) as the 104th best school in the nation, 69th best colleges for veterans, and 80th best school for value.
LUC offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology. The program includes course material in business and industrial psychology as this is a program for individuals looking to use this material in an office setting. Some of the possible careers include human resource management, industrial-organizational psychology and psychometric and statistical analysis. Take a look at some of the courses offered:
- Social Psychology
- Statistics
- Psychology of Personality
- Human Resource Principles and Practice
- Leadership, Culture and Ethics
13. The New School
The New School is a private four-year university that has been around since 1919. It is located in New York, New York and enrolls 10,544 students. According to US News, the New School ranks as the 153rd best school in the nation, 163rd best value school and 52nd for most innovative school in the nation. The New School was founded by a group of intellectuals in NYC 100 years ago looking for innovation. The New School continues to offer innovative programming including through their online offerings.
The New School offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The format is online or on-campus and may be completed full-time or part-time. This is a 120 credit-hour program and up to 84 credits may be transferred. This program is designed with adult learners in mind. Take a peek at some of the courses in this curriculum:
- Developmental Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Theories of Personality
- Introduction to Neuropsychology
14. Houghton College
Houghton College is a small private university located in Houghton, New York. There are 1,001 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1. Houghton is affiliated with the Wesleyan church. According to the US News and World Report Houghton ranks 124th for National Liberal Arts Colleges and 3rd for top performers on social mobility. Social mobility schools award scholarships to individuals from low income homes.
Houghton College offers an online bachelor’s degree in psychology that aims to inspire students to pursue a career in human services or further advance their degree in the field of psychology. If you want to start again or are heading to school for the first time, this online bachelor’s degree from Houghton may be a great opportunity. Take a look at some of the major requirements:
- Social Psychology
- Experimental Methods
- Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood
- Psychology of Religion
- Human Sexuality
15. Drexel University
Drexel University is a private university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There are over 24,000 students enrolled at Drexel and the student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. US News ranks Drexel as the 97th best university in the nation, 63rd best colleges for veterans, 74th best value school, and 23rd for most innovative schools. One way Drexel innovated is through their incredible lineup of online degree programs.
Drexel offers an online bachelor’s degree in psychology. This is a 180 quarter credit program and 135 of those credits are transferable. Students may either pursue this online bachelor’s in psychology part-time or full-time. Take a look at the required psychology courses:
- Physiological Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Psychological Research
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychological Testing and Assessment
16. DePaul University
DePaul University is a private 4-year institution located in Chicago. There are over 22,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. This is a doctoral university with high research activity offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. According to US News DePaul ranks as the 125th best school in the nation, 87th best for veterans, 59th for value, and 42nd for most innovative schools.
DePaul offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with two concentrations: Standard Concentration, and Psychology of Human Development. To transfer to their online program students should be in good standing at their current institution. This degree takes about three years to complete a timeline that varies depending on how many credits you transfer. Take a look at some of the courses:
- Physiological Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
17. University of Houston
The University of Houston is a public research university with very high research activity. There are over 46,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 22:1. Houston ranks as the 185th best school in the nation, 27th for social mobility, and 92nd for top public schools. This university gets points for social mobility when enrolling students from lower income backgrounds. The University of Houston (UH) also offers an impressive number of online degrees including in the field of engineering, business, psychology and more.
UH offers an online Bachelor of Science in Psychology. According to their program page this is a good fit for anyone who has already completed their Texas core courses and is looking to major in psychology as only the upper division courses are available online. If you are looking to initiate an online psychology degree take a look at one of the programs that we have listed above. For those who are looking to complete one however, this is a great option. Take a look at some of their upper division courses:
- Abnormal Child Psychology
- Psychology of Parent-Child Relationships
- Work Motivation
- African American Psychology
- The Psychology of Humor
18. Utah State University
Utah State University is a public institution located in Logan. There are 27,932 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1. US News ranks Utah State as the 256th best university in the nation, 123rd for best public school, and 56th for top performers in social mobility. If you are looking to pursue a degree and coming from a less advantageous economic background then you may want to look into Utah State.
USU offers an online Bachelor of Science in Psychology. This is a 120 credit hour course that includes general education courses. The program includes course materials in specialty focus areas such as the following:
- Health Psychology
- Mental Aspects of Sports Performance
- Psychology of Domestic Violence
- Developmental Psychology in Adolescence
- Introduction to Interviewing and Counseling
19. University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico (UNM) has its main campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There are over 24,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. Carnegie classifies UNM as having very high research activity. The University of New Mexico ranks as the 105th top public school in the nation and 62nd for top performers in social mobility. UNM currently offers online degrees in the field of business, engineering, education, and psychology.
UNM offers an accelerated online degree in psychology. Each course is 8 weeks long and students must complete 36 credit hours which are the major requirements. This program is a good fit for individuals looking to transfer in from an associate’s degree program or another bachelor’s degree program. Take a look at some of the courses from the major:
- Psychology of Learning and Memory
- Health Psychology
- Psychology of Personality
- Positive Psychology
- Human Neuropsychology
20. Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campus
Trine University is a private 4 year institution that enrolls 652 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 7:1. This is a regionally ranked institution with a regional ranking of 46. Additionally, Trine ranks for value and social mobility. The regional/non-traditional campus primarily offers online degrees. Students have the opportunity to study business, communication, engineering, health, psychology and more all online!
Trine University offers an online Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychology. This is an online degree that requires students to take general education classes in addition to the psychology classes. The format is flexible with new courses starting every 8 weeks. Take a look at some of the psychology courses available:
- Psychology of Personality
- Human Sexuality
- The Family
- Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Topics in Sociology