Online and Distance Learning.com

Are you looking for psychology programs online and thinking of working in a job using psychology? This page will help you to find out more about psychology study online and to locate suitable university online psychology degree programs.

Online university psychology programs are some of the most popular amongst students.  But what is the meaning of psychology?  "Psycho" means "the human mind" and "logy" means "the theory of", so "psychology" is the theory of the human mind.  And so what is the importance of psychology?  It can give us some idea of why we behave in a particular way and in this way enable us to help people function more effectively.

Psychology is sometimes classed as a science and sometimes as a social science - in fact there has been a philosophical debate about this for many years. In the end, it really depends on the exact nature of the program, the specializations offered and the department within which it is offered.

Many students who are are unable to attend on campus classes take distance learning psychology degrees rather than on-campus psychology degrees. They prefer their psychology study online because it gives them flexibility and control over their study program. So this page is for those students. However, if you wish to explore the on campus psychology programs available, go to the on campus programs page

Psychology study online is possible at the associate, bachelor, master and doctoral levels.

What do you study in psychology programs online?

Psychologists study the human mind and human behavior.  In a general pschology program you learn about physical, cognitive, emotional, or social aspects of human behavior.  You are introduced to a variety of research methods including controlled laboratory experiments, observation, interviews, questionnaires, clinical studies, and surveys.  You also learn how to administer personality, performance, aptitude, or intelligence tests.

A typical bachelor's degree program may include:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Statistics
• Conditioned Learning
• Physiological Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Perception
• Motivation, Health Psychology
• Psychology of Stress
• Human Communication

A typical Masters program may include the following:

• Biology
• Contemporary Issues in Psychology
• History and Systems of Psychology
• Statistics
• Human Motivation
• Research Design
• The Cognitive Approach
• Clinical psychology
• Tests and Measurement
• Social Psychology
• The Developmental Approach
• Culture and Psychology

A thesis may be required in addition or in place of some of the courses.

Selected general psychology programs online

Many schools offer psychology programs. Make sure the program you take is accredited by an appropriate accrediting body, such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the American Psychological Association (APA), the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), or the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

Here are a few selected schools that offer general psychology programs:

• Walden University
  • B.S. in Psychology
  • M.S. in Psychology
  • Ph.D. in Psychology

• Capella University Online
  • BS in General Psychology
  • MS in General Psychology
  • PhD in General Psychology

• Argosy University Online
  • BA Psychology

• Liberty University
  • AA in Psychology
  • BS in Psychology

• University of Phoenix Online
  • AA in Psychology
  • BS in Psychology
  • MS in Psychology

• The University of the Rockies Online
  • Doctor of Psychology
  • Master of Arts in General Psychology
  • Graduate Certificate in General Psychology

Specializations and types of psychology programs online

Psychologists are required in a variety of settings, including health and human services, business, education, law, and sports. They usually specialize in one of a number of different areas. So in addition to studying an online psychology degree program, you would be given an introduction to applied psychology in your choice of many different specialties, including:

• business psychology;
• clinical psychology;
• counseling psychology;
• developmental psychology (infant, child, adolescent, adult and elderly);
• educational psychology (including school psychology);
• forensic psychology/criminal justice;
• health psychology;
• industrial / organizational psychology;
• leadership psychology degrees;
• sports psychology;
• substance abuse;

What jobs and salaries do graduates of psychology programs online get?

Accredited online psychology degrees provide many career opportunities in private sector (e.g., marketing, personnel management), public sector (e.g., teaching, social/community work, mental health care in hospitals, clinics and schools). The American Psychological Association says that psychology is the third fastest-growing field in America requiring a college degree.

Salaries are high among the more popular specializations. In the US, with an appropriate PhD, forensic psychologists average around US$70,000, clinical psychologists over US$68,000 and school psychologists over US$60,000 (PayScales.com).

More information about psychology programs online

For more information about accredited online psychology degrees click the links in the navigation bar.

Go to the forum to discuss specific questions about psychology programs online.

Go to the on campus programs page if you wish to know more about the on campus psychology programs available.