If you’re interested in what drives human thoughts and behavior, you may be interested in pursuing a psychology major in college. An undergraduate psychology degree can be the first step on the path to a career as a psychologist, counselor, social worker or a variety of other jobs. This guide explains what you can expect from an online bachelor’s in psychology program.

What Is a Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree?

A bachelor’s in psychology may be earned through a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA). A BA degree in psychology focuses on the scientific study of human behavior, mental processes and brain functions. Psychology degree requirements may include classes on psychology research and statistics and psychology subjects, including clinical psychology, developmental psychology and social psychology.There may be some overlap in course topics for a bachelor’s in psychology degree and other health science degrees, like social work or sociology. A psychology degree will focus on scientific research, methods and statistics related to human behavior. A social work bachelor’s degree may help prepare students for positions involving casework or direct services, while a bachelor’s in sociology will focus on the dynamics of social groups.

Deciding between a BA vs. BS in psychology will depend on how you want to structure your coursework in your undergraduate program. In a BA in psychology program, typical elective classes will emphasize social sciences and humanities. In a BS in psychology program, students will typically take more science and math courses.

Both BA and BS programs will cover psychology topics and are typically four-year degrees. With a BA in psychology, graduates may be qualified to pursue advanced education or careers in non-psychology fields. In contrast, a BS in psychology prepares graduates to pursue research or further education in psychology.

Psychology degree classes may vary by school, but psychology programs typically include psychology research, theory and application courses. A psychology degree program may cover such subjects as: 

Bachelor’s degree programs in psychology may also offer electives such as positive psychology, human sexuality and cross-cultural psychology.   

There are hundreds of scholarships available for psychology programs and online psychology degree financial aid in the form of grants and loans. Students interested in financial aid for psychology may complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which qualifies students for federal aid such as grants and student loans.

Students can also check scholarship options available for the schools they’re interested in and search for scholarships they qualify for at websites like Scholarships.com. There are scholarships for students studying psychology in particular, and for students who have diverse backgrounds and accomplishments.

In addition to pursuing graduate work in psychology, a psychology program, like an online psychology degree, may help graduates apply for graduate school in other types of degree programs, like social work, applied behavioral analysis (ABA), counseling and other mental health subjects.

After you get a BA in psychology or pursue other types of psychology degrees, you might choose to continue your studies in a graduate program such as:

It may be helpful to consider your long-term career interests so you can choose the right bachelor’s in psychology program for you. That way, you can align your coursework with your target graduate degree program.

A BA in psychology can be a stepping-stone to a more advanced degree, like a master’s in counseling, a master’s in social work or a Ph.D. in psychology. What can you do with a BA in psychology? According to the American Psychological Association, some of the job titles people with a bachelor’s in psychology might pursue include:

There’s a diverse array of potential careers with a psychology degree. Any job that involves working with or relating to other people may benefit from a psychology background.

Typically, you can’t become a psychologist without a doctoral degree in psychology. A master’s degree may lead to a role such as mental health counselor or licensed clinical social worker, where professionals provide one-on-one therapeutic services to clients.

You may have questions if you’re considering a bachelor’s in psychology degree online. These FAQs may help you decide if a BA in psychology is right for you.

Last updated July 2021