Learners examine the human mind during online psychology courses. Enrollees study personality theory, social psychology, and human sexuality. The coursework prepares students for various careers. Graduates may work as psychologists or in the social services or human resources fields.
Taking psychology courses online offers many benefits. Online programs often run asynchronously, allowing learners to complete coursework around their schedules. Distance learners can also enroll in top programs without moving.
This page answers common questions and explains the benefits of online psychology classes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psychology Courses
Licensed psychologists need a doctorate to practice. Online doctoral programs require in-person practicums and clinical experiences. Some students must also complete in-person seminars or research projects.
Certifications can help psychologists advance their careers. Certifications show specialized knowledge and skills. Examples include behavioral and clinical psychology.
Learners can pursue psychology degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. These degrees can lead to many careers in diverse fields. Students can work with academic and career advisors to explore their options.
Benefits of Taking Psychology Courses Online
Students taking online psychology courses experience many benefits, including those listed below.
Industrial-organizational (IO) psychology influences many managers' workplace decisions. Online psychology classes train professionals in IO fundamentals, including hiring, training, and performance assessment. Workers with IO psychology certificates or degrees may work as research scientists or project managers. They may also pursue careers as behavior analysts.
Licensed psychologists complete online psychology courses to learn the latest knowledge and skills. This information helps them use best practices when working with clients. Taking psychology courses online may also satisfy a state's continuing education (CE) requirements. Psychologists need a specific number of CE credits every two years to renew their license.
Students working toward licensure or career advancement benefit from online psychology courses' flexibility. Asynchronous learning formats allow enrollees to view lectures and complete assignments on their time. This learning style differs from synchronous courses. On-campus and online synchronous courses require learners to meet at specific times.
Types of Online Psychology Classes
Many online psychology courses exist, such as certificates, for-credit courses, and not-for-credit courses. Each offers different advantages for learners.
Certificate
Certificate programs feature many online psychology courses. Schools may offer undergraduate or graduate certificates. Applicants pursuing a graduate certificate may need a bachelor's degree in psychology. Learners take the same rigorous courses as those earning a master's or doctorate. Certificate-seekers develop transferable skills.For-Credit Courses
For-credit courses allow students to take individual classes and earn college credit. They appeal to learners not ready to start a degree or certificate program. Like on-campus courses, for-credit online psychology courses require assigned readings, assignments, and tests. Credit transfers to a bachelor's or master's program.Not-for-Credit Courses
Not-for-credit courses offer the college experience with less stress. Instead of worrying about grades, students can focus on the material and develop academic skills. This course type can help learners prepare for for-credit courses and degree and certificate programs. Coursework and assessments may differ from for-credit classes.
Example Online Psychology Courses
Online psychology courses help learners develop transferable skills, such as research and writing. These skills apply to nearly all careers. Students analyze the latest findings and explore how modern psychologists treat patients. Learners work with academic advisors to choose courses that meet their academic and professional needs.
Many top bachelor's programs offer the online psychology courses below. However, please note that courses, concentrations, and graduation requirements vary by school. Prospective students can contact admissions advisors for help making the right choice.
First-year undergraduates take this course, which features instruction in different theories and the field's evolution. Learners also study the relationship between personality and biology. Advanced assignments cover how psychology influences people's decisions and emotions. Students leave the course with an understanding of psychology subfields.Introduction to Psychology
Research influences how licensed psychologists treat patients. Degree-seekers compare and contrast research methods, which involves analyzing studies. Students learn how to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Other outcomes include the ability to perform effective research. This skill applies to many careers inside and outside of psychology.Research Methods
Cognition refers to how the human mind works. Degree-seekers research historic and modern studies into cognition. These assignments help them understand the field's evolution. The course also requires an in-depth analysis of different theoretical models. Students enhance their critical thinking skills with these exercises. Other learning outcomes include memorizing the brain's structures.Cognition
This advanced course requires learners to examine how psychology professionals affect society. Students research how famous psychologists' theories advanced social change. Assignments help enrollees understand how professionals affect society positively. Learners also consider how psychologists promote more inclusive communities.Psychology and Social Change
Forensic psychology concerns the relationship between psychology and the legal system. Coursework covers relevant laws, witness testimony, and how social psychology affects courtroom procedures. Students research these and other topics by examining case studies. Assignments focus on witness testimony's credibility. Other course topics include offenders' psychological states and psychologists' roles during a trial.Forensic Psychology
Bachelor's students specializing in mental health take this course. Learners study the field's rapid evolution, community support systems, and individual wellness. Degree-seekers learn how psychology experts affect positive change at the individual and community levels. Learners also research how outside factors affect community psychology.Community Psychology
Aspiring school counselors or educational psychologists take this introductory course. Assignments cover how people learn and retain knowledge. Other coursework emphasizes how motivation and individual differences affect learning. Assessments include many extended essays. Degree-seekers must take introduction to psychology before educational psychology.Educational Psychology
This course focuses on how people cope with illness or injury. Degree-seekers examine the relationship between body and mind, as both affect healing. Other health psychology topics include healthcare deficiencies, people's healthcare preferences, and different medical conditions. This interdisciplinary course prepares learners for graduate-level instruction in applied psychology.Health Psychology