Online Psychology Course Guide

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

Can you become a psychologist with an online degree?

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.

What certifications are needed for psychology?

Certifications can help psychologists advance their careers. Certifications show specialized knowledge and skills. Examples include behavioral and clinical psychology.

What career paths are there for 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.

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.

• Introduction to Psychology

  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.

• Research Methods

  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.

• Cognition

  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.

• Psychology and Social Change

  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.

• Forensic Psychology

  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.

• Community 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.

• Educational 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.

• Health 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.