Online Psychology Degree Overview
Does human behavior fascinate you? The fully online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Denver is your invitation to dive into the inner workings of the mind. As you build a foundation of knowledge in psychology, this program will also help you develop skills you need in every industry, like critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and communication.
Psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate degrees, and it can prepare you for a wide variety of occupations and industries. Understanding and predicting human behavior supports the functions of marketing, advertising, research, human resources, recruiting, education, criminal justice, and more.
This undergraduate degree also prepares you to continue your education, whether you choose to pursue clinical practice or another graduate-level degree field.
In the online BA in Psychology program, you’ll learn to:
- Apply the “5 Pillars” of psychology: biological, cognitive, developmental, social/personality, and mental/physical health approaches
- Think critically and apply the scientific method to your work and studies
- Apply ethical standards to psychological science and practice
- Communicate effectively in written, oral, and interpersonal contexts
- Leverage the knowledge and skills you build in the program for your own career goals
Program at a Glance
Degree Program:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Offered By:
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Tuition:
Cost Per Credit:
$607*
Out-of-state students may qualify for discounted tuition through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.
Application Deadline:
Credit Hours:
120
Online BA in Psychology Program Details
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology focuses on psychological principles and research methods. Its core courses will give you an introduction to topics like behavior, memory, personality, therapy, and psychological disorders. What you will learn can be applied to jobs in several industries and fields, and you can choose elective courses to focus your studies on areas of psychology that interest you.
This psychology program is ideal for both preparing you to continue your education and helping you apply your knowledge to your field of work from a research-based perspective. In fact, understanding and predicting human behavior is often an important skill for many businesses and organizations, in both for-profit and non-profit settings. From researching consumer behavior and purchasing decisions to creating communication plans for fundraising campaigns, the principles you will learn can help you become an effective professional wherever you land.
This fully online program is offered asynchronously, meaning there are no set sign-in times and you can complete your coursework at the time and place that works best for you. It is also taught by faculty from the CU Denver campus, which means you will receive the same high quality curriculum and instruction as students on campus.
Bachelor's in Psychology Curriculum Overview
The BA in Psychology requires a minimum of 37 credit hours in Psychology for completion. Most online courses last 15 weeks plus one week for final exams.
Core Courses
The following core courses are required. In addition to core courses, students will choose from two groups of elective classes along with one upper division elective to complete their degree, with elective areas of study including Behavioral Genetics, Neuropsychology, Family Psychology, and more.
- PSYC 1000, Introduction to Psychology I
- PSYC 1005, Introduction to Psychology II
- PSYC 2090, Statistics and Research Methods and recitation (PSY 2090R)
- PSYC 2090 and 2090R must be taken simultaneously
- Completion of intermediate algebra strongly recommended
- PSYC 2220, Biological Basis of Behavior
- PSYC 3090, Research Methods in Psychology
- PSYC 4511, History of Psychology (capstone course)
- Requires completion of 12 hours in psychology
Sample Elective Courses
Examines the aging process, behavioral changes during senescence and the accompanying changes in the aged brain. Changes that are part of healthy aging are studied, as will age-related brain disorders.
Surveys the field of Social Psychology, the study of the way in which cognitions, emotions, and behaviors are influenced by the presence, or perceived presence, of others. Heavily focuses on experimentation and experimental methods within the field of Social Psychology.
Surveys the fields of industrial and organizational psychology. These fields apply psychological principles to improving productivity and satisfaction in the workplace. Topics include motivation, leadership, group processes, team functioning, occupational health, selection and training of employees, and performance management.
Psychology Career Outlook
The median wage for psychology graduates is $53,000, which means half of graduates earn more and half earn less than $53,000 annually (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021). According to the American Psychological Association (APA), those who have higher degrees like master’s and doctoral degrees tend to earn more.
What Can I Do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology?
Psychology graduates can find career opportunities in a wide variety of industries and positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the top-employing occupations for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology were:
- Human resource specialists
- Managers
- Elementary school teachers
- Social workers
Psychology graduates may also find positions in research, marketing, sales, data analysis, community relations, and more. If you are interested in pursuing a psychology-related occupation, you may consider the following pathways (some career paths may require an advanced degree).
- Clinical psychology
- Industrial and organizational psychology
- Child and adolescent psychology
- Adult psychology
- Teaching
Should I Go to Graduate School for Psychology?
A bachelor’s degree can increase your eligibility for some jobs in the human service or mental health fields, but many positions require a master’s degree. Generally, advanced education leads to more opportunities. An advanced degree (master’s or doctoral degree) in psychology can prepare you to practice in a clinical setting. Doctoral programs can take several years to complete and are often followed by supervised clinical hours. If you aspire to do counseling but not teach, a master’s may be adequate, but to teach or pursue other advanced positions, a Ph.D. may be preferred or required.
If you choose to pursue an advanced degree, CU Denver’s graduate programs can help you become an ethical, skilled clinician who is culturally competent and sensitive to client characteristics and preferences.
Tuition and Fees
At CU Denver, we strive to keep our tuition costs affordable so that you can get a world-class education that fits your budget. When you earn a degree, you’re not simply getting a diploma — you’re making a lifelong investment in yourself and empowering your future career. We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education.
Our Enrollment TeamOur Enrollment Team can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to corporate tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your degree.
Application fees can vary based on the program, but there is typically a small fee that will be required upon submission of your application. Please reach out to an Enrollment Navigator for more information about any costs associated with the CU Denver application.
A number of funding opportunities may be available to undergraduate psychology students, including the Marc-U-Star Awards and Samuel Priest Rose Scholarships. Request more information using the form on this page to learn more about financial aid or applying to the BA in Psychology program.
Admissions Information
CU Denver’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences admissions requirements vary depending on your status as a first-time college student (freshman) or a transfer student.
First-Year Admission
Freshman or first-year admission consideration for both in-state and out-of-state students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is based primarily upon general admission criteria:
- Your GPA and test scores fall into or above our middle 50%.
- You have completed all HEAR requirements.
- You have no more than two MAPS unit deficiencies.
Transfer Admission
CU Denver will consider general education courses where you earned at least a C- from any regionally accredited institution. The Office of the Registrar will conduct a transfer credit evaluation a week at the time of admission. Once a transfer credit evaluation is conducted, your academic advisor will decide how these credits apply toward your degree.
Online BA Psychology Completion Time
When you study online, you get the benefit of flexibility. In the BA in Psychology program, you can take as many classes as you can fit into your schedule and complete the program at your speed. Though you can complete many of our undergraduate degrees in four years by taking a full course load, you also have the option of taking fewer credits and completing the program over more time.
Ready to get started?
Connect with our Enrollment Advisors to learn more about this in-demand online program and start your admissions process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Psychology prepares students for several career paths both within and outside of the field of psychology. The program produces well-rounded graduates who have in-demand skills in communication, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and analytical reasoning, which employers seek and value. Understanding human behavior is a critical factor for success in many industries; knowledge of the human mind and research skills will put graduates a step ahead of others.
There are several fields and dozens of occupations where a psychology degree can be applied, which is what makes it such a popular and accessible degree for students. Below is a list of just some general career paths for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
- Human Resources
- Education / Teaching
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Criminal Justice
- Healthcare
- Philanthropy / Fundraising
- Veterans Services
Note that some career paths may require additional training, certifications or education to qualify for practice.
Many students choose to go on to graduate school to study psychology in order to work in a clinical setting, or they may choose a different area of study. Graduates also choose to enter the workforce working in a wide variety of occupations and industries, as referenced previously.
Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat people with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders and often serve diverse populations. After earning a bachelor’s degree, aspiring clinical psychologists must earn an advanced degree, which can take 6-10 years depending on your course load. Many states require supervised clinical hours before you can take the test to qualify for licensure.
Online learning will offer you the flexibility to study at the place and time that works best for you. You can choose a pace that is sustainable for your lifestyle, which can help you take into account your current career, family, and commitments outside of school.
Additionally, at the University of Colorado, our online programs are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus, which means you’re earning the same high quality degree as students on campus, and your diploma will not mention that your degree was earned online.
Online courses are taught by the same professors that teach in-person classes. This ensures that you are receiving the same education and learning experiences as on-campus students. The primary difference is with the delivery format. Your online courses will all be taught in Canvas, the learning management system (LMS). You will be responsible for logging in, accessing course content, and completing any requirements of the course. All of your coursework will be completed online with support from your professors.
As you weigh the options of a BA or BS degree, you will want to consider what you plan to do after college. For example, a Bachelor of Arts degree is more ideal for counseling psychology, social work, industrial or organizational psychology, social psychology, and developmental psychology. A Bachelor of Science is more ideal for students interested in biopsychology, psychopharmacology, neuroscience, psychiatry, neuropsychology, sports psychology, physical therapy, pharmacy, genetic counseling, and more. While the BA and BS have many areas of overlap, the BS degree focuses more on biological and physical sciences.
The BA in Psychology is offered fully online, which means you will not be required to take courses at our campus. Our fully online classes are recorded rather than streamed live, so you’ll be able to learn on your schedule. We welcome students from Denver, Colorado, throughout the United States, and internationally.
Students can apply for a lifetime membership to Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Becoming a member distinguishes you as an outstanding student in the field of psychology. Members can participate in events that focus on scholarship, volunteerism, and social networking.