Online Psychology Degree (BA): Bachelor of Arts in PsychologyOnline Psychology Degree (BA): Bachelor of Arts in PsychologyOnline Psychology Degree (BA): Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Learn how to apply psychology principles in your future career

Psychology, the study of human behavior, is a fascinating and broadly practical discipline. Through research and observation, students aim to learn how the mind works in certain situations and various environments and why. The answers to these questions can have implications that reach far beyond clinical and cognitive care.

This Maryville University online program can help you develop the deeper understanding of contemporary psychology you need to start or advance your career in a field such as healthcare, counseling, business or education. In addition, this degree can give you the foundation to pursue graduate study in this field, organizational development or another potentially high-paying area.

View our program guide for more information.

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Access courses 100% online

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Choose to start in fall, spring or summer

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Apply with no application fee or entrance exams

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Explore financial aid and eligible transfer credit options

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Benefit from psychology coursework designed to meet American Psychological Association standards

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Gain Early Access eligibility and get a head start on your graduate degree

Why earn your Bachelor of Arts in Psychology online?

Maryville University’s 100% online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program offers an exciting exploration of the broad field of social science, backed by a unique research sequence to help you focus your interests and give you applied experience in the field.

Like all our online programs, the BA in psychology online program employs leading education technologies that are easy to navigate, are supported by personalized attention and foster meaningful connections with faculty members and fellow students.

Because our program is fully online, it allows you to pursue your bachelor’s degree while maintaining family, work and other commitments. This flexibility can help you achieve your goals at a pace that’s most convenient for you.

Our psychology degree is flexible, affordable, and highly personalized

Complete your coursework 100% online

No campus visits are required.

Work at your own pace

With eligible transfer credits, earn your bachelor’s in psychology in less than 2 years (full time) or less than 3.5 years (part time).

Pursue your research interests

Collaborate with supportive and attentive faculty on a research project.

Apply without barriers

No SAT or ACT entrance exams or application fees required.

What can you do with your online BA in psychology?

Earning your Bachelor of Arts in Psychology online can equip you with an understanding of the different types of psychology and how they’re applied. It can also qualify you to pursue a career in any of a wide range of disciplines.

While earning this undergraduate degree can lead to roles in this area, it can also open up opportunities outside the field. Understanding human behavior can directly contribute to success in a range of careers. You can apply psychological theories and principles regarding social and multicultural psychology, human behavior and cognition and human development to roles in marketing, human resources, business training or criminal justice.

Additionally, earning this online BA can prepare you to pursue an advanced degree and develop a specialization in the field.

Should you wish to pursue a graduate degree, our bachelor’s in psychology online paves the way for you to enroll in a variety of Maryville master’s programs in business, healthcare administration or management, among many other areas of study.

Careers in psychology

With this online degree, you can pursue a career in a wide array of fields, including:

Jobs you can qualify for with an online bachelor’s degree in psychology include:

Online bachelor’s in psychology graduates can choose from many work settings, including:

  • Global companies
  • Small businesses
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Healthcare
  • Public health
  • Rehabilitation clinics
  • Community services
  • Counseling centers
  • Schools
  • Government agencies

To learn more about the exciting career paths available to graduates of Maryville’s online bachelor program, see our Careers for Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Graduates page.

What is the typical bachelor’s in psychology salary?

With this online degree, you can pursue careers with the following median salaries. Some professions may require additional education or experience:

Survey Researcher

$60,4101

Human Resources Specialist

$64,2402

Market Research Analyst

$68,2303

Mental Health Counselor

$49,7104

Online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology job outlook

Psychology expertise is increasing in value among employers. Connections between mental health and learning success have sparked a demand for professionals who understand the relationship between psychology and education. Correlations between business objectives and employee behavior have done the same for analysts in the private sector. Drawing insights from how social psychology impacts consumer behavior can be crucial to marketing professionals across a large range of industries.

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Your online BA in psychology opens doors to a wide range of career paths.

Many people who graduate with this bachelor’s degree go on to work in fields such as business, management, sales, marketing, insurance, real estate and law. Employment opportunities projected to increase between 2022 and 2032 include jobs in market research (13% growth)5 and human resources (6% growth).6

Undergraduate student wearing a blue dress, smiling

An online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology alone can qualify you for careers in the field

Earning this BA can prepare you for several entry-level roles directly related to the field. These positions can help you cultivate further skills that can lead to more advanced roles.

Undergraduate student standing in a white room, holding a clipboard

Our BA in psychology online program prepares you well for the future

As an undergraduate at Maryville, you’ll receive a student-centered, future-focused education that prepares you for success today and wherever your ambition takes you tomorrow, whether you move directly into a rewarding career or pursue an advanced degree.

Why choose Maryville University’s accredited healthcare management online degree program?

This online program provides a rigorous, distinguished and personalized education that’s convenient and affordable. Our top-tier faculty is dedicated to your success, and you have many opportunities for financial aid.

As a student in Maryville’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology online program, you’ll:

  • Access rigorous online courses through our advanced, user-friendly learning platform.
  • Enroll in psychology courses that meet the American Psychological Association’s standards.
  • Connect with expert faculty members invested in helping you plan your career.
  • Gain a strong foundation in research at the undergraduate level.
  • Develop a broad foundation in contemporary psychology to prepare for graduate study.

For nearly 150 years, we have continuously offered a high-quality educational experience through the Maryville Approach ― a methodology that embraces innovation, a student-first focus and a commitment to helping you accomplish your personal and professional goals.

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Online BA in psychology review: Students are finding success at Maryville

“Every psychology professor I’ve had at Maryville has been really, really great. They are not just professors. They are able to be your friends and mentors, and guide you in a direction that will ensure that you succeed.”

— Amelia Nguyen

“I decided to focus more on school bullying. I just started doing research — reading books and as many articles as I could get my hands on. I got a lot of help from my professors, which has been really nice.”

— Kyle Deeken

Meet our online BA in psychology faculty

Peter Green

Dr. Peter Green, PhD

Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Program Director, Organizational Leadership, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology; Professor of Psychology

Dr. Peter Green joined Maryville University in 2008. He uses his professional and research-based insight to teach students the guiding principles of psychology — and he knows how to tailor them to a student’s area of interest.

  • PhD, University of Iowa
  • MA, University of Iowa
  • BA, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Dr. Green is a social psychologist whose expertise includes alcohol use among college students, intimate partner violence, and racial differences in judicial sentences. He also has a background in research, which helps guide undergraduate students in the psychology program as they engage in research to inform and enhance their learning.

Learn more about our social sciences faculty members.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology online curriculum

Maryville’s BA in Psychology online curriculum prepares students with a strong foundation in the broad theoretical underpinnings of contemporary psychology and cements that knowledge through applied, career-related experiences.

Coursework blends insights from this field with insights from social sciences to help you understand the guiding principles that contextualize human behaviors. Graduates can emerge with enhanced social awareness, a strong foundation in psychology theory and the knowledge to apply it in a range of fields.

Students with eligible transfer credits can complete this degree in less than two years of full-time study.

Psychology Core Courses Study the biological, social and clinical aspects of human behavior, as well as the broad theoretical issues of modern psychology.

Clinical psychology courses — Focus your knowledge with a comprehensive approach to mental and behavioral healthcare for individuals, families and communities.

Social psychology courses Learn how it can be used to improve interpersonal and group relationships.

Social science research sequence — This series of courses provides an interconnected understanding of how to craft research, analyze results and present findings.

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The Maryville online bachelor’s degree in psychology helps prepare you to apply your professional knowledge in any of a range of fields. You’ll graduate ready to qualify for positions in healthcare, education, business, government agencies and many other settings.

The degree can also provide the foundation you need to pursue advanced graduate studies in psychology, organizational development or another subject.

Early Access: Accelerated graduate education in psychology online

At Maryville University, you can get a head start on your graduate degree while earning your Bachelor of Arts in Psychology online through our Early Access program.

With Early Access, you can earn up to 12 credits that count toward your master’s degree and your bachelor’s. Credits you earn through Early Access are charged at the undergraduate tuition rate, meaning you can save time and money on your graduate education.

To qualify for Early Access, you must be a current Maryville undergraduate student and have completed at least 75 credit hours with a GPA of 3.25 or better.

If you qualify and have not yet completed your elective requirements, we invite you to contact your academic advisor to explore Early Access and learn more about some of our exciting online graduate programs.

When you’re ready to go further, we offer many online graduate degree options:

Master of Health Administration (MHA): Choose from four concentrations: Senior Services, Population Health Management, Health Informatics and Analytics or Healthcare Leadership.

Master of Business Administration (MBA): Tailor this program to align with your career goals. Select from 12 concentrations that include Health Administration and General Management.

Master of Arts in Management and Leadership (MAML): This program is designed to help you prepare for a senior-level management position in your desired field.

Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Leadership (MACL): Learn to lead through an immersive curriculum that gives you the opportunity to study theory, gain practical experience and earn relevant professional certifications.

Frequently asked questions

  • Earning your Bachelor of Arts in Psychology online can qualify you to pursue a career in any of a wide range of disciplines — including healthcare, business, education and advocacy — or you can go on to earn an advanced degree with a particular specialization in the field.

    Want to earn a graduate degree? Maryville offers master’s degree programs that take you where you want to go.

  • The median annual salary for professionals holding a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree was about $67,000 as of March 2023, according to Payscale.

  • Yes. Maryville University proudly holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Maryville has maintained accreditation from the HLC since 1941, and this status was most recently reaffirmed in 2015.

  • This online program requires students to complete 128 credit hours: 39 credits in general education courses, 24 credits in psychology major core courses, 15 credits in a social science research sequence and 50 credits in general electives, which allow you to tailor your education. Students with eligible transfer credits can earn their bachelor’s degree online in less than two years studying full time or less than three and a half years studying part time. The length of time it may take to complete the degree depends on the individual. Contact your advisor for more information.

  • Online students can qualify for several types of financial aid options. These can include federal or private grants and loans, scholarships, employer-run tuition assistance programs and military assistance for veterans and active-duty service members. Consult our Online Students’ Guide to Understanding Financial Aid for more information.

  • With Early Access, students in our BA online program can get a head start on earning a graduate degree by taking graduate-level courses that count toward their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Furthermore, graduate-level Early Access courses are billed at the undergraduate tuition rate — so students save time and money.

    Our MBAMaster of Health Administration and Master of Arts in Management and Leadership are among the many Maryville graduate programs that offer Early Access options for students enrolled in this program.

    If you’re interested in participating in the program, you should apply one semester before you plan to start taking Early Access courses. To apply, you must have completed at least 75 credit hours and have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher. Through the program, you can earn up to 12 credit hours toward your master’s degree. Our advisors can help you select your Early Access courses, which must be taken one at a time.

    Learn more about the Early Access program.

Apply to the BA in Psychology online degree program at Maryville University

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Bring us your ambition and we’ll guide you along a personalized path to a quality education that’s designed to change your life.

1 Survey Researchers. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 6, 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

2 Human Resources Specialists. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 6, 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

3 Market Research Analysts. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 6, 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

4 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 6, 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

5 Market Research Analysts. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 6, 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

6Human Resources Specialists. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 6, 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference