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Yes, and there are many online options for students who would like to pursue a degree in psychology. In fact, the demand for a cheap psychology degree online has risen, offering flexibility and accessibility for students. These affordable bachelor's programs explore psychological principles, behavioral analysis, and cognitive processes, preparing graduates for careers in counseling, human resources, and research. Accreditation ensures curriculum quality and job market value, while online platforms provide diverse courses tailored to your interests. 

Each prospective student should determine whether their chosen school is accredited. The accreditation process confirms whether a program is credible and of high quality. A school's academic programs, faculty, facilities, and student services are evaluated according to national standards. Accreditation is often required if a student wants to transfer credits between schools, enter a graduate-level program, or be eligible for federal financial aid. Students can search the or the databases for more information. 

Not only can schools earn accreditation for the entire institution, they can receive programmatic accreditation for the individual programs they offer. The recognized accrediting authority for online psychology programs is the APA's Commission on Accreditation. The contains a list of accredited programs that meet industry standards and expectations. Provided students have attended credible, accredited schools, their online degrees should command the same respect and create similar opportunities as on-campus degrees. The curriculum will also be comparable, as the same faculty often teach online courses.

Online degrees are available at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, which means students may be able to become psychologists entirely through online education. Of course, this process often integrates in-person requirements with remote study, especially at the higher degree levels. Also, before a person can practice, they must adhere to their state's licensing laws, which often require an internship and 1-2 years of supervised experience in the field.

Typically, an online psychology program requires students to complete 120-126 credit hours. About half of these credits are general education courses, while the other half consists of psychology courses. Most programs are designed to be completed in four years of full-time study. A few schools also offer accelerated programs that can be completed in as little as two years.

For those who are intent on saving time and money while earning a psychology degree, three options are available:

1. Students with completed college-level coursework may transfer those credits to apply them toward their total.

2. Some online schools allow students to take exams for certain classes in lieu of taking them. A passing grade demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the material.

3. Some schools offer credit for prior work or military experience by examining a student's records and past job performance in a prior learning assessment to determine whether they can bypass a related course.

The admission requirements and school selectivity for prospective psychology students are the same at most schools — whether the program is on campus or online. Applicants must have a high school diploma or an equivalent. Additional prerequisites vary by school but often include a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 and favorable scores on standardized college entrance exams. Students transferring to a school after completing some college coursework elsewhere may also be required to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

When applying for an online bachelor's program, potential students often need to submit the following items:

• An application fee
• Official transcripts from all previously attended schools
• Scores on standardized tests, such as the ACT or SAT
• Letter(s) of recommendation from former teachers, coaches, clergy, or supervisors who are familiar with the applicant's character
• Personal essay(s) about the applicant’s interests, goals, and personality
• A resume or list of extracurricular activities demonstrating teamwork, service to the student's community, and/or leadership abilities

The following lists common courses for those pursuing an undergraduate psychology degree. Depending on the school, some topics are taught as core courses while others are considered electives. In addition, some courses may be required for admittance into graduate programs.

• Abnormal Psychology: This class surveys common mental disorders, including their causes and treatments. These illnesses include schizophrenia, social anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, addiction, and eating disorders. The coursework explores how psychologists assess patients and implement treatment plans in their clinical practice.
• Clinical Psychology: Clinical psychologists evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients experiencing psychological distress and mental illness. A course in clinical psychology gives students a broad overview of essential topics, such as patient assessments, common disorders, and ethical considerations.
• Developmental Psychology: This course delves into the study of human development, from infancy to adolescence and late adulthood. The coursework may cover topics, such as family relationships, emotional development, and adaptations to aging. Most psychology majors take a course on the full spectrum of human development or one that focuses on a specialization, such as early childhood development.
• General Psychology: General psychology is a popular liberal arts elective for undergraduate students. The coursework often begins with a brief introduction to the history of psychology before moving into a broader range of topics, including consciousness, motivation, perception, emotion, learning, and abnormal behavior.
• Human Behavior: This course invites students to study the way biological, psychological, and social factors influence human interaction. Specifically, students examine how social norms, ethics, and diversity shape values, perspectives, and identities. The curriculum may also cover the evolution of human behavior across the lifespan.
• Neuroscience: This introductory course touches on a diverse array of science-oriented topics related to human development. Neuroscientists combine elements of psychology with biology, chemistry, and other sciences to better understand how the brain and nervous system affect human behavior.
• Social Psychology: This course focuses on how people view, interpret, and respond to their social environments. Specific areas of discussion often include the self, attitudes, emotions, peer pressure, competition, and prejudice. Many students find that they can practically apply this content to improve their daily lives.

One of the reasons online psychology degrees are so popular is because they are flexible. A generalist degree in psychology allows students to follow a multitude of career paths in psychology, many of which offer more desirable salaries.

The BLS lists the for workers with a bachelor's degree in psychology: registered nurse, social worker, elementary school teacher, and personal service manager. Please note that some of these roles require additional psychology certifications. The most common occupational groups were in the fields of management, community and social services, educational instruction and library, healthcare, and administrative support. The current median salaries and job outlooks for these occupations vary widely. It largely depends on what level of education you plan to attain. 

An advanced degree is required for those who want to work as practicing psychologists, a career with a salary that pays well. As of the most recent available data, a licensed, practicing psychologist earned a median salary of per year, but you need either a master’s or doctoral degree. Similarly, clinical and research psychologists must have a doctoral degree in psychology, while school psychologists, industrial-organizational psychologists, and psychological assistants must have master's degrees in clinical psychology. 

Tuition is an important factor for many students in their college decision. According to the , average annual tuition fees range from $10,940 for four-year public schools to $39,400 for four-year private schools. The College Board also estimates an additional $1,240 annually for books and other supplies.

However, there are ways to make college more affordable. For example, at some schools, out-of-state distance learners pay the same tuition rates as in-state students, but this varies according to a student's specific situation, from the number of transfer credits they have to their program's length. Therefore, students should compare the in-person and online tuition costs for the psychology program of their chosen school before applying.

Aside from tuition, all students pay for books and supplies, but online students usually don't pay for room and board, transportation, or other campus-based fees.

Some online schools advertise themselves as "tuition-free" colleges, but students should investigate these programs carefully before enrolling. Although they don't charge tuition, these schools generally charge other fees that are equal to the tuition rates at many schools. Additionally, some of these schools are not accredited, which poses a significant problem for psychology students. To practice psychology, most states require , but to become a licensed psychologist, the degree obtained needs to be from an accredited college.

Online students enrolled in accredited bachelor's programs in psychology generally have the same access to financial aid as on-campus students. To apply for financial assistance, all students should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Even if they think they may not be eligible, enrollees may qualify for government/school grants and scholarships — which they don't have to repay — or low-interest loans. 

To help with affordability, students may choose options that do not have to be repaid, such as grants, scholarships, fellowships, and work-study programs. Other forms of aid are only available to students of accredited schools, such as federal and private loans. Federal student loans offered through the government are generally preferred over private student loans offered by banks and lending institutions because they tend to have lower interest rates and better repayment terms.

When selecting an online psychology degree program, prospective students may want to consult the financial aid offices at the schools they’re interested in as part of their school search process.

Scholarships for Online Psychology Students

Scholarships, grants, and other funding are available through various professional organizations, and some financing opportunities are designed specifically for psychology majors in bachelor’s programs or related graduate degrees and doctoral programs. The following is a sampling of scholarships available to online psychology students that are funded by private organizations and therefore require separate applications:

• American Psychological Foundation (APF) Scholarships: The APF is the grant-making affiliate of the APA. Undergraduate psychology students may apply for a wide selection of APF grants, scholarships, and fellowships, with awards ranging from .
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship: Undergraduates from disadvantaged backgrounds planning careers in behavioral science research may qualify for this NIH scholarship. The award includes per academic year in scholarship money, a summer internship at the NIH, and at least one year of full-time employment at the NIH after graduation.
• Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarship: Administered by the APA, these scholarships of each are awarded to psychology undergraduates who demonstrate both financial need and academic excellence.

Other organizations, such as the , offer scholarships to promote the study of mental health. Certain colleges and universities, including the and the , provide funding to select undergraduate and graduate students interested in studying psychology and human behavior. Below are some additional opportunities to explore:

An online bachelor's degree in psychology may be worthwhile, but individuals must weigh the costs and advantages for themselves. Here are some pros and cons to get you started:

Potential Benefits

• This is a versatile degree. Alumni may immediately join the workforce across diverse fields or secure psychology-related work that may strengthen their graduate school applications.
• Studying psychology may help students develop personal attributes, such as empathy and sensitivity, and it can also help workers gain valuable skills that they can apply in the field, from critical thinking to oral comprehension.
• An online degree allows students to choose from a broader selection of schools without moving to a new location. This allows prospective students to select a program that best meets their budget, interests, and career goals.

Potential Drawbacks

• For those wanting to become psychologists, a bachelor's degree is often only the first step in an educational path lasting up to 10 years. Students must go on to obtain doctoral degrees and licensure.
• Without opportunities to connect in person with peers and faculty, online learning may present challenges when it comes to building relationships and networking.