Can You Get a Psychology Degree in 2 Years?

A psychology career requires a degree, but many students are unsure what degree is best to work in psychology. Many schools offer psychology degree programs at differing undergraduate and graduate levels. There are some psychology degree programs offered online that full-time students can earn in two years, however, you won't be able to become a licensed psychologist with the American Psychological Association(APA) in that time frame.

Are There Two-Year Psychology Degree Programs?

As the demand for mental health professionals increases, there are more and more degree programs available to future psychologists. One of these options is a two-year psychology program, which results in an associate degree.

An online program for psychology can prepare you to work in aide or support roles within a psychologist's office or in a hospital, but you won't be able to earn licensure in this period. Even bachelor's degree programs that delve deeper into understanding human behavior and psychological methodology won't grant graduates a license or certification to practice.

Earning a psychology degree online through a university or community college is a great way to begin a career. A psychology degree can help you get experience before completing a doctoral graduate program.

What To Expect From an Online Psychology Degree

Online psychology degrees are offered at differing levels, with a common choice being an associate degree that can be used to continue education in the future. Although the contents of these online courses will vary from school to school, there are several fairly common traits that you can expect.

Admissions Requirements

Many schools have differing requirements, but all require at least a high school diploma or a GED equivalent. Some schools have additional requirements like minimum GPAs or qualifying test scores on the SAT or ACT. Online schools and community colleges offering two-year degree programs often have fewer requirements than at larger public or private universities.

Prerequisites

There are two main options for associate degrees in psychology: Associate of Arts (A.A) and Associate of Science (A.S) or Applied Science(A.A.S). The difference between the two mainly relates to the non-psychology-based classes in the curriculum. An AA degree emphasizes liberal arts electives that are prerequisites to the fundamental psychology courses. The A.S. and A.A.S degree programs include courses more focused on science and the practical applications of psychology.

Coursework

The curriculum of an associate degree in psychology will include courses like:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Human Growth and Developmental Psychology
• Personality Psychology
• Social Psychology

Some programs might include additional courses like forensic psychology or social work-related courses that include real-world applications of psychological theories. Most degree programs involve specialization options that will change the courses required to complete them. There are differing degree preferences for different career paths within psychology. Each career path within the psychology field requires different degree preferences.

Online Two-Year Psychology Degree Programs

There are several associate degree programs offered both online and on-campus. For a degree to transfer, the program or school needs to meet certain accreditation standards. Transfer credits will only be accepted to bachelor's programs from schools that have qualifying programs.

This list of schools includes accredited programs that can be used to start entry-level careers in psychology or to transfer to continue education in a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate program. Not all of these schools offer associate degrees, but many have transfer policies that allow you to complete their programs in less than two years.

American Public University

American Public University (APU) has a variety of degree offerings, including online bachelor's degrees in psychology. APU allows up to 90 transfer credit hours, meaning that you can earn your Bachelor of Arts in psychology in less than two years through the school if you have qualifying transfer hours with prerequisite classes like English, math, and more. APU also has multiple specialization options which will prepare you to work with specific demographics after graduation.

Mercy College

Mercy College offers a degree program with multiple concentration options. Enrollment at Mercy College allows students to learn more about the field of psychology while also preparing for continued higher education courses in psychology, such as the master's degree programs that Mercy College offers.

Regent University

Regent University is a Christian university with both in-person and online courses for its A.S. in psychology degree. This program teaches psychological research methods, theories, and more through the lens of Christian teachings. This degree can be complimentary to social work degree holders looking to work with people of the Christian faith.

Bellevue University

Although Bellevue University doesn't have a designated two-year program, they have reduced admissions requirements and allow students to transfer college credit hours to reduce the length of time required to complete this degree. Their Bachelor of Science in psychology degree program is offered online and on-campus.

Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global tops rankings for online bachelor's and master's programs. Their transfer policies allow you to bring over credits which allows online students the opportunity to complete their degree program in a shorter time frame than students just starting college. They also have diverse offerings of human service degrees that emphasize the real-world use of psychological practices.

Southern Wesleyan University

A Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) psychology major focuses heavily on the research and methodology of psychology working with hands-on experiments in the SWU lab. These skills are then used to complete a senior-year research project.

Eastern Kentucky University

The psychology degree program offered at Eastern Kentucky University is a flexible degree program that allows students to pair it with other degrees or complete it on their own. This degree program is a B.S. in psychology, but with qualifying transfer credits it can be completed in two years.

Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University offers online programs in clinical psychology and general psychology with undergraduate and graduate options. If you're looking to continue your education in psychology, a school like Saint Leo University could be a good choice because of its opportunities for continuing education.

California Baptist University

California Baptist University is a Christian university with five available concentrations such as industrial-organizational psychology and sports psychology. These concentrations have different curriculums to prepare graduates for specialized work.

LeTourneau University

LeTourneau University's degree programs prepare graduates for work in Christian-based social services as well as for graduate school where they can earn master's or doctoral degrees and apply for licensing.

FAQs About Two-Year Psychology Degree Programs

Online psychology programs are becoming more common, but many prospective students have questions about the legitimacy and usefulness of these degrees.

Is It Possible To Earn a Psychology Degree Entirely Online?

It is possible to earn a psychology degree online, even a doctoral degree. Online degree programs are often beneficial for students looking for part-time schedules or pay in-state rates for schools out of their state. However, if your school isn't properly accredited, your credits and degree might not be viewed favorably.

Are There Any Accredited Online Psychology Programs That Can Be Completed in 2 Years?

There are accredited online psychology programs that can be completed in two years. Most of these programs are either A.A. or A.S./A.A.S. degree programs. Even though these programs are accredited, there will be limited career options.

Can I Become a Licensed Psychologist With an Online Degree?

It is possible to become a licensed psychologist with an online degree, provided your degree meets multiple criteria. First, your degree must come from an accredited school. If your school doesn't have proper accreditation, the level of degree you earn won't affect your ability to become licensed. Next, you will need to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D). Once you've completed those criteria, you can find your state's specific requirements online to begin working toward licensure.

Is a Two-Year Psychology Degree Worth It?

A two-year psychology degree is worth it primarily to students who use it as a stepping stone to advanced degrees. With only an A.A. or A.S./A.A.S. degree, there will be a limit on career opportunities and lower earnings compared to graduates with advanced degrees.