Can You Get a Psychology Degree in 3 Years?

It is possible to earn a bachelor's psychology degree in three years with hard work and dedication through an accelerated or competency-based college program. Additionally, earning a psychology degree in three years may require transfer credits from a regionally accredited university.

Most accelerated degree programs fast-track students for graduate programs by allowing them to earn graduate-level credits in an undergraduate program. Full-time enrollment is necessary for students interested in earning a psychology degree in three years. It is not possible with part-time enrollment.

Can I Earn a Psychology Degree in Three Years Online?

College students can earn an undergraduate psychology degree in three years online by enrolling in a fully online or hybrid and accelerated or competency-based education program. Earning a psychology degree in three years allows students to jump-start their career or graduate school.

What To Expect From an Online Psychology Degree

An online psychology degree program provides a solid exploration into psychology methodology and psychological theories to develop analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills for professional work in the field of psychology.

Many students can expect to meet the requirements for state licensure eligibility to legally practice as a psychologist in a private practice or another company. Other career opportunities for psychology majors include:

• market research analyst
• substance abuse counselor
• teacher

Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements depend on the:

• university
• program level
• a student's educational background

Typical minimum admission requirements of an undergraduate online psychology program include the following:

• high school diploma or associate degree
• 2.5 or higher high school GPA
• complete application

Some universities may also require or accept SAT or ACT scores. Master's degree programs in psychology require students to hold a bachelor's degree and may also require:

• a personal statement
• letters of recommendation
• GMAT or GRE test scores

Prerequisites

There are typically no prerequisites for bachelor's degree programs in psychology outside of a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher. However, accelerated degree or graduate degree programs may require the following common prerequisites:

• college-level English
• college-level mathematics
• GPA of 2.0 or higher in prerequisites

Prerequisites differ by institution and program and transfer students or students with prior college or work experience may meet prerequisite course requirements.

Coursework

Coursework for undergraduate psychology degree programs varies by each college and chosen concentration, if any. It includes general education courses that cover social sciences and liberal arts.

Common courses in a psychology program cover the following:

• clinical psychology
• human behavior
• neuroscience
• research methods
• social psychology

Concentrations allow students to focus their degree in an area of specialization such as:

• addiction counseling
• experimental psychology
• developmental psychology

Coursework prepares students for a career path in criminal justice, social work, and more.

Online Three-Year Psychology Degree Programs

Opportunities for earning a psychology degree online in three years or less are through accredited institutions offering accelerated, competency-based programs, or dual-degree programs. Prior college, military, or work experience can also fast-track a student's path to a psychology degree.

Roberts Wesleyan University

The accelerated three-year Bachelor of Arts in psychology degree program at Roberts Wesleyan University is for students with six college credits or advanced placement credits from high school. The accelerated psychology degree program requires students to earn 17 to 18 credits per semester and complete two semesters of summer school. Online learning is available during summer school.

The program coursework covers topics such as cognitive psychology, history of psychology, and psychological testing and includes an internship or research practicum requirement.

Western Governors University

Students can accelerate psychology courses to earn a Bachelor of Science in psychology at Western Governors University through:

• transfer credits
• prior experience
• determination
• a competency-based learning format

The psychology program prepares students for professional positions in counseling and research. Coursework for this program includes:

• mental health awareness and education
• consumer behavior
• adult psychology

Arizona State University

Arizona State University offers an accelerated BA in psychology degree program for psychology students who choose to fast-track their studies to earn bachelor's and master's degrees. Examples of corresponding master's degree programs include:

• Master of Science in psychology
• Master of Arts in communication studies
• MA in social data science

The online program consists of 120 credit hours of required courses in cognitive science and psychology electives like:

• emotional intelligence
• positive psychology
• forensic psychology

Regent University

Psychology majors can earn an online bachelor's degree in psychology in three years at Regent University through transfer college or military credits. The three options for earning a BS in psychology include:

• BS in psychology
• BS in psychology with a concentration in clinical and counseling psychology
• BS in professional studies with a concentration in psychology

Regent University has a high ranking by US News as a top national university and the Commission on Accreditation (CoA) of the American Psychological Association (APA) accredits its psychology programs. Regent's psychology programs prepare students for careers in healthcare, social service, and more.

University of Hartford

Working professionals with a bachelor's degree can earn an online MS in organizational psychology and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in three years at the University of Hartford. In addition to the dual psychology degree program, the University of Hartford offers an accelerated BA to MS in organizational psychology degree program. Transferring previously earned college credits can help students earn a psychology degree quickly.

Bellevue University

Bellevue University offers an accelerated, cohort BS in professional psychology degree program for students with an associate degree. The online program focuses on one or two courses at a time with a team of online students. Course examples include:

• abnormal psychology
• human resources and organizational psychology
• premises of mental health

There are three specialization options for Bellevue's cohort psychology program. Students can choose a specialization in aging studies, foundations of counseling, or industrial and organizational psychology.

Colorado State University Global

Students who are willing to commit to full-time college studies and two or three sessions of summer school can accelerate their BS in psychology degree at Colorado State University Global. The accelerated program takes about three years to complete.

Colorado State offers five concentration options for students interested in a specific field of psychology. Psychology majors can earn a general psychology degree or one of the following:

• addictions counseling
• mind, brain, and behavior
• clinical and counseling psychology
• industrial and organizational psychology

University of Louisiana, Monroe

The University of Louisiana, Monroe offers students the chance to take 8-week courses as opposed to the traditional 16-week courses for students to save time toward earning their degree. ULM's BA in psychology degree program provides two unique optional courses:

• evolutionary psychology
• positive psychology

Advanced general psychology, introduction to research methods, and physiological are examples of psychology course requirements. Students can expect to complete the online program in about three years.

FAQs About Three-Year Psychology Degree Programs

Three-year psychology degree programs allow students to start or advance their careers in the field of psychology more quickly.

How Fast Can You Get a Psychology Degree Online?

How fast a student can earn a psychology degree online depends on the type of program and the program's learning format. A bachelor's degree in psychology is obtainable in two to four years based on:

• full-time enrollment
• online learning options
• the type of program

Are Online Psychology Degrees Legit?

Yes, online psychology degrees are just as legit as psychology degrees earned in person on campus. Accredited institutions award legit online psychology degrees to students who complete program requirements.

Can You Get a Master's Degree in Psychology Online?

Yes, you can get a master's degree in psychology online through an accredited university that provides online degree programs.

Is It Possible To Earn a Psychology Degree Entirely Online in Less Than Four Years?

Yes, it is possible to earn a psychology degree entirely online in less than four years with an accelerated degree program or a degree program that offers a competency-based learning format.