12 Psychology Degrees & Courses for Working Adults

Psychology is a rich topic of study with many professional applications. Studying psychology can also enable you to make sense of your own life and find fresh perspectives. The best psychology degree courses for working adults are both flexible and enriching.

Top Psychology Courses for Working Adults

Here are some of the top psychology courses for working adults, chosen for their popularity and relevance in many career paths.

1. Introduction to Psychology

An introduction to psychology course covers the foundational knowledge of psychology. This course will cover the various aspects of human behavior and the psychological theories that explain how and why people act the way they do. Adult learners can benefit from an introduction to psychology course as it applies to almost any career path and teaches soft and hard skills/ These skills are useful in professional and personal settings.

2. General Psychology

General psychology covers psychological theories, research methods, and how psychology is applied in real-world settings. This course will cover a general overview of human development and behavior, neuroscience, and psychological well-being. A general psychology course will give working adults an overview of careers within psychology, and the relevant skills needed in these roles.

3. Women's Mental Health

Taking a class on women's mental health can be a great way to understand your own experience and potentially contribute to the well-being of other women. A women's mental health class will typically cover topics such as:

• inequality
• sexism
• career
• family

4. Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology provides a broad lifespan view that will be valuable in multiple contexts. Working adults studying developmental psychology will better understand their life trajectories and children's. Developmental psychology can also lead to careers in education, childcare, and social services.

5. Abnormal Psychology

An elective in abnormal psychology is important to understanding the human mind and the social sciences. Abnormal psychology will allow students to understand societal norms, neural development, and environmental factors in maladaptive behavior. An understanding of abnormal psychology will be beneficial to social workers and other behavioral health professionals.

6. Theories of Personality

Personality theory is a popular area of psychology due to its many applications. Personality theory can help students understand themselves and others. Working adults may enjoy the relaxed nature of studying personality theory.

7. Research Methods in Psychology

Research methods in psychology are some of the most useful and broadly applicable skills students will learn in a psychology degree. Psychology research methods include statistics, probability, causality, and modeling. Research skills display a general problem-solving ability and an aptitude for analytical thinking.

8. Drugs and Human Behavior

Whether you are interested in social work, clinical psychology, criminal justice, or general behavioral health, a class on drugs and substances will be valuable to your understanding of human behavior. A course on drugs and human behavior will help you understand the motivations, contextual factors, and health effects associated with the use of different substances.

9. Health Psychology

Working adults who have an interest in healthcare will do well to take a class in health psychology. Health psychology emphasizes the motivations, decisions, and emotional processes involving health and lifestyle changes. A class in health psychology can have personal benefits or open career opportunities in the healthcare system.

10. Sports Psychology

Sports are an important way people relate to each other, stay active, and find enjoyment. A class in sports psychology can help working adults understand their own experiences in sports or become better sports parents or coaches. A class in sport psychology can be both enjoyable and eye-opening. Sport psychology concepts can also be applied to other human learning and performance areas.

11. Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Industrial-organizational psychology is one of the most practical psychology classes for working adults. Industrial-organizational psychology will teach students deep principles of organizational structure, leadership, motivation, ethics, and employer-employee relationships. Working students can apply knowledge gained in an industrial-organizational psychology class in their day-to-day lives.

12. Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology studies criminal behavior and the criminal justice process. Forensic psychology can be an interesting elective for working adults interested in the developmental factors and motivations behind criminal behavior.

FAQs About Psychology Degrees

Get answers to these common questions about psychology degrees.

What Careers Can I Pursue With a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology?

The wealth of career options associated with a degree in psychology is one of the strongest reasons to earn a degree in psychology. Psychology graduates have strong interpersonal, communication, and critical-thinking skills. The broadly applicable nature of these skills makes many career paths possible. Here are some popular roles for psychology degree graduates:

• human resources manager
• social worker
• guidance counselor
• clinical psychologist
• project manager

Is an Associate Degree in Psychology Worth It?

An associate degree in psychology provides an introduction to the field. An associate degree typically requires 60 credit hours and takes about two years to complete. An associate degree in psychology is seen as a stepping stone to further education, so students should make sure the program is accredited and their transfer credits will be accepted.

How Long Does It Take To Complete a Psychology Degree?

The amount of time it takes to complete a psychology program depends on the level of the degree and the mode of study. Here are some common degree completion times:

• associate degree: two years
• bachelor's degree: four years
• master's degree: one to three years
• doctoral degree: three to seven years

Students who are interested in accelerated degree completion should explore online psychology degrees. Online programs that offer psychology degree programs and full-time enrollment can shorten the time needed to complete a degree by using a competency-based coursework framework that allows students to move quickly through content they have mastered. Online courses may also have flexible start dates that can help working adults study when it's convenient.

Graduate programs can also often be completed online. However, the licensure requirements for clinical tracks such as a psychology doctorate (Psy D) may require in-person training hours at an on-campus or approved location.

What Is the Difference Between a BA and a BS in Psychology?

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) focuses on the liberal arts and humanities. Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees center on science, methodology, and the technical skills needed in some psychology specializations. The general education requirements for both bachelor's programs will likely be similar in most psychology majors. A Bachelor of Arts in psychology will likely involve more courses in:

• English
• literature
• communication

A BS in psychology will include additional classes on:

• math
• statistics
• research methods