Can You Get an Online Psychology Degree in 1 Year?

The field of psychology provides many career options across a number of different industries, making it a desirable field for many. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that 61% of employees in the psychology industry are in occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree, while 49% require an advanced degree.

While a degree in psychology seems like a big undertaking, it is possible to earn a psychology degree in only one year with online learning. Many programs offer accelerated online classes to support busy students and help them earn their degree quickly and in a flexible format, as opposed to the structured format of in-person degrees.

How Fast Can You Earn a Psychology Degree Online?

Whether you are looking for an online bachelor's degree or interested in enrolling in graduate school, many options can help you earn a psychology degree online in as little as 12 months. Enrolling as a full-time student enables you to earn your degree faster, while enrolling part-time can offer greater flexibility but will take longer.

What To Expect From an Online Psychology Degree

Here are some expectations you should be aware of before starting your online degree journey.

Admissions Requirements

Before beginning your program, conduct research on the admissions requirements. These requirements can vary depending on the level of degree and the specific program.

Typically, a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science will require a high school diploma and possibly completion of specific introductory or prerequisite courses. If your program requires a specific GPA or courses that you did not complete in high school, you can consider completing an associate degree in psychology first and transferring those credits for a bachelor's degree at a college or university.

Higher education admissions requirements will typically involve earning a relevant degree from an institution with an academic accreditation. Depending on the program, applicants will typically be required to submit:

• academic transcripts
• ACT/SAT scores
• application fee
• essay or personal statement

Prerequisites

Enrollment in some psychology degrees will require prerequisite courses. Some of these courses fall under the general education category and are typically met by completing a liberal arts degree. Other prerequisites may be more specific to psychology, such as research statistics and methodologies, psychological theories, and cognitive psychology.

Enrolling in graduate studies will typically require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as social work, psychology, neuroscience, or social psychology.

Check with your specific program to see what prerequisites you'll need before starting your program.

Coursework

Coursework for undergraduate psychology programs is focused on giving students the foundational knowledge of psychology. Psychology majors can focus on specific areas of psychology by enrolling in electives in their area of interest. Some of the topics covered in a bachelor's degree in psychology include:

• human behavior
• social sciences
• case management
• cognitive psychology
• developmental psychology
• social psychology

Graduate degrees such as master's degrees and Psy.D programs allow students to go more in-depth in specific areas of psychology. Coursework in these programs can relate to:

• clinical psychology
• social services/human services
• human resources
• family systems theory

Online One-Year Psychology Degree Programs

Now that you have a thorough understanding of what is required when applying for a psychology degree program, here are some bachelor's degree and master's degree programs that can be completed online in one year.

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

You can earn a master's degree in psychology in one year at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Their online Master of Arts in applied psychology can be great for many career paths. They offer 10 concentrations in:

• applied behavior analysis
• child and adolescent psychology
• generalist psychology
• forensic psychology
• online teaching and learning
• international psychology
• public health
• organizational leadership
• suicide and cyberbullying prevention
• social and community psychology

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers a bachelor's degree in psychology that allows students to transfer up to 90 credits into the program. Students can then finish the remaining 30 credits in only one year.

Students interested in graduate programs can apply to the 36-credit online master's in psychology program. Graduates from the program will be better equipped for leadership positions.

Lynn University

Through Lynn University's online programs, you can earn a psychology degree in one year. The online master's degree in psychology covers a wide range of psychology courses, from social and cultural identity to research and personality psychology.

Students can study general psychology or enroll in the industrial/organizational psychology specialization. This program focuses heavily on research methods and can be a perfect fit for students interested in research careers.

Touro University-Worldwide

Touro University-Worldwide is an accredited institution offering an online master's degree in psychology. Students who enroll in two online courses per term can complete the degree in as little as 12 months. Students can select from six different start dates each year to allow for ultimate flexibility for online students.

Transfer students can earn their degree in less time by bringing up to nine transfer credits into the program. This degree can prepare graduates for careers in healthcare psychology, forensic psychology, and education psychology.

University of West Alabama

Students can choose from four online master's degrees in psychology available at the University of West Alabama:

• clinical mental health counseling
• experimental psychology
• family counseling
• guidance and counseling

These programs are CACREP-accredited and can help students gain licensure to practice as counselors. The University of West Alabama has one of the most affordable programs for a state university and offers financial aid packages to lower costs even further.

FAQs About One-Year Psychology Degree Programs

We've covered the answers to commonly asked questions about one-year psychology degrees.

Is an Online Psychology Degree Respected?

Yes, an online degree in psychology is respected as long as it is from an accredited institution. Many online degrees do not designate that they were earned online on the diploma. Your career opportunities will not be limited by having earned an online degree.

The American Psychological Association (APA) provides a list of accredited degree programs that are respected by employers. Choosing a program from this list will ensure you receive the highest quality education, even if your program is taught online.

Is It Possible to Earn a Psychology Degree Entirely Online?

Yes, you can earn your degree online without stepping foot in a classroom. Online courses are growing in popularity, so the content taught online is often the same content taught in person.

Online courses are typically taught in eight-week sessions, so students can focus on one topic at a time and move quickly through the course materials.

Are There Any Accredited Universities That Offer a One-Year Online Psychology Degree Program?

Yes, you can earn a one-year degree from accredited universities completely online. Check out schools such as Southern New Hampshire University, Lynn University, and Touro University for accredited online psychology degrees. If you already have credit hours that you can transfer into the program, there will be more options for earning a degree in one year at universities with generous transfer credit policies.