How Long Does It Take To Get a Degree in Psychology?

A degree in psychology can open doors to amazing job opportunities. This degree can prepare you for careers in mental health, clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and more.

If you're like many students, you're likely eager to earn your degree and start your career already. So, how long does it take to get a degree in psychology? Completing a psychology degree program traditionally takes about two to six years, depending on the academic level.

You can earn your degree sooner by saving more time with an accelerated online psychology degree program. Below, we'll look at the time it takes to earn degrees at different academic levels. We'll also explore some great accelerated online degrees to consider.

How Much Time Does It Take To Complete a Psychology Degree?

The time needed to complete a psychology degree could be as few as two years and as many as four years with full-time enrollment. Program lengths vary based on your degree's academic level. Psychology programs are available at four levels. We'll examine what you can expect at each level and the time it typically takes to earn each degree.

Associate Degree in Psychology

Earning an associate degree in psychology typically requires 60 credits and takes two years with full-time enrollment. Common associate degrees include the Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS). Associate programs mostly cover foundational concepts in psychology. Coursework might include:

• general psychology
• social psychology
• human development and growth
• child psychology

Since most careers in psychology require more than an associate degree, students often use their degree as a stepping stone to a bachelor's program.

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology

A bachelor's degree in psychology typically requires four years to complete, with 120 credits earned. This undergraduate program delves deeper into psychology concepts to provide a strong foundation in the field. At most schools, you can choose between the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS). Bachelor's psychology courses might include:

• general psychology
• social psychology
• abnormal psychology
• human development
• biological psychology

Bachelor's degrees lead to several career paths in psychology. For example, you can work in human resources, social work, and mental health counseling. You can also use your degree to qualify for admission to a master's degree program.

Learn More: Best Online Psychology Degree Programs

Master's Degree in Psychology

A master's degree in psychology generally takes two or three years to complete. Degrees at this level include the Master of Science (MS) and Master of Arts (MA). In graduate school, you're likely to find programs focused on specializations like the following:

• sport psychology
• industrial-organizational (I/O) psychology
• child development
• educational psychology

Psychology majors in graduate programs delve into psychological theories and empirical research. Coursework could include:

• psychopathology
• emotion
• mindfulness
• research methods
• advanced developmental psychology
• fundamentals of quantitative methods

Finishing a master's program is often the minimum requirement for some psychologist roles. For instance, you could become a school psychologist or industrial-organizational psychologist with this graduate degree.

Doctoral Degree in Psychology

A doctoral degree in psychology often takes five to seven years to complete. Programs typically result in a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.). Ph.D. programs focus on research and prepare students for roles in academia. PsyD programs focus on hands-on practice and prepare students to work directly with patients.

Like master's programs, doctoral degrees tackle advanced concepts in psychology and often focus on specializations. Coursework might cover:

• educational psychology
• developmental psychology
• clinical psychology
• clinical research methods
• psychotherapy
• human development
• neuroscience
• social psychology

Programs often require students to complete seminars, practicums, and internships. Ph.D. programs might also require a dissertation. Students who want to become counseling or clinical psychologists typically need licensure. In most states, becoming a licensed psychologist means completing a doctoral program and getting supervised experience.

Accelerated Online Psychology Degree Programs

Accelerated online programs let students earn degrees in the field of psychology remotely in less time. If this option sounds intriguing, consider that 53.3% of postsecondary students took at least one distance education course in the fall of 2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Many accredited colleges and universities offer accelerated online psychology degree programs. Below, we've listed a few options.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers online bachelor's and master's psychology programs in areas like forensic psychology, mental health, and industrial-organizational psychology. Courses are asynchronous, so psychology students can learn on their own time. The program lets enrollees accelerate their studies by taking two courses per eight-week term and transferring up to 90 credits.

Bellevue University

Bellevue University is home to online accelerated cohort programs. These accelerated degrees let students take one or two short courses at a time to graduate at a faster pace. Psychology cohort programs include the BS in professional psychology and MS in I/O psychology. Students must possess an associate degree to enroll in these programs.

Arizona State University

At Arizona State University, students can choose from several online accelerated psychology programs. A bachelor's degree is available in forensic psychology. Bachelor's programs and bachelor's plus master's combined programs are available in psychology, I/O psychology, and positive psychology. Online accelerated programs let you earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer. The combined programs for bachelor's and master's degrees take about five years.

National University

National University delivers online bachelor's degrees in psychology, integrative psychology, sport psychology, and organizational behavior. The school also offers online master's degrees in counseling psychology, human behavior, and performance psychology. Students in online programs take short, four-week courses and can transfer in credits to accelerate their degree completion.

University of Idaho

The University of Idaho offers Campus 360, which delivers online degrees, allowing students to learn anytime during the week. Students can transfer as many as 70 credits to accelerate their studies. Psychology majors can choose from an online BA or BS in psychology. An MS in psychology with an emphasis on human factors is also available.

Colorado State University

Colorado State University offers a 120-credit online BS in psychology. The program examines laws of behavior and principles of psychological research. Coursework covers general psychology, research design, social psychology, forensic psychology, and more. The timeframe for completion depends on a student's previous coursework and intensity of study.

University of Bridgeport

At the University of Bridgeport, students can enroll in the BS in psychology online program. This degree lets students take an accelerated degree track with a fully online or hybrid online/on-campus format. Students can take courses during days, evenings, and weekends year-round to complete their studies in less than four years.

Ottawa University

Ottawa University is home to the online, accelerated BA in psychology. This program explores social psychology, psychopathology, research design, personality, and more. Its accelerated format lets students take short eight-week courses with flexible schedules. Enrollees can take multiple classes at a time year-round to complete the program at a faster pace.

Greenville University

Greenville University offers a 100% online, 120-credit BS in psychology for students interested in human and social services careers. Coursework explores research and clinical methods, psychopathology, counseling, personality, and more. Students can transfer in 90 credits max and complete this accelerated program in as few as two years.

University of Saint Mary

Students can enroll in the BA in psychology program at the University of Saint Mary. This career-focused degree explores psychological practice and theory. Courses cover concepts like statistical analysis, theories in personality, professional ethics, and the history of psychology. Students can transfer up to 90 credits, helping them graduate in as few as 18 months.