Best Online Psychology Degrees in California (2025)

There are many top online psychology degree programs across the U.S., including several in California. Affordable online psychology degrees are a great way for students on a budget to complete higher education programs.

Whether you're looking for the best online bachelor's in psychology or you're ready to start grad school, California has options for everyone. Keep reading to discover the best online psychology degrees in California.

Top Online Psychology Degree Programs in California

Over two dozen colleges and universities in California offer online psychology degrees. We've listed our top ten below.

1. Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific University is a private Christian research institution in Azusa, CA. It offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Master of Science (MS) in psychology online.

Students in the bachelor's degree program learn about human behavior and how to analyze and solve problems in various settings. Coursework tackles general psychology, abnormal psychology, lifespan development, and research methods.

The MS is a degree in counseling psychology with a specialization in children and adolescents. The program prepares students to work in clinical practice with children and youth.

2. California Baptist University

At California Baptist University, students can earn an online BA or MS in psychology. This private school is located in Riverside, CA.

The BA in psychology emphasizes abnormal psychology, counseling psychology, and theories of personality; it prepares students for various careers in the field of psychology. Students also develop strong critical thinking skills.

In the MS in counseling psychology, students develop a firm perspective of psychological science and its applications, including helping individuals, couples, and families lead more fruitful lives and address relational difficulties. The program blends asynchronous and synchronous courses with clinical hours.

3. California State University Channel Islands

A Bachelor of Arts in psychology is available online through California State University Channel Islands. This program allows students to experience the intersection of psychology with other disciplines, closely following how psychology is understood and practiced in the world at large.

CSU Channel Islands is a public university in Camarillo, CA. Its world-class faculty provides hands-on application of theory to students in the online psychology program.

4. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno Pacific University offers an online BA in psychology and MA in school psychology. FPU, located in Fresno, CA, is a private Christian institution.

The bachelor's degree teaches students to examine people from scientific, religious, philosophical, physiological, and socio-cultural perspectives. With research projects and real-world learning opportunities, students have the chance to sharpen their skills in a hands-on way.

The master's degree helps students gain expertise in assessment and intervention. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to work as credentialed school psychologists in the public school setting.

5. Golden Gate University

Golden Gate University is a private institution in San Francisco. It offers a BA in psychology and an MA in counseling psychology online.

The BA in psychology offers a look at the biological, clinical, cognitive, developmental, and social approaches to the field of psychology. Students will gain an understanding of the applications of psychology to personal, social, and organizational issues.

The graduate program is meant to prepare students for licensure in California. As a result, students must complete 300 supervised clinical hours in person.

6. National University

Students at National University can earn an online bachelor's or master's in psychology. The private institution is based in San Diego.

Students in the bachelor's program cover a wide range of topics, such as biological psychology, developmental psychology, psychopathology, social psychology, and personality theory. The curriculum adheres to the guidelines established by the American Psychological Association.

At the graduate level, students can focus their studies on one of the following fields of psychology:

• child and adolescent developmental psychology
• counseling psychology
• forensic psychology
• health psychology
• human behavior psychology
• sport and performance psychology

Note that not all master's programs are designed to lead to licensure.

7. Touro University Worldwide

A BA and an MA in psychology are available online through Touro University. The private Jewish university system is headquartered in New York, but its online Worldwide campus is based in Los Alamitos, CA.

The bachelor's degree offers multiple concentrations, including child and adolescent psychology, forensic psychology, and industrial/organizational psychology. All provide students with a deeper understanding of human behavior and mental health.

Similarly, the MA offers several specializations, such as educational psychology, health psychology, and media psychology. While the degree prepares students for numerous career opportunities in behavioral sciences and human services, it does not lead to licensure.

8. University of Massachusetts Global

At the University of Massachusetts Global, students can earn an online BA in psychology with optional concentrations in child psychology or industrial/organizational psychology. They'll cover a broad range of topics and learn to connect psychological theory to real-life applications.

UMass Global, a private online affiliate of the public University of Massachusetts system, is based in Aliso Viejo, CA. It also offers an online MA in educational psychology with a credential in school psychology.

9. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a private research institution in Los Angeles. It offers an MS in applied psychology online designed to help working professionals advance or transition their careers in applied fields where they can combine psychology and business interests.

The program provides a unique blend of consumer and organizational psychology that gives students the professional edge to solve problems in contemporary organizations. Students are required to participate in an internship or professional development opportunity during this online degree.

10. Vanguard University

Through Vanguard University, students can earn an online BA in psychology or an online MS in clinical psychology. The private Christian institution is located in Costa Mesa, CA.

In the bachelor's degree program, students learn how to lend evidence-based support to individuals, families, and communities. The program explores skills for responding to crises and topics like child development, the biology of the brain, mental health disorders, and social and cultural contexts that impact well-being.

The master's degree provides students with the tools and techniques to work with those who struggle with behavioral, cognitive, and emotional challenges. This program meets the education requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and/or Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC) in California.

Our Selection Criteria

Our methodology for choosing the schools above was simple. We focused on:

• Location: All schools above are located in or have a campus in California.
• Accreditation: All schools are regionally accredited.
• Type: We only selected public and nonprofit private institutions.
• Financial Aid: Every program comes from online colleges that accept FAFSA.

What Can I Expect From an Accredited Online Psychology Degree?

Online psychology degrees provide an education in general psychology and often include courses on:

• abnormal psychology
• behavioral sciences
• cognition
• lifespan development
• psychotherapy
• research methods

Some programs may require internships or clinical experiences to round out your education.

Career Paths for Psychology Majors

Psychology majors can choose various careers in the field of psychology. These include:

• child psychologist
• clinical psychologist
• counseling psychologist
• developmental psychologist
• forensic psychologist
• school psychologist

Note that some roles may require master's or doctoral degrees � and some may require licensure.

Additionally, a psychology degree is a great foundation for many other careers in business, criminal justice, education, healthcare, human resources, and social services.

Types of Psychology Degrees and Concentrations

Psychology degrees are available from the associate degree level up through doctoral programs. Many offer specializations or concentrations, such as:

• behavioral psychology
• child and adolescent psychology
• clinical psychology
• cognitive psychology
• counseling psychology
• developmental psychology
• educational psychology
• forensic psychology

Many programs that don't offer concentrations still allow students to choose from numerous electives so they can tailor their online learning to their career goals.

FAQs About Online Programs in Psychology

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about online programs in psychology.

What Are the Differences Between Traditional and Online Psychology Degree Programs?

The primary difference between traditional and online psychology degree programs is the way students learn. Instead of meeting on campus for lectures a few times a week, you're given assignments to complete online.

What Is the Average Cost of an Online Psychology Degree Program in California?

Of the programs listed above, bachelor's degrees range from $370 per credit hour at National University to $550 at Fresno Pacific. Master's degree rates start at $500 at Touro University and cost over $2,000 per credit at USC.

However, many things, especially financial aid, can impact the final cost of your degree. Most students do not pay the full tuition price out of pocket.

How Long Does It Take To Earn a Psychology Degree?

On average, bachelor's degree programs take four years. However, some schools offer accelerated online psychology degrees � and if you have transfer credits, you may be able to finish more quickly.

Master's degrees can take one to three years to complete, although two is the average. Doctoral degrees often range from three to seven years.

Find an Online Bachelor's Degree Today

Find the right online psychology degree for you today by exploring the online programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools for information on admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.