Best Online Psychology Degrees in New York (2025)

Many schools across the country offer top online psychology degree programs that allow students to complete their education in a more flexible format. The best online bachelor's in psychology help students to better understand human behavior and prepare them for numerous career opportunities.

Students in New York can find many accredited and affordable online psychology degrees. Keep reading to discover the best online psychology programs in New York State.

Top Online Psychology Degree Programs in New York

Many excellent colleges and universities in New York offer online psychology degree programs. Below, we've highlighted our top picks.

1. City of New York School of Professional Studies

The City University of New York (CUNY) School of Professional Studies is a public university in New York City. It offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Master of Arts (MA) in psychology.

The BA in psychology focuses on scientifically studying the human mind and behavior. It offers three concentrations: organizational psychology, psychological development, and psychopathology.

In the graduate program, students develop a deeper understanding of behavior motivations, along with strong research, communication, and teamwork skills. Two specializations are available for this degree: developmental psychology and industrial/organizational psychology.

2. Empire State University

At Empire State University, students can earn a BA in psychology online. It includes study in biological, cognitive, developmental, social, cultural, and individual aspects of people, as well as research methods and a look at how psychology can be applied in real life.

Empire State University, part of the public State University of New York (SUNY) system, is based in Saratoga Springs, NY. It allows students to customize their psychology programs by choosing from various electives in the field.

3. Excelsior University

An online Bachelor of Science (BS) in psychology is available through Excelsior University. The curriculum for this online program dives into human development, cognition and learning, memory, intelligence, personality theories, psychological disorders, and more.

The private online university is headquartered in Albany, NY. It offers dedicated support services for students and new courses start every eight weeks.

4. Mercy University

Mercy University offers a BS and a Master of Science (MS) in psychology. Located in Dobbs Ferry, NY, Mercy is a private research institution.

In the undergraduate degree, students study core general psychology concepts and choose from various electives to fill out their curriculum. The program also offers hands-on training and practical experience in several exciting internships and research projects.

The master's degree centers on theory, research, and field experience in psychology. It includes a yearlong research project as well as a practicum component.

5. State University of New York at Canton

SUNY Brockport is a public college in Canton, NY. It offers an online BS in applied psychology that prepares students to work in numerous settings to assist, supervise, rehabilitate, and remediate personal and family issues with people from diverse backgrounds.

As part of the program, students gain real-world experience in different human services settings. Students also have the option to complete an Addiction Treatment Certificate as part of their program.

6. Touro University

Students at Touro University can earn a BA and an MA in psychology online. The private Jewish university is based in New York City.

The bachelor's degree aligns with the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines for undergraduate programs. It offers seven concentrations, including child and adolescent psychology, forensic psychology, and industrial/organizational psychology.

In the master's degree program, students dive into diverse psychological disciplines including cognitive and social psychology, learning theory, and ethical practices. Five concentrations are available, including educational psychology, health psychology, and media psychology.

7. University of Mount Saint Vincent

An online Bachelor of Arts in psychology is available at the University of Mount Saint Vincent. This program explores concepts, such as group dynamics and social psychology, and helps students develop critical thinking, advanced research, and scientific inquiry expertise.

Mount Saint Vincent is a private Catholic university in New York City. Its online program focuses on psychological statistics and multicultural psychology, as well as professional and interpersonal communication.

Our Selection Criteria

To choose the programs on this list, we focused specifically on:

• Location: All schools on this list are located in New York state.
• Accreditation: Every school is regionally accredited.
• Type: We only included four-year public and private nonprofit schools.

What To Expect From an Accredited Online Psychology Degree

Online psychology degrees are designed to teach students the fundamentals of psychology in a flexible online format. Coursework often covers topics like:

• abnormal psychology
• behavioral sciences
• lifespan development
• mental health
• neuroscience
• social psychology
• theories of personality

Many programs also allow students to choose a specialization or elective psychology courses so they can tailor their curriculums toward their career goals.

Bachelor's programs usually take four years of full-time study, although some schools offer accelerated online psychology degrees. The first two years are spent in general education courses, while the last two are spent focused on the field of psychology.

Master's degree programs specifically focus on psychology courses and range from one to three years. Doctoral degrees take between three to seven years depending on what type of doctoral program you're pursuing.

Benefits of Accredited Online Psychology Degrees

The biggest benefit to earning a psychology degree online is the flexibility. Most online courses are asynchronous, meaning you can complete your coursework on your own time. For many students, this is much more convenient than meeting on campus at set times each week.

Career Paths for Psychology Majors

Many psychology students go on to work in the field of psychology in various roles (e.g., a school psychologist or clinical psychologist). However, these types of careers usually require a graduate degree and licensure.

For those with a bachelor's degree, psychology lays a great foundation for careers in fields like:

• criminal justice
• education
• healthcare
• human resources
• management
• marketing
• social services or social work

FAQs About Online Psychology Degrees

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about online psychology degrees.

What Concentrations Are Available in an Online Psychology Program?

Several concentrations are available to psychology students. Some common options include:

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

What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Psychology Degree in New York?

For bachelor's degree programs, the primary requirement is that you're accepted into the school. This usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent and may require a minimum GPA, ACT/SAT scores, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.

To pursue graduate studies, you'll need a bachelor's degree and often a minimum undergraduate GPA. You may also need GRE scores, a resume, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.

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

Of the programs listed above, the cost of a bachelor's degree ranges from $305 per credit hour at SUNY schools to over $900 per credit at Mercy University. On the other hand, master's degrees range from $470 per credit hour to over $1,000.

However, the final cost of your degree will depend on several factors, especially financial aid. All programs above are from accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA, and some undergraduate students may qualify for free tuition through the state's Excelsior Scholarship.

Find an Accredited Bachelor's Degree Today

Find the perfect online psychology degree for you today by exploring the accredited programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools for more information about their online degree options.