10 Part-Time Psychology Degree Programs & Courses

Part-Time Psychology Degrees

A psychology degree can broaden your perspective on the world and lead to new professional opportunities. Earning a degree full-time can be difficult for students with work or family commitments. Learn how part-time psychology degrees can help you flexibly achieve your personal and professional goals.

What Is a Part-Time Psychology Degree?

A part-time psychology degree offers the same education and degree as a full-time psychology degree at a different rate of study. Undergraduate students must typically complete 12 credits per semester to be considered full-time. Part-time psychology students will take 11 or fewer credits per semester. Graduate programs can also be completed part-time.

Benefits of a Part-Time Psychology Degree

There are many reasons students choose to study part-time. The benefits of part-time study depend on a student's specific situation but here are some common advantages associated with part-time study.

Less Stress

Much of the stress of earning a college degree comes from busy schedules and overwhelming coursework. Students can take some pressure off by taking fewer classes at a time and focusing on each assignment in more detail.

Less Financial Pressure

Studying full-time can be financially difficult for two reasons. First, full-time study requires students to pay tuition within a shorter window. Second, working and studying full-time is difficult. Studying part-time may allow students to continue earning money while paying tuition over a longer period.

Better Academic Performance

Many students struggle in college not because of the difficulty of the material but due to issues with time management. Deadlines can be harder to remember, so part-time study can help students stay ahead and earn higher GPAs.

How Long Does It Take To Complete a Part-Time Psychology Degree?

The time needed to complete a psychology degree part-time can vary. Most bachelor's degrees in psychology require 120 credits. Traditional full-time students who take 15 credits per semester will finish the degree in four years. Part-time students who take nine credits per semester will need around six years to complete the degree. It is also possible to take fewer credits per semester and extend their studies even more.

10 Colleges and Universities Offering Online Part-Time Psychology Degrees

Here are some accredited and part-time bachelor's degrees in psychology to help you reach your career goals.

1. Widener University

Earn a psychology degree part-time through Widener University (WU). This program is taught 100% online and is a great choice for busy and working adult learners. WU has an easy and accessible application process for new and transfer students. Students can choose between minors in criminal justice, human resource management, or sociology to boost their career prospects and prepare for specific vocations.

2. Capella University

Capella University offers an online Bachelor of Science degree program that allows for complete flexibility in the number of credits you enroll in any semester. The Flex Path program enables students to complete assignments at their own pace and pay per 12-week period rather than per class.

The coursework covers general psychology but students can add a specialization in applied behavior analysis. Capella University follows the American Psychological Association guidelines for psychology courses.

3. University of Central Florida

Students interested in an online psychology degree program with multiple track options should consider the University of Central Florida. Their online degrees require new students to enroll part-time their first semester and then can either stay as a part-time student or change to full-time enrollment.

Choose between one of the following tracks depending on your future career path:

• clinical psychology for students who want to pursue licensure
• experimental psychology
• human factors psychology
• industrial/organizational psychology
• neuroscience
• general psychology

4. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology that provides students with a solid liberal arts education. ASU's psychology program is popular among working students with other responsibilities.

This program prepares students for working in mental health, social work, or human services. Students interested in learning research methods can also enroll in the Bachelor of Science degree. The same faculty teaches in-person and online courses.

5. University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Berkeley offers an online degree in general psychology. Their psychology program covers six areas of psychology:

• behavioral and systems neuroscience
• cognition
• developmental psychology
• clinical science
• cognitive neuroscience
• social-personality psychology

Regardless of what area you choose to study, the program aims to provide students with real-world knowledge and the critical thinking skills needed for psychology.

6. University of Massachusetts Global

The University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global)'s psychology majors can complete their degrees online. The program consists of 120 credit hours and can lead to many career options or entry into a graduate degree program.

UMass Global allows students to customize their major by choosing electives in a specific area of psychology such as:

• social psychology
• forensic psychology
• lifespan development

Students will work closely with their academic advisors to choose the best online courses for their career goals.

7. University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix is a popular four-year university known for its excellent online programs. High school students or transfer students looking for a flexible degree can choose between two bachelor's degree options:

• applied psychology with a concentration in media and technology
• industrial-organizational psychology

Students can apply for financial aid to reduce the cost of the degree and make higher education accessible and affordable.

8. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University's psychology program is highly respected for its on-campus and online degrees. The Bachelor of Arts in psychology program allows students to transfer up to 90 credits and complete a college degree flexibly.

Available concentrations include:

• Addiction Studies
• Forensic Psychology
• Mental Health
• Industrial-Organizational Psychology
• Child & Adolescent Development

Students will also be well-prepared to begin master's degrees in psychology or the social sciences.

9. Walden University

Students looking for a flexible psychology degree should consider Walden University's innovative programs ranging from foundational undergraduate to advanced doctoral degrees. The Bachelor of Science in Psychology program gives students a broad understanding of human behavior, abnormal psychology, research methods, and clinical practice.

Eight flexible start times per year help part-time students study when convenient and complete a valuable college degree in their timeframe.

10. Penn State World Campus

Penn State's World Campus offers highly-ranked B.A. and B.S. psychology programs. Online study can be perfect for part-time students who require accommodation for multiple schedules.

The psychology degree gives students a solid foundation in research methods, the behavioral sciences, and core academic skills like writing and communication.

Graduates have gone on to succeed as:

• human resources managers
• clinical psychologists
• organizational psychologists
• researchers