Psychology degrees have grown in popularity because they’re a flexible option that graduates can use in almost any field. Whether you’re interested in therapy or simply fascinated by the study of human behavior, an online psychology degree might be a good fit for your schedule and goals.
Psychology has become one of the most popular bachelor's degrees in higher education, and the reasons are easy to understand. Interest in mental health has grown across every part of life, from workplaces to schools to our own relationships. People want to understand the world and where they fit into it. They're curious about what makes them who they are and how to use that knowledge to build a fulfilling career.
The numbers reflect that curiosity. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 117,000 bachelor's degrees in psychology were conferred in the 2015-16 academic year. Five years later, that number had grown to more than 126,000.
It's no different at Old Dominion University, where the online psychology major offered through ODUGlobal is one of the most popular programs. Part of the appeal is flexibility: psychology fits students who want to land in a therapy setting as well as those headed toward non-clinical paths like victim advocacy, human resources, or even pre-law.
What does undergraduate psychology teach you?
Learn how the human brain works. The psychology major’s core requirements give you the fundamentals of human behavior, biological processes, personality and social processes, and developmental psychology. This means you’ll learn about psychology across contexts and across the lifespan, from children to older adults.
Learn how to research and apply concepts to real-world problems. The other core courses include research methods in psychology and applied psychology. This is where you’ll build skills needed to study human psychology and use what we learn in the real world, like managing organizations, improving health, and recognizing behavior disorders. It can look as simple as managing relationships more effectively or as complex as creating programs to manage a community’s behavioral health concerns.
Learn psychology-adjacent subjects related to your career goals. The 120-credit-hour bachelor’s in psychology program leaves room for elective courses where you can layer in other areas of interest and build a portfolio of work aligned with your career goals. Like other undergraduate programs, the coursework will also present opportunities to practice critical thinking, communication and problem-solving.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology Degrees
At ODU, we help prospective students explore all the possibilities for their future through one-on-one support from our enrollment counselors. Here are some of the questions our enrollment counselors hear often from prospective students.
- How much math is required in a bachelor’s in psychology program?
ODU’s psychology program only requires college algebra, which is a prerequisite for one of the core courses. If math sounds intimidating, have no fear. All students have 24/7 access to free, on-demand tutoring through Brainfuse whenever they need it. That includes access to expert tutors in math, science, English and more.
- Does the bachelor’s in psychology program prepare me to go to graduate school and be a therapist?
The bachelor’s in psychology is an excellent foundation for a master’s in clinical mental health counseling, which will prepare you for a doctoral program or a career as a licensed mental health counselor.
- Can the bachelor’s in psychology help me become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)?
Yes, you will need to complete ODU’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) graduate certificate through ODUGlobal to meet the eligibility requirements to take the BCBA exam.
- What is the difference between BS in Psychology and BS in Human Services degrees?
The primary difference between psychology and human services at ODU is the mathematics requirement. Psychology requires a college algebra course, but human services only requires a general education math course of your choosing.
Psychology and human services are related, with human services being the broader subject area. Students in both programs are interested in helping other people live healthier, more fulfilling lives, but psychology graduates are prepared for a more specific piece of the human services puzzle.
Is an Online Psychology Degree Right for You?
The online bachelor’s in psychology program offered through ODUGlobal can help you start from the beginning or leverage credits you’ve already earned. It’s also a great option for those needing a military pathway that may grant academic credit to U.S. military servicemembers and veterans based on their experience and training.
If you want to advance your education but aren’t sure where to start, a bachelor’s in psychology will give you a foundation for advancing, whether your next step is graduate school or a new title at work. The fully online psychology program offered through ODUGlobal is a customizable program offered with accelerated eight-week courses that can be completed without pausing your work or personal commitments. Move forward with a psychology degree through ODUGlobal.
