The online psychology bachelor’s degree program offered through Penn State World Campus is ranked No. 1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and it’s not just the curriculum that sets it apart. It’s a vibrant learning community shaped by faculty who bring energy, expertise, and empathy to their students.
These instructors share a common passion: helping students discover the relevance of psychology in their lives and empowering them to succeed, no matter where they are.
The online psychology program gives students the choice between two degrees, a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts. The Bachelor of Science in Psychology focuses on the sciences or business aspects of the field. Its curriculum emphasizes research and critical thinking. The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology focuses on broader course work in the humanities, social sciences, and arts.
Across the program, faculty emphasize connection and engagement, using tools like personalized feedback, virtual office hours, and interactive platforms to make students feel supported and valued. They mentor learners beyond academics, guiding them toward research opportunities, graduate school, and career paths.
Their dedication extends outside the classroom through leadership in student organizations such as Psi Chi, the international honor society for psychology, and the World Campus Psychology Club, which fosters community among online learners.
These educators also embrace innovation — from creating research labs for online students to exploring responsible uses of AI and offering flexible learning options that meet students where they are.
Their stories reveal a commitment to accessibility, collaboration, and the joy of watching students transform — whether it’s mastering a tough concept or celebrating milestones like medical school graduation.
Meet Anthony Nelson
Title: Associate Teaching Professor of Psychology and Director of the World Campus Psychology Program
Anthony Nelson leads the Penn State online psychology program while teaching courses that span introductory psychology to advanced research. He’s passionate about making online education accessible and engaging for students everywhere.
Why do you enjoy teaching psychology online, and what makes it rewarding?
I get to work with students from all walks of life. The diversity in age and location brings unique perspectives, and seeing how they apply course material to their lives is my favorite part of this job.
I believe every student deserves access to a quality education. We reach students who have historically been excluded and bring them the same quality education that our students on campus have access to. I strive to make their experience engaging, to make them feel valued as individuals, and to make them feel a part of the broader Penn State community.
How do you keep online psychology students engaged and connected in a virtual classroom?
In the courses I teach, I create spaces for interaction using Microsoft Teams. Students can ask questions, connect with peers, and dive deeper into course content.
I started the Online Students of Psychology Research Laboratory in 2016 to provide students with an opportunity to engage in research. Students come into my lab and are free to pursue a research topic of their choosing. They work with their labmates to read and synthesize the literature, design studies, obtain approval from our institutional review board (IRB), collect data, and share their results with the world via presentations and publishing.
What challenges come with teaching psychology online, and how do you overcome them?
The rise of artificial intelligence in education has made things challenging. I’ve been experimenting with allowing students to use AI responsibly by suggesting appropriate uses and asking them to reflect on how it impacts their learning. It’s a work in progress, but I’m confident we’ll find the right balance.
Fun fact about Anthony Nelson
Anthony sometimes teaches while traveling in his RV, powered by solar energy and satellite internet. He has visited 38 states and even met students for coffee along the way!
Meet Lisa Stevenson
Title: Assistant Teaching Professor of Psychology
Lisa Stevenson has taught online psychology courses for nearly two decades, driven by her fascination with the mind and her joy in helping students succeed. She loves guiding learners toward careers and graduate school opportunities while making psychology approachable and exciting.
Stevenson teaches PSYCH 100: Introductory Psychology and PSYCH 256: Introduction to Cognitive Psychology. She has also taught PSYCH 105: Psychology as a Science and Profession.
How do you build strong connections with students in an online psychology course?
I do my best to let students know that I am there to support them. I start each semester with a survey asking students about their goals and concerns. I respond to each one personally and encourage ongoing communication. Weekly announcements and quick replies help keep that connection strong.
What is a memorable experience from teaching psychology online?
One student in PSYCH 105 had returned to school after a long break and struggled early on. We worked together to improve her study strategies, and she turned things around dramatically. She passed the class, continued her education, and eventually went to graduate school.
What psychology topics do you enjoy teaching most in online courses?
I love the breadth of the Introductory Psychology course because it covers so many fascinating areas. In Psychology as a Science and Profession, I especially enjoy helping students explore psychology careers and graduate school options. In Cognitive Psychology, I love teaching problem-solving and decision-making — concepts we use every day.
Meet Nhi Thai
Title: Assistant Teaching Professor of Psychology
Nhi Thai’s passion for psychology lies in its power to transform perspectives. She said she loves teaching topics like positive psychology and personality development because they resonate deeply with students and encourage scientific thinking. Her greatest joy comes from mentoring students beyond academics.
She teaches PSYCH 238: Introduction to Personality Psychology, PSYCH 414: Social and Personality Development, PSYCH 260: Neural Bases of Human Behavior, PSYCH 100: Introductory Psychology, PSYCH 243: Introduction to Well-Being and Positive Psychology, and PSYCH 105: Psychology as a Science and Profession.
What do you love most about teaching psychology online?
I love teaching positive psychology as well as social and personality development. Students often find these topics deeply relevant and immediately applicable to their own lives. Beyond personal insight, the courses challenge them to think scientifically and critically — to examine human behavior through empirical evidence rather than relying solely on personal observation. Watching that shift in perspective is always exciting.
How do you create meaningful engagement in online psychology classes?
I begin each semester by asking students about their goals and purpose for taking the course. Learning about their dreams and background builds a solid foundation for connection. The virtual office hours I hold are a great opportunity to help students feel valued. They open doors to conversations about research opportunities, graduate school preparation, and future career paths. It’s incredibly rewarding to support students not just academically but in their broader professional journeys.
What is a memorable student success story from your online psychology teaching experience?
I’ll share two!
A student once shared this during office hours: "I thought I knew the big five personality types, and it seems to be a simple concept. Is it okay to admit I'm actually really confused on how extraversion and openness to experience differ?" Sometimes, attending office hours is a scary concept for students, but I love watching the transformation from vulnerability to confidence. By the end of our meeting, the student was able to name specific examples of how factors of the five personality traits differ.
Another student who graduated with her bachelor’s years ago reached out as she was graduating from medical school. She wrote: “Our meetings helped me learn a lot about developing myself professionally, and I really appreciate all the tips and feedback you gave me. You inspired my research interests and guided me to apply for a position with the NIH after Penn State. All of that opened the doors to my journey in medicine. Thank you!”
Reading that message was incredibly moving. It reminded me how much dedication and resilience our students bring to their goals. I felt grateful to have been a small part of her journey and so proud to see how far her hard work has taken her.
Psychology student organizations
Lisa Stevenson and Nhi Thai co-advise the World Campus Psi Chi chapter. They support the students who organize the group’s events, like GRE prep workshops, guest speaker sessions, and mock interviews to prepare students for careers and graduate school.
Judi Withrow is the adviser for the World Campus Psychology Club, the first fully online student organization of its kind in the field of psychology. The group aims to build community and facilitates peer discussions on current research.
Meet Judi Withrow
Title: Teaching Professor of Psychology
Judi Withrow brings a clinical focus to her teaching in abnormal psychology, health psychology, clinical psychology, and positive psychology. She’s passionate about helping students apply psychological principles to improve well-being and has been a cornerstone of student engagement for more than a decade. Withrow is also an adviser for the World Campus Psychology Club.
What psychology concepts do you enjoy teaching most in online courses?
I typically teach courses with a clinical focus, including Abnormal Psychology, Health Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Positive Psychology. I love teaching concepts from positive psychology because students can learn ways to enhance their overall well-being and practical strategies they can apply to their own lives.
How do you keep students engaged in online psychology classes?
I’ve found ways to make connections with my online learners. For instance, I share an introductory video at the start of each course and post video announcements so students can feel connected to me as a person, not just a grader behind a screen. I also make myself available to meet with students and enjoy discussing their future goals.
How does advising the World Campus Psychology Club enhance your online teaching?
I’ve been the adviser for more than 10 years. Frequent contact with students outside of our virtual classrooms gives me a better understanding of their goals and opinions, which helps me tailor my courses. It’s rewarding to see students build community and prepare for their careers through our club meetings.
Undergraduate research
Penn State World Campus students don’t just learn about research — they do it. Through the Online Students of Psychology Research Laboratory, founded by Anthony Nelson in 2016, undergraduates can gain hands-on experience in every stage of the research process. Students collaborate virtually to:
- develop research questions based on their interests
- review and synthesize literature
- design studies and obtain IRB approval
- collect and analyze data
- share findings through presentations and publications
This unique opportunity gives online learners the same level of engagement and preparation as on-campus students, helping them build skills for graduate school and careers in psychology.
Why Penn State’s online psychology program stands out
Faculty agree: the program’s strength is in its people.
“There’s a strong sense of collegiality and support among faculty,” said Thai. “We’re always working to improve the program and help our students succeed.”
Learn more about the undergraduate psychology degrees offered online through Penn State World Campus.
