Application deadline
Credits and costs
Nationally Recognized
Build Your Career with an Online Psychology Degree
The principles of psychology are used in nearly every field, from human resources and rehabilitative therapies to educational testing and business practices. Regardless of the career path you choose, the Penn State World Campus online bachelor of arts degree program in psychology can help you refine the analytical skills you need to understand interpersonal interaction — and implement valuable problem-solving techniques.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree, you can pursue a graduate degree or you can apply your knowledge in such fields as:
- social work
- probation and corrections
- professional at-home aid
- caregiving for the elderly and children
- recreational therapy
Why a Psychology Degree Online at Penn State
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology provides a broad education in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. It can give you the foundation you need to develop your career as a caregiving professional or in social work. It may also be a good fit if you want to attend graduate school in psychology or a related field.
In this program, you will have the opportunity to study with highly regarded faculty from Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts, one of the premier institutions in the world to study and work in the liberal arts disciplines.
The Psychology Club — a Psi Chi Chapter
The world's first fully online Psychology Club was founded by World Campus students and includes more than 100 members from the United States, Europe, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The Psychology Club uses video conferencing, Facebook, and its Mind Over Matters newsletter to keep members in touch with program faculty and staff and to let them know about graduate education options, internships, and career opportunities.
Courses
This major is designed for students who want to learn about behavior — normal and abnormal — how it is studied, and its relation to applied areas. Graduates are equipped for various positions in human service agencies, industrial settings, or laboratories. Others continue their education and go on to medical or law school or work toward a master's or doctoral degree.
The prescribed courses for the bachelor of arts degree focus on introductory psychology and psychology as a science and profession. Additional course work also includes basic research methods and a capstone experience. Other course options are available to fulfill the remainder of the degree requirements allowing you to customize the degree to meet your areas of interest or specific needs.
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major.
Prescribed Courses (13 credits)
Additional Courses (select 34 credits)
- 6 credits of GQ courses
- 12 credits of 200-level PSYCH courses, selection not to include PSYCH 294, PSYCH 296, or PSYCH 297
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or:
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At least 3 additional courses credits must be from each group a, b, and c:
Group A
Group B
Group C
Additional PSYCH Courses
Select 12 credits of PSYCH courses at the 400 level. Selection not to include PSYCH 490, and including no more than 3 credits of PSYCH 493, PSYCH 494, PSYCH 495, or PSYCH 496.
Electives (13 credits)
Students can choose electives in consultation with their adviser.
Internship (3 credits) — optional
Students may take an internship for credit. Enrollment in PSYCH 495 is by permission and requires approval of an internship placement and plan of study. A maximum of 3 credits of PSYCH 495 may be applied to 400-level course requirements for the psychology major. Three credits requires a minimum of 120 hours of work, plus an academic component. Enrollment is limited to 10 students and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Please read the program guidelines before submitting the internship form.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Some Bachelor of Arts requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major, General Education courses, or electives. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.
- Foreign Language: 0–12 credits
Student must attain 12th credit level of proficiency in one foreign language. - B.A. Fields: 9 credits
Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts, Foreign Languages, Natural Sciences, Quantification (cannot be taken in the area of the student's primary major; foreign language credits in this category must be in a second foreign language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the first language) - Other Cultures: 0–3 credits
Select 3 credits from approved list. Students may count courses in this category in order to meet other major, minor, elective, or General Education requirements, except for the General Education US/IL requirement.
General Education Requirements
Some General Education requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.
- Arts (GA): 6 credits
- Humanities (GH): 6 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GWS courses. - Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GQ courses. - Integrative Studies: 6 credits
This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements. Integrative Studies credits may be completed within the thirty Knowledge Domain credits and must be completed with either Inter-domain or Linked courses, not a combination of both.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Costs and Financial Aid
Undergraduate Tuition
Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
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| 11 or fewer | $620 per credit | $664 per credit |
| 12 or more | $7,527 per semester | $8,125 per semester |
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
How to Apply
Deadlines and Important Dates
Your degree application, including receipt of all transcripts, must be received by the following deadlines to be considered complete.
New students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA by March 1. Please visit the Office of Student Aid website for more information about applying for financial aid and recommended deadlines.
Admissions Help
Thank you for your interest in applying to this program. Contact an admissions counselor to discuss your educational goals, financial aid options, and application deadlines.
Admission Requirements
To apply for this program, you must be a high school graduate, or have completed your GED.
Entrance-to-Major Requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology offered through the World Campus is dependent upon meeting a set of Entrance-to-Major requirements (ETMs — see below). When applying, begin by selecting the BA/BS degree in psychology. If you meet the ETM requirements at the time you apply, you will be admitted directly into the program. However, if an assessment of your previous work determines that you have not met the ETM requirements, you will automatically be considered for admission to the College of the Liberal Arts (with an intended major of psychology).
If you are admitted to the College of the Liberal Arts, you will work closely with your World Campus academic adviser to learn how to fulfill the psychology ETM requirements. Once you have successfully met these requirements your adviser can help you change your major to psychology.
To change your major from liberal arts to psychology, you will have earned at least 27½ credits and a C or better in the following courses:
- PSYCH 100
- STAT 200 or PSYCH 200
- a 3-credit General Quantitative Course (not including STAT 200)
- a 3-credit Social and Behavioral Science Course (in addition to PSYCH 100)
What You Need
Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need the following items to complete your application:
High school transcripts or GED transcript - First-year applicants are required to submit Self-Reported Academic Records (SRAR). Official high school transcripts will only be required at the time a student accepts an offer of admission to Penn State.
Official college or university transcripts, if you attended another institution, and/or official military transcripts (if applicable). (All college or university transcripts are required regardless of the length of time that has passed, the grades earned, or the accreditation of the institutions attended. Acceptance of transfer credit toward your degree is subject to final approval by the academic department. For detailed information, see the Transfer Students page.)
Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Please send your transcripts by mail or electronically through Parchment, eScrip-Safe, or the National Student Clearinghouse directly to Penn State from the college/university where coursework was attempted.
Submit official documents by mail to:
Undergraduate Admissions Office
The Pennsylvania State University
201 Shields Building
University Park PA 16802
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Language Proficiency section on the Undergraduate Admissions International Requirements page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
Start Your Application
Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.
If this is your first time applying to Penn State, you'll need to complete the following steps:
- Review the application instructions before beginning.
- Complete the online application and submit all official documents.
- Pay the application fee.
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form and choosing "MyPennState — Check Application Status." Your decision letter (confirming your acceptance or denial) will be mailed four to six weeks after receipt of all application materials. An admissions counselor will contact you if additional information is required.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this degree program.
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Broaden Your Career Options
Broaden Your Career Options
The principles of psychology are used in nearly every field, from human resources and rehabilitative therapies to educational testing and business practices. You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.
Earn a Valuable Credential along the Way
Earn a Valuable Credential along the Way
Show mastery of specific subjects before your degree is complete. Thanks to shared courses across programs, students can often earn an associate degree along with their bachelor's in less time than if they earned them separately.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, offered in partnership with the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, please contact:
World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
Email: [email protected]
Faculty
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Rodrigo Cardenas
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DegreePh.D., Cognitive Psychology, Michigan State University
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DegreeM.A., Anthropology, Michigan State University
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DegreeB.A., Anthropology, Universidad Austral de Chile
Dr. Rodrigo Cardenas studies how evolution has shaped human cognition to aid social behavior. He examines how people use facial and vocal cues to make decisions about how to interact with conspecifics, and how these processes are regulated by neuroendocrine systems. He also studies how cognition supports parental and alloparental care, how infants have evolved the capacity to solicit care, and how cognition is tuned to detect, encode/store, and process care soliciting information. He has taught Introductory Psychology, Research Methods, Cognitive and Social Psychology, Cognitive Development, and Learning and Memory.
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Richard Carlson
DegreePh.D., Psychology, University of IllinoisDr. Richard Carlson studies the conscious control of skilled mental activity. His recent research focuses on the roles of emotional valence and cognitive load in control of mental activities, and on the monitoring of control. Examples include factors affecting how much we feel in control moment by moment, and how we judge our confidence in our performance. Dr. Carlson is coordinator of Penn State World Campus' Psychology program, and teaches the internship course (PSYCH 495).
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Brian Crosby
DegreePh.D., Clinical Psychology, University of Southern MississippiDr. Brian Crosby has been teaching for Penn State World Campus since 2010. His interests focus primarily in the areas of clinical psychology and child/adolescent development. He was responsible for developing Child Psychopathology (PSYCH 476) for the World Campus psychology program. Dr. Crosby's research focuses on sleep in children, including the importance of sleep for the emotional and behavioral functioning of children and the well-being of families.
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Khytam Dawood
DegreePh.D., Psychology, Northwestern UniversityDr. Khytam Dawood has particular expertise in the fields of human sexuality and childhood gender identity, and the treatment of adolescent eating disorders, women's mental health, and marital/couple's therapy. She also runs a research lab where she conducts family and twin studies on the behavior genetics of sexual orientation and gender identity. She has regularly taught courses in psychology, such as Human Sexuality, Introduction to Clinical Psychology, and Introduction to Abnormal Psychology.
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Alicia Drais-Parrillo
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DegreePh.D., Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State
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DegreeM.S., Family Resources, West Virginia University
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DegreeM.A., Curriculum and Instruction, West Virginia University
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DegreeB.A., Interdepartmental Studies, West Virginia University
Dr. Alicia Drais-Parrillo's interests are diverse and encompass several domains. She began her graduate studies intrigued by brain development, kinesiology, language development, and reading skills. Subsequently, her curiosity shifted to social development and parent-child interactions.
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Michelle F. Guthrie Yarwood
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DegreePh.D., Experimental Psychology, Program: Social Psychology, Texas Tech University
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DegreeM.S., Psychology, Shippensburg University
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DegreeB.S., Fashion Merchandising, University of Delaware
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DegreeBusiness Administration, Marketing, University of Delaware
Dr. Michelle F. Guthrie Yarwood's teaching interests include social psychology, personality psychology, human emotion, close relationships, social/personality development, applied social psychology, and positive psychology. Her research interests focus on close relationships, including love styles, online dating, respect, and the human-pet relationship. Additional research interests include the effectiveness of teaching strategies on learning, and the relationship between personality and various constructs (i.e., parenting styles, artistic drawings).
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E. Christina Ford
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DegreePh.D., Developmental Psychology, University of California Los Angeles
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DegreeM.A., Developmental Psychology, University of California Los Angeles
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DegreeM.A., Counselor Education, Penn State
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DegreeB.S., Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dr. E. Christina Ford's academic focus is on cognitive development. She is particularly interested in how children learn about math and how teachers learn about their students.
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Cathleen Hunt
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DegreePh.D., Psychology, University of Arizona
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DegreeM.A., Psychology, California State University at Sacramento
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DegreeB.S., Psychology, University of California, Davis
Dr. Cathleen Hunt teaches courses in Ethology and Evolutionary Psychology, as well as Introduction to Learning Psychology and Introduction to Developmental Psychology.
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Melissa Hunter
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DegreePh.D., School Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi
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DegreeM.A., School Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi
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DegreeB.A., University of Central Arkansas
Dr. Melissa Hunter is a licensed psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania with more than 10 years of experience working with children with developmental and behavioral disorders and their families. She has been teaching at Penn State since 2012 and has taught such courses as Child Psychopathology, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Senior Seminar in Psychology.
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Beth LeBreton
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DegreePh.D., Purdue University
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DegreeM.S., Illinois State University
Dr. Beth LeBreton has been teaching psychology for approximately 15 years. She has also worked as a social worker, career counselor, and therapist. Her research interests include adolescent development and adult development and aging.
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Jeffrey M. Love
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DegreePh.D., Applied Biopsychology, University of New Orleans
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DegreeB.S., Psychology, Ohio State University
Dr. Jeffrey M. Love's research interests include neuropsychology and emerging adulthood. He has contributed to a New Orleans research team focused on improving malingering detection sensitivity through refining the criteria and validating markers. His interests have also involved studying frontal lobe deficits, such as those occurring after TBI. More recently, Dr. Love has shifted to investigate emerging adulthood. Here, he seeks to examine the application of several adolescent concepts to emerging adulthood, to determine their potential relevance to this conceptually new developmental time period.
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Anthony J. Nelson
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DegreePh.D., Social Psychology, Penn State
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DegreeM.S., Social Psychology, Penn State
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DegreeB.S., Psychology, State University of New York at Cortland
Dr. Anthony J. Nelson is an assistant teaching professor of psychology. He teaches courses in social psychology, positive psychology, research methods, and statistics. He runs the Online Social Perception Lab, an all-online psychology lab giving World Campus students an opportunity to practice psychological research. Additionally, he is an adviser for Active Minds at Penn State World Campus, an organization dedicated to reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. Dr. Nelson's research focuses primarily on the role that social cues (e.g., gender, race, emotion) play in moderating perceptions.
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Nicolas Pearson
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DegreePh.D., Psychology, Penn State
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DegreeM.S., Psychology, Penn State
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DegreeB.S., Psychology, Penn State
Dr. Nicholas Pearson, an assistant teaching professor in psychology, teaches resident instruction courses at the University Park campus and online courses through Penn State World Campus. His main area of interest is in social psychology addressing issues of social justice.
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Andrew Peck
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DegreeB.A., Psychology, Villanova University
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DegreeM.S., Cognitive Psychology, Penn State
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DegreePh.D., Cognitive Psychology, Penn State
Dr. Andrew Peck is one of the co-authors of Introductory Psychology and author of Psychology as a Science and Profession. He is a teaching professor and associate director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Psychology; he is also director of the PRISM (Penn Staters Researching Interventions for Social Misconduct) research group. Dr. Peck has worked as an educational software designer and consultant. He has been recognized by a number of student organizations, and featured in Penn State videos and local newspaper stories.
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Melissa Plaufcan
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DegreePh.D., Counseling Psychology, University of Akron
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DegreeM.A., University of Akron
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DegreeB.A., Psychology, University of Akron
Dr. Melissa Plaufcan is an assistant teaching professor of psychology and a licensed psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania. Her teaching interests include clinically focused courses, such as Abnormal Psychology, in which she can incorporate her experience working with a variety of individuals with mental illness to illustrate course concepts. She has also taught a variety of Penn State World Campus courses including Psychology as a Science and Profession, Introduction to Well-Being and Positive Psychology, Advanced Abnormal Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Psychology of Fear and Stress.
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Amie Skattebo
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DegreePh.D., Psychology, Penn State
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DegreeM.S., Psychology, Penn State
Dr. Amie Skattebo is an assistant professor in psychology. Her area of emphasis is industrial and organizational psychology, with specific interests in organizational climate, change, and appraisal. She has been teaching since 2003, full-time since 2009. While teaching is her main passion, Dr. Skattebo has completed a number of consulting projects as a subcontractor with a local consulting company, and she offers a balanced scientist-practitioner approach in her instruction.
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Lisa Stevenson
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DegreeM.S., Cognitive Psychology, Penn State
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DegreeB.S., Psychology, Penn State
Lisa Stevenson typically instructs Introduction to Psychology and Psychology as a Science and Profession. Her current research interests include prospective memory (remembering or forgetting to carry out intentions at a future time) and metacognition.
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Josh Wede
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DegreePh.D., Cognitive Psychology, Purdue University
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DegreeM.S., Cognitive Psychology, Purdue University
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DegreeB.S., Psychology and Animal Science, Iowa State University
Dr. Josh Wede, an instructor of psychology, regularly teaches Introduction to Cognitive Psychology. His current research looks at student study habits and ways to improve learning in the classroom environment.
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Jason Williams
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DegreePh.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Central Michigan University
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DegreeM.A., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, University of North Carolina-Charlotte
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DegreeB.S., Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
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DegreeB.A., English Literature, University of Pittsburgh
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DegreeAAS, Occupational Therapy, Pennsylvania College of Technology
Dr. Jason Williams, as an educator and industrial-organizational psychologist, attempts to bring the science of psychology into the classroom and the workplace in order to make science accessible and useful. He actively works to narrow the gap between science and practice and places a strong emphasis on critical thinking and applied learning. In this way, students can gain a deeper understanding of material, allowing them to use most effectively what they are learning as individuals, employees, and leaders. His areas of greatest interest are selection, personality, motivation, and leadership.
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David J. Wimer
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DegreePh.D., Counseling Psychology, University of Akron
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DegreeM.A., Social Psychology, Miami University (Ohio)
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DegreeB.A., Psychology and English Literature, Ithaca College
Dr. David J. Wimer enjoys teaching clinical-oriented courses such as Abnormal Psychology and The Psychology of Adjustment; his clinical experience enhances his teaching (and vice versa). He is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps. Dr. Wimer's main research interest is the psychology of men and masculinity, and he is a manuscript reviewer for several masculinity journals. He has also published research on the teaching of psychology and the psychology of humor. Dr. Wimer is interested in George Kelly's A Theory of Personality: The Psychology of Personal Constructs, and he has published in the Journal of Constructivist Psychology.
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Judi Withrow
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DegreePh.D., Clinical Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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DegreeB.A., Psychology, University at Buffalo
Dr. Judi Withrow's research has primarily focused on examining anxiety in youth. She also has an interest in examining treatment outcomes in children and adolescents. In addition to conducting research, she has a great deal of clinical experience within a variety of setting (e.g., hospital, family medical practice, and outpatient clinic). Dr. Withrow has taught several psychology courses with a focus on clinical issues (e.g., Abnormal Psychology, Child Intervention, Health Psychology, and Positive Psychology).
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