Courses
Penn State's online bachelor of science degree in psychology is designed for students interested in learning about behavior — normal and abnormal — how it's studied, and how it relates to different areas. Graduates are prepared for various positions in human services, industrial settings, or laboratories. Some may go on to professional school, e.g., medical school or law school, or continue their training in psychology, working toward a master's or a doctoral degree.
The bachelor of science degree requires students to complete a minimum of 123 credits. To earn this degree, you must successfully complete:
- 50 credits required for the major
- 13 prescribed course credits
- 34 additional major course credits
- 24 additional option and supporting course credits
- 15 business option credits
- 9 supporting course and related areas credits
- 36 General Education credits
- 13 elective credits
The 24 credits of business courses focus on economics, finance, management, law, and accounting, making this degree ideal for professionals who wish to combine their interests in business and psychology.
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major.
Internships
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.
Prescribed Courses (13 credits)
Additional Courses
Select 6 credits of General Quantitative Courses (GQ) and:
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or:
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Select 12 credits of 200-level PSY courses (not to include PSYCH 294, PSYCH 296, or PSYCH 297). At least 3 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 (not including PSYCH 490, and including no more than 3 credits of PSYCH 493, PSYCH 494, PSYCH 495, or PSYCH 496).
Program Options
The B.S. in Psychology offers two options, each option consists of 24 credits. Additional and supporting course requirements vary based on the selected option.
Business Option (select 24 credits)
Select 15 total credits from at least 3 different groups:
Economics/Finance/Marketing/Accounting
Management/Law and Ethics/Labor Relations/Communications
Global View/Gender and Race/History
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or:
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Business Option Supporting Courses (select 9 credits)
- 3 credits of Arts (GA)/Humanities (GH)
- 3 credits of Natural Sciences (GN)
- 3 credits of Social & Behavior Sciences (GS)
Life Sciences Option (select 24 credits)
Select 15 total credits from at least 3 different groups:
Genetics
Biological Anthropology
Biobehavioral Implications
Any BBH course (except BBH 310)
Biology/Chemistry
Life Sciences Option Supporting Courses (select 9 credits)
- 3 credits of Natural Sciences (GN)
- 6 credits of Social & Behavior Sciences (GS)
Electives (select 10–13 credits)
Elective courses will be chosen in consultation with your adviser.
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.

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