Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Online

Pursue your passion for understanding people and prepare for professional roles as a critical thinker who is knowledgeable about human behavior. Gain key research skills in this 100% online psychology bachelor's program.

Apply by 1/3/25
Start class 1/13/25 Apply Now

Now lower tuition to make your undergraduate journey even more affordable! $320 per credit hour with Path to Success Scholarship*

Program Overview

Get a snapshot of NKU’s online bachelor’s of psychology

Expand your career opportunities to a broad range of rewarding roles by earning your accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Psychology online from Northern Kentucky University. Designed to give you a flexible pathway to complete your degree, this unique online psychology program features a study-abroad option.

In this 100% online program, you will study multiple types of psychology, including cognitive, social, organizational, and abnormal psychology. Learn about psychological principles in the workplace and gain the skills necessary to carry out research for results. Closer align your degree with your goals and interests by choosing a minor or declared area of focus.

In this online psych program, you will:

  • Gain an understanding of research methods in psychological research
  • Study abnormal psychology and the symptoms, causes, and treatment of major mental disorders
  • Learn about the methodology, theory, and scientific study of human memory and information processing
  • Gain an understanding of research methods in psychological research
  • Study abnormal psychology and the symptoms, causes, and treatment of major mental disorders
  • Learn about the methodology, theory, and scientific study of human memory and information processing

Careers with a bachelor’s of psychology:

  • Behavioral Health Specialist
  • Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Mental Health Case Manager
  • Social and Human Services
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Behavioral Health Specialist
  • Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Mental Health Case Manager
  • Social and Human Services
  • Market Research Analyst

Also available:

Northern Kentucky University offers value in a broad range of online undergraduate programs.

Tuition $320 per credit hour*
Transfer Credits Up to 90
Credit Hours 120
Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 800-985-7215

Call 800-985-7215

What Makes NKU Unique?

NKU students are changing their lives and making big changes to their future.

Tuition

Pay for your online program by the course

The B.A. in Psychology online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available to students who qualify. For additional information, visit the Financial Aid section on our FAQ page.

Tuition Breakdown:

$320 Per Credit Hour*
2023 Niche Best Colleges

One of the Best Colleges for Psychology

Ranked among the “Best Colleges for Psychology in America” by Niche.com, 2023

Calendar

Review the dates and deadlines you need to know

The B.A. in Psychology is delivered in a convenient online format with 7-week courses that start six times a year. View the full calendar to see all upcoming dates. When you're ready to get started, be sure to submit your application, registration, documents, and tuition by the corresponding deadlines.

SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Due
Fall 210/16/2410/3/2410/8/2410/11/2410/16/24
Spring 11/13/251/3/251/7/251/10/251/13/25
Spring 23/17/253/5/253/10/253/14/253/17/25
Summer 15/12/254/30/255/5/255/9/255/12/25
Summer 26/30/256/18/256/23/256/27/256/30/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 1/3/25
Class Starts 1/13/25
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Admissions

Follow our streamlined admission requirements

The admission process is the first step toward earning your B.A. in Psychology degree online. Please reach out to one of our enrollment specialists for any questions you might have.

Admission Requirements:

  • Official transcripts from each college attended
  • 2.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Online application fee waived for active/veteran military

B.A. in Psychology Online Admission Requirements

Applicants for the B.A. in Psychology online program are evaluated on a holistic basis and must meet the following requirements:

Transfer Admission

Transfer applicants are students who have graduated from high school and have previously attempted coursework for credit (other than college credits taken while in high school) at another accredited college or university.

Students with a minimum 2.0 GPA from an accredited institution and 24 or more transferable credit hours must submit the following:

  • Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
    • If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee. The fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
  • Official transcripts from each college attended

Students with a minimum 2.0 GPA and fewer than 24 transferable credit hours are evaluated based on the freshman admission standards and must supply the following:

  • Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
    • If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee. The fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
  • Official transcripts from each college attended
  • Final and official high school transcript or GED scores
  • New transfer students who apply to the University with fewer than 24 college credit hours earned and a 2.75 and greater unweighted high school GPA will be offered admissions regardless of ACT/SAT scores. Please note: Nursing and respiratory care programs require ACT/SAT scores.
  • New transfer students with a 2.7499 unweighted high school GPA and less will be required to submit ACT or SAT test scores:
    • Required ACT scores:
      18 (English, math, reading)
    • Required SAT scores:
      Prior to March 2016: 430 (math, writing); 450 (critical reading)
      March 2016 to present: 480 (evidence-based reading and writing); 470 (math)

Freshman Applicants

A freshman applicant is a prospective student who has not attempted coursework at an accredited college or university (other than college credit earned while in high school or during the summer immediately following high school graduation).

Students who are 21 years or older and have never attended college (other than college credits taken while in high school) must supply:

  • Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
    • If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee. The fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
  • Official high school transcripts or GED scores

Students who are under 21 years old and have never attended college (other than college credits taken while in high school) must supply:

  • An online application form
  • A $40 nonrefundable application fee
  • Official high school transcripts or GED scores
  • Freshmen applicants must have at least a 2.0 unweighted high school GPA to be considered for admissions.
    • Freshman applicants with a 2.75 and greater unweighted high school GPA will be offered admissions regardless of ACT/SAT scores. Please note: Nursing and respiratory care programs require ACT/SAT scores.
    • Freshman applicants with a 2.7499 unweighted high school GPA and less will be required to submit ACT or SAT exam scores:
      • Required ACT scores:
        18 (English, math, reading)
      • Required SAT scores:
        Prior to March 2016: 430 (math, writing); 450 (critical reading)
        March 2016 to present: 480 (evidence-based reading and writing); 470 (math)

NKUWrite (English and reading) and ALEKS (math) scores are encouraged for placement. Some courses may require placement testing depending on transfer credit or ACT scores. Our Testing Services office can help you schedule these tests.

Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:

Northern Kentucky University
Office of Admissions
Lucas Administrative Center
400 Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099

[email protected]

Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.

Alex Weiglein - NKU Testimonial
"It prepared me across the board. The program is already broad enough to go in any direction. You have to set up yourself up for success, but the program is adaptable to whatever you want to do."

Alex Weiglein, B.A. in Psychology online student

Read More

Courses

Explore the topics you’ll study in the online bachelor’s of psychology courses

For the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology online, students must complete a total of 120 credit hours. Students are required to take 12 core courses (33 credit hours), a minimum of 5 major electives (13 credit hours), and general education courses (37 credit hours). Students must select either a minor (21-28 credit hours) or an area of focus (12 credit hours). Additionally, students must choose from a study abroad program (3 credit hours) or a foreign language (6 credit hours). The remaining hours are to be taken as free electives.

Students must take the following courses:
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course covers trends and ideas that have helped shape Western political heritage.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Graphical descriptive measures; numerical descriptive measures; probability; hypothesis testing, estimation; analysis of variance; chi-square; regression; analysis by means of statistical software. Not open to students who have completed STA 250 or STA 314.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Includes material covered in PSY 210, examination of experimental and other research methods in psychological research. Credit is not given for both PSY 210 and 211.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Includes material covered in PSY 210, laboratory experience using computers and other tools in all phases of psychological research: information gathering, analysis, and communication; techniques of library searching, elements of writing in APA style, collecting and analyzing data. Credit is not given for both PSY 210 and 212.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Assessment of individual values, interests, and abilities; investigation of psychology-related vocations; planning and decision-making skills regarding future careers. Repeatable: No
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Basic principles, applications, and issues as related to psychological testing and assessment; review and evaluation of widely used tests in major areas of application: intelligence, personality, achievement, aptitude, and vocational. Repeatable: No
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course covers basic assumptions, theories, and empirical data relating neurobiological mechanisms and psychological processes of behavior; structural functional relationship of parts of the nervous system and their role in behavior.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines psychological theory and research on developmental and individual differences across the lifespan in physical, cognitive, personality, and social domains; biological, psychosocial, cultural, and contextual influences on development are also examined. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Students with credit for PSY 220, PSY 319, and/or PSY 320 cannot receive credit for PSY 321.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines behavioral methodology, theory, and the empirical basis of the scientific study of learning; classical and instrumental conditioning, discrimination and generalization, and the role of reward, punishment, and other motivational variables.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course covers the cognitive methodology, theory, and empirical basis of the scientific study of human memory and information processing; thinking; problem-solving concept formation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Social perception and social influences on behavior; attribution, attitudes, attraction, aggression, pro-social behavior, compliance, and small groups. *Prerequisite: PSY 100
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course covers symptoms, causes, and treatment of major mental disorders; research methods in psychopathology.

Students must take a minimum of five elective courses totaling at least 13 credit hours; 9 of those credit hours must be at the 300 or 400 level.

Students must complete a minor or take 12 credit hours from a declared area of focus outside of PSY courses.

Students must complete either Track A or Track B to fulfill the additional requirements for the B.A. in Psychology program.

Track A (6 credits)

Track A requires a minimum of 6 credit hours in the same foreign language or its equivalent. This requirement is in addition to current general education requirements, so students cannot use these foreign language courses to meet the Foundation of Knowledge Culture and Creativity requirement.

Track B (3 credits)

Track B requires successful completion of 3 credit hours in a study-abroad program approved by the NKU Office of Education Abroad. The course does not have to be in psychology. If the study-abroad course is in psychology, then it may also count as a major elective (included in the 13 credit hours of elective courses).

Students must take 13 credit hours of free electives. Remember, some of these may have to be at the 300/400 level to reach the required 45 total hours of 300+ work for graduation.

Students must take 37 credit hours of general education courses, selected from the following categories. Note: Some general education courses may be part of the major/minor/focus requirements. If so, those courses may be used to count for both general education and the major/minor/focus.

  • General Education Courses:
    • Communication; Written (3 credits)
    • Communication; Written II (3 credits)
    • Communication; Oral (3 credits)
    • Scientific and Quantitative Inquiry
  • Mathematics and Statistics (3 credits)
    • Scientific and Quantitative Inquiry
  • Natural Sciences with lab (4 credits)
    • Scientific and Quantitative Inquiry
  • Natural Sciences without lab (3 credits)
    • Self and Society
  • Cultural Pluralism (3 credits)
    • Self and Society
  • Individual and Society (3 credits)
    • Self and Society
  • Individual and Society (3 credits)
  • Culture and Creativity (3 credits)
  • Culture and Creativity (3 credits)
  • Global Viewpoints (3 credits)

Credit for prior learning acknowledges your experiences and can save you time and money on your degree.

You might be closer to graduation than you think!

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