Psychology B.S.

Online psychology degree from CSU

Discover the basic theories, principles, laws of behavior, and scientific methods used in psychological research with this online bachelor's degree in psychology. CSU's program blends training in communication and critical thinking with scientific methodology, giving you skills that apply to a wide variety of professions, and preparing you to pursue an advanced degree if you choose.

Develop skills that employers value

This degree features a well-rounded curriculum that cultivates a strong science and liberal arts foundation. Courses help you hone a versatile skill set that is vital to career success — regardless of what field you go into. Through this program, improve your abilities in:

• Written communication
• Oral communication
• Analytical thinking
• Critical thinking
• Cooperation/teamwork

Learn fundamental psychological concepts

Lecture and lab pairings in this online psychology degree program will give you the opportunity to apply first-hand the scientific principles you learn. Upon completion of your degree, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of psychological concepts across several basic content areas. The areas of study include:

• Social psychology
• Organizational psychology
• Psychological Measurement and Testing
• Industrial psychology
• Cognitive psychology
• Biological psychology

Study online in a collaborative atmosphere

Studying online doesn't mean studying alone. With an average class size of 21 students, you have the opportunity to interact closely with your instructors and peers. Class interactions involve discussion forums, chat, and video conferencing.

"I really needed to go to a school where I felt like I had staff and faculty who were invested in me, because, let's be honest, I was a little bit nervous about going back. I wanted to be able to engage in conversations and build relationships. I knew right out of the gate, that's exactly what I had here."

Watch these videos to hear more of what CSU's online students say about their learning experiences.

In addition to earning your psychology degree, you have the option to further specialize your knowledge with a degree minor. Choose from nine minors, including:

• Agricultural Business
• Anthropology
• Business Administration
• Economics
• Gerontology
• Global and Environmental Sustainability
• Media Studies
• Political Science
• Sociology

This online psychology degree can lead to upward career mobility or serve as a jumping off point for moving on to a master's program, which is required for professional careers in psychology.

Because of the program's well-rounded curriculum, transferable skills being taught, and electives based on particular fields of interest, this degree will be seen as valuable by not only psychology-based employers, but more importantly, those across industries, including business, government, education, law and medicine.

Students can graduate with a combination of online psychology courses and experiences to qualify for semiprofessional jobs in this or closely related fields. In addition, participation in paid or volunteer work, internships, study abroad, and experiential education opportunities are highly recommended as they will enhance your employment opportunities.

To learn more about the opportunities a Psychology degree could bring you, check out this CSU Source article.

Possible career opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Human services worker
• Case worker
• Probation officer
• Community relations officer
• Occupational therapist (with advanced degree)
• Program developer/administrator
• Human resources administrator
• Public relations specialist/special events administrator
• Advertising producer/writer
• Account services representative
• Media representative
• Market researcher
• Human factors assistant
• Data analysis assistant
• Government program administrator
• Business manager
• Buying agent
• Sales representative
• Real estate broker
• Lawyer (with advanced degree)
• Physician (with advanced degree)

Hear about our students' experiences in the online psychology bachelor's program, and what they say about CSU's faculty and courses.

Aaron Bachler

See how Aaron was able to build on the credits he had already earned to finish his degree and change his story.

Jessica Risbell

See how this psychology program has given Jessica the flexibility she needs to raise her family while she develops her knowledge and completes her bachelor's degree.

CSU's Online Students

See what it’s like to study online with CSU, and discover how earning a bachelor’s degree can open up new opportunities for you.

As a student in CSU’s online psychology bachelor’s program, you receive the same education, learn from the same faculty, and earn the same regionally accredited degree as students on campus. Additionally, you can expect:

• A Degree That Gives You Professional Options: Our program sits at the intersection of the arts and sciences, blending training in communication and critical thinking with scientific methodology. This gives you knowledge that applies to a wide variety of fields, and also prepares you to pursue an advanced degree if you choose.
• An Applied Learning Experience: Deepen your understanding of how science impacts human behavior by participating in lecture-labs, in which you apply scientific methods to solve complex problems in creative ways.
• Instruction from Expert Faculty: Study with faculty who incorporate their current research in their courses. Learn from the experts about the latest advances in areas like: the brain’s empathetic system, and the correlation between sensation and perception.
• A Quality Learning Experience: With an average class size of 21 students, this program gives you the opportunity to interact closely with your instructors and your peers.
• A Customizable Curriculum: With the choice of six lecture-lab courses in a range of psychological subject areas, this program allows you to choose courses that best suit your educational and professional goals.

Currently, CSU's Online Psychology B.S. program is ranked 11th nationally by U.S. News.

Learn more about CSU's rankings and accolades.

Requirements to Graduate

A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this degree. This includes:

• 42 upper-division (300-400 level) credits
• 30 upper-division credits completed through Colorado State University

The number of courses needed for completion of the program depends on:

• The number of transfer credits awarded
• Fulfillment of All-University Core Curriculum
• Degree coursework requirements

Curriculum

The curriculum for this degree is outlined below and is based on the required courses for students following the Colorado Statewide Articulation Agreement for a bachelor completion in psychology. Students may need to consult their advisor to develop a degree completion plan based on the credits transferred into this program. You have the option to use the Transferology^TM website to conduct a self-review of your potential transfer courses. This tool will assist you in seeing how previous college coursework may transfer to CSU.

AUCC Requirements (31 credits)

Select a total of 31 credits of AUCC required courses. Students must take BZ 101, CO 150, MATH 117, MATH 118, and MATH 124 as part of this requirement. Students are strongly encouraged to select AUCC courses in consultation with their academic advisor.

• BZ 101 – Humans and Other Animals (GT-SC2) (3 cr.)
• CO 150 – College Composition (GT-CO2) (3 cr.)
• MATH 117 – College Algebra in Context (GT-MA) (1 cr.)
• MATH 118 – College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1) (1 cr.)
• MATH 124 – Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1) (1 cr.)

Check other AUCC requirements and consult your advisor with any questions.

PSY Core Courses (19 credits)

Students must receive a C or better in each of the following courses:

• PSY 100 – General Psychology (GT SS3) (3 cr.)
• PSY 192 – Psychology First Year Seminar (1 cr.)
• PSY 210 – Psychology of the Individual in Context (3 cr.)
• PSY 250 – Research Methods in Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 252 – Mind, Brain, and Behavior (3 cr.)
• PSY 350 – Research Design and Analysis II (3 cr.)
• PSY 493 – Capstone Seminar (3 cr.)

Lecture/Lab courses (Select two pairs and one additional lecture from the following; 11-13 credits)

Students must receive a C or better from the following chosen courses:

• PSY 315 – Social Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 317 – Social Psychology Laboratory (2 cr.)
• PSY 340 – Organizational Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 341 – Organizational Psychology Laboratory (1 cr.)
• PSY 370 – Psychological Measurement and Testing (3 cr.)
• PSY 371 – Psychological Measurement and Testing Laboratory (1 cr.)
• PSY 440 – Industrial Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 441 – Industrial Psychology Laboratory (1 cr.)
• PSY 452 – Cognitive Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 453 – Cognitive Psychology Laboratory (2 cr.)
• PSY 456 – Sensation and Perception (3 cr.)
• PSY 457 – Sensation and Perception Laboratory (2 cr.)
• PSY 458 – Cognitive Neuroscience (3 cr.)
• PSY 459 – Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory (2 cr.)

Upper-division courses (12 credits)

• PSY 305 – Psychology of Religion (3 cr.)
• PSY 315 – Social Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 320 – Abnormal Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 325 – Psychology of Personality (3 cr.)
• PSY 328 – Psychology of Human Sexuality (3 cr.)
• PSY 330 – Clinical and Counseling Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 335 – Forensic Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 437 – Psychology of Gender (3 cr.)
• PSY 454 – Biological Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 460 – Child Exceptionality and Psychopathology (3 cr.)
• PSY 492F – Psychology in the World of Harry Potter (3 cr.)

Additional Required Courses (13 credits)

Students must take CS 110 and STAT 301; and 3 credits of any PHIL subject code course; and 3 credits of any SPCM subject code course.

• CS 110 – Personal Computing (4 cr.)
• STAT 301 – Introduction to Statistical Methods (3 cr.)

Additional PSY Electives(12 credits)

Select a total of 12 credits of PSY subject code. Students must choose at least 9 credits of any upper division PSY courses 300 level and above (not previously taken to fulfill any other major requirements).

Select Advanced Writing Course (3 credits):

Select a total of 3 credits from the AUCC-Category 2- Advanced Writing category. Students must choose any 3-credit course that is not counted elsewhere to fulfill any other major requirements.

Select Additional Diversity Course (3 credits):

Select a total of 3 credits from the AUCC-1C Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Students must choose any 3-credit course that is not counted elsewhere to fulfill any other major requirements.

Select Additional Science Course (3-5 credits):

Students must choose any course from following list: AA, BC, BMS 300, BZ, CHEM, CS, DSCI, LIFE, MATH (141,155,156,160,160,161, 300/400 level excluding MATH 495), PH, STAT (300 level or above). Must be 3-5 credit course (excluding variable credit options) that is not counted elsewhere to fulfill any other major requirements.

General Elective Courses (23-29 credits):

Select a total of 23-29 credits of general elective courses to meet the minimum of 120 credits that are required to complete this degree. Students must choose courses that are not counted elsewhere to fulfill any other major requirements.

Enhance your degree with a minor

Broaden your degree by adding a minor that deepens your interests and builds valuable, career-ready skills. A minor helps you explore new ideas, gain focused expertise, and strengthen your education without significantly changing your degree plan. Many courses can count toward both your major and minor, including courses you’ve already completed, as long as all requirements are finished before graduation.

Explore all Minors

Application Deadlines

Fall semester	June 1
Spring semester	November 1
Summer semester	May 1

Planning to transfer credits from another college or university? Please review our FAQ page, then complete a Tentative Transfer Evaluation Form to see how your prior credits may transfer.

1 Review Admission Requirements

2 Talk with a Student Success Coach

3 Complete Online Application

4 Apply for Financial Aid (Optional)

5 Check Your Application Status

Questions? Call (970) 491-7468 or email terrance.dickens@colostate.edu.