Online Bachelor of Science in

Psychology

You never take human behavior at face value. Motivation and neurological processes influence actions and outcomes and form the basis of connection. When you seek to understand the why and how of decisions and habits, go below the surface with Abilene Christian University’s fully online Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree program. 

This 120 credit–hour course of study exposes you to theories of human behavior and mental processes and their applications. Coursework helps you develop a versatile skill set rooted in observation, communication and analysis applicable across a broad range of fields and prepare for a related graduate program.

You never take human behavior at face value. Motivation and neurological processes influence actions and outcomes and form the basis of connection. When you seek to understand the why and how of decisions and habits, go below the surface with Abilene Christian University’s fully online Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree program. 

This 120 credit–hour course of study exposes you to theories of human behavior and mental processes and their applications. Coursework helps you develop a versatile skill set rooted in observation, communication and analysis applicable across a broad range of fields and prepare for a related graduate program.

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Explore Below the Surface of Human Behavior

Learn what makes humans tick through this flexible online degree program designed to provide in-depth insight into human behavior. As you explore the field’s concepts and applications, ACU Online’s vibrant, Christ-centered community supports your dynamic, curious nature. 

Locked-In Tuition

Introducing
Locked-In Tuition.

Our Locked-In Tuition program guarantees you’ll pay the same price for your entire undergraduate degree.

About the Program

Home counselling, Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Grow your understanding of human behavior with ACU’s fully online BS in Psychology. Challenge yourself through general courses designed to broaden your mindset, specialize your knowledge with selections covering psychology’s practical applications in industrial, clinical and other settings, and uplift your community through dedicated, purposeful service.  

Program Structure

All the Details on Your Degree

Whether you’re looking for immediate career options or a foundation for graduate school, an online BS in Psychology degree from ACU can lead you into a rewarding future.

Required Hours

Total: 120 hours
University Requirements: 56 hours (15 hours in Bible)
Major: 53 hours (up to 13 hours in electives)
Cost: $395/Hour with $600 resource fee per semester

Example Coursework

Cognition and Learning
Social Psychology
Teams and Team Leadership
History of Theories in Psychology

Upcoming Start Dates

January 14, 2025
March 11, 2025

Common Job Titles

Social and Human Service Assistant
Social and Community Service Manager
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Market Research Analyst
Sales Manager
Training and Development Manager

Curriculum and Format

The human mind and its connection to behavior unfold in greater detail through 72 credit hours covering general psychology degree courses, psychology selections and electives. 

Providing a multifaceted introduction to psychology, courses cover:

  • the science of mental processes and human behavior;
  • developmental psychology, including cognitive, biological, moral and psychosocial changes along the human lifespan;
  • the physiological aspects of psychology, with focus on the nervous system, brain and genetics and their context within behavior and memory;
  • cognition and learning, from perception and memory to intelligence;
  • experimental psychology methods and how researchers use these theories to observe mental processes and human actions;
  • psychological measurement, including scale development and evaluation;
  • social psychology, such as intersocial stimulation and related consequences;
  • abnormal psychology, from types of psychopathologies to causes and treatments;
  • statistics in psychology research;
  • counseling theories and practices; and
  • the history of psychology and its major theories and systems. 

Selections highlight psychology’s many applications, helping you envision what you’ll do with your degree and your path post-graduation. Explore the effects of stress on emotional health, conflict management, applied sports psychology, psychology within the Christian spiritual experience, the influence of behavior on health, team leadership and development and child psychology. 

To produce well-rounded, inquisitive graduates, online Bachelor’s in Psychology students must additionally complete 56 credit hours of general education courses. Any college-level subjects previously taken can help fulfill these requirements. Learn more about transferring your credits toward your degree at ACU.  

Meet the Program Director

Stephanie Wanamaker is the program director and assistant professor for the online Bachelor of Science in Psychology program. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in Psychology from California Baptist University. After years of online teaching and serving as a youth counselor, she felt called to dive deeper into her work in higher education with the goal of enhancing the student experience. She enjoys seeing students flourish in their understanding of psychology as they travel through their academic journey and pursue their careers. With her passion for teaching online, Stephanie aims to provide a learning experience for students that fosters meaningful relationships, so that they develop the skills for successful careers after graduation.

Spotlight

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Why Study Psychology

Have you ever wondered what a degree in psychology would teach you? Whether you’re interested in working with children, teens, or adults, taking courses in a B.S. in Psychology program can help you become a more well-rounded individual and even challenge you to see human nature from a new perspective.

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With a background in psychology, students can position themselves to thrive in business. Here are just a few ways that their skills will transfer.

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Faculty Spotlight: Stephanie Wanamaker

Meet Stephanie Wanamaker, ACU Online’s assistant professor and director for the Bachelor of Science in Psychology program. From student to program director, Stephanie has fused her love of understanding others with her passion for education to impact students and prepare them for careers in psychology.

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Student Spotlight: Dawn Parker

Say “hello” to Dawn Parker, ACU Online’s office manager and student in the online B.S. in Psychology program. Dawn returns to ACU 40 years after first enrolling.

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Counselor meeting with client

Psychology is the fourth-most popular major in the U.S. Across multiple fields, individuals with a compassionate, nurturing mindset, who are willing to forge connections and observe human behavior, are in demand. This includes a growing number of positions for psychologists, as well as roles in business, communications, advocacy, and corrections. 

The foundation established by the online Bachelor of Science in Psychology program prepares you to reach for your goals. Apply to a master’s program in psychology, counseling or social work, or take your knowledge into the marketplace to start a career connecting with and influencing others.

What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in psychology? Approximately 55 percent of individuals earning this credential opt not to pursue a graduate course of study and instead flourish in a diverse array of positions:

  • social or community service manager;
  • human resources specialist;
  • market research specialist;
  • correctional treatment specialist;
  • training and development manager;
  • substance abuse counselor;
  • hospice counselor;
  • sales representative;
  • customer service representative;
  • marketing or communications specialist;
  • writer or journalist;
  • case manager;
  • research assistance; and
  • behavior interventionist.

Your psychology degree will equip you to communicate effectively with others, thoroughly understand customers, clients and employees, develop meaningful interpersonal connections, know what motivates others and analyze behavioral patterns in various situations to arrive at a conclusion or to effectively lead and influence.

Attentive counselor listens to female patient, Bachelor of Science in Psychology

To be considered for admission, students must:

  • Submit official high school and/or college transcripts.
  • Complete the online program application accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee.

Students are not required to submit ACT or SAT test scores.

Graduation Requirements: Students must earn a 2.0 GPA or higher to meet graduation requirements and complete at least 33 advanced hours.

SACSCOC Stamp Color

Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Ga. 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of ACU.

Abilene Christian University enjoys a strong national reputation as one of the leading private Christian universities in the west and southwest, indicated by various ratings (such as U.S. News and World Report and other reports).