If you are excited by learning about the human mind and passionate about helping others, you may thrive in a career as a psychologist. If you don’t yet have an undergraduate degree, your first step toward a career as a therapist or counselor will be to obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Many students who know they wish to become psychologists are able to start their education early and get a leg up in the field by pursuing Bachelor of Psychology degrees.
With an abundance of online degree programs, it’s easier than ever to get a Bachelor’s of Psychology in California so that you can take the first steps in your dream career.
In these programs, you’ll gain a solid foundation in the principles of psychology as a discipline, as well as introductory skill-building opportunities to prepare you for work in a variety of settings. Though you won’t be eligible for licensure as a counselor with a BA in Psychology alone, the degree will give you a solid grounding from which to build up your expertise when you enter graduate programs. There are also numerous opportunities outside of counseling available for those who hold a BA in Psychology (see more below).
What to expect from a Bachelor of Psychology program
There are many undergraduate institutions offering a bachelor’s degree in psychology in California. These programs typically take four years to complete (when taken on a full-time schedule). Undergraduate programs typically include a number of campus-wide academic requirements in addition to major requirements.
Coursework in a Bachelor of Psychology degree program typically includes core topics in the psychology field, such as:
- Developmental psychology
- Abnormal psychology
- Cognitive psychology
- Social psychology
These courses provide a comprehensive overview of psychology as a discipline, preparing students for longer-term education and career opportunities in the field.
For those looking for skill-building experiences, many undergraduate programs offer opportunities to have hands-on learning experiences in real-world settings, where they will gain insights into the day-to-day responsibilities of therapists and counselors. These can include internships, research projects, and laboratory work.
Online Degree Programs Can Help You Pursue Your Education On Your Terms
Fortunately for students all over the state, there are now numerous opportunities to pursue an online Bachelor of Psychology degree in California, relieving students of the hassle of commuting (or in some cases even relocating) to attend their BA program. This is a tremendous boon for those who would like to pursue their bachelor’s degrees with a maximum of convenience.
If you’re looking to get your BA of Psychology online in California, good news: many established on-campus programs now offer fully remote versions of their degree programs. Additionally, there are several new fully online institutions also offering Psychology degrees.
This can be game-changing for those who have hoped to obtain their bachelor’s degrees but need to balance schoolwork with outside employment or other personal responsibilities. Indeed, if you’re thinking of getting your bachelor’s degree in psychology in California, you have a wealth of online options at your disposal (take a look at our guide below to see a few of our top picks).
What can I do with a BA in Psychology?
Beyond working toward a master’s degree, there are numerous Bachelor of Psychology jobs in California that motivated graduates can pursue as soon as they’ve finished undergraduate college. While the responsibilities of these jobs fall short of the full-fledged duties of licensed counselors and therapists, they can still be lucrative and meaningful positions allowing you to support those in need. These include:
- Case managers at social service organizations
- Behavioral health technicians supporting ABA counselors
- Community outreach coordinators at nonprofits specializing in mental health services
- Rehabilitation specialists at treatment facilities for those overcoming addiction
These are just a few of the excellent career opportunities that will be available to you as soon as you’ve completed your Bachelor of Psychology program – no master’s degree necessary!
Top Psychology Bachelor’s Programs Available Online
The following programs are some of the best online BA in Psychology programs in California. Please note that there are numerous other institutions offering partially online (hybrid) programs that can also be a great choice for students looking to add flexibility to their academic plans. There are also a huge number of traditional on-campus BA of Psychology degree programs in California that can equip you with the education you need to start a psychology career.
Azusa Pacific University
BA or BS in Psychology
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $43,600
Azusa Pacific University offers a 100% online Bachelor of Psychology program. There are two degree pathways for students in this program: a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology, which is primarily focused on human behavior and critical thinking, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology, which is more focused on the biology of the human brain and statistical research in the psychology field.
This program is open both to new students as well as transfer students who have already completed one to three years of undergraduate education. It’s worth noting that Azusa Pacific University is a Christian university whose coursework incorporates religious teachings alongside an education in the field of psychology.
California Baptist University
BA of Psychology
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $39,720
As one might guess, California Baptist University is a Christian university that offers a Bachelor of Psychology degree program rooted in faith-based practices. The school offers a fully-online BA of Psychology program delivered in accelerated, asynchronous courses to maximize convenience for students. The school also offers three semesters per year (as opposed to the traditional two), allowing students to complete their undergraduate education as quickly as possible, making this an excellent choice for students who are eager to hit the ground running in their professional careers.
The California Baptist University BA of Psychology program accepts applications on a rolling basis, with six semester entry points per calendar year. The program is open to college freshmen as well as transfer students who already hold credits from other universities.
California Lutheran University
BA of Psychological and Behavioral Science
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $50,670
Cal Lutheran University offers an online bachelor’s degree program in Psychological and Behavioral Science that is explicitly designed for working professionals. These fully flexible course models allow students to direct their coursework on their own schedules, greatly alleviating the scheduling burden that can come from pursuing a bachelor’s degree. This makes it a great option for students who know they will need to balance their academic pursuits with regular employment or other responsibilities, such as childcare.
Cal Lutheran is a Christian university, but it is open to students of all faith backgrounds. Applicants to the program can get in touch directly with admissions advisors to learn about ways to maximize funding to make pursuing their undergraduate degree as affordable as possible.
Cal State University – Channel Islands
BA of Psychology
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $39,720
For those who have already completed two years of undergraduate college, CSU Channel Islands offers a fully online BA of Psychology program designed to prepare students for master’s programs in Family Therapy, Social Work, or other related fields. This is a flexible and convenient program that takes two years to complete when taken on a full time schedule, with courses offered in asynchronous 16-week sessions. It is not open to students who have not completed two full years of undergraduate coursework.
Admissions to CSU Channel Islands’ BA of Psychology program are open to students who hold a 2.0 GPA or higher from their previous university. Students also must have completed courses in Introduction to Psychology, Statistics, and Developmental Psychology.
The Chicago School
BA of Psychology, BA of Business Psychology
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $20,844
Though its headquarters are in the Midwestern city after which it is named, the Chicago School has several satellite campuses in California, as well as a fully online program that includes two psychology-related tracks: a BA of Psychology and a BA of Business Psychology. These programs take four years to complete on a full-time schedule, equipping students with a full undergraduate course load entirely through remote learning.
Students in the Chicago School’s Psychology BA program have the option to pursue minors in Applied Behavior Analysis, Health Science, or Addiction Studies, which incorporate smaller course tracks into their overall study of psychology. These can be a great way for students to cultivate areas of specialty that can help them earn non-counseling roles in social service organizations upon graduating.
Los Angeles Pacific University
BA of Applied Psychology
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $11,976
Los Angeles Pacific University is a Christian-rooted institution that offers a 100% online Bachelor of Applied Psychology degree program designed to equip students with practical skills and professional knowledge needed to get entry-level positions in service organizations as well as to pursue advanced study in the field. Courses in these programs are delivered asynchronously, allowing students to pursue their degrees on their own schedules.
LAPU offers rolling admissions with three start dates per year: Spring 1, which typically starts in January; Spring 2, which typically starts in March; and Summer, which typically starts in May. Students can also complete three semesters of coursework a year, allowing them to significantly expedite their studies.
National University
BA of Psychology, BA of Sports Psychology, BA of Integrative Psychology
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $11,064
National University offers three psychology-related, 100% online BA programs designed to prepare students for their first work experiences in the fields that interest them, or for continued study in master’s programs down the line. These are highly expedited programs that some students are able to complete in as few as 16 months (when applying transfer credits).
National University’s BA of Psychology program commences new academic years monthly, allowing students to enroll virtually whenever they choose. Its other two psychology-related tracks – Sports Psychology and Integrative Psychology – also offer rolling admission, though on a slightly less frequent basis.
San Francisco State University
BA of Psychology
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $7,424
San Francisco State University offers a continuing education 100% online BA of Psychology program designed for transfer students who have already completed two years of an undergraduate degree program. This provides a comprehensive education that includes the foundations of psychology as a discipline as well as its applications in a variety of fields, from social services to law, medicine, and more.
Applicants to SFSU have the opportunity to enroll in either the Fall or Spring semesters. Students should expect to hear back about their admission status within four to six weeks of submitting a completed application.
UMass Global
BA of Psychology (see concentration options below)
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $7,424
UMass Global offers online BA of Psychology programs that can be taken all over the country, with concentration pathways in numerous fields:
- Clinical Psychology
- General Psychology
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- Preparation for Advanced Study in Counseling
- Preparation for Advanced Study in Psychology
These can be a great choice for students who have a strong sense of where they’d like to focus their careers at the outset of their education. These are fully online programs designed with flexibility in mind, making them an ideal choice for students juggling additional responsibilities while in school.
Enrollment periods for UMass Global occur during both spring and fall annually. Those who have served in the military should know that UMass Global is highly ranked as a program for veterans, offering 46 credits for military experience.
FAQs
Do I need a BA of Psychology to pursue a Master of Psychology degree?
No. One can enroll in a Master of Psychology program with a bachelor’s degree in any subject. However, those who hold Bachelor of Psychology degrees will enter the program with a significantly greater level of expertise, enriching their studies and helping them dive deeper into their coursework.
Can I become a licensed therapist with a Bachelor of Psychology degree?
No. In the state of California (as well as most parts of the country), one needs a master’s degree in order to qualify for licensure exams as a counselor or therapist. However, a BA of Psychology can give you the foundational knowledge you need to thrive in a master’s program, as well as a stronger sense of how you’d like to focus your career as a therapist in the long term.
Are online bachelor’s degrees in psychology in California as reputable as on-campus programs?
Yes. As long as your degree is from an accredited institution (which all the schools listed above are), you will be eligible for all the same opportunities as those who attended on-campus programs.
Is it possible to transfer into an online psychology bachelor’s degree program in California?
Absolutely. Several of the programs listed above are specifically intended for students who have already completed two years of coursework in an undergraduate setting, and many others allow transfer students as well.