If you're fascinated by human behavior and how the mind works, a Bachelor's in Psychology could be the perfect stepping stone to an enriching career. As you begin researching psychology programs, you'll quickly discover there are a variety of options available both online and through local universities near you.

At Dreambound, we aim to provide objective information that will help you come to a decision. In this post, here's what we'll cover:

• Online vs on-campus psychology Bachelor's programs
• What you can do with a Psych degree
• Is a BA in Psych worth it
• Bachelor of Science (BS) vs Bachelor of Arts (BA) for Psych

Online vs on-campus psychology Bachelor's programs

Online programs

More and more accredited universities are offering fully online bachelor's in psychology, making it very feasible to earn this degree while balancing work or family commitments.

Here are some pros of the online format:

• Flexibility - Login and complete coursework on your schedule, as long as you meet deadlines. A lot of people are unavailable during class times offered by the closest in-person school to them, so this provides another option
• Accelerated - Online programs are often accelerated. If you're trying to get your degree as fast as possible, online degrees are likely the way to go
• Subspecialties - Many online Bachelor's in Psychology programs that are online have subspecialties, if you have a specific interest. For example, we've seen Bachelor's in Psychology programs with subfields in criminal justice, mental health, and more. In-person Bachelor's in Psychology programs will likely not have these
• Variety & shopping - Basically every online university offers a Bachelor's in Psychology now. You can choose between them and explore programs from universities across the country without relocating
• Many are designed for adults- Since adults require more flexibility than recent high school graduates looking for the 4-year college experience, many online Bachelor's programs are designed for adults. That usually means more flexibility and that the college takes more credit transfers if you've done some education in the past

While curriculum and graduation requirements align with on-campus versions, the online experience does involve more self-directed learning via recorded lectures, virtual labs, discussion forums, and independent studies.

A few examples of online bachelor's in psych programs:

Adelphi University B.A. Psychology

• Length: 120 credits (4 years if you do 5 classes a semester)
• Cost: US College Scorecard reports average cost of $28,993/year.
• Outcomes: Reports $80,090 average annual salary of 2022 graduates according to Adelphi University. US College Scorecard reports $47,448 median earnings.

Walden University

• Length: Minimum of 32 months to complete (2.67 years), but can be reduced if you transfer college credits
• Cost: US College Scorecard reports average cost of $18,325/year
• Outcomes: US College Scorecard reports $48,115/year median earnings

In-Person or Hybrid Psychology Bachelor's Programs

The traditional on-campus route is a good fit for those who want a more conventional university experience with face-to-face classes, campus facilities and resources, and close interaction with professors and classmates.

Location is key since you'll be attending in-person. Check which state universities or private colleges offer affordable bachelor's programs nearby. Tuition at public in-state schools averages $9,970 while private universities cost around $35,900 annually.

Here are some of the pros:

• Structured class schedules and meeting times each week - A lot of people don't thrive well under online classes. If that sounds like you, then the structure of in-person can help a lot
• Hands-on instruction, experiential labs, and field studies
• Extracurricular opportunities - Your college likely has relationships with local organizations that hire. You'll have research, internship, and community outreach opportunities
• Access to campus housing, libraries, dining, student life

A few examples of well-regarded local psychology bachelor's programs:

UCLA Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

• Length: 4-year program located in Los Angeles, CA
• Cost: US College Scorecard reports average cost of $11,627
• Outcomes: US College Scorecard reports $79,826/year median earnings

Ohio State University B.A. and B.S. Psychology

• Length: 4-year program located in Columbus, OH
• Cost: US College Scorecard reports average cost of $18,623
• Outcomes: US College Scorecard reports $58,596/year median earnings

How to Choose: Online vs Local

To pick between an online or local psychology bachelor's program, consider factors like:

• Learning Style - Online requires strong self-motivation; on-campus is ideal for face-to-face learners
• Cost - Costs can vary significantly. Online allows you to shop between options for the cheapest, but there may be a cheap in-person program near you as well
• Schedule - Online is flexible, while on-campus requires set class times each term
• Career Goals - An on-campus program may provide more research, hands-on, and networking opportunities related to your specific interests

How to Choose: BA vs BS

When considering a bachelor's degree in psychology, one of the main decisions is whether to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology. Here are some key differences between the two:

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology

• Typically has more liberal arts requirements like foreign languages, humanities, arts and literature courses
• Leaves more room for electives outside of the psychology major
• Curriculum focuses more on the theories, cultural considerations, and conceptual side of psychology
• Concentrations could include counseling, social psychology, developmental psychology

A B.A. provides more of a general, broad-based education which can be good preparation for roles like counseling, social services, marketing/advertising, and other fields where understanding human behavior is valuable.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology

• Has more extensive requirements in natural sciences like biology, calculus, statistics and research methods
• Curriculum emphasizes the scientific study of psychology through increased lab work, data analysis, and experimentation
• Possible concentrations include cognitive psychology, behavioral neuroscience, experimental psychology

Admissions requirements, curriculum, and costs are generally similar for B.A. or B.S. psychology programs at the same institution. The main differentiator is the blend of liberal arts versus science and research within the major coursework.

So, should you pick a BA vs BS? It doesn't really matter, we haven't seen any evidence that one is better than the other. That said, employers generally value quantitative skills more, which you may get more of with the BS, but is definitely possible to get with a BA. BS degrees are generally harder than BAs, though, so if you're at risk of dropping out it's of course better to do the BA.

What Can You Do With a Psychology Bachelor's?

Graduates of Bachelor's in psychology often joining industries such as:

• Social services (case manager, probation officer, rehabilitation specialist)
• Human resources and training
• Marketing and consumer insights
• Education (guidance counselor, career counselor)
• Healthcare (psychiatric assistant, mental health worker)
• Criminal justice (youth counselor, corrections counselor)

Most of the better-paying jobs in Psychology (eg counselors, social workers, psychologists, and researchers) require a graduate degree. Be sure to plan on that if that's the type of job you're looking to get.

There are also many less traditional paths such as UX research or design, marketing, and sales. Whatever job you end up wanting to do, it's extremely important to develop skills and get as much hands-on experience (via internships, part-time jobs, etc.) as possible. A lot of psychology majors struggle with finding jobs if they don't do so.

During Your Psychology Program

In your psychology coursework, you'll develop a broad knowledge base across psychological principles like human development, personality, cognition, neuroscience, research methods, and statistics. You'll learn to think critically, conduct studies, analyze data, and understand diversity and ethics in psychology practices.

Common required courses include:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Psychology Research Methods
• Psychology Statistics
• Social Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology

Many programs allow concentrations or electives in specialty areas like forensic psych, school/educational psych, organizational behavior, counseling, and beyond.

Related Alternative Programs

If you have different interests, other bachelor's program options to consider include:

• Counseling
• Social Work
• Sociology
• Behavioral Health
• Human Services
• Anthropology

While psychology explores theories of the human mind, these alternative majors put more emphasis on application - directly providing support services, implementing prevention programs, administering counseling, and facilitating community programs focused on human growth and well-being.

Whichever path you choose, know that studying psychology and human behavior lends itself to making a positive impact through countless rewarding career possibilities.