Online psychology schools offer flexible schedules. However, it is important to choose one that’s accredited.
The two main types of accreditation are institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation refers to the entire school and signifies that all of its entities contribute to its goals.
Programmatic accreditation refers to specific programs and departments within a larger institution.
The unit receiving specialized accreditation can be as large as a college within a university system or as small as a curriculum within a particular program of study.
Accreditation is crucial. It’s one of those elements you look for when choosing a psychology school online.
Knowing which are the best accredited psychology online schools will be very helpful in your search.
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What Are The Best Accredited Psychology Online Schools?
Accredited schools have met standards for quality. It ensures that you’ll receive the education you need to enter the psychology field.
The school’s accreditation is often required for many jobs, including those that require psychology licenses.
Aside from ensuring your education is high-quality, choosing an accredited psychology online school can also ensure your admission to other psychology institutions.
Below is our list of the best accredited psychology online schools.
20. Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Institute of Technology offers psychology degrees online. These degree programs equip students with the critical thinking, research skills, and communication necessary to succeed in today’s demanding and ever-evolving professional landscape. (1)
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the various psychology degree programs available at the university are as follows: AA Applied Psychology, BA Applied Psychology, and MA Organizational Leadership.
19. University of Houston
The University of Houston offers B.A. and B.S. in Psychology through distance learning. However, not all the subjects are available online.
Nonetheless, students who earn a B.A. in Psychology from the university are better equipped to pursue careers in a wide variety of settings across the private and public sectors. (2)
On the other hand, students who earn a B. S. degree in Psychology are prepared not just for professions in the business and medical fields.
They are also prepared for occupations that mix psychology with computer technology. These careers can be found in a variety of fields.
The University of Houston is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
18. Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University offers M.S. in Psychology and Counseling degrees.
Students have the option to specialize in counseling, forensic psychology, experimental psychology, and general psychology.
The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). At the same time, its counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). (3)
17. Washington State University
The Washington State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
The university’s Department of Psychology is under the College of Arts and Sciences. It offers a Bachelor of Science degree.
Other psychology degrees are offered by the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.
The online Bachelor of a Psychology degree program at Washington State University is included in our list of the Top 50 Online Bachelor of Psychology Degree Programs. (4)
16. Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University is SACSCOC accredited. It offers a master’s in Psychology degree program that’s fully offered online.
The program is a 36-credit-per-hour asynchronous program. (5)
The course material emphasizes a wide variety of psychological theories and practices in order to provide students with an all-encompassing and global understanding of human behavior.
The university boasts a comprehensive curriculum.
15. Concordia University – Saint Paul
Concordia University – Saint Paul is another university worth looking into. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), it’s considered one of the best accredited psychology online schools.
It offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a requirement of 45 units.
The curriculum includes subjects such as BSC 265: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, BSC 296: Introduction to Research Methods, PSY 340: Introduction to Biopsychology, PSY 345: Social Psychology, and PSY 351: Personality Theory; to mention a few. (6)
14. Central Methodist University
Central Methodist University offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Psychology. (7)
Both of these degree programs have a minimum requirement of 120 hours and are available online.
Students also have the option of earning an Associate of Arts in Psychology.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the psychology programs focus on abnormal psychology, social processes, counseling, biological development, and personality.
13) Old Dominion University
The online psychology program of Old Dominion University provides students with an education that covers a wide range of topics. (8)
It starts with general psychology and continues to include classes in quantitative techniques and experimental design.
Students have a lot of options to choose from when it comes to the subjects of their classes.
They will develop abilities that enhance both their analytical thinking and ability to engage with other employees.
Old Dominion University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
12. University of Arizona
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the online bachelor’s psychology degree programs of the University of Arizona rank #11 as cited by the U.S. News & World Report, 2022. (9)
Students enrolled in the online bachelor’s psychology degree programs investigate the intricate workings of the human mind and brain.
They get to investigate how the mind and the brain develop from infancy to old age.
They also get to explore the environmental forces that affect human behavior, and the impact that brain illnesses like autism and Alzheimer’s disease have on people’s lives.
11. Oregon State University
The Oregon State University is under the accreditation of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
It offers a bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in psychology. The degree programs have a minimum requirement of one hundred eighty quarter credits. (10)
Examples of courses offered by the university are human lifespan development, brain and behavior, personality, cognitive psychology, abnormal psychology, health psychology, and behavior modification; to mention a few.
10. University of Massachusetts – Amherst
University of Massachusetts – Amherst offers a bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology. (11)
This is offered through a program called University Without Walls Interdisciplinary Studies program.
Other online psychology courses offered by the university are Psych 100 (Introductory Psychology), Psych 217 (Psych of Cruelty and Kindness), Psych 240 (Statistics in Psychology), and Psych 297D (Disorders in Children); to mention a few.
The university is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
9. Liberty University
Liberty University offers online psychology degree programs. Most of its bachelor of science degree programs in psychology online require 120 credits for completion.
These programs can be completed in three and a half years. Examples of bachelor of science degree programs are Life Coaching, Criminal Psychology, Christian Counseling, Criminal Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Crisis Counseling; to mention a few.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the University also offers master’s and doctorate programs online. (12)
8. Northeastern University – Global Network
Students acquire an in-depth knowledge of the fundamental aspects of psychology, such as sensory function, social and pathological psychology, human development, emotion, motivation, memory, and learning. (13)
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, Inc. (NECHE), Northeastern University – Global Network provides students with the chance to expand their counseling abilities as well as pursue other areas of specialized interest through the use of electives in their course of study.
Students who can finish the program will be equipped with the knowledge and abilities necessary to pursue careers in human resources and business and human services.
They can also do graduate studies in social work and psychology.
7. Regis University
Regis University is a Jesuit Catholic University that’s accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Regis University offers a BS in Applied Psychology. (14)
Students get to explore the scientific study of human behavior. They will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to seek higher education at the graduate level.
They can also consider careers in counseling, behavioral analysis, or social work.
Since they will learn how individuals adapt to and succeed in today’s environment, they will be empowered to take what they have learned and apply it in the real world.
6. Regent University
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the university’s online program offers both undergraduate and graduate courses. (15)
Examples of undergraduate psychology degree programs are B.S. in Psychology and B.S. in Psychology – Clinical & Counseling Psychology. These undergraduate programs consist of 120 credits.
The university also offers MA degree programs such as M.A. in Human Services, M.A. in Clinical Mental Counseling, and M.A. in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling; to mention a few.
Online psychology courses at Regent University are a great way to pursue your dream career while balancing family life and work.
5. Brandman University
Brandman University is now known as the University of Massachusetts Global (UMASS Global).
Accredited by the WSCUC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), UMASS Global offers flexible learning, dedicated support services, and an employer-aligned curriculum. (16) Proven results are guaranteed.
UMASS Global offers the following undergraduate psychology degrees online: BA in Psychology, BA in Psychology, Child Psychology, BA in Psychology, and Industrial/Organizational.
It also offers various MA degrees online, one of which is an MA in Professional Clinical Counseling.
4. University of Utah
Earning a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Utah is a great option for those who are pressed for time.
The degree program requires 53 credit hours for completion and it’s fully available online. Unlike its Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology that’s available on-campus. (17)
The online program offers a flexible curriculum, which allows you to continue your existing job while still finishing your psychology coursework. You can also work at your own pace.
The University of Utah is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
3. Florida International University
You can earn a B.A. in Psychology online from Florida International University. (18)
The particular online psychology degree requires 120 credits for completion. Students are paired with a coach to ensure success.
Online students can be confident that Florida International University is not a diploma mill.
Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the university appears on reliable college ranking sites.
For example, US News ranks Florida International University as the 78th-best public school in the United States. (19)
2. University of Florida – Online
The University of Florida – Online offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, which prepares students in various fields such as human resources manager, customer relations director, and rehabilitation specialist; to mention a few. (20)
Students may enroll in fall, spring, or summer semesters. Admission requirements include completing an online application and submitting official high school and college transcripts.
Transfer students should submit their college transcripts as well. Graduation requirements require the completion of 120 credit hours.
The University of Florida online programs have a strong academic integrity culture. Faculty members discuss the importance of academic integrity in every field of study.
Additionally, each of the University’s online psychology courses incorporates small assessments throughout the term.
University of Florida – Online is SACSCOC accredited.
1. University Of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida tops the list of the best accredited psychology online schools. (21)
It offers excellent online courses. The U.S. News and World Report rank the online bachelor programs of the University of Central Florida #7. (22)
The University of Central Florida offers an online bachelor of science degree. It requires 120 credit hours for completion.
Students can complete their degree faster by taking accelerated courses, which allow full-time students to finish faster.
The University of Central Florida is SACSCOC accredited.
The faculty and staff work with students to create an all-encompassing experience that will prepare students for the world of work.
The department promotes critical thinking and research skills while offering internship opportunities to students.
The online bachelor of science of the University of Central Florida is perfect for busy students.
You’ll be well-equipped to enter the workforce right away. It’s a great start to a rewarding career.
There are a lot of psychology online schools but you must choose one that’s accredited.
Given the long list of the best accredited psychology online schools, you now have a lot of credible options to choose from.