Online Bachelor’s in Psychology
Complete your Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology online at the University of Kansas. Study human behavior while building skills in research, data analysis and critical thinking.
A Nationally Ranked Online Psychology Degree from KU
KU’s online BA and BGS in Psychology are designed for transfer and readmit students who are ready to complete their degree in a flexible online format.
KU’s bachelor’s program in psychology is ranked No. 31 among public universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2026. KU’s history in psychological science dates to 1888, establishing a long tradition of research and teaching focused on mind, brain and behavior.
Through coursework in psychological science, research methods and statistics, you’ll learn to evaluate evidence, analyze data and apply an understanding of human behavior to real-world questions.
Choose the online psychology degree that fits your goals
KU offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology online. The two pathways share the same psychology major requirements but differ in the broader coursework required to complete the degree. Your advisor can help determine which option works best with your previous college credit and career goals.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: The BA follows a traditional liberal arts pathway and includes requirements in a non-English language, writing, quantitative literacy and laboratory or field experience. Some of these requirements may also fulfill KU Core 34 requirements.
Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology: The BGS combines the psychology major with a secondary area of study. Students complete a minor, two certificates or a second major, along with a career preparation course.
Why earn your psychology degree online from KU?
KU combines a nationally ranked psychology program with the academic standards and research strength of a leading public university.
Nationally ranked psychology program: KU’s bachelor’s program in psychology is ranked No. 31 among public universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2026.
Association of American Universities member: KU is a member of the Association of American Universities, a group of leading research universities recognized for the quality and breadth of their academic research and education.
Carnegie R1 research university: KU holds the Carnegie R1 designation, the highest classification for university research activity. Psychology students learn in an academic environment where faculty actively contribute to the study of mind, brain and behavior.
The same KU academic standards: The online BA and BGS follow the same curriculum and academic standards as KU’s on-campus psychology program. The flexible format changes where you complete your coursework, not the expectations or quality of the degree.
What will you study in KU’s online psychology program?
Psychology is the scientific study of how and why people think, feel and behave. KU’s online curriculum develops your understanding of human behavior while building practical skills in research, statistics, critical analysis and the evaluation of evidence.
The psychology major includes:
- General psychology
- Research methods in psychology
- Statistics in psychological research
- Five upper-level psychology courses
- Social issues and ethical behavior
- Psychology electives
- A senior capstone
Elective and capstone courses allow students to explore different areas of psychological science and apply what they have learned to contemporary questions and real-world issues. Course availability may vary by term. View psychology curriculum and degree requirements.
What can you do with a psychology degree?
A psychology degree develops an understanding of human behavior along with skills in research, data analysis, communication and critical thinking. These transferable skills apply across careers in human resources, business, social services, research and behavioral health.
Psychology Degree Career Outlook
Across the occupations Lightcast associates with general psychology programs, national employment data show:
- 1.71 million jobs nationwide
- 196,512 annual job openings
- $69,500 median annual earnings
- 1.1% employment growth from 2024 to 2025
Transferable Skills You’ll Build
KU’s psychology curriculum develops skills that employers value across industries and professional settings.
- Research and evidence evaluation
- Data collection and statistical analysis
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Written and interpersonal communication
- Planning and project management
- Understanding human behavior and decision-making
Career Paths for Psychology Graduates
Psychology graduates apply their skills in roles that involve people, programs, research and organizational decision-making. Potential career paths include:
- Human resources specialist or generalist
- Recruiter
- Program coordinator or manager
- Case manager
- Social and human services assistant
- Social science research assistant
- Behavioral health support professional
Careers Requiring Advanced Credentials
A bachelor’s degree in psychology can also provide a foundation for graduate study. Careers that typically require additional education, supervised experience or professional licensure include:
- Clinical or counseling psychologist
- School psychologist
- Industrial-organizational psychologist
- Mental health counselor
- Marriage and family therapist
- Licensed social worker
Source: Lightcast Q3 2026, Psychology, General, CIP 42.0101. National employment figures represent a broad group of occupations associated with general psychology programs and are not specific outcomes for KU graduates. Education, experience and licensure requirements vary by occupation.
Online Bachelor’s in Psychology program snapshot
Learn more about this online program
Get more info on admission, deadlines, tuition and financial aid, career paths, and more when you fill out the form below. We’ll be in touch to answer any questions and help you get started.
How flexible is online learning at KU?
KU’s online degree programs are designed with your busy schedule in mind and offer the flexibility to study wherever — and often whenever — is most convenient for you. Our online courses are taught by the same highly regarded faculty and expert instructors, and contain the same rigorous curriculum and instruction as our on-campus programs.
Program details
Costs
Admission
Frequently asked questions about online bachelor’s in psychology
This program has a rolling application deadline. We will work with new applicants up to a month before the start of an eight-week course. If that deadline can’t be met, the application will roll over to the next available start date.
Your timeline depends on how your previous college coursework applies to KU’s degree requirements, whether you select the BA or BGS pathway and how many courses you take each term. An advisor will review your transfer credit and help create an individual completion plan.
Yes. The BA and BGS in Psychology are designed for students completing their degree fully online.
Potential career paths include human resources, recruiting, program coordination and management, case management, social and human services, social science research and behavioral health support. Some psychology, counseling and social work careers require graduate education, supervised experience or professional licensure.
Yes. The University of Kansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which reaffirmed KU’s institutional accreditation in 2025. The online BA and BGS follow the same curriculum and academic standards as the on-campus psychology program. KU’s bachelor’s program in psychology is ranked No. 31 among public universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2026. KU is also an Association of American Universities member and a Carnegie R1 research university.
The BA and BGS share the same psychology major requirements. The BA includes broader liberal arts requirements, including non-English language study. The BGS includes a secondary area of study, which may be a minor, two certificates or a second major, along with a career preparation course. An advisor can help determine which pathway best fits your previous coursework and goals.
Your previous college coursework may apply toward KU Core 34, degree and psychology major requirements. An advisor will review your transfer credit and create an individual degree plan. At least 15 credit hours in the psychology major must be completed through KU.
A bachelor’s degree in psychology provides a foundation for graduate study, but most psychologist roles require an advanced degree, supervised experience and state licensure. The bachelor’s degree also prepares graduates for professional roles in human resources, social services, research, program management and behavioral health support.