Online Psychology Degrees
Unlock Exciting Careers with an Online Degree in Psychology or Criminology
- Each program offers a strong foundation in theory, research and best practices plus diverse, career-focused electives that can tailor your degree.
- With accelerated graduate track options for our online bachelor’s programs, you can apply your credits toward a Carlow University master’s degree.
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about this program.
Leading-Edge Online Psychology Degrees for Helping Professions
Carlow University offers exceptional psychology programs for online students. You can complete your degree in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania or anywhere you live. You’ll acquire an impressive credential as you prepare for the next step in your career.
Criminology, BA
- 4 years
- 120 credit hours
- 100% online
Program Benefits
- Psychology and Social Justice-Focused Curriculum
- Internship Opportunities Available
- Supportive, Expert Faculty
- Accelerated Graduate Track Options Available
Start your journey to becoming an influential expert prepared to affect the ever-changing world of criminology. Our criminology degree equips you with the skills and experience necessary to advocate for meaningful change while launching a career in criminal justice, health services or criminology.
You have the opportunity to take up to 12 credits of graduate-level coursework while earning your BA in Criminology, saving time and money if you wish to pursue a graduate degree in psychology, counseling, social work or Carlow’s Master of Science in Fraud and Forensics.
View ProgramPsychology, BA
- 4 years
- 120 credit hours
- 100% online
Program Benefits
- Broad-Based Psychology Curriculum
- Diverse Elective Offering
- Accelerated Graduate Track Options Available
- Generous Transfer Credit Policy
An online psychology degree opens many doors. We accept up to 90 transfer credits, meaning you could graduate from Carlow in as few as 30 credit hours ready to launch an impactful career or pursue further study. All of our students complete psychology GRE prep in their final year.
To fast-track your education, you can take up to 12 credits of graduate-level coursework at the bachelor’s-level tuition rate to apply to our programs in psychology, professional counseling, and fraud and forensics.
View ProgramPsychology, BA: Child Development Concentration
- 4 years
- 120 credit hours
- 100% online
Program Benefits
- Take Leading-Edge Child Development Courses
- Build a Foundation of Theory and Research
- Practice Advocacy Skills for Vulnerable Populations
- Stand Out for Diverse Child Development Careers
The Child Development concentration in Carlow University’s online BA in Psychology explores developmental milestones at different ages from birth to adolescence. You’ll gain an advanced understanding of how children mature affectively, physically, socially and cognitively.
With a child development bachelor’s degree, you can pursue roles in behavioral therapy, child care leadership, education and more.
View ProgramPsychology, BA: Counseling Concentration
- 4 years
- 120 credit hours
- 100% online
Program Benefits
- Discover Vast Influences on Human Behavior
- Explore Prominent Counseling Theories
- Examine Several Aspects of Family Systems
- Learn From Faculty with Counseling Experience
Carlow University’s online BA in Psychology with a Counseling concentration helps you open the door to a wide variety of entry level clinical jobs related to treatment and support for those with mental health needs. Whether you’re passionate about working in direct support, family counseling, milieu therapy, patient services, substance abuse counseling and more, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to jumpstart your career.
With Carlow’s online bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in counseling, you’ll be on your way to a career as a family specialist, direct support professional, case manager, milieu therapist, behavioral health associate, patient services representative and more. You can apply your knowledge and skills to careers that serve a wide variety of populations and communities.
View ProgramPsychology, BA: Crisis and Trauma Concentration
- 4 years
- 120 credit hours
- 100% online
Program Benefits
- Build a Foundation of Theory and Research
- Learn From Experienced Psychology Faculty
- Gain Advocacy Skills for Vulnerable Populations
- Prepare for Graduate Psychology Programs
Investigate the widespread impact of trauma for individuals and families and develop skills that can help. The Crisis and Trauma concentration of Carlow University’s online BA in Psychology gives you a solid foundation in theory and research pertaining to crisis, abuse and trauma.
Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma as you explore the most effective trauma-informed treatment modalities. You can utilize skills from this concentration in nearly any profession that helps others.
View ProgramPsychology, MA
- 2 years
- 36 credit hours
- 100% online
Program Benefits
- Learn advanced principles in general and applied psychology
- Take courses part-time or full-time with the flexible online format
- Gain the experience to be accepted into doctoral psychology programs
Carlow’s M.A. in Psychology program is designed for students who want to work in psychology settings that do not require licensure. The program caters to those who wish to make an immediate impact with their social science training in human service fields. This program also is well-suited for students who are looking to prepare for a doctoral degree in psychology. It has a strong track record (82%) of students being accepted into doctoral psychology programs.
Courses are delivered 100% online, and with a career-focused curriculum taught by experienced faculty. You’ll learn advanced principles in general and applied psychology and with five guided elective focus areas to choose from, you’ll have the opportunity to specialize your courses in areas that best suit your interests and career goals.
View ProgramOnline Psychology Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree at a Glance
| Program | Psychology, BA | Psychology, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Program Duration | 4 years | 2 years |
| Delivery Format | 100% online | 100% online |
| Commitment | Part time, Full time | Part time, Full time |
| Ideal Candidate | You’re seeking an entry-level role and/or preparation for a graduate program. | You’re seeking advancement in a non-licensure role and/or preparation for a doctoral program. |
| Curriculum | Complete the general psychology degree or choose one of three optional concentrations. | Choose online psychology courses from one of five unique elective focus areas. |
| Concentrations | Child Development, Counseling and Crisis and Trauma | Assessment Psychology, Child & Family Psychology (starting in summer 2025), Forensic Psychology, Treatment Psychology and Therapeutic Arts Psychology |
| Admission Requirements | Completed online application and official transcripts showing a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher | Completed online application and official transcripts showing a preferred 3.0 GPA. Additional requirements include a resume, personal essay and letter of recommendation. |
| Credit Hours | 120 | 36 |
| Total Estimated Cost, Minus Fees | $59,400 | $30,852 |
| Scholarships and Aid | Traditional undergraduate scholarships | Traditional scholarships and graduate assistantships |
| Graduate Outcomes | Break into career paths in multiple fields. Prepare for the GRE and, if you choose the fast-track option, take graduate-level courses for undergraduate credit. | Prepare to advance your career and make an immediate impact in mental health, behavioral health, substance abuse or other human service areas. |
| Why Choose This Option? |
|
|
| Transfer Credits | Up to 90 | Up to 9 |
Why Choose Carlow University?
Carlow believes in education and growth inside and outside of the classroom. We encourage you to develop skills in judgment, leadership, analysis, decision-making and communication. The transformational learning experiences and diverse community at Carlow help you realize your full potential while becoming a career-ready, compassionate professional.
Fully invested faculty work with you to help achieve success and maintain a balance between work and school responsibilities. The online experience at Carlow is one of inclusion, flexibility and understanding.
Career Outlook for Criminology and Psychology Degrees
Carlow’s online psychology programs are built for every stage of your journey, whether you’re seeking a non-licensure position or a degree that will help you advance.
299,400
Projected annual job openings for community and social services occupations, combined, from 2023 to 2033.1
7,400
Projected annual job openings for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists from 2023 to 2033.2
13,000
Projected annual job openings for psychologists from 2023 to 2033.3
Careers for Criminology and Psychology Degree Graduates
Carlow’s online programs open doors to diverse careers in criminology and psychology. Your comprehensive knowledge and trauma-informed approaches can add salary potential to roles in corrections, counseling, criminal justice, education, healthcare, human services, mental health, social and community services and more.
Please note that some of these positions may require additional education, certification or licensure, which can vary by state.
Psychologists
$92,740 median annual wage3
Psychologists conduct thorough mental health assessments for psychological conditions, diagnose disorders, perform psychological research and apply their findings to innovative treatments.
Social and Community Service Managers
$77,030 median annual wage4
Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being.
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
$61,800 median annual wage2
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in the rehabilitation of offenders on probation or parole. They help determine the right course of action and provide probationers and parolees with resources and guidance.
Behavioral Health Specialists
$60,551 average base salary5
Behavioral health specialists provide support for mental health services by identifying behavioral issues, conducting assessments, developing appropriate treatment plans and maintaining communication with clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
You can complete the BA in Psychology in as little as one year, depending on transfer credits accepted. On average, this program takes 3-4 years to complete.
The BA in Criminology and BA in Psychology can be completed in as few as three years if you meet the admissions requirements for the three-year program plan.
Complete the MA in Psychology in as few as four semesters (including one summer).
A BA in Psychology is often the first step toward a career as a future psychologist. All psychologists require doctoral-level training plus state and national licensure. Carlow offers the undergraduate and graduate training needed to be competitive for these doctoral programs.
The online BA in Psychology does not include a minor. You can complete the general psychology degree or choose one of three optional concentrations. The program offers concentrations in Child Development, Counseling and Crisis and Trauma.
It is easy to achieve a criminology minor due to overlapping course requirements between psychology and criminology. You could also add a psychology minor to your criminology degree.
Additionally, the BA in Criminology offers a concentration in Applied Criminal Justice (expanding to the online program in 2025/2026) that is focused on direct application skills in criminal law, forensic science, data analytics and testimony/attorney collaboration.
The number of eligible transfer credits accepted depends on the online degree you choose.
- BA in Psychology: Transfer up to 90 eligible credits
- BA in Criminology: Transfer up to 90 eligible credits
- MA in Psychology: Transfer up to 9 eligible credits
Sources
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Community-and-Social-Service/.
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm.
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm.
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm.
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Behavioral_Health_Specialist/Hourly_Rate.