Bachelor's in Psychology Online
Adopt a scientific approach to understanding and evaluating behavior and mental processes.
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Request InfoPsychology, B.A. Overview
In the University of West Florida’s online Psychology program, you will learn to apply psychological science to explain human behavior and mental processes. In this undergraduate program, you will learn to think like scientists as you seek to understand and develop solutions to problems in the world.
With a strong emphasis on preparing you for a multitude of career path options, you will develop essential skills valued by employers. You will explore career opportunities within the field of psychology, and tailor learning based on your chosen career path. You will be able to shape your skill development as you progress through our online program while mastering the fundamentals of psychology needed to be successful.
Psychology graduates may work in a variety of settings and will be ready to pursue work in schools, hospitals, or other industries. In addition, you will also be prepared to pursue graduate or professional degrees and can continue your education in graduate school.
Candidates for This Program Include:
- Students returning to college to complete their degree
- Students considering a wide range of career opportunities and possibilities who want an emphasis on skill development
You Will Be Able To:
- Analyze or solve behavioral questions using psychological methods
- Develop strong research capabilities
- Strengthen oral skills and communicate clearly and professionally in both written and oral work
- Explore career options and focus learning and skill development based on a chosen career plan
Courses and Requirements
UWF’s online bachelor’s degree in psychology includes a total of 120 credit hours, up to 90 of which may be transferred from a regionally accredited institution. After completing 60 general education credit hours, you will complete 39 credit hours in psychology, along with 12 prerequisite hours and additional upper-division electives.
Students must satisfy 60 credit hours of general education requirements. The general education requirements provide students with a broad educational foundation and are essential requirements for all baccalaureate degree programs. Included in the general education requirements are subjects in communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, multicultural studies and lower-division electives.
Common Prerequisites (12 hours)
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed before graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. In addition to any 1000- or 2000-level psychology course you should complete the following.
- PSY 2012 - General Psychology
3 Credit Hours
General Psychology
A survey of methods, theories and body of knowledge of contemporary psychology, including such topics as learning, motivation, sensation and perception, development, thinking, personality, social behavior, psychological adjustment and methods of therapy. Meets general education requirement in social sciences.
- STA 2023 - Elements of Statistics *
3 Credit Hours
Elements of Statistics *
STA2023 covers descriptive statistics, elementary probability theory, and basic statistical procedures, estimation, and inference. In addition to provide basic concepts in the mentioned areas it prepares the student for other more advanced statistical courses that are necessary for research. Meets General Education requirement in Mathematics. Meets Gordon Rule Applied Mathematics Requirement. Prerequisite: 35 ALEKS Proctored test OR MAC 1105 OR MAC 1105C OR 26 SAT15 Math Sub OR MAT 1033 OR MGF 1106 OR MGF 1107 OR 22 ACT Math OR 520 SAT Math OR 123 PERT Math
- BSC 1005 - General Biology for Non-Majors
3.0 Credit Hours
General Biology for Non-Majors
Survey of abiotic and biotic principles as they apply to basic structural and functional topics at the cellular, organismal, population and community levels; and the application of these principles to issues of current interest. Meets General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.
Any 1000 or 2000 level Psychology course
- PSY 2012 - General Psychology
- PSY 3213 - Research Methods in Psychological Science I
3 Credit Hours
Research Methods in Psychological Science I
The first course of a two-course sequence designed to expose a student to the research methods and the behavioral statistics that are commonly employed in psychological (behavioral) research. Although the fundamental principles of scientific observation, research design, and research statistics will be discussed, special emphasis will be placed on methodology that provides a basic or descriptive understanding of human behavior. Ethical issues pertaining to both human and non-human research will also be introduced and discussed.
Meets Gordon Rule Writing Requirement.
Prerequisite: PSY 2012 AND STA 2023* - PSY 2023 - Professional Development in Psychology
3.0 Credit Hours
Professional Development in Psychology
This course will provide students with an overview of the discipline of psychology, including expectations for the psychology major, career options for students completing a bachelor degree in psychology, and career options for students who pursue a graduate degree in psychology. Skills required for library research, writing in the style of the American Psychological Association, professional communication, and ethical and professional issues will be discussed.
Meets Gordon Rule Writing Requirement.
- PSY 4930 - Capstone in Psychology: Special Topics
3 Credit Hours
Capstone in Psychology: Special Topics
The objectives of the capstone courses will provide students an opportunity to: 1) study a target area in psychology in depth 2) integrate knowledge and skills across courses, and 3) prepare an effective pursuit strategy for a meaningful psychology-related career Student must earn a C or higher to pass the course. Prerequisite: PSY 2023 AND PSY 3213.
Social:
- SOP 3004 - Social Psychology
3.0 Credit Hours
Social Psychology
Survey of theory, method, and research results in areas of social psychology, such as attitude formation and change, social perception/ cognition, impression formation, social influence, interpersonal attraction and relationships, aggression and pro-social behavior, and group dynamics.
Learning and Cognition (select one of the following):
- EXP 4404 - Psychology of Learning
3.0 Credit Hours
Psychology of Learning
Principles and applications of learning theories, including conditioning and extinction, reinforcement and punishment, attention, memory, cognitive processes and physiological correlates of memory and cognition. It is preferred that the student has had several other psychology courses.
Prerequisite: PSY 2012 - EXP 4507 - Memory and Cognition
3.0 Credit Hours
Memory and Cognition
Will survey theory and literature related to the study of human memory and cognition. Topics will include attention, memory, imagery, language and bilingualism, problem solving, metamemory, expertise, and the development of language and cognitive processes.
Prerequisite: PSY 3213
Biological (select one of the following):
- EXP 4204 - Sensation and Perception
3.0 Credit Hours
Sensation and Perception
Will survey the theory and literature related to the study of sensation and perception. Topics will include the neural mechanisms involved in coding sensory information, visual processing, audition, speech perception, cutaneous and chemical senses, development of perceptual processes, and impairment of vision and hearing.
Prerequisite: PSY 3213 - PSB 4002 - Brain, Behavior and Experience
3.0 Credit Hours
Brain, Behavior and Experience
Introduction to the brain and its relationship to behavior and experience. Topics covered: structure and function of the nervous and endocrine systems, sensation/perception, emotion and motivation, thinking and consciousness, learning and memory, malfunctions of the mind.
Developmental (select one of the following):
- DEP 3103 - Child Development
3.0 Credit Hours
Child Development
Development and behavior of children from infancy to adolescence from two viewpoints: age periods (prenatal, infancy, preschool, school) and areas (physical, intellectual, personality, etc.).
- DEP 4305 - Psychology of Adolescence
3.0 Credit Hours
Psychology of Adolescence
Social, emotional, biological, and intellectual elements of adolescence. Addresses the transitions from childhood to adolescence and from adolescence to adulthood. Application of theories is stressed. Option for partial credit via field experiences.
- DEP 4404 - Adulthood and Aging
3.0 Credit Hours
Adulthood and Aging
Physiological, psychological, sociological and economic aspects for young, middle and old adulthood presented within a multidisciplinary perspective. Lifespan objectives are emphasized, including development as a life-long process, with multiple determinants of change, and correspondingly, multiple alternatives for change. Successful aging is also emphasized. Credit may not be received for DEP 4404 and either DEP 4402 or DEP 4401.
Application of Psychology: Clinical/Counseling (select one of the following):
- CLP 3144 - Abnormal Psychology
3.0 Credit Hours
Abnormal Psychology
Broad overview of psychological disorders of children and adults including history of abnormal human behavior, research methods, theories and causes, and contemporary treatment. Typical topics include adjustment, mood, anxiety, somatoform, factitious, dissociative, substance-related, personality, and psychotic disorders (including schizophrenia).
Prerequisite: PSY 2012 - CLP 4314 - Health Psychology
3.0 Credit Hours
Health Psychology
Survey of contributions of the discipline of psychology to the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention and treatment of illness. Application of biopsychosocial model to health. Credit cannot be received in both CLP 4314 and PSY 4820.
- PPE 4003 - Theories of Personality
3.0 Credit Hours
Theories of Personality
Assumptions, structure, dynamics and determinants of personality. Consideration of various personality theories, pertinent research and its application to everyday life.
Prerequisite: PSY 2012 - PSB 4731 - Psychobiology of Sexual Behavior
3.0 Credit Hours
Psychobiology of Sexual Behavior
Study of biological and sociocultural determinants of sexual development throughout the human life span. Special emphasis is given to sexual orientation, sexual preference, sexual variance, and purported gender differences.
Prerequisite: BSC 1005/L AND DEP 2004 AND PSY 2012 - PSY 4302 - Psychology of Assessment
3.0 Credit Hours
Psychology of Assessment
Fundamentals of testing and measurement of aptitude, achievement and personality. STA 2023 is recommended prior to taking this course. Credit may not be received in both PSY 4302 and PSY 4383.
Applications of Psychology: Workplace (select one of the following):
- EXP 4250 - Human Factors Psychology
3 Credit Hours
Human Factors Psychology
Surveys the field of human factors psychology. Specifically, the principles of psychology from various specialty areas (e.g., cognitive, experimental, industrial/organizational, physiological, etc. ) will be applied to the study of human performance in work settings. Students will learn how work is designed to capitalize on cognitive and physical capabilities and compensate for human limitations. Students will also become familiar with the tools and techniques that human factors psychologists use to study human-machine interaction and work design. Offered concurrently with EXP 4250; graduate students will be assigned additional work.
- INP 3004 - Industrial Psychology
3.0 Credit Hours
Industrial Psychology
Application of psychological principles to problems of employee selection, placement, merit rating, job analysis, management training and other factors related to productivity.
- INP 3313 - Organizational Behavior
3.0 Credit Hours
Organizational Behavior
Understanding human processes in formal organizations, utilizing individual and group exercises which simulate behavioral dynamics in organizations. Content areas include conflict resolution, communication, leadership, planning and control and other organizational processes. May not be taken for credit by students having credit in either MAN 3240. MAN 3025 or equivalent is suggested prior to taking this course, but not required.
- INP 4224 - Psychology of Workforce Diversity
3.0 Credit Hours
Psychology of Workforce Diversity
Addresses the experience of work as it varies with the gender and ethnic background of workers in the United States. Other bases of diversity (e.g., disability) may also be addressed. Topics include work-related stereotypes and attitudes; discrimination and harassment; career choice, occupational segregation, and employment patterns; group differences related to fair testing and employment practices; the relationship of workforce diversity to processes such as supervision, leadership, mentoring, and power; law and public policy related to diversity and work. Lecture, discussion, and participative learning methods are used. Three hours of psychology or sociology are required prior to taking this course.
Electives
Select 12 credit hours of 3000-/4000-level psychology electives (CLP, CYP, DEP, EAB, EXP, INP, PCO, PPE, PSB, PSY, SOP courses)
- PSY 3213 - Research Methods in Psychological Science I
Students must complete 3000-/4000-level electives to meet UWF’s requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper-division or complete all major requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to UWF’s online bachelor’s in psychology program, you must:
- Successfully complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
How to Apply
To apply for admission to this program, you first need to submit an application for undergraduate admission (plus a $30 application fee) and be accepted for admission to the University of West Florida. In addition, you must:
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions previously attended whose accrediting agency is included on the list of UWF approved accrediting agencies
- Submit ACT or SAT scores
- Complete the residency application form for tuition purposes
- Complete the departmental application form
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our undergraduate admissions team at admissions@uwf.edu.
Costs & Financial Aid
| Component | Cost | Total* |
|---|---|---|
| In-State Tuition | $218.98 per credit hour | $26,277.60 |
| In-State Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 90) | $218.98 per credit hour | $6,569.40 |
| Full Out-of-State Tuition | $648.37 per credit hour | $77,804.40 |
| 75% Out-of-State Tuition Waiver | $341.67 per credit hour | $41,000.40 |
Tuition waivers cover up to 75% of the non-resident portion of your tuition. These waivers are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees. Review Tuition Waiver Information to learn more.
Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes up to 48 months to complete, depending on course availability.
Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition
Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. For more information and to verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Students who are currently enrolled should contact the Office of the Registrar.
Active Duty Military
All active-duty members of the U.S. military who are residing or are stationed outside the state of Florida shall have all (100%) out-of-state fees waived by the University. Contact the Military & Veterans Resource Center to apply for the Active Duty Military Out-of-State Waiver.
UWF Short-Term Financial Assistance
The University of West Florida provides eligible students with an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition at the beginning of each term in the form of an installment payment plan or a short-term loan.
Military Students
UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
Our graduates are sought-after candidates in a number of industries and companies, including schools and hospitals. You can also continue your education in graduate programs.
Human Resource Managers
Human resources managers oversee the administrative functions of an organization, including employee benefits and the hiring of new staff. They work with top executives on strategic planning and represent the link between management and employees. Human resources managers earn a median annual wage of $126,230, and job growth is projected to increase 7% by 2031.
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
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Rehabilitation Counselor
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Mental Health Counselor
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Childcare Worker
Childcare workers attend to the basic needs of children, such as dressing, feeding, and overseeing play. Childcare workers typically work in childcare centers, their homes, or other households. The median salary for childcare workers is $27,490 a year.