Online Degree Completion Program in Applied Psychology

Why Elms for my Psychology degree?

• Take an interdisciplinary approach to studying human emotion, cognition, and behavior.
• Gain an understanding of a diverse range of topics, including mental health and illness, social psychology, human development, counseling, and the biological basis of behavior.
• Through experiential learning opportunities, encounter psychology at work in the real world via class projects and internships.
• Collaborate with faculty on research projects and present your findings at conferences in preparation for graduate school.

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Study the Science of Behavior, Emotion, and Thought

The online program is designed for those students interested in completing a bachelor’s degree in a flexible, accelerated online format focusing on practical skills and real-world applications. Applied psychology focuses on the real-world implementation of psychological principles and methods in a variety of contexts such as mental health, education and business settings. The online psychology degree completion program is designed for non-traditional learners who already have an associate degree. 

— A bachelor’s degree can be completed in as little as 14 months. Students can take a manageable course load of two 3-credit courses per 8-week session over seven sessions.
— Classes are mostly asynchronous, meaning students take them when it is most convenient to their busy schedules. They are required to attend three scheduled meetings, scheduled for Thursday evenings from 5:30-9:30, at the beginning, midpoint and end of the program.
— There are Fall and Spring starting dates to accommodate different student schedules. Students join a cohort and typically remain in that group throughout the program
— Courses whenever possible make use of educational materials that are freely available that faculty or teachers and students may adapt, share, and reuse whenever possible.

PLA (Prior Learning Assessment): A maximum of 9 credits can be earned through the Prior Learning Assessment process by demonstrating successful learning outcomes through life and work experience.

A total of 120 earned college credits are required to receive a bachelor’s degree. You must earn a minimum of 42 credits at Elms College. Up to 90 credits may be transferred from an accredited college.

Program Prerequisites: An associate degree from an accredited college with a minimum 2.5 G.P.A., a 3-credit General Psychology course and a 3-credit elementary statistics course (math or psychology). Prerequisites are ordinarily completed prior to admission to Elms College but may be taken during the program.

Career Outlook: The goal of the program is to advance careers through promotions and/or job changes and as stepping-stones towards a master’s program. Employers want to hire people who can problem-solve, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and have basic research and analytical skills. Psychology majors are in demand in many fields including:

• Human Resources
• Advertising
• Market research
• Customer Service
• Social Service
• Education
• Law Enforcement

One-third of our alumni continue their training in graduate school. Another third are employed in mental-health agencies, correctional facilities, schools, and hospitals. The final one-third work in nonprofit organizations, legal settings, and in private industry.

Accreditation Elms College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The College is also a member of the Council of Independent Colleges, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and the Association of Governing Boards.

If you are a first-time college student, have not yet earned an Associate’s Degree, or are transferring fewer than 60 credits from another institution or wish to complete your degree in-person, view our traditional program in Psychology (B.A.).