Key Information:
- UMass Lowell is the #1 fastest online bachelors in psychology degree.
- Earn a psychology degree quicker by accepting previous college credits and offering intensive courses.
- Accelerated psychology degrees are offered online which allows students to study from anywhere and fit education into their schedules.
- Schools like Crown College and Drexel University offer different specializations within psychology.
If you’re looking for the fastest online psychology degree programs, you’ve come to the right place. The analysts at Bachelor’s Degree Center have ranked accelerated online psychology degree programs all over the US.
Our editors first ranked accelerated online psychology programs in October 2020. This ranking was updated in February 2024.
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Methodology: Ranking the Best Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Bachelor’s Degree Center editors believe in quality education that makes a difference in students’ careers, so we feature only accredited colleges and universities recognized for quality. For the fastest ranking, programs are ranked according to speed, cost, real student reviews, and potential salary data.
1. University of Massachusetts — Lowell
Degree at a Glance
Degree: BA in Psychology
Credits Required: 120 credits: Transfer up to 90 college credits
Tuition: $380 per credit hour
Length of Time Required: Complete in as little as 12 months
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Graduation Rate: 66%
More Valuable Information
UMass Lowell offers a BA in Psychology that can be completed 100% online or as a hybrid program. This accelerated online psychology degree gives students an understanding of emotions, cognition, behavior, and human development. Students gain theoretical foundations in:
- Clinical Psychology
- Personality
- Community Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
All students receive the same degree, whether they take their classes online or on campus. Many classes have fewer than 20 students, so students get personal attention from their instructors.
The Division of Graduate, Online, & Professional Studies at UMass Lowell is one of the largest programs of its kind in New England. The Division has been offering online versions of the university’s programs for more than 20 years and has earned awards and recognition for its innovative programming. The school offers affordable undergraduate and graduate courses both online and on campus.
What We Like: You follow your own schedule. There are no time limits placed on your study and progress.
2. Drexel University
Degree at a Glance
Degree: BA in Psychology
Credits Required: 180 quarter credits which is equivalent to 90 semester credits
Tuition: $459 per credit hour
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Graduation Rate: 66%
More Valuable Information
For students seeking an accelerated psychology degree online, the bachelor’s degree in psychology from Drexel University is an excellent choice. This program explores psychology from multiple angles.
- Students gain a strong foundation in psychology from their core classes and have the opportunity to explore their own interests through electives.
- They gain an understanding of evidence-based methodologies and learn skills that can be applied to any career path.
- Students learn how to find answers to important questions about emotion, cognition, and human behavior.
Drexel University Online provides an outstanding learning experience for adult learners. The school is known for its interdisciplinary approach and its students are highly sought after by employers. Students receive practical knowledge they can start using right away, while they are still attending school.
Drexel has top-notch faculty members who are known as experts in their fields and are passionate about passing their knowledge on to their students.
What We Like: Drexel offers many opportunities. One of which is that they allow you to develop your own research with an optional senior thesis!
3. University of Maryland Global Campus
Degree at a Glance
Degree: BS in Psychology
Credits Required: 120 credits; transfer up to 90 credits
Tuition: $318 per credit hour
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Graduation Rate: 28%
More Valuable Information
The BS in Psychology from the University of Maryland Global Campus is one of the best accelerated psychology programs in the country. This program prepares students for careers in the field of psychology or for further study at the graduate level.
- Students gain a foundation in practice, research, and theory and hone their scientific and analytical reasoning, oral and written communication, and quantitative skills.
- They learn to apply historical trends, empirical findings, and theoretical perspectives in psychology.
- Students learn to solve problems in psychology using the scientific approach, skeptical inquiry, and critical thinking.
The University of Maryland Global Campus has been around for over 70 years. It started out serving service members and working adults and still does to this day. The school offers online programs in growing, in-demand fields.
What We Like: This program can be taken 100% online, but some courses are also available as hybrid classes.
4. Maryville University
Degree at a Glance
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology
Credits Required: 128 credits; transfer up to 90 credits
Length of Time Required: Full time: less than 2 years; Part-time: 3.5 years
Tuition: $525 per credit hour
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Graduation Rate: 71%
More Valuable Information
The bachelor’s degree in psychology from Maryville University is an accelerated online psychology degree that provides a solid foundation in psychology. The program is 100% online and students can start in the summer, spring, or fall. Students explore the major sub-areas of human service and gain experience participating in social science research. Courses cover:
- Biological Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Multicultural Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Human Development Through the Lifespan
Students can work at their own pace and pursue their own research interests.
Maryville Online has been making waves in higher education for almost 150 years. The school partners with businesses such as Edward Jones and Boeing to build new programs for the jobs of the future.
Maryville is committed to creating tomorrow’s leaders. It is the second fastest-growing university in the country. There is a streamlined application process that makes it easy to get started.
What We Like: There are no application fees or entrance exams required for admittance.
5. Wilmington University
Degree at a Glance
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Credits Required: 120 credits
Length of Time Required: Less than 2 years
Tuition: Ranges from $334 to $409 depending on location
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Graduation Rate: 50%
More Valuable Information
Concentrations available:
- Children and Families
- Mental Health and Wellness
The BS in Psychology from Wilmington University is a good choice for anyone who wants to get an accelerated psychology degree online. The program provides a solid foundation in psychology, which includes intelligence, thought, and behavior. Psychology covers:
- Group Behavior
- Social Interactions
- Human Development
- Learning
- Study of the Brain
The study of psychology also includes working with people, statistics, problem-solving, and analytical reasoning. Students gain writing and research skills and have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals.
Wilmington University is transfer-friendly, allowing students to transfer up to 90 credits. The school has more than 20,000 students and there is a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. They offer career-focused programs at the bachelor’s, graduate, and doctoral levels. There are flexible options for busy working students.
What We Like: There is a psychology completion degree for students who already have an associate degree.
6. Franklin University
Degree at a Glance
Degree: BA in Psychology
Credits Required: 120 credits; 75% max transfer credit
Length of Time Required: 21 months to complete; 6 and 12 week courses available
Tuition: $398 per credit hour
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Graduation Rate: 38%
More Valuable Information
The BS in Psychology from Franklin University is among the best accelerated psychology programs in the US. The program helps students reach their potential as they learn to understand human motivations and behavior. The skills learned in this program are in demand in many industries, such as:
- Education
- Business
- Organizational Management
- Human Services
- Mental Health
Graduates can help people make the most of their talents and achieve professional and personal success. Students gain experience improving business performance in a variety of organizations.
Franklin University offers 60 online and on-campus degree programs. The school offers student-centered resources, transfer-friendly degree programs, competitive tuition, and convenient classes. The curriculum accommodates the needs of busy working adults.
Franklin University is accredited and offers a quality online education. The school is a non-profit organization. It focuses on its students’ success rather than on making a profit.
What We Like: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
7. Crown College
Degree at a Glance
Degree: B.S. in Psychology/Counseling
Credits Required: 120 credits; eligible credits may transfer
Length of Time Required: 8 week courses
Tuition: $455 per credit hour
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Graduation Rate: 47%
More Valuable Information
Students looking for an accelerated psychology degree online should consider the BS in Psychology/Counseling from Crown College. Knowledge of psychology is helpful to work in many fields, but especially in the areas of ministry, counseling, and management.
Students in this program learn techniques for working with people that are helpful in just about any role. This program prepares students for graduate study or work in a variety of careers. It is a Christian Counseling program that helps students understand human behavior and thought, which is essential for social work and ministry.
Crown College has been helping students learn to live their faith for more than 100 years. The school offers both online and on-campus programs. There are summer outreach programs and internship opportunities for students to take advantage of. The school’s programs help students develop a Christian worldview.
What We Like: There is a drug and alcohol counseling minor available, which complements the psychology/counseling program.
8. Southern New Hampshire University
Degree at a Glance
Degree: B.S. in Psychology/Counseling
Credits Required: 120 credits
Length of Time Required: 8 week terms
Tuition: $330 per credit hour
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Graduation Rate: 39%
More Valuable Information
Concentration options:
- Addiction Studies
- Child and Adolescent Development
- Forensic Psychology
- I‑O Psychology
- Mental Health
The BS in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University is another of the best accelerated psychology programs.
- The program helps students gain an understanding of human behavior that will help them in a variety of fields and careers.
- Students use experiential learning and case studies to understand the most cutting-edge theories in psychology.
- They learn to communicate, interpret, and apply data to a variety of problems.
- Students improve their critical thinking and communication skills and gain a greater understanding of the importance of inclusion, equity, and diversity.
Southern New Hampshire University is a nonprofit institution with over 3,000 on-campus students and more than 135,000 online students. The school has more than 100,000 alumni in its network. SNHU started out as a secretarial science and accounting school and has grown to offer more than 200 programs today.
What We Like: Students can transfer up to 90 credits of this 120-credit program.
9. Notre Dame College
Degree at a Glance
Degree: B.A. in Psychology
Credits Required: 120 credits: up to 90 are transfer eligible
Length of Time Required: 8 week courses; with transfer credits, less than 2 years completion time
Tuition: $530 per credit hour
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Graduation Rate: 33%
More Valuable Information
The BA in Psychology from Notre Dame College Online is an accelerated online psychology degree that helps students understand the spirit, mind, and body.
The program emphasizes intellectual curiosity and health skepticism along with an understanding of psychological treatment and the field of psychology. There are four tracks, and each student has courses from all four tracks. They include:
- Applied Psychology
- Psychology as a Science
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical and Counseling Psychology
Notre Dame College is a Catholic liberal arts college that puts its students’ success above all other priorities. The school focuses on professional advancement. It offers a world-class education with outstanding instructors and provides support to its students throughout their educational journeys.
What We Like: Students can customize their degree by choosing an area of study within the field of psychology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students enrolled full-time in 120–180 credits bachelor’s in psychology programs graduate in four years. However, this can be accelerated to two to three years by pursuing a higher course load each semester and utilizing transfer credits.
The fastest you can become a psychologist is eight years: three years of post-graduate studies and five years for a doctorate. This means enrolling in an accelerated bachelor’s degree and pursuing a doctoral program without a break.
Accelerated psychology degrees offer a quicker pathway to the job market, thanks to their short and condensed learning pace. The primary advantages of these degrees include cost savings, faster return on investment, and streamlined learning that targets only the essentials. It doesn’t compromise the quality of the program because it follows the same curriculum as traditional four-year degrees. Students will still be able to explore topics in research methods, neuroscience, and behavior analysis.
Accelerated psychology offers the same career opportunities as regular four-year degree programs. This learning type will further demonstrate your commitment and eagerness to move up within the company. You can still pursue specializations in various areas, such as Organizational Psychology, Social Services, Healthcare, Addictions, Forensic Psychology, and Health Psychology.
Your accelerated psychology degree can be used in various ways. You can apply for human resource departments in large corporations, work as a forensic psychologist in law enforcement agencies, or pursue careers in mental health facilities and educational institutions.
