California Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs

Psychology is an interesting subject that encompasses the different factors that affect a person’s mind, actions, and feelings. If this is something that interests you, earning a degree in psychology may be beneficial in allowing you to pursue a number of careers. Going through a bachelor’s in psychology program provides you with excellent knowledge to work with a variety of communities and the skills to perform many job duties. Some careers that one can earn with a bachelor’s in psychology include:

California bachelors in psychology programs also prepare students to go on to graduate school by providing them with the foundational knowledge of the subject. Earning a graduate degree may increase your salary and career potential. Graduate programs require that students have already earned a bachelor’s degree, so enrolling in a California bachelor’s of psychology program may be a great option to prepare for any future coursework in an advanced degree program.

Below are universities in California that offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

California State University, Sacramento

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program at CSU Sacramento is offered fully online to accommodate students who work full-time or have other responsibilities. Students will begin their education by completing lower-division general education and major requirements. Upper division coursework is completed through the program, which involves courses that are six to eight weeks long. Students will take both psychology classes and upper division general education courses while completing the curriculum. The program is flexible, allowing students to take as little as one class per year. 46-50 units are required for the psychology major, and 120 units required in total.

Tuition: $3,801 per semester
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)


Azusa Pacific University

The online bachelor’s degree in psychology program teaches students how to make a difference in the lives of others by evaluating and solving issues in the community and with individuals. The program is designed for students who began at another institution of higher education and are transferring to APU to finish the degree. The psychology program is 48 units with a total of 120 units required to graduate. There are full-time and part-time options available. Classes take place one night a week for a duration of eight weeks. There is the opportunity to enroll at Azusa Pacific University year-round.

Tuition: $58,580
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)


Abilene Christian University

Abilene Christian University teaches students about the human mind and behavior through their fully online bachelor’s of psychology program. Students will complete 128 credit hours. 56 of the hours are university general education requirements, and 53 hours are required for the major. Individuals who have completed college level courses elsewhere through another institution may be able to transfer those units to fulfill certain general education requirements. To apply, one must complete the online application and submit their high school or college transcripts. At least 33 advanced hours are required to be completed for graduation.

Tuition: $63,160
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)


National University

National University’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program offers courses in four-week increments. At least 180 units must be completed for graduation: 69 units of general education and 76.5 units of upper division courses. A senior project is also included in the requirements. Students learn about a variety of topics including developmental psychology, psychopathology, personality theory, social psychology, and many more. This curriculum lays the groundwork for students to help others resolve their emotional struggles. Learning outcomes in the program include being able to explain psychological theories and concepts, identify psychological problems, perform research, use current technology, and be able to write about psychology in a variety of formats.

Tuition: $66,600
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)


Touro University Worldwide

At Touro University, students are able to complete the courses for their online bachelor’s in psychology in eight-week increments. The online program offers seven different concentrations between which students can choose. These concentrations include:

  • Forensic Psychology
  • Special Education
  • Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • Child and Adolescent Psychology
  • Elementary Education
  • Human Services
  • Secondary Education

The program can be completed in three and a half years of full-time enrollment and seven years of part-time enrollment, as the program is accelerated for those who would like to earn their degree at a faster rate than a typical program. Students must complete 120 credit hours total to graduate. There is the opportunity to transfer up to 90 credits.

Tuition: $48,200
Accreditation: WSCUC Senior College and University Commission


Los Angeles Pacific University

Los Angeles Pacific University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology. The program is offered from a Christian perspective for individuals who are interested in a faith-based program. Students must complete 45 major units along with 28 general education credits, 12 program requisites, and 35 units of electives to graduate. The program emphasizes professional knowledge along with the practical skills one will need in their future career. Concentrations available within the psychology program include:

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Child and Adolescent Psychology
  • Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • Applied Pastoral Counseling
  • Criminal Behavior
  • Cultural Psychology
  • Educational Psychology
  • General Psychology
  • Human Services

Tuition: $21,375
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)


William Jessup University

William Jessup University’s bachelors of arts in psychology program helps students develop skills needed to succeed in a career or to move on to graduate school to earn an advanced degree. Students will learn critical thinking and research skills in the various courses offered in the curriculum, including developmental psychology, mental health, human sexuality, personality theory, therapy, and many more. The program requires the completion of 128 credit hours, which includes 53 credit hours of psychology courses. 66 credits go towards foundational studies, 41 credits are major courses, and 12 credits go towards electives.

Tuition: $56,960
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)


San Diego Christian College

The online bachelor’s degree program at San Diego Christian College is a 123 credit hour program that gives students the opportunity to gain research skills and methods of psychological assessments while learning the skills needed to have a successful career. The program takes four years to complete and there are eight weeks per term. Students can choose from a concentration in Biblical Counseling or Organizational psychology.

Tuition: $58,671
Accreditation: WSCUC Senior College and University Commission


Concordia University Irvine

Concordia University Irvine’s Bachelor’s of Science in Organizational Psychology degree program teaches students how to apply psychological knowledge to future careers. 120 units total are required for graduation, including 42 units needed for the major. There are also elective requirements. The school is based on Dr. Townsend’s Competence & Character Growth Model. 45 credits or more can be transferred from previous educational institutions. A 2.4 GPA minimum is required to apply for the program.

Tuition: $42,000
Accreditation: WSCUC Senior College and University Commission


University of Massachusetts Global

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree program at UMASS Global offers two concentrations: child psychology or industrial/organizational psychology. Students learn about psychology from a historical perspective through research and connecting theory to real-life situations. UMASS offers a direct path for transfer for bachelor’s students if one wants to move on to earn a master’s degree in psychology. 120 total semester units are required to graduate, which include general electives, general education, and program requirements.

Tuition: $60,000
Accreditation: WSCUC Senior College and University Commission


Biola University

Biola University’s online bachelor’s degree in psychology offers a “biblically-centered education” for those seeking a faith-based program. The psychology bachelor’s program is one of the most affordable in the state. Students will take courses in the foundations of psychology, social and cultural psychology, and psychology of marriage and family, as well as other psychology courses, general education courses, and electives. Students can transfer up to 70 credits of coursework from previously-attended universities. Credit for the psychology program may also be earned through employment or volunteer experience through an assessment given by the University.

Tuition: $425 per credit
Accreditation: WSCUC Senior College and University Commission


Pacific Oaks College

The online Bachelor’s of Community Psychology program at Pacific Oaks College features a full-time or part-time option for students with a variety of needs. The program offers a generalist concentration where students have the option to choose nine credits worth of coursework, such as courses in trauma, lifespan development, and more. To apply for the program, a student must have a 2.0 GPA minimum from their previous educational institution and fulfill the other application requirements. 24 or more credits are transferable to the program. If a student is transferring in with 40 or more credits, they can take the California Basic Education Skills Test.

Tuition: $71,745
Accreditation: WSCUC Senior College and University Commission


California Baptist University

California Baptist University’s online bachelor’s degree in psychology is designed to provide a comprehensive education on psychology while teaching students how to conduct research and become familiar with human development. Students also learn data interpretation to incorporate into their research findings and future practice. The program requires students to complete an integrative capstone project. Prerequisites to the program include subjects such as composition, algebra, and an introductory psychology course. Between 40 and 43 general education courses must be completed, along with 30 credits in upper-division coursework and 20 credits in methodology coursework.

Tuition: $79,107
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)


San Francisco State University

The online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program at San Francisco State University teaches students foundational knowledge including literature evaluation, psychological concepts, psychological research, data analysis, and more subjects that a student can apply to their future careers. Students enrolled in the program are prepared for work in human relations and behavior or for graduate programs. There are 60 units to be completed that are directly related to the major, including 18-21 units of basic coursework required, 14 units of the core curriculum, and 9-12 units of electives. Students are required to complete 12 units of studies that are complementary to the psychology major but are not directly psychology courses.

Tuition: $27,580
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)


Simpson University

The online psychology program at Simpson University has asynchronous courses, allowing students to complete their work on their time. Each course is five weeks long, and students take it one week at a time. 12 courses total and a capstone portfolio are included in the program requirements. Some of the courses include Applied Psychology, Lifespan Development, Marriage and Family, Statistics, Research Methods, Psychological Testing, and more.

Tuition: $45,306
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)