Pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in psychology from an institution in New Jersey offers a unique opportunity for individuals to gain a deeper understanding of human behavior and mental processes. Online psychology bachelor’s programs provide students with a solid foundation in psychological theories, research methods, and practical applications.
These programs are ideal for individuals seeking a deep understanding of human behavior and mental health without the constraints of traditional on-campus attendance. New Jersey’s educational institutions have designed these programs with a strong emphasis on blending foundational psychological theories with contemporary research and practical applications relevant to today’s societal needs.
This article will provide an overview of some of the popular online psychology bachelor’s degree programs offered in New Jersey, including program highlights, admission requirements, and career prospects.
Online Psychology Bachelor’s Degrees in New Jersey
Here is a list of some of the popular schools offering online psychology bachelor’s degrees in New Jersey:
- Rider University
- William Paterson University
- Thomas Edison State University
- Grand Canyon University
- Capella University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Purdue Global
- Lynn University
Rider University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Rider University’s 120-credit online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is designed for both working professionals and those changing careers. It equips you with the skills and credentials needed to advance and prepares you for various careers in business, education, and social services. You will be able to build a solid foundation in both the theory and scientific methods of psychology, which will enhance your understanding of yourself and the world around you.
Offered through Rider’s Continuing Education Program, this program is specifically designed for adult learners aged 25 and over.
Rider’s 100% online psychology program includes foundational courses and core psychology courses. You will enhance your critical thinking and communication abilities, conduct and analyze basic research, and develop personal and interpersonal understanding through both academic and co-curricular activities.
The program aims to help you understand the scientific and human service aspects of psychology. You will learn to apply analytical and critical thinking skills to psychological issues and use your understanding of psychological issues to find solutions to real-world problems.
Classes also focus on developing your writing skills through technical reports and research papers and provide detailed instruction in statistical data analysis, online experimental control, and presentation software. Through fieldwork placements, you will gain practical work experience in various human services settings within the community.
Many seniors aiming for graduate school receive substantial financial aid offers such as assistantships and tuition waivers due to their involvement in research. Students often co-author publications and present at regional and national conferences. Laboratories are always accessible, with continuous faculty supervision.
The curriculum also facilitates a smooth transition for students with an associate degree, allowing the transfer of up to 72 credits from two-year institutions (or a maximum of 90 credits). You may also have the opportunity to earn college credit for prior learning.
Core courses you will take include:
- Introduction to Psychology: This course introduces you to significant facts, principles, and concepts about human and animal behavior, covering psychology as a science and various topics such as human development, personality, and learning processes.
- Explorations in Psychology Honors: It offers a historical overview of psychology and covers its scientific aspects, exploring how different brain areas relate to behavior and how various psychological states differ.
- Introduction to Research in Psychology: In this course, you will learn about basic research methods in psychology, including how to collect and analyze data, and write research reports following the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines.
- Psychology: The Science of Well-being: This course examines how different psychological factors like motivation and relationships contribute to happiness and well-being.
- Psychology of Creativity: The course looks at creativity from a psychological perspective, exploring theories and practical applications in problem-solving and innovation.
- Psychology of Women: This course focuses on the psychological development of women, examining how biological and social factors influence women’s behavior and achievements.
- The Science of Mental Illness: This course explores the biological foundations of mental health and illness, covering various psychiatric conditions and treatments.
- Statistics and Research Design: This course introduces you to statistics and research methods used in behavioral sciences, focusing on different research designs and their applications.
- Organizational Psychology: In this course, you will learn about human behavior in workplace settings, covering topics such as job satisfaction, motivation, and organizational communication.
- Personality Psychology: In this course, you will study research on personality development, discussing the interplay of various factors affecting personality.
- Psychology of Aging: This course surveys psychological aspects of aging, challenging stereotypes and exploring changes in physical, psychological, and social domains.
Student learning outcomes of the program include:
- Theory: You will demonstrate knowledge of major psychological concepts and theories, applying this knowledge to solve real-world problems.
- Research: You will learn to conduct and critically evaluate psychological research, effectively communicating your findings.
- Practice: You will develop personal growth, leadership skills, and an appreciation of human diversity, applying psychological skills to achieve your post-graduation goals.
Continuing education students are either full-time or part-time undergraduate students who are 25 years or older at the start of their first semester. They must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Active-duty military and veterans are included in this category and may choose to pursue a traditional undergraduate education if preferred. Individuals under 25 who are not active-duty military or veterans but are enrolled in a 100% online undergraduate program also qualify as continuing education students.
William Paterson University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
You can deepen your understanding of human mind, emotions, and behaviors with the online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program from William Paterson University. This program enhances your data analysis and writing skills, relevant in today’s workplace, and expands your understanding of psychological theories. You will learn to apply this knowledge to explain and predict human behavior across various social contexts.
The skills you develop by completing this flexible online bachelor’s program in psychology will improve your performance in your current role and equip you for further professional and training opportunities. The entire coursework is delivered online, designed for working adults.
To earn your BA in Psychology online, you must complete 29 credit hours of core psychology courses and nine credit hours of psychology electives. You will also need to fulfill additional University Core Curriculum and elective credits to reach the total of 120 credit hours required for the BA degree. You have the option to transfer up to 90 approved credit hours to reduce both the cost and duration of the program.
You will need to complete the following core courses:
- Experimental I – Applied Statistics: This course introduces you to fundamental statistical procedures in behavioral sciences, covering topics like probability theory, hypothesis testing, and both descriptive and inferential statistics. It includes lab sessions where you use software to analyze data and create relevant graphs, with an additional lab fee applicable.
- Experimental II – Research Methods: Building on previous coursework, this class deepens your understanding of scientific methods, focusing on experimental techniques in behavioral sciences. It involves extensive writing, requiring at least 15 pages of formal writing, and continues the use of advanced software for data management and analysis.
- Lifespan Development: You will study the progression of human development from conception to death, examining physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development across the lifespan within a broader socio-cultural environment.
- Social Psychology: An introduction to social psychology drawing from sociology, political science, history, and psychology to explore human social interactions. Topics include attitude formation and change, social influence, and political psychology among others.
- History and Systems of Psychology: You will explore the evolution of modern psychological thought from the Greeks to post-Renaissance, focusing on major philosophical ideas and the application of scientific methods to psychological topics.
- Personality Psychology: This course focuses on the field of personality theory, reviewing contributions from major theorists across various schools of thought including psychoanalysis and cognitive behaviorism.
- Physiological Psychology: In this course, you will investigate the relationships between brain functions and behavior, the current methods for studying these relationships, and discuss the implications of recent research findings.
- Cognitive Psychology: In this course, you will critically examine human cognitive abilities, focusing on attention, perception, memory, language, and problem-solving, including developmental aspects and significant research findings.
Admission requirements for this BA online program include:
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- You should be at least four years post-high school or two years post-high school with 60 or more college credits.
- You need to provide official transcripts from each college attended, or your high school transcript if you have no prior college experience.
- Complete an online application and submit a $50 application fee.
Thomas Edison State University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
At Thomas Edison State University (TESU), the online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is designed to prepare adults for career transitions, advancement opportunities, or further education. This program emphasizes psychological principles and research methods, exploring their application across the humanities, social sciences, and life sciences. As a student, you will gain a broad understanding of traditional liberal arts disciplines and acquire deeper knowledge in psychology.
The core courses of the program include:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Research in Experimental Psychology
For those interested in organizational psychology, particularly in human resources roles, elective courses include:
- Psychology of Minority Experience
- Group Dynamics
- Organizational Behavior
- Tests and Measurements
The program’s overall learning outcomes include the ability to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of key theoretical concepts and historical trends in psychology.
- Employ the scientific method to address psychological questions.
- Highlight the significance of values, ethical standards, and diversity in psychology.
- Apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational challenges.
Thomas Edison State University, established in the 1970s in Trenton to address unemployment through career-focused education, now serves over 10,000 students annually across more than 100 programs. It continues to offer cooperative training opportunities with leading regional employers.
Admission requirements for undergraduates at TESU are:
- A home school transcript that complies with your home state’s education standards, a GED, or a high school diploma.
- Applicants must be at least 21 years old unless they are military personnel, who may apply at 18. The university strictly enforces this age requirement for all other applicants.
- Prospective students must complete an application and provide a transcript. Those transferring from another college can bring up to 24 credits, provided they have maintained a minimum 2.0 GPA.
TESU offers both flat-rate tuition for full-time enrollment and a pay-as-you-go option for those preferring to pay per class. This flexibility is designed to accommodate both full-time students and those who wish to pace their studies.
Financial aid is available for both in-state and out-of-state students who submit a FAFSA. Scholarships are offered for fall, spring, and summer terms. Qualified students are notified about their eligibility for scholarships and provided with a link to apply, which includes submitting an essay. To renew any scholarship, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Grand Canyon University
Online Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The online Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Grand Canyon University (GCU) is designed to provide you with both specialized and versatile skills, enhancing your career opportunities and avenues for further specialization. This degree aims to prepare you effectively for immediate employment or for continuing your education in graduate school.
If you are passionate about helping others reach their full potential and are fascinated by the scientific aspects of human behavior, this psychology degree might be the perfect fit for you.
You will need to complete 120 credits to graduate from this program. The courses offered online typically span eight weeks, while those on campus can extend up to 15 weeks. The degree is structured as follows:
- General Education Requirements: 34-40 credits
- Major in Psychology: 48 credits
- Open Elective Credits: 32-38 credits
- Total Degree Requirements: 120 credits
The core courses are designed to align with the APA standards, ensuring you are well-prepared for professional growth. The online BS in Psychology also provides a strong foundation for your further academic pursuits.
The General Education courses at GCU are designed to enhance your critical thinking and communication skills, encourage responsible living in a diverse society, and integrate your faith and ethical standards into all aspects of life.
Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the online BS in Psychology focuses heavily on human thought and behavior across all life stages. The curriculum also focuses on how human behavior is shaped by social, cultural, and environmental influences.
During your studies, you will sharpen your critical thinking and analytical skills, improve your ability to communicate effectively, and learn to apply these skills in various professional settings. You will also develop proficiency in research methodologies, including scientific observation, data collection, and analysis.
The program allows you to specialize further by adding an emphasis in areas like performance and sport psychology or forensic psychology. Important focus areas of this program include:
- Innovative thinking and effective communication
- Ethical research practices
- Understanding developmental psychology from childhood through aging
- Exploring neuroscience and abnormal behaviors
All courses are delivered with the same accredited standards as those taught on campus, and the e-learning platform facilitates engaging intellectual discussions. This online format offers you the flexibility to complete your degree irrespective of your location.
With your BS in Psychology from GCU, you can pursue entry-level positions in various sectors such as private companies, nonprofit organizations, schools, or social service agencies. Potential roles include:
- Social and community service managers
- Human service assistants
- Community and social service specialists
For advanced roles or to practice as a clinical or counseling psychologist, you will typically need a master’s or doctoral degree and must meet state-specific licensure requirements.
Applying to GCU is straightforward and incurs no application fee. You simply need to submit your high school or any college transcripts for consideration. Additionally, the application process does not require an essay.
Are Online Degrees Respected?
Yes, online degrees are increasingly respected, especially as more established and reputable universities offer online programs. The perception of online education has significantly improved due to advances in technology, the quality of education provided, and the convenience it offers. Employers are also recognizing that the skills and knowledge gained in an accredited online program are comparable to those obtained in traditional on-campus settings.
Key factors that influence the respect and value of an online degree include:
- Accreditation: Degrees from programs that are accredited by recognized agencies hold more weight and are generally respected in the professional community.
- Institution Reputation: Degrees from well-known and respected institutions tend to carry more prestige, whether they are obtained online or on campus.
- Program Quality: Online programs that offer rigorous academic curriculum, experienced faculty, and interactive learning environments are often viewed positively.
- Student Outcomes: Graduates of online programs who go on to achieve career success can also help enhance the reputation of the online degrees they earned.
- Adaptability Skills: Online students often develop strong time management, self-discipline, and digital communication skills, which are highly valued by employers.
As long as the online degree is from an accredited and reputable institution, it can be just as respected as degrees earned through traditional on-campus programs.
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