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General Psychology
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
You’re passionate about helping others and finding ways to understand how humans think, feel, learn and behave. You’re ready to make a difference with your career. Use that drive and take the next step with a degree in psychology. At Capella University, you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Psychology that’s online, from an accredited university and on your schedule. Explore an affordable, flexible degree that can help you build a solid foundation to expand your understanding of human behavior and how the mind works. You’ll build relevant skills to support the knowledge that will help prepare you to pursue a variety of academic or professional options.
Classes start November 4
Apply today with no application fee.
At a glance
- Online
- FlexPath available
- 8–13 General education courses
- 9 Core courses
- 5–10 Specialization courses
- 9–19 Elective courses
- 1 Capstone course
- 180 Total quarter credits (135 max transfer)
FlexPath lets you finish the degree you started, with a bachelor’s in psychology in 15 months for $15,000.*
*Based on fastest 25 percent of students. Your program length and cost will vary by transfer credits, the per-session cost, and how quickly you complete courses. Books, supplies, and other fees apply.
Explore psychology courses
- This degree requires a total of 90 program points in FlexPath or 180 program credits in GuidedPath
- You’ll need to complete 8 to 13 general education courses, 9 core courses, 5 to 10 specialization courses, 9 to 19 elective courses and 1 capstone course.
Show all descriptions
PSYC2210
Introduction to Psychology of Social Media
3 quarter credits
In this introductory course, learners apply psychological principles and concepts to the personal and business use of social media. Learners examine trends, motivations, and challenges in the use and abuse of social media and evaluate the psychological rewards and risks of connecting with others, gaining attention, and engagement. Learners also analyze prosocial and antisocial social media uses and the basics of social media marketing.
3 quarter credits
PSYC3130
Criminal Psychology & Behavior
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners gain a basic understanding of the impact criminal psychology and criminal behaviors have on the law, police, and communities. Learners also examine the uses of criminal psychology relative to criminal behaviors, and theories surrounding these behaviors. In addition, learners analyze popular criminal defenses relative to criminal psychology and behaviors, and explore examples in well-known criminal cases.
6 quarter credits
Try FlexPath for yourself
In our nongraded, noncredit-bearing FlexPath Trial Course, you’ll explore online self-paced learning, experience the courseroom and view a sample assessment.
What you’ll learn
This specialization builds your knowledge of psychology to develop professional and personal skills related to the field. The curriculum presents fundamental psychological concepts, theories, empirical findings and historical trends. In particular, students focus on social, abnormal, positive, and biological psychology in addition to lifespan development, motivation and performance, learning and cognition, research methodology, culture and diversity, and ethics. Successful graduates of this specialization are prepared to advance their knowledge and skills at the graduate level, or pursue careers in a variety of settings including education, public service, law enforcement and corrections, business, human development, or rehabilitation and mental health.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Conceptualize the application of values, skills and knowledge of psychology to pursue your personal goals, develop professional opportunities and help meet societal needs
- Develop effective communication and quantitative literacy skills
- Use critical thinking, creative thinking and problem-solving in psychology
- Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends in the field of psychology
- Apply information analysis, research methods and technological tools appropriate for psychology
- Apply psychological principles to address personal, social and organizational issues
- Demonstrate the ability to understand ethical behavior, tolerate ambiguity, value empirical evidence, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.
How much does the BS in Psychology cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on your learning format, academic performance and other factors. See FlexPath and GuidedPath cost information below.
A self-paced learning format that helps put you in control. Take courses at your own speed and move on to the next course whenever you’re ready.
- Enroll in one or two core courses at a time and complete as many as you can in 12 weeks
- 2 Capella quarter credits = 1 program point
- Set your own deadlines, no courseroom discussions
- Pay a flat tuition fee per 12-week billing session*
$12,500
ACCELERATED PACE
$20,000
TYPICAL PACE
$30,000
SLOWER PACE
$2,500 per 12-week billing session, $125 resource kit fee, 90 total program points, 68 max transfer points
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or quarter
$18,675
MAX TRANSFER CREDITS
$38,640
AVERAGE TRANSFER CREDITS
$69,754
NO TRANSFER CREDITS
$365 per 1000-2000 level credit $415 per 3000-4000 level credit, $150 resource kit fee, 180 total quarter credits, 135 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, effective July 8, 2024, and is subject to change. Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances such as your program specialization, transfer credits, any applicable tuition discounts, and (in FlexPath) how quickly you complete courses. These estimates do not include the cost of books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses. Tuition estimates shown for the FlexPath learning format are based on “accelerated pace” (speed of fastest 25% of FlexPath students), “typical pace” (median speed of FlexPath students), and “slower pace” (speed of fastest 75% of FlexPath students) and assumes average number of transfer credits. Tuition estimates shown for programs in the GuidedPath learning format depend on the number of credits accepted for transfer. New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Military Tuition Assistance is not available for the FlexPath learning format.
Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include travel expenses and practicum costs. You will be charged $50-$200 each quarter or billing session for your resource kit, which includes required books, software and other course materials. Click here to review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education. Learn more about financing your education.
Get the details
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
“With my BS in Psychology degree, I want to make changes where employees can positively grow to love their job and contribute to their company's success. My BS in Psychology is only a steppingstone as I have a long way to go to get to my PhD. Getting my bachelor’s with Capella has provided me the first steps in reaching my career goals.”
David Lin* – BS in Psychology, FlexPath graduate
*Actual FlexPath graduate who agreed to appear in Capella promotional materials.
Are there scholarships available for bachelor’s degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.
*Eligibility rules apply. Books, supplies, course materials, equipment and other fees apply. Travel expenses related to residencies, practicum, etc., are not covered by the scholarship.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability.
See all our accreditations and recognitions.
What are the BS in Psychology admission requirements?
Applicants to the BS in Psychology, General Psychology program must provide the following information for admission:
- Admission application – no application fee required
- High school diploma or equivalent
- A transcript of any reported GED
- 4.5 credits eligible for transfer. See Sophia Admissions Pathways as an option to obtain credits.
- Applicants under the age of 24 must also submit a high school transcript verifying graduation
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
SAT and ACT are not required for admission.
Accelerated Master’s Pathway (AMP) admission requirements
- To qualify for an AMP option, you must submit transcripts from all previous higher education institutions, have received a minimum 2.8 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on all previous college coursework and have no fewer than 24 total eligible transfer credits.
- Once enrolled in a GuidedPath AMP option, you must maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 2.8 and receive no more than one grade of C in any master’s-level course to remain enrolled in the AMP option.
- Once enrolled in a FlexPath AMP option, you must earn a minimum Proficient evaluation on all competencies in your program to remain enrolled in the AMP option. If you fall below this threshold you’ll be automatically changed into the associated non-AMP undergraduate offering.
- When you have successfully completed the requirements for your bachelor’s degree program and your degree has been awarded, you may apply to the master’s degree program that corresponds with your chosen AMP option. You’re not guaranteed admission into a corresponding master’s degree program and you must complete a separate application for admission to the program.
FlexPath admission requirements
Applicants for our FlexPath self-paced learning option must also meet the following criteria:
- High school diploma or equivalent and 45 transferable college credits
- The recommended minimum GPA is 2.8 OR at least 100 applied transfer college credits. Those with a lower GPA and less than 100 applied transfer college credits may have the option to satisfy GPA and/or transfer credit requirements through successful completion of gen-ed courses through our affiliate Sophia prior to starting a Capella degree program.
Transition to FlexPath: Applicants whose GPA is below the FlexPath admission threshold may be considered once they successfully complete at least two GuidedPath courses (or eight credits, whichever is greater). Those learners will also need to meet the requirement of 45 transfer credits to be approved for the transition into FlexPath.
International student requirements
If you live outside the U.S. or aren’t a U.S. citizen, you may be considered an international student.
To meet the requirements for Capella admission, you must:
- Earn the minimum score on an acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Attend an internationally recognized institution
- Provide transcripts for evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
What can you do with a BS in Psychology degree?
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, General Psychology.
Job titles to explore
- Academic advisor
- Assessment specialist
- Case manager
- Caseworker
- Career coach
- Employment specialist
- Family advocate
Employment settings to explore
- Child and youth services
- Civic and social organizations
- Colleges, universities and professional schools
- Correctional institutions
- Elementary and secondary schools
- Executive offices
- General medical and surgical hospitals
- Other general government support
- Other individual and family services
- Other social advocacy organizations
- Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
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