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PSYCHOLOGY DEGREES & CERTIFICATES

Understand the science of human behavior

Master your understanding of human behaviors, motivations and needs. Capella bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in psychology can help you make a difference.

Online psychology degrees designed for flexibility

Your understanding of human behavior can help build a career that positively impacts the lives of others. As a student of psychology, you can develop the skills and knowledge to work with a wide range of populations in a program that is structured to give you the flexibility you need.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology: FlexPath lets you finish the degree you started, with a bachelor’s in psychology in 15 months for $15,000.*

Master of Science in Psychology: With FlexPath, you can earn your master’s in psychology in 15 months and under $18,000.*

*Based on fastest 25% 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.

Find your psychology program

Degree
selectedAos:8
Area of study

Learning format

bachelors 1,2,7,8,10,26
doctoral 8,12,7,2,10,26,9,1,25
certificate 2,9,7,8
masters 25,8,12,2,1,10,26,9,7
bachelors 2,7,1,10,8
doctoral 2,10,25,12
certificate
masters 8,2,10,7

Accredited and recognized

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Accreditation and recognitions provide the assurance we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services and fiscal stability. See all of our accreditations and recognitions.

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences mission

The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences provides innovative, student-centered education that is competency-based, rigorous, relevant and transformative. Our programs prepare graduates to be agents of systemic change in a diverse, complex and ever-evolving society.

Our programs are built around student success

Capella University’s online psychology programs offer a flexible and supportive learning environment that can help you fit an education into your busy schedule as you pursue your professional goals. Our faculty and staff are here to help you succeed.

Student satisfaction

84% of psychology alumni are satisfied with their Capella education.

Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2022–2023

Exam prep for MS in ABA

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified these courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam. Applicants will still need to meet additional eligibility requirements and demonstrate they reside in an authorized country before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

Scholar-practitioner faculty

Learn the latest in theory and practice from experienced doctoral-prepared faculty who are actively engaged in their professions.

Two learning formats

To meet the needs of your busy life, we offer two competency-based online learning formats – GuidedPath and FlexPath. Is FlexPath right for you?

FlexPath is available in select programs.

Professionally aligned curriculum

Our courses are developed around nationally recognized standards, with curriculum that is professionally aligned to help you achieve your goals.

Foundational skills

The Capella BS in Psychology is designed around the American Psychological Association’s guidelines for undergraduate psychology.

Thoughtfully designed

82% of psychology master’s degree alumni agree their education was designed around the needs of working professionals.

Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2022–2023

Expert Advisory Board

The Capella Social and Behavioral Sciences Advisory Board helps ensure your curriculum is developed with the insight and support of industry leaders.

Questions about our psychology programs? Start here.

Meet Capella’s psychology faculty

Our expert faculty members have designed curricula to help enable our students and graduates to make a difference in the evolving world of psychology. We do this by ensuring our programs focus on current and emerging needs. Our goal is to give students the opportunity to demonstrate competencies using real-world tools, processes and practices. Learning takes place in a highly supportive environment enriched with multiple resources aimed at assisting with success.

Chelsea Overholt, PhD, LPC

Program Director, Undergraduate and Applied Graduate Psychology

Dr. Chelsea Overholt serves as the academic program director for Undergraduate and Applied Graduate Psychology in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Capella University. She is an accomplished academic leader with extensive experience in online teaching and administration at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She holds a PhD in Business Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP), an MA in Forensic Psychology: Professional Counselor Licensure Track from TCSPP, and a BA in Psychology and Law & Society from Purdue University.

Throughout her career, Dr. Overholt has held various leadership positions managing online academic programs and serving on online campus leadership teams. Her expertise spans counseling, academic and industry settings, giving her a broad understanding of the education landscape. Dr. Overholt has published and presented works on a range of topics, including adolescent treatment perspectives, faculty onboarding, virtual program review, student engagement, interprofessional education and nontraditional student success. 

Dr. Overholt is deeply committed to advancing the future of online learning and creating enriching online experiences for students. She is dedicated to ensuring that students are successful in their academic journeys while focusing on their support and retention.

Gerald P. Koocher, PhD, LP, ABPP

Program Director, Clinical and School Psychology

Dr. Gerald Koocher is the program director for Clinical and School Psychology at Capella.  He completed a BA degree in psychology from Boston University followed by MA and PhD degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Missouri. His areas of expertise include pediatric and forensic psychology, as well as bioethics. Earlier in his career, Dr. Koocher served as chief of psychology at Boston Children’s Hospital and an institute director at Harvard Medical School.  He also served as a tenured professor and health sciences dean at Simmons University (Boston) and DePaul University (Chicago). 

Dr. Koocher holds four active psychology licenses (IL, MA, MN and NH) and five certifications from the American Board of Professional Psychology (clinical, child/adolescent, couple/family, health and forensic psychology). Dr. Koocher has received numerous awards and published more than 350 works including 18 books. He served as president of the American Psychological Association in 2006.

Julianne Lasley, EdD, BCBA-D, LBA (MI)

Program Director, Applied Behavior Analysis

Dr. Julianne Lasley has dedicated over 20 years to the field of behavior analysis. Currently serving as the program director of the applied behavior analysis program at Capella University, she plays a crucial role in overseeing the curriculum and supporting student and faculty development. For the past decade, Dr. Lasley has been deeply involved in academia, functioning as a faculty leader in addition to mentoring doctoral students. Before transitioning to academia, she applied the science of behavior analysis in various settings including homes, schools, adult day care centers and clinics. Her work in these settings involved providing support to children and adults with various disabilities. 

Dr. Lasley possesses experience and training in organizational behavior management, leveraging this knowledge to enhance performance and employee safety across different organizational settings. Her most recent research interests revolve around equity and inclusion in behavior analysis, college student persistence, feedback strategies for performance improvement and leadership behaviors.

More resources for your education career

Explore your path in the field of psychology

Discover potential paths to gain the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a career in the field of psychology.

What is clinical counseling?

Explore how clinical counseling can help support emotional and mental health.

What is applied research in psychology?

Discover the benefits and applications of an advanced psychology degree in applied research.

Ready for the next step?

Learning online doesn’t mean going it alone. Help is here when you need it, from faculty and academic coaches to advisors and more. Plus, you’ll have a supportive community of students who are as passionate about their careers as you are about yours.