Psychology (Online)

For admission into Alvernia’s online psychology degree, you must have a 2.0 GPA or higher. To apply:

• Speak to an enrollment counselor
• Complete an application
• Provide evidence of high school completion/graduation. Documentation may include high school transcript, diploma, GED scores, or equivalent.*
• Submit official transcripts of all previous college work (if applicable)
• Submit a copy of DD214 from military (if applicable)

*This requirement may be waived if an official college transcript is provided to validate completion of 15 credits or more from an accredited school.

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

As you complete your psychology degree online, you’ll be exposed to a variety of topics, including:

• Basic processes underlying human behavior, as well as basic skills and concepts for interpreting behavior, such as descriptive and correlational research design principles
• Physical, cognitive, social, personality and moral development through one’s lifespan
• How to conduct scientific research in psychology and evaluate the research of others
• Mental illnesses and maladaptive behavior and their respective treatments
• How to develop techniques necessary to be effective in professional settings and the formal regulations that govern professional ethics in the field
• Ethical, clinical and professional concerns in psychology

The online psychology degree is made up of a total of 123 credits. The Liberal Arts Core makes up 31 to 55 of the program’s credits, and the major requires 45 credits.

Liberal Arts Core (31-55 credits)

• All Alvernia University students are required to complete between 31-55 credits toward the Liberal Arts Core. Transfer work may be applicable for this area. As part of the application process, students receive specific information regarding remaining credits. Students entering the program with 70 or more transfer credits or an associate degree must complete 31-55 Liberal Arts Core credit hours.

General Elective Requirements (as needed)

• A total of 123 credits, including three credits in a human diversity course, are required to earn a bachelor’s degree. To adhere to Franciscan values, community service hours are also required.

Core Requirements (30 credits)

• PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology (3)
• PSY 130: Exploring Research (3)
• PSY 208: Human Development Across the Life Span (3)
• PSY 230: Applications of Research (3)
• PSY 250: Introduction to Psychopathology (3)
• PSY 301: History and Systems in Psychology (3)
• PSY 314: Applications of Theories and Techniques (3)
• PSY 408: Research Seminar (3)
• PSY 450: Professional Ethics for the Helping Professional

Electives (15 credits)

• Note: PSY 270 may not be used as a PSY elective for the major.

• Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

After earning your Bachelor of Science in Psychology online, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

• Psychologist
• Therapist
• Counselor
• Training and development
• Healthcare
• Criminal justice
• Teacher
• Human resources
• Social worker

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the range of jobs available with a bachelor’s degree in psychology is projected to grow up to 22 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in those professions in 2021 ranged from $50,000 to $81,000.