Online Bachelor's in Psychology
Why should you get this degree?
Are you curious about the human mind, or why people do the things they do? Are you committed to the idea that you want to be a responsive, considerate mental health professional, or an advocate for your community? Are you passionate about engaging in innovative research on the mind and human behavior? If so, a bachelor's degree in psychology may be right for you. The Department of Psychology at Fort Hays State University provides compelling, hands-on experiential programs that will arm you with practical skills and theory.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology
- Completion of 10 hours of a single foreign language
General Education Requirements | 34 credit hours |
Psychology Major Classes | 36 credit hours |
Foreign Language | 10 credit hours |
Free Electives | 40 credit hours |
Total | 120 credit hours |
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology
- A candidate for the BS in Psychology must complete 20 hours of course work in Natural Science and/or Mathematics.
- We recommend the BS option for students who intend to go to graduate school.
General Education Requirements | 34 credit hours |
Psychology Major Classes | 36 credit hours |
Additional Math & Science Classes | 13 credit hours |
Free Electives | 37 credit hours |
Total | 120 credit hours |
Psychology Major Requirements
Our undergraduate psychology curriculum for both the BA and BS emphasizes scientific and theoretical knowledge as well as hands-on experiences. Students complete core courses that provide a framework for the foundations of psychology as a science as well as a broad introduction to the various sub-disciplines (e.g., General Psychology; Science of Psychology; Psychology as a Discipline and Profession).
Our elective classes are designed around three content emphasis areas:
- Social Cognitive Emphasis: This emphasis area focuses on social influence and cognition as well as environmental factors that influence the way we think, feel, behave, and make decisions.
- Developmental Cultural Emphasis: This emphasis area connects the developmental process of an individual to culture to identify how are social, emotional, and neurological development is shaped.
- Applied Mental Health Emphasis: This emphasis area focuses on the application of psychology within the fields of clinical psychology (mental health), sports psychology, and forensic psychology.
BA & BS Coursework - Total 36 credit hours:
Every student will take the required 18 credit hours of Foundation core courses:
- PSY 100 General Psychology (3)
- PSY 101 Psychology as a Discipline & Profession (1)
- PSY 201 The Science of Psychology (3)
- PSY 480 Applied Statistic (4)
- PSY 498 Experimental Lab (4)
- PSY 668 Neuropsychology (3)
Students will choose 1 course from each emphasis area below:
- Social Cognitive Emphasis Area
- PSY 334 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (3)
- PSY 340 Social Psychology (3)
- PSY 425 Personality (3)
- Developmental Cultural Emphasis Area
- PSY 400 Child and Developmental Psychology (3)
- PSY 415 Adolescensce (3)
- PSY 420 Psychology of Aging (3)
- Applied Mental Health Emphasis Area
- PSY 300 Abnormal Psychology (3)
- PSY 310 Introduction to Therapeutic Skills (3)
- PSY 355 Drugs and Behavior (3)
Students will choose 3 or more courses from 1 emphasis area below:
- Social Cognitive Emphasis Area
- PSY 315 Industrial Psychology (3)
- PSY 330 Elements of Learning (3)
- PSY 334 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (3)
- PSY 340 Social Psychology (3)
- PSY 359 Evolutionary Psychology (3)
- PSY 422 Intimate Relationships (3)
- PSY 425 Personality (3)
- PSY 450 Perception (3)
- PSY 452 Judgment & Decision Making (3)
- PSY 350 Special Topics (3)
- Developmental Cultural Emphasis Area
- PSY 312 Introduction to School Psychology (3)
- PSY 325 Human Sexuality (3)
- PSY 400 Child and Developmental Psychology (3)
- PSY 412 Social & Emotional Development (3)
- PSY 415 Adolescensce (3)
- PSY 420 Psychology of Aging (3)
- PSY 350 Special Topics (3)
- Applied Mental Health Emphasis Area
- PSY 300 Abnormal Psychology (3)
- PSY 310 Introduction to Therapeutic Skills (3)
- PSY 355 Drugs and Behavir (3)
- PSY 357 Forensic Psychology (3)
- PSY 369 Criminal Psychology (3)
- PSY 375 Case Management (3)
- PSY 430 Sports Psychology (3)
- PSY 460 Behavioral Addictions (3)
- PSY 462 Eating Disorders (3)
- PSY 685 Behavior Therapy (3)
- PSY 350 Special Topics (3)
Recommended Course Sequence
The faculty in the Department of Psychology have put considerable thought into recommending the following sequence of required courses. In our experience, students who take courses in this order maximize their chances of success. PSY 100 (General Psychology) serves as a prerequisite for all of our courses. Next, we recommend students take PSY 101 and PSY 201, followed by PSY 480, then PSY 498 and PSY 668.
How much does FHSU Online undergraduate tuition cost?
Credit Hour Rate |
Credit Hours for Degree |
Total Estimated |
$257.33 | 120 credit hours | $30,879.60 |
*Tuition and Fees are subject to change at any time by the Kansas Board of Regents.
What can I do with the degree?
Students earning a bachelor's degree in psychology will have a foundation to enter a specific career or to pursue additional graduate work. The first question to ask yourself is "what do you want to do?" The second question is "do you want to pursue graduate work?"
For students interested in moving directly into the workforce upon graduation, a psychology degree will provide ample skills. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites analytical, communication, interpersonal, observational, and problem-solving skills, as well as patience and integrity. These skills can be applied to a wide range of careers. Examples include human resource management, sales, criminal justice, and marketing. For students interested in pursuing careers in the mental health and helping professions with a bachelor's degree, we have created the workforce ready certificate program in case management. Students with this certificate receive direct training in becoming case managers, which is a bachelor's level career.
For further reading on a bachelor's degree in psychology:
- https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2018/01/bachelors-degree
- https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/features/2009/first-job
Interested in the program?
Please contact the Department of Psychology at 785-628-4405.