ECU Online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Finish Your Degree at ECU

Ranked in the top 10 of America’s Top Online Colleges in 2023 by Newsweek

Transfer friendly; 24 credits required

$429 per credit hour, including technology fee for Fall 2026*

*$510 for out-of-state students; tuition subject to change

Learn more about the BA in Psychology at ECU Online.

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Find Your Focus With ECU Online’s Psychology Program

In today’s dynamic professional world, psychology underscores every decision, interaction, and strategy, providing valuable insights into human behavior and motivation. At East Carolina University®, our online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology offers a streamlined and comprehensive exploration of this fundamental discipline, deepening your understanding of the human experience and preparing you to utilize these insights in your life and career.

Through practical, real-world learning, our online bachelor’s degree in psychology delves into core topics such as information processing, memory, and the biological basis of psychological phenomena. Then, we give you the tools to apply that understanding to key capabilities needed in any career, such as critical thinking, written communication, and interpersonal collaboration skills.

Upon graduating from the program, you’ll be well-positioned to advance in any of a number of industries, such as business, communication, mental health services, government, or the nonprofit sector. Beyond academics, we pride ourselves on robust student support, from comprehensive academic advising to dedicated career coaching that sets you up for success.

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What You’ll Learn

The ECU Online: BA in Psychology Flight Path Program is designed to help you recognize your own unique perspective while enriching your connections with the people you meet and work with every day. Our widely applicable program allows you to complete a bachelor’s degree that employers recognize and value, as you’ll learn key skills in areas such as:

  • Behavioral science and research design
  • Interpreting data in decision-making
  • Operating effectively in an organization
  • Managing high-stress situations
  • Information processing and memory
  • Professionalism and communication
  • Critical thinking and cooperation
  • Human behavior and the social environment

Flight Path Programs

Flight Path Programs are designed specifically for returning, adult learners who are balancing work, family, and life responsibilities. These fully online programs offer the flexibility and convenience needed to fit education into a busy schedule, with multiple start dates throughout the year, so you can begin when the time is right for you. Courses are offered in a condensed format, allowing you to focus on fewer classes at a time—making it easier to stay on track, complete your program, and move confidently toward your academic and professional goals.

Is a BA in Psychology Worth It?

Earning an online bachelor’s degree in psychology prepares you for any of a number of career paths, whether you want to pursue a role in mental health through continued education or a nonclinical role, such as a project manager position. Either way, a foundation in psychology can benefit professionals at all levels of an organization.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), studying psychology provides individuals with a human-centric foundation that will enable them to drive the workplace toward a better future. Applying psychology in our work allows us to explore solutions to key questions such as:

  • What causes gaps in access to healthcare, education, and income?
  • How do people interact with and understand technology?
  • How do we make sure that artificial intelligence doesn’t cause harm?
  • How do organizations and systems change?

Professionals who leverage psychological insights in their career can become effective innovators who use their knowledge of human behavior and relationships to meet workplace challenges and understand trends.

Career Outcomes With a Psychology Degree

A BA in Psychology can help you reach your career goals in practically any sector, including business, government, nonprofits, or health services. Job titles that some of our graduates hold include:*

Project Management Specialist

Median Annual Salary: $82,361

Market Research Analyst

Median Annual Salary: $76,950

Public Relations Specialist

Median Annual Salary: $57,510

Human Resources Specialist

Median Annual Salary: $59,621

Fundraiser

Median Annual Salary: $60,221

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor

Median Annual Salary: $59,190

Curriculum & Courses

Psychology is a dynamic major, and that’s reflected in our curriculum. The BA degree requires 120 total credit hours, with 40 hours of general education courses, 12 hours of a foreign language (1001 to 2004), 35 hours in the study of psychology, 18 to 30 hours of minor coursework and any remaining general electives.

At least 50% of psychology courses and 25% of the degree must be completed at ECU Online. Second-degree students are waived from General Education and Minor or General Elective requirements.

Keep in mind that as a degree completion program, we accept transfer credits, which may significantly reduce your required hours to graduate. The required psychology courses include:

Core Psychology Courses - 15 credit hours

PSYC 1000 – Introductory Psychology
General survey of fundamental principles underlying human behavior. Includes introduction, learning, memory, development, physiological, motivation, social and abnormal behavior, and one or two additional topics as time permits.

PSYC 2101 – Psychological Statistics
Descriptive statistics. Measures of central tendency, variability, and correlation. Probability, with emphasis on sampling distributions used for prediction and hypothesis testing. Selection, computation, and interpretation of parametric and nonparametric inferential statistics, including introduction to analysis of variance.

PSYC 3225 – Psychology of Learning
Introductory survey of experimental methods, basic research, principles, and theories of learning and forgetting.

or

PSYC 3226 – Cognitive Psychology
Focus on human research and cognition including attention, perception, consciousness, memory, concept learning, language, symbolic behavior, and problem solving.

PSYC 3310 – Introduction to Neuroscience
Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology and their relationship to behavior

or

PSYC 3311 – Neuropsychology
Clinical and cognitive neuropsychology. Basic anatomy of nervous system and neuronal physiology, cortical lesion syndromes, brain disorders affecting higher functions, and basic research on attention, laterality, language, and thought.

PSYC 4000 – Advanced General Psychology
In-depth overview of psychology as a science organized around five main questions: How do humans (and, where relevant, animals) act, how do they know, how do they interact, how do they develop, and how do they differ from each other?

Choose Two (6 credit hours):

PSYC 3206 – Developmental Psychology
Psychological development throughout life span. Emphasis on perceptual, cognitive, social, and personality development.

PSYC 3221 – Social Psychology
Interaction of the individual and society. Topics include study of basic psychological factors such as perception and motivation, which shape and reflect social influence; nature, formation, and change of attitudes; attitude measurement; conformity; role expectations; leadership and dynamics.

PSYC 3375 – Abnormal Psychology
Systematic appraisal of development of human deviant behavior. Examination of formation of deviancy and current diagnostic procedures.

Choose Three (minimum of 9 credit hours):

PSYC 2211 – Careers in Psychology
Exploring career opportunities in psychology and related professions.

PSYC 2777 – Ethnocultural Psychology
Importance of various ethnocultural factors (including gender, race, nationality, education, occupation, religion, sexual orientation, and family background) which affect psychological functioning of the individual.

PSYC 3206 – Developmental Psychology
Psychological development throughout life span. Emphasis on perceptual, cognitive, social, and personality development.

PSYC 3221 – Social Psychology
Interaction of individuals and society. Topics include study of basic psychological factors such as perception and motivation, which shape and reflect social influence; nature, formation, and change of attitudes; attitude measurement; conformity; role expectations; leadership and dynamics.

PSYC 3225 – Psychology of Learning
Introductory survey of experimental methods, basic research, principles, and theories of learning and forgetting.

PSYC 3226 – Cognitive Psychology
Focus on human research and cognition including attention, perception, consciousness, memory, concept learning, language, symbolic behavior, and problem solving.

PSYC 3241 – Personnel and Industrial Psychology
Systems approach to study employee-employer relationships influencing productivity and satisfaction. Secondary emphasis on employee selection, job analysis, performance appraisal, and training. Research applied to industrial, governmental, and military organizations.

PSYC 3310 – Introduction to Neuroscience
Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology and their relationship to behavior.

PSYC 3375 – Abnormal Psychology
Clinical and cognitive neuropsychology. Basic anatomy of nervous system and neuronal physiology; cortical lesion syndromes; brain disorders affecting higher functions; and basic research on attention, laterality, language, and thought.

PSYC 4305 – Educational Psychology
Psychological principles applied to educational settings, including learning, motivation, classroom management, and psychological assessment.

Sarah Branch, BA in Psychology Graduate
“Once I took my much-needed time off to spend with my family and sweet baby boy, I found that my program had finally been put online. This gave me the chance to finish what I started…thanks to Flight Path, it has allowed me to do so.”
‐ Sarah Branch, BA in Psychology Graduate
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“I was ready to go back to school, and I went to ECU and found a great program. The psychology program made sense for where I was in life and what I love to do.”
‐ Presley Holland Freeman, BA in Psychology Graduate

Tuition and Financial Aid

$410 per credit hour plus fees for Fall 2026*

*$491 plus fees for out-of-state students; tuition subject to change

120 CREDIT HOURS*

*Transfer credits may reduce number of hours

FINANCIAL AID ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

ECU Online: Flight Path Programs tuition for in-state students is just $410 per credit hour plus fees. For out-of-state students, the tuition is $491 per credit hour plus fees. With transfer credits and financial aid, your bachelor’s degree is within reach.

Note: For Summer 2026, tuition is $398 per credit hour plus fees for in-state students and $477 per credit hour plus fees for out-of-state students.

Learn More

WIDELY APPLICABLE SKILLS

You’ll gain key insights and professional competencies to lead organizational success across industries and effectively manage interpersonal relationships.

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER

The program will deepen your understanding of human behavior, empowering you to make the transition to management or increase your impact in your current role.

TRANSFER-FRIENDLY

You can transfer credits from coursework you’ve already completed and fast-track your path to a BA—with just 35 core credits required for our online psychology degree.

BEYOND ACADEMICS

Our focus on individualized attention and student support ensures that you leave not only with academic proficiency but the tools for advancement.

TOP RANKED

ECU was ranked in the top 10 of America’s Top Online Colleges 2023 by Newsweek, meaning that you’ll graduate with a degree respected by employers nationwide.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

ECU is more than a university—it’s a community. Even as an online student, you’ll benefit from a powerful network of peers and faculty who truly care about your success.

The next class start date is approaching. Don’t wait to apply!

Choose the Right Minor to Supplement Your Degree

Four available minors have been handpicked to complement the psychology major as best choices for career competitiveness.

Criminal Justice

The 18-credit hour criminal justice minor complements the psychology major by offering a foundational understanding of the criminal justice system, including crime theory, legal processes, and ethical practices. Through core and elective courses, students explore topics such as policing, corrections, forensic psychology, and criminal behavior - preparing them for careers or graduate study at the intersection of psychology and justice.

Human Development & Family Science

The 21-credit hour human development and family science (HDFS) minor pairs well with a psychology major, offering insights into how individuals grow and develop within family and social systems. This minor is ideal for students interested in careers in counseling, education, or social services.

Security Studies

The 18-credit hour security studies minor provides an interdisciplinary overview of security-related issues, policies, and infrastructure. If you plan to use your psychology degree in the local, state, or federal governments, or the private or non-profit sectors, this minor is a good fit.

Sociology

The 18-credit hour sociology minor offers a complementary lens to psychology by focusing on social groups, institutions, and societal structures. It’s a strong choice for students interested in understanding human behavior through the dynamics of culture, inequality, and social systems.

ECU Online: BA in Psychology Minor Courses

To complete this degree, you must choose and complete a minor. Because Flight Path programs are offered through flexible, condensed terms (7.5 weeks courses; multiple start dates per year), there are limited minors available.

Four available minors have been handpicked to complement the psychology major as best choices for career competitiveness—see courses for each below.

Criminal Justice

The minor in criminal justice allows students to gain knowledge about the justice system. Since psychology majors may work with people who engage in deviant and sometimes criminal behavior, it matches well with the major.

The criminal justice minor requires 18 hours from the following courses:

CRIM 1000 – Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRIM 2004 – Crime and Criminality (Pre-requisite is CRIM 1000)
CRIM 3500 – Principles of Criminal Law (Pre-requisite is CRIM 2004)

9 hours of CRIM electives from:

CRIM 2009 – Corrections in the United States (Pre-requisite is CRIM 1000)
CRIM 2012 – Police and Society (Pre-requisite is CRIM 1000)
CRIM 3003 – Drugs and Crime (Pre-requisite is CRIM 2004)
CRIM 3007 – Criminal Investigation (Pre-requisite is CRIM 2004)
CRIM 3101 – Conflict Management (Pre-requisite is CRIM 2004)
CRIM 3112 – Advanced Seminar in Law Enforcement (Pre-requisite is CRIM 2004 & CRIM 2012)
CRIM 3200 – The Juvenile Justice System (Pre-requisite is CRIM 2004)
CRIM 3503 – Courts and Judicial Process (Pre-requisite is CRIM 2004)
CRIM 3605 – White-Collar Crime (Pre-requisite is CRIM 2004)
CRIM 3620 – Homeland Security (Pre-requisite is CRIM 2004)
CRIM 4005 – Organized Crime (Pre-requisite is CRIM 2004)
CRIM 4006 – Community Corrections (Pre-requisite is CRIM 2004)

All the above CRIM electives are 3 credit hours; availability each part of term will vary.

Human Development & Family Science

The HDFS minor is a good choice for those looking to use their psychology degree in fields like counseling, education, or social services.

The HDFS minor requires 21 hours from the following courses:

HDFS 1103 – Individual, Family, and Romantic Relationships
HDFS 2000 – Child Development I: Prenatal Through Early Childhood
HDFS 2001 – Child Development II: Middle Childhood Through Young Adulthood
HDFS 2400 – Introduction to Gerontology
HDFS 3002 – Family Systems and Parenting Across the Life Cycle
HDFS 3215 – The Family As Consumers (Pre-requisite is HDFS 1103)
HDFS 4303 – Families and Cultural Diversity (Pre-requisite is HDFS 1103)
or
HDFS 4313 – Health and Well-Being of Families and Communities (Pre-requisite is HDFS 1103)

Security Studies

The security studies minor is designed to provide an interdisciplinary overview of security-related issues, policies, and infrastructure. If you plan to use your psychology degree in the local, state, or federal governments, or the private or non-profit sectors, this minor is a good fit.

The security studies minor requires 18 hours from the following courses:

SECS 1000 – Introduction to Security Studies
SECS 4000 – Senior Seminar in Security Studies

12 hours from:

CRIM 1000 – Introduction to Criminal Justice
HIST 3260 – The United States and the Middle East, 1783 to the Present
PLAN 1900 – Sustainable Cities
POLS 3080 – Security and Weapons of Mass Destruction
POLS 3144 – American Foreign Policy
POLS 3155 – National Security Policy

Sociology

The sociology minor exposes students to core concepts in the field. While psychology focuses on the mind and individual behavior, sociology focuses on social groups, institutions, and societal structures, giving students a different approach to studying human behavior.

The sociology minor requires 18 hours from the following courses:

SOCI 1010 – Race, Gender, Class
SOCI 2110 – Introduction to Sociology
SOCI 2220 – Sociology of Deviant Behavior
SOCI 3327 – Medical Sociology (Pre-requisite is SOCI 1010 or SOCI 2110)
SOCI 4347 – Social Class and Inequality (Pre-requisite is SOCI 1010 or SOCI 2110)
SOCI 4385 – Theoretical Perspectives and Applications (Pre-requisite is SOCI 2110)

Admissions

Online undergraduate students are required to have a minimum of 24 hours of transferable credits for admission. Students are evaluated under the transfer applicant criteria below:

  • A minimum of 24 hours of transferable college-level coursework (complete or in progress).
    • Only courses with a grade of “C-” or higher from regionally accredited institutions are eligible to transfer and can be used to gain admission.
    • Students under the age of 21 will also be expected to meet NC High School Minimum Course Requirements and are required to submit a final high school transcript.
  • A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA for all college-level coursework attempted.

Undergraduate Students Application Materials

  • A completed online application .
  • All official transcripts from each college, technical institute, or university attended, if applicable. Send transcripts to:

    Office of Undergraduate Admissions
    Mail Stop 517
    East Carolina University
    Greenville, NC 27858-435

    We also accept electronic transcripts from most transcript services. Please request to have them sent directly to transfer@ecu.edu .

Residency Determination

The Residency Determination Service (RDS) has been established by the North Carolina State Legislature as the centralized service for determining residency for students. All students must visit ncresidency.org to verify their residency.

If you’ve already completed the residency verification process and obtained your Residency Certification Number (RCN), you can enter your RCN when filling out our application. If you do not already have your RCN, you may submit your application and then come back and enter your RCN once you have it.

For more information, visit the Office of the Registrar’s Residency page , or contact RDS at 1-844-319-3640 or rdsinfo@ncresidency.org .

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

How many credits are generally required to complete an ECU Online: Flight Path Program?

For most programs, 120 total credit hours are required to graduate. This includes transfer credits and credits you earn at ECU.

Can I transfer credits from other institutions to an online Flight Path Program?

Yes. 24 transferable credits are required to apply. At least 25% of the degree must be completed at ECU and at least 50% of the major must be completed at ECU.

Are ECU Online: Flight Path Programs accredited?

Yes. East Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Learn more about accreditation .

What financial aid resources are available for students enrolled in ECU Online: Flight Path Programs?

ECU online program tuition for in-state students starts at just $410 per credit hour plus fees. For out-of-state students, the tuition starts at $491 per credit hour plus fees. Please note that tuition is subject to change. Learn more about financial aid opportunities .

Note: For Summer 2026, tuition is $398 per credit hour plus fees for in-state students and $477 per credit hour plus fees for out-of-state students.

What can you do with a bachelor’s in psychology?

If you plan to pursue a career in mental health, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology can serve as the first step on your path toward working in a clinical setting. This degree also can prepare you for work in a nonclinical area such as:

  • Public affairs
  • Education
  • Business
  • Health
  • Sales
  • Social work
  • Public safety

About ECU Online: Flight Path Programs

ECU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and was the first university in North Carolina to offer online degrees. We’ve continued to enhance the online experience ever since. As an established institution in North Carolina, we pride ourselves on offering a student-first, community-centric experience that empowers graduates to complete their online degrees from a reputable institution that employers recognize.

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*General labor market and salary data are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment. ECU does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. Additional training and experience may be necessary for leadership positions.