An online psychology degree gives you an overview of what constitutes normative and non-normative human behavior and conditions as well as their various treatments, theories, and responses. It shows how psychologists apply psychological principles to various patients with unique and diverse cultures and backgrounds.

The degree also exposes you to methods of creating psychology-based research experiments to expand knowledge in the field, and familiarizes you with the five APA's principles for conducting, presenting, and applying psychological research: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence, Fidelity and Responsibility, Integrity, Justice, and Respect for People's Rights and Dignity.

It equips individuals to pursue advanced study to become psychology researchers and/or practitioners.

A good indicator is if you have certain interests, passions, or skills.

• Are you interested in human behavior and various emotional, mental, and psychological conditions?
• Do you have compassion for those struggling with mental and emotional conditions, addictions, relational challenges, traumatic experiences, or other similar difficulties?
• Are you a good listener with strong interpersonal skills?
• Do you believe that emotional and mental health is a major concern for the country that needs to be addressed?

Answers to these questions can show you how equipped you are for the program.

The degree can prepare you for a career as a Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist, counselor for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health, Psychotherapist, Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, Child Psychologist, Forensic Psychologist, Life Coach, Social Worker, University Teacher and/or Researcher, Marketer and/or Advertising Professional, Human Resources Manager, Sales Manager and/or Consultant.

It can also be applied to careers in human resources, marketing, or business to facilitate healthy working environments.

Therapists, or psychotherapists, apply psychological theories and practices to help patients develop emotional or cognitive skills and reduce negative psychological symptoms. They must be certified and have a relevant graduate degree in order to practice.

Psychiatrists diagnose serious mental or emotional conditions/illnesses, prescribe appropriate medications, and monitor the effects of medications and therapies. They can administer psychotherapy and brain stimulation therapies in addition to prescribing medications.

The term counselor is often used as a catch-all phrase for therapists, career counselors, life coaches, and even psychiatrists. In this sense, it's true that therapists and psychiatrists are also counselors. However, there is a difference between a mental health counselor and a career counselor. The former is essentially a therapist but would need to have a master's degree and be certified to practice. A career counselor focuses on helping an individual identify, pursue, or change careers. They would not address serious emotional and mental issues the way a therapist/psychiatrist does.

A high school diploma or GED is required to enroll in an online psychology degree program. In the case of transferring into a program, additional credits from a two-year or four-year institution would be required.

You can ask yourself a few questions when researching online psychology degree programs: Can you afford the program? What kind of financial aid is available? Do you have the time to be in a program? What other life responsibilities (work, family, etc.) may you need to account for? Does an online psychology degree program provide the best structure for you? Does the school align with your values and background? What are the faculty, current students, and alumni like?

Central Christian College of Kansas offers an online psychology program that provides a Christian-centered teaching model, uniting deep psychological knowledge with moral and religious principles in a form of Christian psychology.

Reach out to an enrollment advisor to help determine if a given program will fit your current needs and expectations.

Earning a psychology degree online is a great option for students that need greater flexibility or cannot attend in person. Forty-five core credits in psychology are required to graduate. The length of the program will depend on how many credits a student transfers from a previous two-year or four-year institution.

Depending on whether a student is full-time or part-time, the program can take anywhere from two to four years to complete. For transferring students, some programs can be completed in as few as 15 months. Class discussions, lectures, and the submission of assignments are done all online.

The job outlook for graduates is strong. Here are some statistics including projected job growth rates from 2018 through 2028:

• Psychologist (14 percent)
• Marriage and Family Therapist (22 percent)
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor (22 percent)
• School and Career Counselor (8 percent)
• Social Worker (11 percent)
• Postsecondary Teacher (11 percent)
• Market Research Analyst (20 percent)
• Sales Manager (5 percent)
• Human Resources Manager (7 percent)

The median pay for psychologists is $80,370 per year. Here are median salaries, per year, of additional careers that an online psychology degree can lead to:

• Marriage and Family Therapist ($49,610)
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor ($46,240)
• School and Career Counselor ($57,040)
• Social Worker ($50,470)
• Postsecondary Teacher ($79,540)
• Market Research Analyst ($63,790)
• Sales Manager ($126,640)
• Human Resources Manager ($116,720)

Check out the Central Christian College of Kansas online psychology degree program. Or schedule a call with a counselor to see if an online degree like in psychology is right for you.