American Public University System

Psychology Degree Options at American Public University System

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APUS offers both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in psychology. The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree is designed for students who plan on working in public-facing professions such as law, counseling, education, law enforcement, politics, military, and human services in various capacities. Emphasis is on applying the science of human behavior to various settings, including academic, clinical, and vocational.

This particular degree requires completion of 121 credit hours and can be completed within four years of full-time study. In addition to general education requirements, coursework in the psychology major involves subjects such as human development, major theories and research, application to professional careers, and the psychology of addiction and substance abuse, of terrorism and natural and man-made disaster response, and of military combat or sports. In addition to completing the online coursework, students involved in this program are required to have access to the Statistics Package for the Social Sciences analytics software, something that the university does not supply and therefore must be obtained by the student independently.

In addition to the undergraduate degree, students can pursue a Master of Arts in Psychology degree for students who wish to further their studies and career advancement while preparing for doctoral or other graduate studies in this area. The emphasis with this program is on the scientific theory and principles of psychology and academic research methods. This program builds on the undergraduate degree by going further in-depth into factors related to human behavior and social and cultural diversity.

This graduate program involves completion of 39 credit hours, of which a maximum of 15 can be transfer credits, and can be completed in about two years of full-time study. Coursework at this level places a greater emphasis on research with such subjects as theories and research methods, research and statistical methods, testing, design, scoring, and analyzing. Other courses involved with this degree program provide deeper study of lifespan development, cultural issues and social influences, personality development, and the ethical, legal, and moral issues faced by psychology professionals.

Adult learners often face unique challenges when trying to further their higher education or career goals, but with online courses and the flexible schedules that accompany them, such students have new options for completing college degrees. From classes that start monthly instead of only at a few fixed times per year and relatively affordable tuition rates, considering online education has never been easier. As a nationally recognized leader in online education, the American Public University System is ready to help motivated working professionals and busy military students prepare for the next level of their careers.

About American Public University System

Originally founded in 1991 as the American Military University and designed to offer career-relevant distance education to military learners, AMU became the American Public University System, or APUS, in 2002, with a goal of offering the same flexible and affordable education to a broader audience of working adults.

Offering strictly online education options, this university system is today one of the largest providers of online education and offers more than 190 academic programs to students from all over the world. Emphasis is still on offering quality educational opportunities to our nation’s military and public service communities while simultaneously serving more than 100,000 students seeking to advance their careers in a global society.

American Public University System Accreditation Details

American Public University, as part of the American Public University System, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. In addition, the baccalaureate program in nursing and various programs in the school of business have received specialized accreditations from the appropriate governing organizations of these programs.

American Public University System Application Requirements

For students seeking to enter as a first-time undergraduate degree seeker, the application process is fairly straightforward. Prospective students must choose an academic program prior to applying, but then they simply fill out a free online application and submit proof of a high school diploma or GED. As this is an entirely online educational experience, enrollment is open for undergraduate degrees at both the level of Associate degree and Bachelor’s degree.

The application involves both a request for the student’s relevant information and an acknowledgment that he or she has read the section on student rights and responsibilities. First-time undergraduate students may also be asked to take the self-paced College Readiness Assessment test prior to being fully admitted and enrolling in classes.

Students seeking admission as a transfer student or at the graduate level of study have some further requirements in that official transcripts showing prior college work will need to be submitted. In the case of seeking the Masters of Arts in Psychology degree, students must show proof of a baccalaureate degree from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

In addition, if that undergraduate degree is in a subject other than psychology, students must show proof of credits gained for courses in the introduction of psychology, research methods and statistical methods in psychology, and human growth and development. In either case, the student must show proof of maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate work.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition rates are set regardless of degree program, with undergraduate courses charged at $270 per credit hour or $250 per credit hour for students with a military grant. Graduate courses cost $350 per credit hour or $325 per credit hour for students with a military grant. Military grants are designed to cap tuition fees active-duty service members, Guard members, Reserve members, military spouses and dependents, and veterans.

Financial Aid is available through a variety of sources paying for your APUS education, including federal aid, military tuition assistance, veterans benefits, private loans, scholarships, employer benefits, or options for payment plans if students choose to self-pay. Student support center and financial aid advisors are available to answer questions and offer customized assistance in determining the best financial path for each student at American Public University System.