Degrees in Psychology
Help Others Improve and Manage Their Mental and Behavioral Health
When you pursue one of GCU’s psychology majors, you commit to learning about the human mind and how our emotions and behaviors are all connected. You gain a greater understanding of people and what makes them think and behave in certain ways. Whether you want to directly help people overcome adversity and improve their mental and behavioral health, or use this versatile skill in another career field, the psychology degree programs offered at GCU offer you the opportunity to help make a difference in other people’s lives.
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A nationwide survey conducted by the American Psychological Association revealed that 45% of adults ages 35-44 reported a mental illness in 2023, up from the pre-pandemic 31% in 2019.1
Study Modern Techniques and Tools Used in Psychology
At GCU, psychology majors are taught to become innovative thinkers and ethical decision-makers who excel at effective communication. Throughout the coursework in your psychology degree, you can gain knowledge and core competencies in the following areas:
- Ethical issues related to research, forensic psychology and psychotherapy
- Transitions throughout the life stages and how they impact one’s physical, social, cognitive, personality and moral developments
- Methods to promote healthy behaviors and techniques to prevent unhealthy habits
- Various research methods and statistics and how to gather, organize, analyze and interpret data
As an institutionally accredited university, GCU offers campus and online psychology degree programs, which offer you a quality education, led by knowledgeable and industry-experienced faculty. Whether you pursue your bachelor’s or graduate degree in psychology, or want to earn your PhD, there are many degrees in psychology offered at GCU that can help you meet your goals.
For high school students or working professionals, GCU’s online programs offer flexible formats designed to help you reach your education and career goals with more convenience.
If you prefer to earn your degree in person, GCU has select on-campus and evening psychology degree programs.
When you attend GCU as a psychology major, you can be assured of our commitment to providing high-achieving students with access to an affordable private education. Financing your education is a big investment in your future, so let GCU help you plan for it with these convenient cost-estimating tools and resources:
Earning a bachelor’s in psychology is a great way to prepare for graduate study. Many psychology majors go on to earn a graduate degree in psychology or in a related field such as counseling, social work or education. Others choose to use their skills in human psychology to pursue advanced education in law, medicine or criminal justice.
Depending on specialization and earned credentials, psychologists can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals and clinics, nursing homes, schools, mental health facilities, government agencies, social service agencies and nonprofit organizations.2
A benefit to earning an online psychology degree at the graduate level is the option to specialize in an area that fits your personal interests and career goals. At GCU, psychology degree emphases are offered in:
- Forensic psychology
- General psychology
- Geropsychology
- Health psychology
- Human factors psychology
- Industrial and organizational psychology
- Life coaching
FAQs for Degrees in Psychology
If you are interested in pursuing a degree in psychology, we have provided answers to frequently asked questions to assist you in your research.
1 American Psychological Association. (2023, Nov. 1). Stress in America 2023: A Nation Grappling With Psychological Impacts of Collective Trauma. Retrieved on Feb. 16, 2024.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Feb. 16). Psychologists Work Environment. Retrieved on Feb. 16, 2024.
3 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Psychologists as of May 2022. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as psychologists, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
4 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists.
5 Cherry, K. (2022, Oct. 12). 5 Types of Psychology Degrees. VeryWell Mind. Retrieved on Feb. 16, 2024.
Grand Canyon University's degrees in psychology that can offer the flexibility you need, while also providing a quality education in the psychology field.