Anyone interested in pursuing a degree focused on human behavior could benefit from taking online courses in psychology. Whether interested in human development, cognitive processes, or emotional development, psychology students will take course work that explores the human mind, its development, and the abnormalities that can act as factors that influence behavior. Those who choose to major in psychology can spend as many as four years focusing primarily on the subject. Graduate students can spend two to eight years learning and researching psychology, depending on the degree level and how long it takes to complete all degree requirements.
There are other major areas of study that require an education in psychology. In fact, many students who do not major in psychology will still be expected to complete a social science component as part of their degrees. Psychology classes can be used to fulfill that requirement. For example, education students are encouraged to take psychology courses to help them understand a student’s psychological development and the different methods from which students can learn. These psychology courses include cognitive psychology, which offers insight into human behavior; and developmental psychology, which spans birth to old age and examines the emotional and cognitive changes that take place over time.
By taking psychology courses, students can gain an understanding of the social, cognitive, and cultural factors that affect human beings across their lifespan. Such course work can also benefit business majors who hope to go into a field that deals with people, like human resources or management. These positions require an understanding of human behavior and adult learning processes. Specific requirements for psychology courses vary based on the degree.
Students who need flexibility in their schedules can enroll in online college courses psychology. Both traditional schools and online schools offer these online courses for distance learners. Online psychology courses can be used for college credit if students take the courses at an accredited institution. The U.S. Department of Accreditation has a database of all accredited schools. However, taking an accredited course does not necessarily mean students will receive credit. It is best to check the transfer requirements at your school of choice before you enroll.
Psychology and Your Career
The extensive knowledge of human behavior and mental processes involved in psychology education can open up the mental health field for graduates. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, graduates can work as mental health technicians, aids on the mental health floor in a hospital setting, or research assistants. The major course work of a bachelor’s degree includes cognitive psychology, human development, and the biological foundations of psychology. Graduates will have more educational opportunities if they hold a master’s or doctorate degree, and can forge careers as counselors or psychologists. Graduate degrees prepare students to practice as mental health professionals by instructing students in abnormal psychology, behavioral analysis, and effective therapeutic techniques. Knowledge of human development, statistics, and assessment can also aid educators.
Those who take psychology courses in adult learning and behavior can use their knowledge and experiences to forge careers as human resource professionals and managers, as they will know how to interact with a variety of people and how to implement job training.
Online courses psychology classes can benefit anyone who wants deeper knowledge of what drives human behavior. A psychology education can help employees in any field that requires interaction with other people, as the course work provides information on the societal and cultural factors that influence human behavior.
Free Online Psychology Courses:
- Introduction to Psychology – MIT OpenCourseWare
- Exploring Children’s Learning – The Open University Learning Space
- Developmental Psychology – Open Educational Resources at AVU