Psychology

Online Psychology Programs

The following FAQs represent the most common questions the Department of Psychology receives pertaining to the online psychology programs.

If you have questions pertaining to the online major(s) not represented here, please contact our Program Coordinator, Dr. Sara Bender, via email at sara.bender@cwu.edu.

For questions pertaining to the online minor, please contact Dr. Steve Schepman at stephen.schepman@cwu.edu.

Q1: I see that there are two online majors: A 45-credit degree option and a 60-credit option. What is the difference?

Great question! The 45-credit option and 60-credit option share identical curriculum with the following exceptions: 1.) The 60-credit option includes one additional statistics course (PSY363: Intermediate Statistics and Research Methods), 2.) the 60-credit option requires the completion of 14 -17 elective credits (rather than 4-7 as per the 45-credit major), and 3.) students pursuing the 45-credit major must complete a second program of study (either a second major or a minor).

Q2: Should I pick the 45-credit or 60-credit option?

Students should pick the degree option that best-aligns with their-long term plans. The 45-credit major is intended for students interested in combining a background in psychology with fields such as social work, family studies, law and justice, business, forensics, primate behavior, and other fields in which training in behavioral science would be useful. The 60-credit major leads to additional training in research methodology. It is especially recommended for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in psychology.

Q3: What courses will I take for the Online Psychology Major?

Information regarding the 45-credit major

The 60-credit major is intended to provide a foundation for professional careers and/or graduate training in psychology. It requires substantial coursework in the methodological, statistical, and content areas of psychology, while still allowing for individualized student interests and choice. Students enrolled in the 60-credit major also have the opportunity to receive credit toward their degree for participation in professional development and research experiences.

Q4: What courses will I take for the Online Psychology Minor?

Information regarding the 30-credit online minor

Q5: Will I get the same degree that on-campus students get if I pursue the online major or minor?

The courses, instructors, and student learning objectives are equivalent for both the online major(s)/minor and the in-person major(s)/minor. The only difference is how the curriculum is delivered.

Q6: Can I be an online major or minor student even if I live in Ellensburg?

At this time, the online major is reserved for those without access to the main campus.

Q7: Can I be an online major or minor student for just one quarter?

The online programs are reserved for students who intend to complete their entire course of study online. The size of our programs do not allow for accommodations for students whose circumstances have changed and are requesting temporary assignment to the online major.

Q8: I am an on-campus student. Why can’t I enroll in online psychology classes?

You can! While many online psychology courses are reserved for online majors during early registration periods, all students may access them during open enrollment, if there is space available. Further, some courses maintain no reserves at any time. Every online psychology courses is open to all students during the summer as well.

Q9: If I am an online psychology major, do I have to do an online minor?

The Department of Psychology requires students pursuing the 45-credit major to pursue a second program of study. The second program of study can be a second major, or a minor. A complete list of Complete list of online majors at CWU. A complete list of available Online Minors at CWU

Q10: What are the admission requirements for the Online Psychology program(s), how do I apply?

I. Apply to CWU

• Apply for admission to Central Washington University online at CWU admissions You should request to be added to the web campus.
• Submit official electronic or hard copy transcripts to Admissions for processing.

​II. Apply to the Psychology major or minor

• Prior to gaining entrance to the Online Psychology major, one must earn a C (2.0) or higher in Psychology 101. The student must also have earned at least 45 college-level credits with a 2.25 or higher cumulative GPA. Additionally, a math course in finite mathematics, statistics, or pre-calculus* as well as an Introduction to Biology or an Anatomy class are highly recommended elements of a general education program likely to support the student's success in the major.
• Once admitted to the university and your previous courses have been officially articulated within MyCWU, you may apply to the online major by completing the online form:

Online application for the Online Psychology Major

Online application for the Online Psychology Minor

Applicants will typically receive a response within 3-5 business days.

Note: The online major is not available to students who live close to the main campus. Only apply to the online major or minor if you live beyond the Ellensburg area. For online applicants, it is not necessary to meet with an advisor prior to applying.

Applications are reviewed through the last full day of instruction for admission into the program the following quarter with admission to the programs occurring in Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters.

Q11: I forgot to request to be assigned to the web campus when applying to the university. How do I fix that?

Complete the Campus Change form found at Registrar Forms. You may expect an email confirming when this change is made. If you do not hear back within 3 business days, consider emailing onlineadvisor@cwu.edu.

Q12: How do I tell if my previous records have been processed and are posted with MyCWU?

You may view a summary of how your courses transferred into CWU via your ‘Transfer Report’. To see what courses were applied to your degree as well as which remain to be completed, please review your ‘Academic Requirements’ report. Both of these reports are visible to you via MyCWU. For help CWU student accounts.

Q13: How long does it take to complete my degree if I major in Psychology via the online program?

The length of time to complete the online psychology major is dependent on the courses transferred into the university, course availability, and student credit load. Most students enter the major with a completed DTA. On average, those students typically complete their degrees in about two years.

Q14: What kinds of career options do I have with a Psychology degree?

The APA provides a comprehensive list of potential professional opportunities for students who earn a degree in psychology

Q15: If I transfer from another school, how does it affect me?

If you are transferring from a community college without a completed associate degree, you will need to complete the basic and breadth requirements for your bachelor’s degree. If you have completed an Associate degree then you only need to complete your major and enough electives (or a minor) to fulfill CWU's 180 degree graduation requirement. You may also want to review CWU's Transfer Admissions Criteria. Your general education advisor may assist you with assessing past coursework and collaborating with you to develop a plan to address any outstanding degree requirements.

Q16: I am transferring from a community college and I noticed that some of the lower division courses I took there may be accepted for some of your higher division courses. Is this true?

Yes, some community college courses can be transferred as equal to some of our upper division classes in Psychology. However it may be necessary to take some classes again in order to meet the academic requirements of upper-division credits for the major. For information, please see the CWU Transfer Course Equivalencies and Policies page. You may also consult with your transfer report within MyCWU and/or your Major advisor

You can also find information about course substitution requirements and applications in the Department of Psychology at Transfer Course Substitutions