Our transfer-friendly program lets you bring in up to 60 transfer credits from prior coursework or professional experience. This means you can graduate faster without sacrificing the quality of your education. Learn more about our transfer pathways.
Discover the Mind & Behavior
Psychology is the scientific study of the thoughts, feelings, motivations, and behaviors of individuals, and we're here to prepare you to contribute to the improvement of the human condition. Designed according to American Psychological Association guidelines, UW-Stout Polytechnic’s 100% online Bachelor of Science in Psychology teaches psychological theory and how to apply it to real-world issues. You’ll learn the same material as an on-campus student, and our faculty and adult learner support staff will provide the guidance you need to succeed as a distance learner.
100% of Graduates Are Employed or Continuing Education Within 6 Months
Career-Defining Psychology Curriculum
You'll graduate from our program with strong skills in writing, critical thinking, and working with people, which makes you an attractive candidate for a wide variety of positions in human services, education, health, government and business. You'll also have the academic foundation to pursue advanced education in counseling, research, medicine, and law.
Program Overview
Distinguish Your Degree With a Secondary Area of Depth
All online B.S. Psychology students develop a secondary area of depth by pursuing the accelerated M.S. Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology program, a degree concentration, degree minor, certificate program, or a second undergraduate major at UW-Stout Polytechnic.
Minors
- Human Development & Family Studies
- Human Resource Management
- Other Approved by Program Director
Additional Certificate Options
Transfer-Friendly Program
Take Your Career Further in Law
What Makes Psychology Unique at UW-Stout Polytechnic
- Advanced & Accelerated Degree Pathways: Complete your B.S. Psychology online in as few as three years or our accelerated B.S. Psychology + M.S. Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology in as few as five years. Or take your education further in law school or by pursuing another graduate school program.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Take online courses in clinical/counseling psychology, forensic psychology, interpersonal effectiveness, consumer psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, and host of other sub-disciplines, and earn a concentration along the way.
- Career-Focused Experience: Put your knowledge and skills to the test with applied, project-based learning activities, including professional internships in your area.
Use the Request Information form to receive a program summary and learn more about the Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.
Request Information
Earn Credit for Prior Learning
Some required credits for this program can be earned through academic testing, portfolio submission, or a demonstration of competency. Learn more by reviewing the program-specific details on our Credit for Prior Learning page.
Industry-Experienced Faculty Instruction
Forget TA-taught classes and 200-person lectures. Building close relationships with our industry-experienced and academically accomplished psychology faculty will play a key role in your polytechnic education. Learn more about your future instructors!
Impactful Research Applied to Real Life
Drive innovation by examining societal challenges in create real-world solutions! Unlike traditional theoretical research, your applied research opportunities in the B.S. Psychology program will focus on creating meaningful change by translating inquiry into action.
Recent Psychology Research Topics
- "Effects of Cell Phone Use on Academic Performance"
- "Effects of Social Media Use on Mental Health"
- "Generative AI Syllabus Polices & AI Usage in Higher Education"
- "Impact of Seductive Details on Learning Online"
- "Influence of Social Norms on Farm Conservation Management Practices"
- "Mental Health Representations in Video Games"
- "Patient-Reported Outcomes in Alopecia Areata"
- "Social Desirability in Personality Assessment"
- "Specularity & 3D Cultural Heritage Models"
- "Long-Term Neurological Changes Associated with Sports-Related Head Impacts"
Graduate Ready to Meet Tomorrow’s Psychological Challenges
Each year, Stout psychology graduates are among the most sought-after hires to enter the workforce, routinely beating out applicants for coveted positions with a wide range of employers—from mental health providers to law firms. Why? Everything you learn at Stout enhances the skills you'll use on day one of your career. Where others list their education, you’ll be able to identify your experience.
Select Recent Employers
- ARC Community Services, Inc.
- City of Appleton
- Ignite Child Development Services
- Mayo Clinic Health System
- Meridian Behavioral Health
- Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance
- Nelson Defense Group
- Northwest Passage
- Northwood Children's Services
- Nystrom & Associates, LTD
- Pinnacle Services, Inc.
- PsyFi TMS
- Quarles & Brady LLP
- Rogers Behavioral Health
- Saint Paul Intervention Project
- Wisconsin Early Autism Project
Application
To apply to this degree program, you need to apply to UW-Stout Polytechnic.
Financial Aid
Students who are attending another institution, but are planning to receive their degree from UW-Stout Polytechnic, may be eligible to receive aid from UW‐Stout Polytechnic. In these cases, UW‐Stout Polytechnic is considered the Home Institution and the other campus is considered the Visiting Institution.
Transfer Students
The Psychology Program is designed according to the most recent recommendations from the American Psychological Association. Students who complete the bachelor’s degree in psychology should meet the following goals:
Knowledge, Skills, and Values Consistent with the Science and Application of Psychology
Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
Students should demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems.
Goal 2: Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking
The skills in this domain involve the development of scientific reasoning and problem solving, including effective research methods.
Goal 3: Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World
The skills in this domain involve the development of ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity.
Goal 4: Communication
Students should demonstrate competence in writing and in oral and interpersonal communication skills.
Goal 5: Professional Development
The emphasis in this goal is on application of psychology-specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project-management skills, teamwork skills, and career preparation.
Psychology is a diverse field and graduates pursue careers in a wide variety of areas. The psychology program is designed to help you develop critical skills for success in whatever career you choose.
With a bachelor’s degree graduates get jobs like these:
- Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counselor
- Behavior Analyst
- Career Counselor
- Group Home Coordinator
- Human Resources Generalist
- Life Skills Counselor
- Market Researcher
- Mental Health Technician
- Neuropsychology Assistant
- Probation Officer
- Research Analyst
- Social Worker
Graduates go into graduate and professional programs in:
- Applied Psychology
- Art Therapy
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Engineering Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Mental Health Counseling
- School Counseling
- School Psychology
- Social Work
- Social Psychology
Advisory Committee Members
| First Name | Last Name | Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel | Bauer ('17) | Lead Media Manager | AT&T |
| Desiree | Budd | Professor | UW-Stout |
| Kathryn | Hamilton | Professor; Chair, Psychology Department | UW-Stout |
| Kyle | Johnson ('11, '14) | Deposit Products Manager | FourLeaf Federal Credit Union |
| Kayla | Klapper ('24), LADC | Clinical Supervisor | Wayside Recovery Center |
| Michael | Mensink | Professor | UW-Stout |
| Gina | Sprague-Connors ('08) | Licensed Psychologist | Mulemind Therapy |
| Phillip | Stoeklen ('12, '17) | Partner | Viable Insights |
| Cait | Versella ('11) | Business Manager, Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Basic Science | The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia |
| Cameron | Weaver | Senior Clinical Psychologist, Primary Care Behavior Health | Hennepin County Medical Center |
| Sarah | Wood | Professor; Program Director | UW-Stout |
Customized Tuition & Fees
UW-Stout Polytechnic degree programs using the all-inclusive customized instruction model are designed with the adult learner in mind. Other universities will present costs and value differently, so make sure you're comparing apples to apples. If you're comparing UW-Stout Polytechnic's online degree customized instruction (CI) tuition to our competitors, keep in mind:
- Customized instruction tuition rate includes the textbook rental fee.
- There are no additional or hidden university-based semester or technology fees.
- Students in customized instruction programs pay the same rate of tuition regardless of where you live.
More Value for Your Money
Customized Instruction also provides:
- Program Director/Coordinator: Faculty with academic and industry expertise.
- Student Services Advisor: One point of contact, providing dedicated support throughout your degree program.
- Course Sequences & Matrices: Plan ahead with clear program outlines so you know what courses are offered when.
- Stackable Courses & Programs: Many of our courses and certificates can be applied to our degree programs.
- Flexibility: Courses are designed to offer the flexibility and convenience working professionals need to get ahead in their careers without sacrificing their current income and responsibilities.
