Free Online Introduction to Psychology Courses from Top Universities

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Psychology courses are offered for free online by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University and Open University. These courses will cover the basics of studying the mind.
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Free Introduction to Psychology Courses

Students interested in studying introduction to psychology courses online for free will find wide-ranging options. Courses are held in the format of audio and video lectures, in addition to text-based lessons.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT brings psychology to light with an intro course centered around audio lectures and the textbook Psychology by Daniel Reisberg, Alan J. Fridlund and Henry Gleitman. Study materials for the course include PDFs of old exams, 'Jeopardy' questions, and textbook review.

Yale University

Yale University's introductory psychology course explores a wide range of topics. Main topics include thoughts, lust, religion, perception, persuasion and dreams. Students can stream or download video lectures given by Dr. Paul Bloom, who is the professor for the course.

Open University

For the first listed psychology course at Open University, students will explore the diversity of psychology in the 21st century. Course topics include psychology methods and ethical situations. This is a 12-hour research-based course. Also, there is an interactive mini course which is part of the Open University's Exploring Psychology course. Students are asked to participate in a range of activities, using the EPoCH (Exploring Psychology's Context and History) resource.

Free Online Introduction to Psychology Courses At a Glance

Course & School Program Level Format Assignments Quizzes & Exams Downloadable
Introduction to Psychology course from MIT Undergraduate Textbook/audio lectures and notes/study materials Yes Yes Yes
Introduction to Psychology course from Yale University Unspecified Audio and video lectures/textbook/readings No Yes Yes
Psychology in the 21st Century course from Open University Intermediate Text Yes No Yes
EPOCH Psychology History Timeline course from Open University Intermediate Text Yes No Yes

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Certificate
      • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate
      • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Saint Leo University

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA: Psychology
      • BA: Psychology - General
      • BA: Psychology - Experimental
      • BA: Psychology - Clinical/Counseling
      • BA: Psychology - Developmental
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Qualitative Research)
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Quantitative Research)
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Qualitative Research)
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Quantitative Research)
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Cognition and Instruction (Qualitative Research)
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Cognition and Instruction (Quantitative Research)
    Master's
      • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
      • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors
      • MS in Psychology: General Psychology
      • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Health Psychology
      • MS in Psychology: Industrial & Organizational Psychology
      • M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness with Emphasis in Grief and Bereavement
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Psychology
      • B.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance and Sports Psychology
      • Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science
      • Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Trauma
      • B.S. in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Substance Use Disorders
      • B.S. in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Childhood and Adolescence Disorders
  • Online Programs Available
    4. UMass Global

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA in Psychology (Child Psychology)
      • BA in Psychology (General Psychology)
      • BA in Psychology (Industrial/Organizational)
      • BA in Psychology (Prep for Adv Study Counseling)
      • BA in Psychology (Prep for Adv Study in Psychology)
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Psychology
      • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
  • Online Programs Available
    6. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • PHD: Psychology: Developmental Psychology
      • PHD: Psychology: General Psychology
      • PHD: Psychology: Industrial/Organizational Psychology
      • PHD: Psychology: Social Psychology
      • PHD: Counselor Education & Supervision
      • EDS: Community Care & Counseling: Marriage & Family Counseling
    Master's
      • MA: Medical Sciences: Biopsychology
      • PHD: Psychology: Theology
      • MA: Applied Psychology: Public Mental Health
      • MA: Applied Psychology: General Psychology
      • MA: Applied Psychology: Developmental Psychology
      • MA: Applied Psychology: Industrial/Organizational Psychology
    Certificate
      • GRAD CERT: Executive Psychology
      • GRAD CERT: Addiction Studies
      • GRAD CERT: Mental Health Studies
  • Online Programs Available
    7. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • PhD - Counseling Psychology
      • PhD - General Psychology
      • DBA - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
      • PhD - Health Psychology
      • PhD - Industrial Organizational Psychology
      • PhD - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
    Master's
      • MAPsy - General Psychology
      • Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology
      • Master of Science in Health Psychology
      • Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
      • Med - Social Emotional Learning
      • MAMFT - Child and Adolescent Family Therapy
    Certificate
      • EdS - Trauma-Informed Educational Practices
  • San Francisco, CA

    Golden Gate University - Aspire

  • Stanford, CA

    Stanford University

  • Cambridge, MA

    Harvard University

Featured Schools

The schools and programs listed below are popular educational options, and tuition varies based on program and location

Purdue Global

  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate

Which subject are you interested in?

Saint Leo University

  • BA: Psychology
  • BA: Psychology - General
  • BA: Psychology - Experimental

What is your highest level of education completed?

Grand Canyon University

  • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Qualitative Research)
  • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
  • BS in Psychology

What is your highest level of education?

UMass Global

  • BA in Psychology (Child Psychology)
  • BA in Psychology (General Psychology)
  • BA in Psychology (Industrial/Organizational)

Which subject are you interested in?

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Psychology
  • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)

Which subject are you interested in?

Liberty University

  • PHD: Psychology: Developmental Psychology
  • MA: Medical Sciences: Biopsychology
  • GRAD CERT: Executive Psychology

What is your highest level of education?

National University

  • PhD - Counseling Psychology
  • MAPsy - General Psychology
  • EdS - Trauma-Informed Educational Practices

What is your highest level of education?

Golden Gate University - Aspire