Free Online Introduction to Psychology Courses from Top Universities

About this article
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.
View available schools

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. 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
  • Online Programs Available
    2. 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. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors
      • MS in Psychology: General Psychology
      • MS in Psychology: Industrial & Organizational Psychology
      • M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness with Emphasis in Grief and Bereavement
      • M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness with Emphasis in Prevention
      • M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Integrated Health
    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
    3. 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
    4. 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
    Bachelor's
      • BS: Psychology
      • BS: Psychology - Christian Counseling
      • BS: Psychology: Addictions & Recovery
      • BS: Psychology: Developmental Psychology
      • BS: Psychology: Crisis Counseling
      • BS: Religion: Christian Counseling
    Associate's
      • AA: Psychology
      • AA: Psychology: Christian Counseling
    Certificate
      • GRAD CERT: Executive Psychology
      • GRAD CERT: Mental Health Studies
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Master's
      • MS in Psychology - Forensic Psychology
      • MS in Psychology
      • Master: Psychology/General Psychology
      • MS in Educational Psychology
      • MS in Psychology - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
      • Master: Psychology/Addictions
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Psychology
      • BS in Psychology - Business Fundamentals
      • BS in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis - Business Fundamentals
      • Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
      • Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Addictions
      • BS in Professional Studies - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
    Certificate
      • Certificate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology Graduate
      • Applied Behavior Analysis Postbaccalaureate
      • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate
      • Applied Behavior Analysis Postgraduate
  • Online Programs Available
    6. Abilene Christian University

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • Psychology (BS)
  • Campus and Online Programs
    7. The Chicago School

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Online - Ph.D. International Psychology
      • Online - Ph.D. Business Psychology: Consulting Track
      • Online - Ph.D. Business Psychology: Industrial/Organizational Track
      • Online - Psy.D. Applied Clinical Psychology
      • Online - Ph.D. Behavior Analysis
      • Online - Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision
    Master's
      • Online - M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Internship/Thesis Track
      • Online - M.A. International Psychology
      • Online - M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: ARP Track
      • Online - M.A. Applied Psychology
      • Online - M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      • Online - M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis
    Bachelor's
      • Online - BA Psychology: Focused Path
      • Online - B.A. Psychology
      • Online - B.S. Business Psychology
    Certificate
      • Online - Industrial and Organizational Psychology Generalist Certificate
      • Online - Child and Adolescent Psychology Certificate
      • Online - Crisis-Informed Care for a Diverse, Globalized World Certificate
      • Online - Post-Master's Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Online - Post-Bachelor's Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • 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

National University

  • PhD - Counseling Psychology
  • PhD - General Psychology
  • MAPsy - General Psychology
  • Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology

What is your highest level of education?

Grand Canyon University

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

What is your highest level of education?

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
  • BS: Psychology
  • AA: Psychology
  • GRAD CERT: Executive Psychology

What is your highest level of education?

Purdue Global

  • MS in Psychology - Forensic Psychology
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology
  • Certificate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology Graduate

Which subject are you interested in?

Abilene Christian University

  • Psychology (BS)

What is your highest level of education completed?

The Chicago School

  • Online - Ph.D. International Psychology
  • Online - M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Internship/Thesis Track
  • Online - BA Psychology: Focused Path
  • Online - Industrial and Organizational Psychology Generalist Certificate

What is your highest level of education completed?

Golden Gate University - Aspire