Take Intro to Psychology to earn affordable college credit, or just because you’re curious

Psychology examines the biological, cognitive, social and emotional factors that shape human experience. Introduction to Psychology (PSY 101) is a college-level course that provides a structured overview of how psychologists study behavior and mental processes, and how those insights apply to everyday life.

PSY 101 is offered through ASU Universal Learner Courses, a catalog of online ASU courses open to learners of all ages. You can take the course to explore the subject, to prepare for future study, or to earn college credit — the choice is yours.

How PSY 101 works

PSY 101 follows the ASU Universal Learner Courses model, which gives learners flexibility in how and whether college credit fits into their goals.

• Register for $25 to access the full course, including ASU faculty–designed instruction and all learning materials.
• Complete the course and receive a final grade. The course is offered on demand or in an 8-week session, depending on your preferred pace.
• Decide whether to add the course to your ASU transcript for $400. Transcripting the course is optional. If you choose not to add credit, nothing appears on your ASU academic record.

Universal Learner Courses are designed to give learners options — whether that means earning credit, exploring a subject before committing further, or learning for personal or professional interest.

What you’ll study in PSY 101

PSY 101 is organized around the major pillars of modern psychology, with an emphasis on applying scientific research to real-world contexts.

Foundations of psychology and research methods
Learn the historical roots of psychology and the ethical, scientific methods psychologists use to study behavior and mental processes.

Biological bases of behavior
Examine how the brain, nervous system and physiology influence behavior, sensation, perception and states of consciousness.

Learning, memory and cognition
Study how people learn, think and remember, including conditioning, problem-solving, motivation and emotion.

Human development and personality
Explore theories of development across the lifespan and major perspectives on personality and individual differences.

Stress, health and well-being
Understand stress and its effects on behavior, along with principles of health psychology and strategies for managing stress.

Mental health and psychological disorders
Review the major categories of abnormal behavior and the therapeutic approaches used to support mental health.

Social psychology and relationships
Analyze how social factors influence behavior, including group dynamics, interpersonal relationships and social influence.

How psychology applies beyond the course

PSY 101 emphasizes practical understanding alongside theory. Learners often apply course concepts to:

• Recognizing how stress and emotion affect decision-making
• Improving communication and interpersonal awareness
• Identifying cognitive biases that influence everyday thinking
• Understanding behavior in workplace, educational and social settings

Who this course is for

PSY 101 is commonly taken by learners who want a flexible way to engage with college-level psychology, including:

• High school students earning optional college credit
• College-bound learners exploring psychology before choosing a major
• Working adults returning to learning or balancing coursework with other commitments
• Lifelong learners of all ages interested in understanding human behavior

Learners decide for themselves whether the course is taken for enrichment, preparation or credit.

College credit, transcript and transfer details

If you choose to transcript PSY 101, the course appears on your ASU transcript the same way it does for students who take the course on campus. The transcript includes course attendance dates and session information. PSY 101 carries 3 credit hours and satisfies ASU’s Social and Behavioral Sciences (SOBE) general studies requirement.

Transfer policies vary by institution. Learners who plan to use the credit elsewhere should confirm transfer applicability with the receiving school before adding it to your transcript.

FAQs

How much does PSY 101 cost to start?
Registration costs $25. Adding the course to your ASU transcript is optional and costs $400.

Do I have to earn credit?
No. Universal Learner Courses can be taken with or without transcripted credit.

How long does the course take?
The course is offered on demand or in an 8-week format.

Does PSY 101 count toward general studies?
Yes. When transcripted, PSY 101 satisfies ASU’s Social and Behavioral Sciences (SOBE) general studies requirement.

Next steps

Explore the Introduction to Psychology (PSY 101) course page, or browse the full ASU Universal Learner Courses catalog to compare options.