What Jobs Can I Get with an Associate's Degree in Psychology?

<h2 id="section---WhatCanYouDoWithAnAssociateDegreeInPsychology">What Can You Do With an Associate Degree in Psychology?</h2> <p>With an associate's degree in psychology, you could explore a variety of career paths. For example, you might become a social and human services assistant, psychiatric aide, or teacher assistant. Keep reading to learn more about these common psychology-related careers, including the salary and outlook information for each one. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutPsychologyCareers">Important Facts About Psychology Careers</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th> Psychiatric Aide</th><th> Teacher Assistant</th><th> Social and Human Services Assistant</th></tr> <tr><td> Median Salary (2018)* </td><td> $29,180</td><td> $26,970</td><td> $33,750</td></tr> <tr><td> Entry-level Education </td><td> High school diploma or equivalent</td><td> Some college, no degree</td><td> High school diploma or equivalent</td></tr> <tr><td> Job Outlook (2018-2028)* </td><td> 11%</td><td> 4%</td><td> 13%</td></tr> <tr><td> On-the-Job Training</td><td> Short-term on-the-job training</td><td> None</td><td> Short-term on-the-job training</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h2 id="section---AADegreeInPsychologyJobs">AA Degree in Psychology Jobs</h2> <h3 id="section---PsychiatricAide">Psychiatric Aide</h3> <p>As a psychiatric aide, you may work in a hospital or mental health facility. Under the direction of nurses, doctors, and <a href="http://learn.org/articles/Mental_Health_Counseling_How_to_Become_a_Mental_Health_Counselor_in_5_Steps.html">mental health counselors</a>, you'll assist mentally ill patients with feeding, bathing, and dressing. You may help them with daily programs and activities or be called upon by a supervisor to be present during testing and examinations. Other duties can include: </p> <ul><li>Drawing laboratory samples </li><li>Serving food and assisting with feeding </li><li>Cleaning patients' rooms </li><li>Managing medical records </li><li>Transporting patients </li><li>Helping restrain patients when necessary </li></ul><p>You might also monitor the overall behaviors and treatment plans of patients. The duties related to this role will vary depending on the type of patients you are helping to treat and their level of need. </p> <h3 id="section---TeacherAssistant">Teacher Assistant</h3> <p>Teacher assistants work side-by-side with teachers in educational environments. These professionals are much like the <a href="http://learn.org/articles/Secretary_Become_a_Professional_Secretary_in_5_Steps.html">secretaries</a> of teachers in that they are responsible for day-to-day clerical and instructional support in the classroom. Should you choose this career path, your roles may include: </p> <ul><li>Assessing student behaviors </li><li>Grading homework </li><li>Providing input on students' progress </li><li>Organizing and managing classroom supplies </li><li>Preparing instructional materials </li><li>Attending meetings with parents. </li></ul><p>You also might supervise students on the playground, in the lunchroom, or on field trips. In addition, you could be responsible for instructing students in the classroom under the supervision of the teacher and reviewing educational materials with students in small groups or one-on-one. </p> <h3 id="section---SocialAndHumanServicesAssistant">Social and Human Services Assistant</h3> <p>A career as a social and human services assistant puts you in the hands of your community. You might help people who need information on government assistance programs or you could work directly with clients on a one-to-one basis. Your duties could include: </p> <ul><li>Assessing clients' needs for medical and financial assistance, food stamps, as well as housing </li><li>Manage and maintain client records </li><li>Coordinate the different aspects of clients' care </li><li>Arrange for transportation for clients when necessary. </li></ul><p>Once you have helped clients by assessing their needs and connecting them with the assistance they require, you may also play a role in following up with them to ensure they are receiving the care they need. If you work in a clinical setting, such as an outpatient clinic or hospital, you could potentially collaborate with doctors and other staff to implement rehabilitative programs for patients.</p>