What Are the Requirements of an Associate's Degree in Psychology?
Earning an associate's degree in psychology can be a cost-effective way to learn about the field and earn college credits toward a 4-year degree. Read on to learn more about requirements for this degree level.
Overview of an Associate's Degree in Psychology
An associate's degree with a concentration in psychology is a 2-year degree commonly offered by community colleges. Earning a 2-year degree in psychology, like the Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Psychology, typically requires five courses in psychology and a variety of general education courses.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutAssociateSDegreeInPsychology">Important Facts About Associate's Degree in Psychology</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Online Availability</td><td> Degree programs may be available in a hybrid format</td></tr>
<tr><td>Possible Careers</td><td> Counselor, teacher, human resources professional</td></tr>
<tr><td>Prerequisites</td><td> A high school diploma or GED is commonly required</td></tr>
<tr><td>Continuing Education</td><td> In many cases, credits earned in associate's degree programs can be transferred to 4-year institutions where students can earn a bachelor's degree in this field</td></tr>
<tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td>$81,040 <i>(Psychologists)</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td>6% growth <i>(Psychologists)</i></td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i>
</p><h3 id="section---CoreCourses">Core Courses</h3><p>Both introductory and advanced psychology courses are required by programs like an A.A. degree program in social science with a psychology concentration. Introductory courses for an associate's degree in psychology programs typically cover the history of psychology and basic concepts like sensory perception and the learning process. Another common requirement of an associate's degree in this field is a course in human psychological development. In developmental psychology classes, students learn about the cognitive and emotional development of humans during all stages of life, from childhood to old age.
</p><h3 id="section---Electives">Electives</h3><p>After students complete the core courses of their A.A. in Psychology degree program, they have the opportunity to select 3-4 psychology electives. The psychology of personality is a popular psychology elective topic that teaches students which personality traits humans share and which traits are unique to individuals. Other common psychology electives offered as part of an associate's degree in psychology include these courses, such as abnormal, social and educational psychology.
</p><h3 id="section---GeneralEducation">General Education</h3><p>Some general education credits are required for all associate's degree programs to round out a student's learning. General education courses draw from math, science, humanities and arts topics. Course options may include statistics, history, a foreign language and lab sciences.</p>