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Associate Degree in Psychology

An associate degree in psychology is a two-year degree offered at colleges or universities and can be a stepping-stone degree for those interested in pursuing a higher degree later, such as a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree, which offer many more options for graduates. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), there are 341 non-profit institutions offering associate in psychology degrees in the US.1

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Reasons to Pursue an Associate in Psychology Degree

1. To get a job. Some students get an associate degree in psychology to enter the field. Jobs requiring an associate degree include entry-level or administrative positions like psychiatric technician or aide, social services assistant, or mental health technician.

2. To explore the field of psychology. Another reason to pursue an associate degree in psychology is to explore the field. Immediately following high school, it can be difficult to know your desired career path. Getting a two-year degree in psychology provides an introduction to the field for students who are not yet ready to commit to a higher degree. Associate degrees are also less expensive and shorter than bachelor’s degrees, typically requiring 60 credit hours of study rather than 120 hours.

3. To prepare for a higher degree in the field. Graduates of associate degree programs may be able to transfer the majority of their credit hours to a bachelor’s program later on. For students who are not yet ready to commit to a four-year program, an associate degree can provide a solid foundation for further study or entry-level jobs.

Associate in Psychology Program Options

In psychology, several types of associate degrees are offered: Associate of Science (AS) in Psychology, Associate of Arts (AA) in Psychology, and Associate of Arts (AA) in Applied Psychology. Full-time, on-campus programs are most common at the associate level, though some online and hybrid programs do exist. Some students with an associate degree in another subject may qualify for advanced program placement. Check with the school or program director for more information.

Clinical licensure in psychology requires an advanced degree and is not available to associate degree holders. As a result, the American Psychology Association (APA) does not accredit programs at the associate level. Read more about how to become a psychologist on our licensure page.

Online Degree Formats

Some students prefer the flexibility of an online associate degree in psychology. There are many programs across the country that offer fully or partially online associate-level degrees. Students who elect to get their degree online should be self-motivated and able to meet deadlines with little supervision. Hybrid associate degree programs (which combine online and on-campus work) may be a better choice for students who benefit from traditional face-to-face learning styles but still want online flexibility. To find out more about online psychology programs, read our Guide to Earning an Online Psychology Degree. Though it focuses on online bachelor’s degrees in psychology, you can still find relevant information that applies to getting your associate degree online.

Admission Requirements

Schools with associate degree programs often require a high school diploma or a GED for entry. Admission requirements vary by school but typically include a minimum GPA, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Most programs require students to complete some general coursework in science, writing, and math before formally applying to the psychology program.

Core Concepts and Coursework

Associate in psychology degree programs provide an overview of psychology, teaching students concepts such as applied psychology, theory and practice, quantitative and qualitative research, and historical trends in the field. Associate degrees usually include basic courses in subjects such as English, writing, science, and algebra. Around 60 credits are required to graduate with an associate degree in psychology. Courses vary by institution, but coursework may include:

  • Experimental Research Methods in Psychology
  • Group Behavior
  • Health Psychology
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology
  • Social Science Elective
  • Sport Psychology
  • Substance Abuse

Select Associate of Psychology Programs

Traditional Programs

Community College of Philadelphia logo

Community College of Philadelphia

The Community College of Philadelphia offers a liberal arts 61-credit Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Psychology that provides a framework for students who want to pursue a higher degree in psychology. In this program, students learn the major concepts of psychology, applied research skills, and an understanding of how different aspects of psychology work together. To be admitted, students must take a series of placement tests and complete certain English and math courses. The 61-credit hour program includes courses such as Foundations of Statistical Methods for Social and Behavioral Sciences; Descriptive Research Methods in Psychology; Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology; Experimental Research Methods in Psychology; and Developmental Psychology, as well as various electives.

Red Rocks Community College logo

Red Rocks Community College

Red Rocks Community College offers an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS) in Psychology that require 60 credits to complete, 47 to 56 of which are major course requirements, depending on the program. Courses include Psychology of Gender, Social Psychology, Health Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Public Speaking, and more. Students who graduate from the program with at least a “C” average in every course will be guaranteed transfer to any public Colorado four-year college or university.

Hybrid and Online Programs

Florida Tech Online logo

Florida Tech Online

Florida Tech Online offers a fully-online Associate of Arts (AA) in Applied Psychology degree that can be an excellent first step in a psychology educational path. With a liberal arts foundation, the associate degree takes two years to complete 61 required credit hours. To be admitted, students must have a high school diploma or GED and submit transcripts. Core coursework includes Introduction to Psychology; Human Sexuality; Research and Computer Literacy; Statistics; and Writing About Literature.

Georgia Military College logo

Georgia Military College

Georgia Military College (GMC) offers both an Associate of Arts (AA) and an Associate of Science (AS) degree in psychology that can be completed entirely online and require 90 to 99 total quarter hours. GMC’s psychology program is based on a liberal arts foundation. It focuses on applying principles and concepts in psychology to real-world situations as well as applying the scientific method and using critical thinking to solve problems. Graduates should be well-versed in historical and modern concepts of psychology and be able to use APA format and the scientific method.

Lansing Community College logo

Lansing Community College

Lansing Community College (LCC) offers an online, in-person, or hybrid Associate of Arts (AA) in Psychology degree designed for students who wish to transfer to a four-year college or university and get a baccalaureate degree in the field. Successful graduates of the AA degree will be able to transfer to any four-year Michigan college or university through the Michigan Transfer Network (MiTransfer) and qualify for an LCC Transfer Studies Certificate of Achievement. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required to transfer, and some schools require higher GPAs.

Jobs With an Associate Degree in Psychology

Most graduates of associate psychology programs go on to complete a baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degree in psychology. But some associate in psychology grads choose to start working in entry-level positions. They may enter careers such as:

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with an associate degree in psychology?

Many graduates of associate degrees in psychology degree programs go on to pursue higher degrees, but others look for entry-level jobs in the field. To be a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, a graduate degree is required. However, there are some jobs at the associate level available.

How long does it take to get an associate degree in psychology?

Most associate degrees in psychology take two years of full-time study to complete.

Should I get an associate psychology degree online?

There are many options for getting an associate-level psychology degree online. Look for a school that offers the same faculty for their online program as their on-campus program, one that is regionally accredited, and talk to other students about their experiences before choosing an online program.

How much can I make with an associate degree in psychology?

It completely depends on the job, so make sure you research the job title you are targeting to get an idea of the salary you can expect. As a reference point, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), psychiatric technicians and aides earn an average salary of $40,760 per year and psychiatric aides make an average salary of $38,620 per year in May 2022.2,3 Read more about associate in psychology degree jobs and their salaries on our careers page.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022 Psychiatric Technicians: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292053.htm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022 Psychiatric Aides: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes311133.htm