Associate Degree in Psychology: Courses, Requirements, and Careers

An associate degree in psychology provides a basic understanding of human behavior and cognition, along with critical thinking and communication skills. Since these programs don’t lead to licensure, they typically don’t feature clinical components. Specializations are rare at this level, but some programs focus on psychology theory, while others emphasize scientific research.

With an associate degree in psychology, you can pursue entry-level community and social service careers. The program can also prepare you for more advanced education. The degree typically takes two years to complete, but a fast-tracked or online associate degree in psychology may offer shorter timelines.

An associate degree in psychology lays the foundation for careers, advanced degrees, and licenses. You can pursue non-clinical support and assistant roles in hospitals, clinics, and offices immediately after graduation. You can work with children, seniors, and mental health patients, along with employees and the general public.

You can also continue your education with a bachelor’s and/or graduate degree in psychology to qualify for psychologist, counselor, and therapist certification and state licensure. When choosing a program, it’s important to consider your long-term career plans.

Depending on your career goals, continuing your education in psychology can be a valuable or even necessary step. For example, you could continue your studies with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and pursue a career as a probation officer or a community services manager.

From there, you may continue into a master’s psychology program and qualify for psychologist, counseling, or therapist licensure in some states. However, it’s important to note that you need a doctoral degree in psychology to become a clinical psychologist. Once you become licensed, you usually need continuing education to maintain and renew your credentials.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average undergraduate tuition price was $14,688 in 2022-23, but tuition prices vary by school type and location in relation to the school. For example, tuition at two-year public schools costs less than half that of four-year public schools. In-state students also pay nearly three times lower tuition than out-of-state students on average, while private schools charge more than three times the tuition of public schools.

You may be able to save on costs if you study online or receive financial aid. Online programs feature reduced travel and room and board costs and may even offer in-state rates to out-of-state students. If you can demonstrate financial need, you might qualify for federal or institutional scholarships or grants.

The admission process for an associate degree in psychology can vary, but some of the more common requirements include:

Most associate degrees in psychology take two years to complete if you study full-time. Part-time programs usually take 3-4 years to complete, while accelerated programs may take as little as one year.

Other factors can affect the length of your program, including your course load, your transfer credits, and your program structure. For example, some programs offer year-round courses in condensed sessions, while others feature traditional semesters and summer breaks.

Accreditation ensures that your school and program meet industry quality standards. Accreditation is typically available at two levels: institutional and programmatic.

Regardless of your degree level, you should look for institutional accreditation. Without it, you may not qualify for federal financial aid or be able to transfer credits. This can also affect your licensure and employment opportunities in the future. Institutional accreditation must come from a U.S. Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized agency.

Programmatic accreditation is not required or available for an associate degree in psychology. At the graduate level, accreditation from the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) or the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) provides quality assurance and, in some cases, improved employment opportunities.

You can use the CHEA databases and directories to search for accredited schools and programs.

Psychology programs at the associate degree level typically include introductory courses in psychological theory and research. While each program’s curriculum is unique, many of the courses cover similar material across the country.

Few psychology programs feature specializations at the associate level, but some may offer general or applied psychology tracks. You can also create your own specialization by choosing electives in a certain area, such as behavioral psychology or human services.

Furthermore, your degree type may alter the focus of the program. For example, associate of science (AS) programs may prepare you more for scientific research, whereas associate of arts (AA) programs focus on theory.

While most associate degrees in psychology do not include internships or clinical components, it may be possible to gain hands-on experience during your studies. For example, you can volunteer with a local community organization or your school. You can also ask to participate in an internship as part of your electives or for extra credit.

Some courses also include hands-on projects that offer you practical experiences.

An associate degree in psychology can bring you a solid return on investment, but its value depends on your career goals. While most psychology-related careers require a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, an associate degree can lay the foundation for entry-level community and social service careers and advanced education and licensure.

Associate degree-holders earn more and face lower unemployment rates than those with only a high school diploma, according to the BLS, Two-year schools also cost less on average than four-year schools, so you can save money if you transfer from an associate to a bachelor’s program. After graduating, you can also work in the field while you pursue a more advanced degree.