Best Online Psychology & Counseling Associates Degrees | University HQ | (800) 793-5011

Before you request admission to your local vocational or community college so you can major in psychology & counseling, you need to know what the program is all about. Once you have completed your general education classes, which are required, you’ll take your core classes, or the classes that make up your major.

Any good, accredited psychology & associate degree program should teach you about the basics of psychology. These credits should transfer to a four-year university program, where you can complete your bachelor’s degree in psychology and counseling. Look for a program that also requires you to take courses in general critical thinking (liberal arts).

If you look at a list of the required courses, you won’t see many psychology classes listed. Because graduates of an Associate of Arts (AA) program won’t be ready to work with clients, you’ll take the majority of these classes in a bachelor’s degree program.

PROS

Earning an associate psychology degree gives you the ability to enter a strong, four-year psychology program at a university. Ensure that your community college credits will transfer to that four-year program, so you don’t have to retake any classes.

If you are drawn to a helping field, such as psychology, human services, or social work than an associate degree in psychology or human services will be an excellent start.

If you decide to take a year or two away from school before transferring into a four-year psychology program, you’ll be able to fill some jobs easily with your two-year degree. These include case management aide, client advocate, youth worker, community action worker, social work assistant, group activities aide, mental health aide, and intake interviewer. After earning your bachelor’s degree, your career opportunities will expand greatly.

CONS

You’ll find it almost necessary to go back to school for your bachelor’s and then a master’s degree if you plan to work directly with people, helping them with their emotional or mental health problems.

If you plan on working with people, offering psychoanalysis, you’ll have to have an advanced degree. The same is true if you plan on going into clinical social work—here, you need to complete advanced social work classes and training in treatment practices.

People interested in entering counseling may believe that psychology is the same thing. It isn’t. To become a licensed counselor, you need to take master’s-level classes in mental health counseling, then earn a license to practice.

The level of study required in a bachelor’s degree is much deeper than in an associate. However, you’ll also be able to explore psychology-related electives, which may lead into a minor to round out your future career.

Certificate vs. Associates

You don’t need to think of this as either-or. If you earn your associate degree and earn a certificate in psychology, you’ll have that much more knowledge to use in your job or for transfer to a four-year program.

For instance, if you opt for a Mental Health Advocate/Aide Certificate, you’ll know about basic theories of psychology and counseling. You’ll also learn about self-care skills, cultural competencies, and healthy coping methods. At the least, earning such a certificate means you’ll become familiar with social services and human care services.

What Psychology & Counseling Associate Degrees are Available?

Associate of Science in Psychology (AS Psychology):

In this degree, you’ll get a good introduction to what psychology is. You’ll be expected to study human behavior in scholarly surroundings, which helps you to develop critical and creative thinking. In addition, you’ll learn about how needs, beliefs and values influence human behavior. You’ll also learn human development from prenatal through late adulthood.

Associate of Arts in Psychology (AA Psychology):

This degree allows you to expand your understanding of the human mind. The degree also helps you lay the groundwork for a future career in psychology. The AA in Psychology degree prepares you to enter the workforce in a helping field, which allows you to work with people in need of support and assistance. Even though it is not designated as a transfer degree, it can help to prepare you to begin taking classes at a four-year university.

Admission Requirements

You’ll need to submit your high school transcripts (or GED), as well as your ACT or SAT test scores when to apply to a degree program. If you have any previous community college credits, you’ll submit your official transcripts from each institution in which you earned your credits. Some schools may also require letters of recommendation from those who know you academically, like teachers.

How long does it take to earn a Psychology & Counseling Associates Degree?

At most community colleges, associate degrees require that you earn 60 credits. These include your general education classes, core classes in your psychology major, and electives. If you take 12 credits per semester, you’ll graduate in five semesters or 30 months. If you increase your credit hours each semester to 15, you’ll graduate in about two years or four semesters.

Your general education classes are your math, English, social sciences, liberal arts, sciences, and humanities classes. They are required for graduation. You’ll also be required to select several units from a list of classes related to your psychology degree.

Software, Technology and Skills Needed

Almost all occupations use some sort of technology in their jobs and with technology being improved rapidly and continuously in today’s world, we have to be actively staying updated. The following are some of the tools and skills used by psychologists and counselors today:

Scientific or analytical software The Observer, by Noldus Information Technology; Comprehensive Affect Testing System CATS; Statistical software
Electromyography EMG units and accessories Biofeedback equipment
Medical software Trinity Software Solutions BEACON; Athena Software Penelope Case Management; UNI/CARE Pro-Filer; ICANotes;
Word processing software Microsoft Word; Google Docs
Accounting software MPM soft billing
Scheduling and calendar software Thrive works Therapy Buddy; Spectra-Soft Appointments PRO
Query and database software O*NET Online
Office suite software Microsoft Office

Associate’s Degree

Earning an associate’s degree in psychology opens many opportunities for graduates. One of the most common options is to transfer your credits to earn a bachelor’s degree. You may not be able to actually be a psychologist with an associate’s degree, but there are other job options for you such as:

ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY:

Health Educator
Administrative Service Manager
Social Worker Assistant
Community Service Manager
Psychiatric Technician

Bachelor’s Degree

After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, 25% of graduates move on to earn a graduate degree in psychology, 57% join the workforce, and 18% continue their education in a field other than psychology. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, 117,557 psychology bachelor degrees were awarded in 2014 to 2015. Some of the most common occupations for individuals holding.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY ARE:

Career Counselors
Social Services Agents
Rehabilitation Specialists
Human Resource workers
Case Managers

Master’s Degree

Every year 23,000 student’s graduate with a master’s degree in psychology opposed to the 5,500 students who earn a doctorate in psychology. Some graduates move on to get their doctorate in psychology and others decide to immediately enter the workforce. The following are some of the employment opportunities available to those holding.

MASTER’S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY:

Psychologist
Human Resources Analyst
Behavioral Counselor
Social Service Manager
Child Protection Worker
Psychology Program Manager

Psychology/Counseling Fields of Study

Behavioral Psychology:

Behavioral psychology is learning based on the theory that conditioning acquires behaviors. At the beginning of the twentieth century, this type of psychology was very popular, but in the 1950’s it gradually faded out. Today, however, behavioral techniques continue to exist in education, therapy, and numerous related areas.

Counseling Psychology:

One of the biggest individual subfields of psychology is Counseling psychology. It is focused on the treatment of psychological symptoms and mental distress. According to the Society of Counseling, Psychology addresses concerns about family, work, marriage, health, and more.

Clinical Psychology:

Clinical psychology is the psychology branch that is concerned with the assessment and treatment of abnormal behavior, mental illness, and other psychiatric disorders. Clinicians typically work in mental health clinics, colleges, universities, hospitals, or community centers as well as private practices. They may collaborate with a team of psychiatrists, physicians, and other health professionals.

Degree Level Example Courses

ASSOCIATES SAMPLE COURSES:

Critical Thinking
Psychological Theory
Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods

BACHELORS SAMPLE COURSES:

Developmental Psychology
History of Psychology
Physiological Psychology

MASTER’S SAMPLE COURSES:

Counseling Theory and Techniques
Diagnosis and Psychopathology
Ethical and Legal Issues in Professional Psychology

Earning Potential and Career Salaries for Psychology and Counseling Major Graduates.

As of May 2011, the nation had 100,850 psychologists earning a median annual income of $67,880, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also projects fast growth in the field, with jobs expected to expand by 22% from 2010 to 2020.

The degrees you can earn in the field of psychology are an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and finally, doctoral. As you climb the ladder of degrees your earnings potential will also rise. However, there are some occupations that you can qualify for with an associate’s that may offer higher wages than some positions that require a master’s.

Another way to increase your salary is through experience. Basically, every recent graduate starts out with an entry-level salary, which is the rate for inexperienced individuals. After gaining some experience you will eventually get paid at the mid-career rate and then your pay will also increase in your late career, which will be the most you will make in your lifetime.

Seeking your associate level in psychology online allows you to take courses at your extremely own rate. The on-line layout is suitable for operating experts or individuals with other dedications that quit them from having the ability to commute to university frequently. In a variety psychology program, you'll have the opportunity to discover the location with a restricted time and also economic dedication.

On-line training courses are mainly asynchronous yet are not self-paced. Solutions for trainees in this cost effective on the internet associate degree in psychology contain totally free online tutoring as well as also live video clip seminar consultations with scholastic therapists. Tuition as well as costs are normally the same for both online as well as also on-campus classes, though students attending the institution just online could pull out of some campus-related expenses.

Grads from an on the net associate level in psychology can locate work as a psychological aide, teacher aide, or social as well as human remedies assistant. Once you have an associate degree, you can perfectly relocate your financial debts to a four-year university, and seek a bachelor's degree in psychology. Your credit rating will absolutely move despite whether you mean to continue examining online, or take courses in a typical style.

Associate degree programs provide the academic structure needed to pursue advanced psychology occupations. Below are a few points to take into consideration when considering an associate level in psychology. This checklist is not comprehensive, and additionally you should certainly compare establishments as well as likewise programs to find an associate degree in psychology that lines up with your job objectives and likewise passions.

Associate level in psychology leads can after that take this understanding as well as likewise use it to real-world scenarios or continue on their bachelor's level in psychology. Have really the framework required for added education and also discovering Info learned is basic as well as usually without a concentration Participating in a two-year college for an associate degree in psychology is much cheaper than going to a four-year college or university.

They might be gotten in touch with to keep an eye on individuals in dependence treatment while taking medicines or to transfer them to services. Foundation level specialist goals include figuring out abilities that are valued by companies as well as also understanding just how program choice and likewise choices will absolutely influence later occupation courses. These effectiveness can verify considerable or job option, help students prepare future researches, and likewise help them in the work market if they do not without delay advancement for higher levels.

Many psychologists today are choosing to earn their Associates Degree in Psychology (ADP) instead of a Bachelor's Degree because the ADP has proven to be more highly sought after. The ADP is not as widely accepted by all professional organizations are more likely to accept an individual with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. The major benefit of the Associates Degree in Psychology is the fact that it gives individuals who earn their degrees a higher chance of being employed in the field that they chose and has the added advantage of giving individuals the opportunity to obtain additional education.

The first step to becoming an Associate Degree in Psychology is obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Once a student has their Bachelor's Degree, they will need to complete a minimum of 60 units to complete their Associate Degree in Psychology. The number of units required to complete the Associate Degree in Psychology will vary between colleges.

The majority of individuals who earn their Associate Degree in Psychology have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and are now working in psychology. There are some who choose to complete a Master's Degree in Psychology, but the majority of individuals who complete this degree go on to work in psychology. The majority of individuals who complete this degree earn a Master's Degree in Psychology. Those individuals who complete their Bachelor's Degrees in Psychology also will receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and may even earn their Doctorate Degree in Psychology.

The next step is to work to obtain the required number of units needed to complete your Degree. Once the required number of units is acquired, the individual will need to complete a minimum of 60 units in order to complete their Degree. This will also require the individual to complete the requirements for the number of credits required to finish their coursework and their degree.

Psychology and Counseling Scholarships

Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Fellowship

Amount: $25,000

Deadline: November 15

The Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Fellowship award, is provided by the American Psychological Foundation (APF). It offers an annual award of $25,000 to graduate students in counseling and psychology who aim their careers at working with child-clinical schools, youth in pediatrics, educational, or developmental specialties.

Candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral program that is devoted to youth mental health and exhibits research competence, and accredited and based in the U.S.

Must provide with an application:

Two recommendations Proof of IRB approval Current CV Budgeting plan A research project proposal

AAMFT Minority Fellowship Program

Amount: Up to $20,000

Deadline: Varies

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) hosts an annual minority fellowship program to grant the award of up to $20,000 to graduate students who are outstanding, and currently enrolled in an accredited doctoral or master’s program, full-time, for counseling, or family and marriage therapy.

To qualify you must have permanent residency or be a U.S. citizen, be enrolled in courses that are approved by your academic advisor, be a member of AAMFT, exhibit financial need, and demonstrate your commitment to helping serve populations of underserved minority’s.

National Institute of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $20,000 (can be renewed)

Deadline: Varies (March)

This scholarship award is provided by the National Institute of Health (NIH) to students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and are committed to behavioral, social science, and biomedical health-related research.

Not only does this program offer a scholarship award, but it also provides training for paid research in the summer at NIH, and after graduating, paid employment and training is also provided. This is a one-year reward of up to $20,000 that can be renewed for up to four years. The grant can be used for tuition, living and educational expenses.

To be eligible, you must be a permanent resident of the U.S. or U.S. citizen with financial needs that are verified by your school’s financial aid department, with a GPA on a 4.0-point scale, of 3.3 or above, or be in the top 5% of your class, accepted or enrolled full-time in an accredited college or institution in the U.S. as a 4-year undergraduate.