What You Should Know About This Degree
Earning an associate’s degree is the first step towards a career in psychology. In order to practice as a licensed clinical psychologist, you must have a doctorate degree in psychology. You will work your way up to a doctorate by earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree. If your ultimate goal is to be a licensed psychologist, you should be prepared for multiple years of education after earning your associate’s degree. An associate’s degree can also provide a solid foundation for study in related fields like creative arts therapies, counseling, and social work.
There are some entry-level jobs available to individuals with an associate’s degree in psychology, including counselor aide, social and human services assistant, rehabilitation assistant, and psychiatric aide. These jobs can give you practical knowledge that will help you in your studies, and they will give you insight into the type of work that psychologists do.
Because most students plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree after completing their associate’s, it’s important to attend a regionally accredited college to ensure the transferability of credits. Attending a school that has articulation agreements with other colleges can help facilitate the transfer process, as the agreements guarantee credit transfers between the schools.
Researching the schools that have articulation agreements with each other may help you select the school you want to attend.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching Associate Degree in Psychology programs:
- Does the school offer accelerated associate-to-bachelor’s tracks? Schools that grant both associate and bachelor’s degrees may offer an accelerated track, in which you can start taking bachelor’s-level classes prior to finishing your associate degree. A program like this can save you time and money as you work towards your bachelor’s degree.
- How are online courses delivered? If you are attending an online program, your courses will likely be delivered synchronously or asynchronously. In synchronous courses, students must be available at specific times to attend classes remotely. Asynchronous courses are more flexible. Students can access their lessons and complete assignments at any time. Review the way courses are delivered to ensure you select a program that works for your schedule.
You should also look at the application requirements, deadlines, and start dates for the programs you are researching to facilitate an easy admissions process. This is also a good time to look into your options for funding your associate’s degree. Funding resources can include federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, and tuition assistance from your employer.