Why This Matters

  • DEMAND FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS TO INCREASE 14%

    The need for psychological services in mental health facilities, hospitals, and schools is increasing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 26,100 new jobs in this field by 2028.

  • WE NEEDS 52K MORE HUMAN SERVICE ASSISTANTS

    Individuals with an associate’s degree can become human and social service assistants, who provide support services in mental and behavioral health facilities.

  • SAVE AN AVERAGE OF $6K PER YEAR ON TUITION


    Earning an associate’s degree at a community college is a cost-effective way to start your education. Average annual tuition at community college is $3,660.

Our Research

Students can earn either an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science in psychology. Both types of degrees provide foundational coursework in psychological theories and skills, but with a different pedagogical approach.

We only included schools that have regional accreditation. This guarantees a high standard of quality in the education provided, and that the credits and degree you earn will be transferable to most four-year colleges.

The programs on this list are offered in both online and on-campus formats. Many on-campus programs deliver courses in evening or weekend classes, to facilitate attendance for people who are working or have other commitments.

We evaluated the flexibility, faculty, coursework, cost, and reputation of each program, and gave them an Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Our top picks for the best associate’s degrees in psychology are a good value and well-respected.(For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.)

  • 88 hours to write this article
  • 81 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 256 education programs we compared

The Top 47 Associate’s Degrees in Psychology

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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 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 guarantees 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’s Degrees in Psychology programs:

  • Does the school offer accelerated associate’s-to-bachelor’s tracks? Schools that grant both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees may offer an accelerated track, in which you can start taking bachelor’s-level classes prior to finishing your associate’s 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.