Find your perfect college degree
The world of psychology is a wonderful field to build your career in, especially if you’re passionate about gaining a deep understanding of human behavior and mental processes and applying this understanding to help individuals and groups live more fulfilling lives. Aside from the satisfaction of being able to help others in their struggles, there are lucrative opportunities, even for entry-level careers in the field.
The US Labor Statistics data shows a positive outlook for social and human service assistants, one of the entry-level jobs in the psychology field. The job will have an average growth rate of 9% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the 3% average for all occupations.
The employment of psychiatric technicians and aides, another entry-level job in the field, is also estimated with the same 9% growth rate in the same period.
The Lowdown
Requiring a high school diploma, an Associate Psychology degree online programs are generally two-year degrees that provide students with a well-rounded education in essential, basic subjects such as social sciences, natural sciences, English, and mathematics, as well as a strong foundation in Psychology topics and a glimpse of the various specializations available in the field.
It also equips students with the practical skills needed to gain entry-level positions within the various branches of psychology, including social services, mental health support, and administrative roles.
Entry-level careers available for graduates of online Psychology associate programs include mental health technicians, psychiatric aides, teaching assistants, social services case aides, HR assistants, and research assistants. With their well-rounded foundational education, graduates can also venture into marketing/advertising, customer service, and sales positions.
Kickstart Your Psychology Career!
A great way to jump-start your psychology career is to earn an associate degree in Psychology. This two-year program is ideal to take, especially if you’re still unsure if the psychology field is really for you or if you’re not ready to fully commit to a four-year bachelor’s degree program in Psychology.
Through a traditional or online Psychology Associate Degree program, you can gain a solid foundation of psychology concepts and methodologies as well as General Education and skills development courses that allow you to start working and earning immediately upon completing the two-year program.
Alternatively, if you decide to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology after completing your associate’s program, the transition will be smooth, as you already possess a strong academic base to meet the challenges of higher education.
Methodology
There are various universities and colleges nationwide offering online Associate in Psychology degree programs. To make your search more convenient and narrow your options, we’ve compiled a selection of well-established institutions that provide outstanding hybrid and Associate in Psychology online degree programs.
Our list includes schools selected based on specific criteria that ensure the quality and convenience of these online psychology programs for prospective students. These features include the following:
- Offers courses that are available 100% online or in a hybrid learning format for greater flexibility and accessibility,
- Has comprehensive coursework at the associate level that covers the fundamental aspects of psychology as a vital discipline, including its diverse dimensions and challenges,
- Provides smooth transfer pathways that enable convenient transition of associate degree holders to bachelor’s degree programs,
- Offers affordable tuition rates or a wide variety of financial aid options to support students pursuing online associate degree education,
- Employs a capable team of faculty members comprising seasoned psychology professionals and experts in the field,
- Has approved accreditation by industry-recognized accrediting organizations to ensure high standards of education in the curriculum,
- Maintains a strong reputation in the Psychology community, as evidenced by the institution’s active memberships in industry-recognized associations.
For details, please refer to our Methodology section.
10 Best Online Associate in Psychology Degrees
Liberty University
Based in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University offers a 100% online Associate of Arts in Psychology degree program that equips students with foundational general education and psychology courses.
Among others, this program explores the psychological differences and similarities among different people as well as the factors that affect human experiences and perspectives, such as culture, ethnicity, gender, and race. The major courses in this program include the following:
- Developmental Psychology
- General Psychology
- Introduction to Research
- Psychology of Personality
Students of this online associate degree program can further customize their degree with the Christian Counseling Specialization, which is designed for students to lead others with biblically-based solutions.
A Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges- or SACSCOC-approved school, Liberty University is institutionally approved to award associate degrees, among other degree levels.
This AA in Psychology program requires students to complete 60 credit hours, all of which are transferable to the University’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology online program, and thus, students will save money and time at the Bachelor’s level.
Ashworth College
Georgia-based Ashworth College offers an online associate degree in Psychology program that helps students build a comprehensive understanding of human personality and behavior. At the same time, students are also able to develop and boost transferable skills that are useful in any career, such as data analysis, public speaking, and writing skills.
The curriculum of this Associate degree program is composed of essential General Education courses and electives as well as foundational introductory courses in psychology. These courses include the following:
- Principles of Public Speaking
- English Composition I and II
- Introduction to Computers
- Social Impact of Technology
- Human Relations
- Introductory to Psychology I and II
- Social Psychology
- Human Growth and Development I and II
- Abnormal Psychology
- Psychology of Personality
The accreditation of Ashworth College has received the approval of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, which is an accrediting body recognized by both the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the US Department of Education.
The Ashworth College Central Network is the University’s career service platform where students obtain assistance in building their career right from the moment they’re enrolled in the Associate in Psychology degree program. Students are provided with detailed steps on how to build their resume, write thank you notes, and draft cover letters, among others.
The University also offers an online Bachelor in Psychology degree program, which makes it easy for Associate graduates to transition should they want to pursue further education.
Monroe Community College
Monroe Community College, a part of the State University of New York (SUNY), offers a 100% web-based Associate of Science in Psychology degree that opens doors to careers in various fields, including education, human services, not-for-profit, and human services.
The program is also designed to be equivalent to the first two years of a Bachelor’s program, thus essentially preparing students who want to pursue further studies after completing their Associate’s degree.
This Associate degree program is a four-semester program that requires students to complete a total of 62 credits toward graduation. The curriculum provides learners with a broad understanding of psychology, including its various branches, as well as research methods and statistics. Students also take SUNY general education courses such as humanities, social and natural sciences, and writing.
Both SUNY and Monroe Community College are Middle States Commission on Higher Education– or MSCHE-accredited.
Colorado Christian University
The 100% online Associate of Science in Psychology degree program offered by Colorado Christian University is designed for adult students who need to juggle work and personal responsibilities while pursuing higher education. The class sizes under this program are small in order to encourage individualized learning, participation, and networking.
Students can complete this Associate degree program in two years or less, even without prior coursework. The curriculum requires students to complete 60 credit hours toward graduation, including 18 in Major Core courses and 30 in General Education courses.
Psychology Core courses include the following:
- Introduction to Research and Applied Statistics
- Relational Psychology
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Psychology through the Lifespan
- Transformational Psychology
- Behavioral Psychology
As a Christian university, students are also required to take a 3-credit-hour course on Biblical Studies, which is part of the General Education Core.
The Higher Learning Commission, or HLC, has granted regional accreditation to Colorado Christian University.
All the required 60 credit hours under this Associate in Psychology program may be applied if the graduate chooses to pursue further education through the University’s Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology.
Regent University
Based in Virginia, Regent University provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the human mind while preparing them for meaningful careers through its Associate of Science in Psychology degree program, which is available both online and on campus.
Students are required to complete at least 63 credit hours under this program toward graduation. Some of the core courses include the following:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Philosophical Foundations
- Abnormal Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Marriage & Family
- Research Methods
- Theories of Personality
As a leading Christian university in America, Regent University empowers students to strengthen their skills and knowledge while firmly grounding them in Christian values and principles. This Psychology program includes the study of how mental processes and behaviors influence people’s personal and spiritual development.
For students who want to pursue further education after completing their Associate degree program, the University also offers the following programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology (online and on campus)
- Master of Science in Psychology (online only)
- APA-accredited Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (on campus)
Regent University’s accreditation to award degrees at various levels is approved and endorsed by SACSCOC.
Crown College
Minnesota-based Crown College is offering a 100% online Associate of Science in Psychology degree program that explores the inner workings of personality, memory, motivation, cognition and concentration, among other aspects of the human brain.
In this program, students are equipped with the fundamentals of psychology that will prepare them for success in various fields such as social work, career counseling, correctional institutions, and even advertising, sales, and marketing.
This Associate degree program requires students to complete a total of 60 credits toward graduation, including 30 credits of General Education courses and 15 credits of Concentration courses such as:
- General Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality Theories
- Understanding Psychopathology
As a Christ-centered university, Crown also includes a total of 9 credits of Christian Studies courses in its curriculum.
The Higher Learning Commission endorses and recognizes the institutional accreditation of Crown College.
The University also has an online Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Counseling program with optional accelerated degree programs toward the University’s Master of Arts in Counseling.
Front Range Community College
Based in Colorado, Front Range Community College offers two online programs for Associate in Psychology, namely:
- Associate of Arts (AA) in Psychology, which prepares students for a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program to boost their career opportunities in the fields of social work, criminal justice and related areas.
- Associate of Science (AS) in Psychology, which prepares students for a Bachelor of Science in Psychology for careers related to research and clinical practice.
Both the Associate degree programs require students to have a total of 60 credits in order to graduate within two years. Some of the courses common in both programs are the following:
- General Psychology I and II
- English Composition I and II
- A choice of Public Speaking or Interpersonal Communication
The Community College is approved and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. All of FRCC’s programs have also earned the nod of the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE) and the Colorado State Approving Agency for Veterans Education and Training.
FRCC is part of a statewide transfer articulation agreement wherein students who earned their AA or AS in Psychology degree at the Community College can transfer as a junior to various Colorado public universities offering four-year Bachelor programs. Make sure to contact the program advisor for updated information on the school’s transfer guide.
Houston Community College
Houston Community College offers the Associate of Science in Psychology degree as one of its many online programs with a mission to deliver high-quality instruction and to support student success.
Some of the Psychology courses that students will take under this program are:
- General Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Biological Psychology
- Lifespan Growth & Development
- Social Psychology
- Statistical Methods in Psychology
This Associate’s program also equips students with various marketable skills that enhance their career opportunities and employability. These skills include critical thinking skills, empirical and quantitative skills, communication skills, personal accountability, social responsibility, and teamwork.
Some of the Psychology courses under this program are designated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or THECB as “fully transferable” to other public universities and colleges in Texas.
The SACSCOC acknowledges the HCC’s accredited status to award associate and select bachelor degrees.
Ivy Tech Community College
With 19 campuses and 24 satellite locations across Indiana, Ivy Tech Community College also offers 100% online degree programs, including an Associate of Science in Psychology program, which can be completed in four semesters or two years.
To obtain the Associates degree, students need to earn a total of 60 credit hours, which include 29 credits of Psychology courses and 30 credits of General Education courses. The curriculum is essentially designed to provide students with a well-rounded understanding of human psychology and a solid foundation of general education skills and knowledge as preparation for bachelor’s degree programs.
Courses under this program include:
- Introduction to Ethics
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Social Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Lifespan Development
- Research Methods in Psychology
- Rhetoric and Argument
As a transferable degree, this AS in Psychology program allows for a smooth transition when students pursue a four-year Bachelor’s program after completing their Associate’s program. There are two ways to do so
- The Guaranteed Admissions Program allows qualified Associate graduates to be automatically accepted to Ivy Tech’s partner institutions.
- The Transfer Single Articulation Pathways (TSAP) program allows Associate graduates to transfer all their credits to any four-year Indiana university and start their program with a Junior status.
Ivy Tech Community College is HLC-accredited.
California Coast University
California Coast University offers a 100% online Associate of Science in Psychology degree program that students can start anytime. It comes with self-paced courses that students can work through with complete flexibility in their schedules, and thus, the program is ideal for working professionals.
This associate program requires students to complete a total of 60 credits toward graduation. There are 20 courses to complete, including 10 General Education courses that cover natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, among others.
There are also 6 Core courses that students are required to take, namely:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Marriage and Family
- Personality Theories
Students can customize their Associates degree, as the curriculum also requires students to complete four out of the many Elective courses that the University is offering, including courses in business management and administration, criminal justice, healthcare and marketing.
California Coast University’s accreditation is endorsed by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California has also granted institutional approval to the University.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with an Associate in Psychology degree?
An Associate in Psychology degree can serve as your gateway to a variety of entry-level positions in many fields of psychology, including social services, mental health, or human resources. Alternatively, the associate degree program is also used as a foundation for further education, considering that a degree at the Bachelor’s level or higher is generally required for many psychology-related careers, especially those requiring professional licenses.
How long does it take to complete an Associate in Psychology program?
An Associate in Psychology degree program is generally designed to be finished in two years or four semesters if you’re enrolled as a full-time student. However, various factors allow you to finish it sooner or later.
For example, part-time study options, which are available in some programs, may extend the duration. On the other hand, credit transfer policies where some of your previously owned college credits and even work experiences may count toward your degree will shorten the duration.
It’s important to check with the specific institution for program details and requirements.
Is it possible to transfer Associate in Psychology credits to a four-year university?
Yes, you can. Many universities and colleges accept transfer credits from accredited associate degree programs. Also, in certain cases, you may find that all the credits you earned in your Associate’s program are transferable toward your Bachelor’s degree, especially if you continue your higher education at the same institution.
Take note, however, that the transferability of credits can vary by institution and program. It’s advisable to research and communicate with your intended four-year school to ensure a smooth transfer process and to maximize credit transferability.
Summary Points
- An Associate in Psychology program is a practical and efficient way to kickstart your journey to a fulfilling career in mental health, social services, and related fields, as it offers an excellent opportunity to earn your degree in just around two years.
- Graduates of the Associate in Psychology program may choose to pursue higher education immediately after completing their Associate degree program or later on in life if they want to level up their career prospects by taking supervisory or management roles or by obtaining professional licenses.
- Other reasons for students to opt for an Associate in Psychology program instead of a Bachelor’s program include cost considerations, exploration of their interest in psychology, and personal or work challenges that prevent them from committing to a full-time four-year curriculum of the Bachelor’s program.
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