What should I know when considering a degree in Associate in Psychology?
Psychology is a broad field that aims to understand human behavior and cognitive processes. There are several areas a psychology graduate can work in, a few of the most popular include; developmental psychology, marriage and family counseling, industrial-organized psychology and social psychology. Graduates with an associate’s degree in psychology typically study general psychology and have several career options and job prospects. Graduates can work directly with patients as staff in residential treatment centers for kids, adolescents or young adults. Graduates can also hold various psychology technician or staff titles in substance abuse and rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, and many other private and government owned mental health facilities.
Students who have earned an associate’s degree in psychology also have a good starting point to pursue several other forms of higher education. Almost all associate degree programs can be fully transferred to public universities, where students can earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology. From there students can even pursue a master’s or doctoral psychology degree. Many more opportunities are available to graduates with advanced degrees, as they can work as school psychologists in the K-12 system, researchers or professors in post secondary institutions or, if a doctoral degree is obtained, as a licensed therapist or psychologist.
Associate psychology degrees are usually earned at junior or community colleges. However, there are an increasing number of web-based schools offering an associate online psychology degree. The online option affords students flexibility and the chance to work at their own pace. This is a great for students who have jobs and cannot attend traditional on-campus courses, but want to earn their associate’s degree and begin working in the psychology field.
Earnings
Earnings for graduates with an associate in psychology degree vary widely, and are typically dependent upon the institution type workers are employed in. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in general, employers in the sectors of substance abuse, mental health, rehabilitation, or government employers pay the highest wages, while residential care facilities often pay the lowest wages. Of the opportunities an associate’s degree allows for, mental health counselors had the highest median annual earnings in 2006 of $34,380. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors were not far behind with median annual earnings of $34,040. Rehabilitation counselors had the lowest wages with median annual earnings of $29,200.
Article References
Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm#earnings
American Psychological Association
http://www.apa.org/
Yale University Library: Social Science Libraries and Information Services
http://www.library.yale.edu/socsci/subjguides/psychology/associations.html
What are the leading schools offering programs in Associate in Psychology?
- Liberty University Online : With more than 35 online degrees offered, Liberty University is a convenient, flexible, and affordable way to earn an accredited degree from a solid, Christian perspective. (More Info)
- California Coast University : Established in 1973, California Coast University has enabled working adults without the time or access to a physical school with the opportunity to complete degree training programs that can open new career doors. Flexible distance-learning classes ensure that students will earn an undergraduate or graduate degree in Business Administration, Management, Psychology, and Health Care Administration in as much or as little time as they have available. (More Info)
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