Psychology
Associate in Arts- Cost
- $11,590*
Understand the foundations of behavior
Psychology is the scientific study of human thinking and behavior, including brain function and development. Your coursework at CLC puts you on the path to understanding how. Use your critical thinking skills, empathy and social awareness for careers in health care, education, legal fields, public affairs, human services, business and more.
Additionally, you learn about the scientific method of investigation, build on written and oral communication skills and learn to apply theory and research to everyday experiences.
What can you do with an Associate Degree in Psychology?
A degree in Psychology can be very versatile. Maximize your career trajectory by working with an Academic Success Advisor who recommends the best way to transfer to your preferred university. An Associate in Art (A.A.) degree in Psychology prepares you for a variety of bachelor’s programs—not just psychology.
Former students have moved on to master’s and doctoral programs in a variety of fields, including mental health, research and teaching. Your desired role will likely require additional education.
Highlights
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100% Online
Can be completed 100% online. -
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available
Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college. -
Transfer Degree
Save on your first 2 years and transfer your credits to the 4-year school of your choice. -
Program Length: 2 Years
Full-time students finish in 2 years.
Career Outlook
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Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $43,525
- Median
- $61,905
- Senior-Level
- $104,447
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $20.92
- Median
- $29.76
- Senior-Level
- $50.21
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Associate Degree
- 5.51%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 68.66%
- Master's Degree
- 25.83%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $43,489
- Median
- $92,605
- Senior-Level
- $180,014
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $20.90
- Median
- $44.51
- Senior-Level
- $86.54
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Master's Degree
- 23.31%
- Doctorate
- 76.69%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $38,815
- Median
- $91,396
- Senior-Level
- $263,704
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $18.65
- Median
- $43.93
- Senior-Level
- $126.77
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Doctorate
- 100%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $60,605
- Median
- $112,260
- Senior-Level
- $220,643
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $29.14
- Median
- $53.97
- Senior-Level
- $106.07
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 8.93%
- Certificate
- 6.72%
- Some college
- 1.27%
- Associate Degree
- 5.33%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 63.38%
- Master's Degree
- 14.38%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $45,565
- Median
- $65,099
- Senior-Level
- $110,440
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $21.90
- Median
- $31.29
- Senior-Level
- $53.09
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 6.27%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 0.61%
- Master's Degree
- 93.12%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $45,070
- Median
- $65,798
- Senior-Level
- $83,627
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $21.66
- Median
- $31.63
- Senior-Level
- $40.20
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Bachelor's Degree
- 14.81%
- Master's Degree
- 85.18%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $47,725
- Median
- $145,979
- Senior-Level
- $329,899
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $22.94
- Median
- $70.17
- Senior-Level
- $158.60
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Some college
- 3.85%
- Associate Degree
- 3.85%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 3.85%
- Master's Degree
- 57.69%
- Doctorate
- 30.77%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Need help?
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps you
- complete the admission process
- choose an academic program
- enroll in first-semester classes
- get access to helpful resources
Recommended Pathway
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.
*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Learn how CLC helps you transfer
Start at CLC and continue with a 4-year school to earn your bachelor's degree. CLC has partnerships with many colleges and universities, covering a wide range of programs.
Our Guaranteed Transfer Partnerships (GTAs) with a select number of schools guarantee admission to students who meet specific criteria.
Psychology at CLC
Get the bigger picture
An Associate in Arts in Psychology is just one possible way to study education and social sciences. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
Frequently asked questions
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The A.A. in Psychology is 62 credit hours and takes an average of 2 years to complete. We offer students a solid foundation of the discipline through courses in research methodology and the main subfields of psychology, including developmental, abnormal/clinical, social, personality, cognitive, and neuropsychology. In addition, we provide opportunities for students to explore research methodology and get hands-on experience by participating in one-on-one work with a psychology professor collecting, organizing, and analyzing data in our Psychology Lab.
We offer courses in a variety of scheduling options (e.g., 8-week, 12-week, 16-week courses). Your classes include:
- Theories of Personality
- Adolescent Development
- Human Sexuality
- Cognitive Psychology
Your psychology professors have diverse backgrounds in human development, mental health, social psychology and cognition. Full-time faculty, passionate about helping students achieve their dreams, set aside 80 hours per week to offer tutoring and assistance throughout the semester.
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You can complete your psychology degree 100% online or in-person depending on the courses you are interested in taking. Attend class in the way that works best for your goals.
- Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real time by taking classes that are taught in a live virtual classroom via Zoom during scheduled times.
- Online: Have flexibility to complete coursework without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
- In-person: Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in person with faculty and peers.
Please note that we do not offer the following classes online:
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology (PSY 122)
- Social Psychology (PSY 225)
- Brain and Behavior (PSY 240)
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Your transfer degree prepares you to continue your education at a 4-year university while giving you a head start in the professional world today. Once you choose a transfer school and meet with an Academic Success Advisor, follow the college requirements for associate degrees that transfer.
Through a mix of lectures, discussions, group work and experiential learning, your coursework in psychology can enhance your existing analytical, inter- and intra-personal skills that are sought by a wide range of employers. Free Open Educational Resources (OER) or low-cost textbooks for all psychology courses are available.
With low-cost tuition, experienced professors, small class sizes and guaranteed transfer to a number of four-year universities, starting with a transfer degree in Psychology is the smart start to your higher education.
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