Psychology (AAT)
Help Others Reach Their Goals
Give people the tools they need to be successful. Help someone through their darkest hour. Observe a child interacting with another to assess if there are any developmental delays. Help a business determine how best to sell a product. Give a client the strategies they need to help them develop stronger relationships. Your career in psychology gives you the tools to help others become the best people they can be and gives you the ability to assist organizations in meeting their goals.
Psychology is an integrated science, taking from many different behavioral and social sciences to help us learn more about ourselves. While how the brain functions is still very mysterious to us, psychologists have a very good understanding of how our brain makes decisions, and can help people find ways of dealing with stress, anger, sadness, and depression so they can lead satisfying, healthy lives. They are also influencers, knowing what will motivate someone into action, such as finding ways to promote recycling and exercising more.
Knowing why people make the choices they make and how they come to those decisions will assist you in any career you choose, and will give you the ability to help you mediate and collaborate with others. Those with careers in psychology help others improve communication, enhance self-confidence, and build better relationships.
Careers in Psychology
There are many areas of specialization within psychology careers, such as in business, sports, human development, media, and in technology where it’s showing to have a very influential effect on people’s behaviors.
Here are some careers and their salaries you could have with an Associate for Transfer Degree in Psychology:
Career information below taken from bls.gov November 2019. Go to bls.gov for most current career information.
Study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals relate to one another and to their environments.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree / Licensure | $117,870/year | $56.67/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 3% increase (slower than average) | 5,470 |
Sociologists study society and social behavior.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | $82,050/year | $39.45/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None Needed | 9% increase (faster than average) | 3,000 |
Provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | $33,750 /year | $16.22/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 13% increase (much faster than average) | 413,700 |
Help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $49,470/year | $23.79/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 11% increase (faster than average) | 707,400 |
Help students develop the academic and social skills needed to succeed. Career counselors help people choose a path to employment.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $72,740/year | $37.38/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 0% increase (little or no change) | 11,630 |
Collect data and discuss health concerns with members of specific populations or communities.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | $39,540/year | N/A |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 11% increase (much faster than average) | 123,800 |
What You’ll Learn at LASC in Psychology
You can get Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT) and Associate in Arts (AA) degrees through LASC’s Psychology program where you will learn about child and adult development while receiving exposure to a number of social science disciplines:
- Expand knowledge in psychology, sociology, biology, statistics, research, and development of children and adults so you can use this to build critical-thinking skills within psychology, create experiments, and learn proper ways to research and reporting methods and college and analyze data.
- Receive a broad understanding of the field of psychology and psychological disorders, as well as how psychology is used today to treat people.
- LASC provides internships so you can build your career connections and create community ties for after you graduate.
- To transfer, check out our Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT) degree in Psychology and save money on your first two years of college learning from devoted, knowledgeable faculty. You can graduate with guaranteed admission into a CSU, and some UCs! See your academic counselor for more information.
Degrees & Courses You Will Take
Review the LASC Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer (AAT) degree and the Associate in Arts in Psychology (AA) degree below along with our suggested course of study for these programs. Go to LASC’s current Course Catalog for specific course information:
Major Code: 2201
Total Units Required: 60
If you are planning to transfer to a CSU or UC, then an Associate in Arts in Psychology is for you! You can complete an Associate in Arts in for Transfer Degree (ATT) in Psychology if you are planning to transfer to a Psychology bachelor’s program, and by successfully completing this degree, you are guaranteed admission to a CSU upon completion of this program!
The Transfer Degree is designed to provide you with a Transfer Model Curriculum provides skills in psychology, biology, sociology, statistics, research, multidisciplinary studies, child and adult development and most other social science disciplines.
The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer Degree requirements include:
- completion of 60 CSU transferable units, including the minimum 18 units in the major and the completion of either IGETC or CSU GE;
- a minimum GPA of 2.0.
If you are interested in completing an Associate Degree for Transfer, you must:
- Complete 60 semester units of 90-quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following: *
- The Intersegmental General Education Transfer curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements
- A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district. 2. Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
*As required by Senate Bill 1440 & California Education Code section 66746. - ADTs also require that you must earn a C or better in all courses required for the major area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is not an acceptable grade for courses in the major.
You should meet with a counselor to determine the necessary course work to complete the general education requirements.
| Required Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| MATH 227 Statistics | 4 |
| PSYCH 1 General Psychology 1 | 3 |
| PSYCH 91 Statistics for Psychology | 4 |
| OR | |
| PSYCH 92 Psychological Research Methods | 5 |
| PSYCH 2 Biological Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 41 Life-Span Psychology: From Infancy to Old Age | 3 |
| PSYCH 3 Personality & Social Development | 3 |
| OR | |
| PSYCH 11 Child Psychology | 3 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 20-21 |
Upon successfully completing this program, you should be able to:
- Describe the goals of psychology as a science.
- List, describe, and explain theoretical viewpoints in psychology.
- List and describe major research methods utilized in psychology.
| Required Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| ANTHRO 102 Human Ways of Life: Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| BIOLOGY 3 Introduction to Biology | 4 |
| PSYCH 1 General Psychology 1 | 3 |
| PSYCH 2 Biological Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 3 Personality and Social Development | 3 |
| OR | |
| PSYCH Child Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 14 Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 19 |
Get Ready Before You Start
Interested in psychology? Before your first class starts at LASC, you can start preparing for your psychology career:
- Make an appointment with your LASC academic counselor to review LASC’s program, start to develop a Student Education Plan (SEP), and make sure to discuss your academic and career goals so they can direct you to all LASC has to offer you!
- Still in high school? Look for opportunities to volunteer and make positive impacts in your community. Talk with your high school counselor to see if there are opportunities to intern at local nonprofits or shadow someone for the day. Look for summer opportunities in your local community service organizations where you can learn more and gain more experience in your future career.
Program Learning Outcomes
As a student, once you successfully complete the program, you should be able to:
- Describe the goals of psychology as a science.
- List, describe, and explain theoretical viewpoints in psychology.
- List and describe major research methods utilized in psychology.