Psychology (AS)
Program Overview:
Understand the How and Why Behind Decision Making
Help an advertising agency reach its target audience. Discuss with someone strategies to break their cycle of depression. Meet with a high school student to help them choose career goals and future plans. Analyze data and study how trauma affects daily life. Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes, and studies abstract ideas, such as how we think, why we do what we do, how we know right from wrong, and what it means to be alive.
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.
Those with careers in psychology help others improve communication, enhance self-confidence, and build better relationships.
| Contact |
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| Chairperson Elizabeth Flowers |
| Phone (323) 242-5458 |
| Email |
| Office Location Student Services Education Center, Room 216 |
| Office Hours Mondays to Fridays: 8:00AM - 4:30PM |
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Department |
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Pathway |
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 a Psychology degree:
Career information below taken from bls.gov December 2019. Go to bls.gov for most current career information.
Provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| scope="row"Some college | $42,160/year | $20.27/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 5% increase (as fast as average) | 19,070 |
Care for people who have mental illness and developmental disabilities.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | $59,800/year | $28.75/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| Clinical experience | -5% decrease (decline) | 1,990 |
Plan programs to generate interest in products or services.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $152,160/year | $73.15/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| 5 years or more | 5% increase (as fast as average) | 12,280 |
Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree / Licensure | $51,410/year | $24.72/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 3% increase (slower than average) | 5,050 |
Help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree / Licensure | $37,630/year | $18.09/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 3% increase (little or no change) | 4,910 |
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 |
What You’ll Learn at LASC in Psychology
You can get Associate in Science (AS) and Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT) 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.
- Want 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 Science in Psychology (AS) degree and the Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer (AAT) 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
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 |
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 |
Get Ready Before You Start
Interested in psychology? Before your first class starts at LASC, you can start preparing for your psychology 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.