AA in Psychology

Human behavior is complex. Psychology studies this complexity.

Students may begin their path to a Bachelor's degree in Psychology by majoring in Psychology at NCC. Foundational courses in communication, statistics, science, social science, and the humanities will be complemented with major courses in psychology. We offer courses including Abnormal, Cognitive, and Developmental Psychology, and the Psychology of Sex and Gender. Students may also conduct independent research projects under the direct supervision of faculty members. The faculty works to ensure that every student receives high-quality instruction and is exposed to a wide range of sub-fields in psychology. Through one-on-one advising tailored to each student’s interest, the Department is committed to providing knowledge and experiences that enable students to make educated and informed decisions regarding future occupational and educational choices. Students will be prepared to successfully transfer to psychology programs at four-year institutions, and be on track to enter at the appropriate level.

NCC also offers an A.A.S. degree in Applied Psychology, aimed at students who, upon completion, hope to work in professions such as mental health technician, therapeutic support service (TSS) professional, direct care worker for people with special needs or mental illness, and job coach or employment specialist for people with special needs.

Transfer options

• East Stroudsburg University: Psychology
• Kutztown University: Psychology
• DeSales University: Psychology
• Lehigh University: Psychology
• Moravian: Psychology
• Temple: Psychology

Students may begin their path to a Bachelor's degree in Psychology by majoring in Psychology at NCC. Foundational courses in communication, statistics, science, social science, and the humanities will be complemented with major courses in psychology. We offer courses including Abnormal, Cognitive, and Developmental Psychology, and the Psychology of Sex and Gender. Students may also conduct independent research projects under the direct supervision of faculty members. The faculty works to ensure that every student receives high-quality instruction and is exposed to a wide range of sub-fields in psychology. Through one-on-one advising tailored to each student’s interest, the Department is committed to providing knowledge and experiences that enable students to make educated and informed decisions regarding future occupational and educational choices. Students will be prepared to successfully transfer to psychology programs at four-year institutions, and be on track to enter at the appropriate level.

First Semester

• COLS101 College Success
• CMTH102 Introduction to Communication
• PSYC103 Introduction to Psychology
• CISC101 Introduction to Information Technology
• ENGL101 English I
• General Education Elective (SIT)

Second Semester

• PSYC258 Developmental Psychology
• SOCA103 Principles of Sociology
• MATH150 Introductory Statistics
• ENGL151L English II
• Elective

Third Semester

• PHIL202G Ethics & Moral Problems
• PSYC Psychology Elective +
• Elective
• PSYC205 Research Methods
• Humanities Elective ++

Fourth Semester

• PSYC Psychology Elective +
• General Education Elective (AH)
• General Education Elective (SIT or SSHB)
• Science Elective (SCI)
• Elective

+ Psychology Electives - PSYC221, PSYC230, PSYC235, PSYC245, PSYC255, PSYC265

++ Humanities Electives - ARTA101; all CMTH, except 120, 122, 170, 185, 240, 251, 252; all DANC; all ENGL; all HUMA; all MDLA; MUSC101; all PHIL.

- Completion of PHIL202G satisfies the program-related Writing Intensive (WI) requirement. In addition, one General Education Elective must be taken in a Writing Intensive (WI) section.

The Psychology undergraduate major aims to produce students who can do the following:

• Understand and apply the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology, including cognition, biological approaches, developmental changes, personality, and social processes, psychological disorders and treatments, individual differences, methodology, and theories of stress and coping.
• Apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
• Apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational real-life settings.

Future Career Paths

• Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS) Worker
• Human Services Direct Care Staff / Caseworker
• Clinical Program Manager
• Physician Assistant
• Mental Health Technician
• Counseling/Forensic/School Psychologist
• Behavior Analyst/Specialist