If you enjoy helping people and want to have insight into the human mind and human behavior, an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS) degree in psychology could lead you to a rewarding career path. While a degree in any discipline can make it easier to find a job in many different fields, an associate degree in psychology can be perfect for jobs working for, and with, other professionals like mental health workers, human services and social workers. Show Jobs in Mental HealthWith an associate degree in psychology, you could work in the mental health field. Good places to look for employment include mental health hospitals or clinics, counseling centers or intervention units. Two positions that often require an associate degree in psychology include psychiatric technicians and psychiatric aides, which both involve assisting and caring for people with mental illness and mental disabilities. While technicians provide therapeutic care and monitor patients, aides generally assist with daily activities like feeding and keeping their living environments clean and safe. In 2017, these positions paid a median annual wage of $29,330, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Psychiatric aides don't require a license. Only a few states, including California, require psychiatric technicians to be licensed. Jobs in Human ServicesIf you'd like to work with youths or the elderly, take a look at open positions at local child welfare agencies, social services agencies, juvenile detention centers, group homes and vocational rehabilitation centers. These organizations often have positions that are ideal for someone with an AA in Psychology. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinics also hire people with an associate degree as aides and paraprofessional counselors. It's unlikely that you'll be able to get a job as a social worker or therapist without a more advanced degree; however, you can work as an aide or assistant, helping clients while under supervision. Many of these jobs, such as aides working with seniors, aides to social workers or state-level correctional officers, may only require a high school diploma. For these positions, having a degree could help you stand out from other applicants. Pay can vary widely. As an example, the median income of correctional officers in 2017 was $43,540, according to the BLS. The median income for social and human resource assistants was $33,120. Jobs in Childcare and EducationWith the insight into childhood development you learn in college, an associate degree could get you a great job in early childhood education as a teacher's aide or as a childcare assistant at a daycare center or preschool. Childcare workers made a median income of $22,290 in 2017. As with many jobs, the specific requirements can vary with each position and often vary by state. Some positions may only require a high school education. Other jobs may require additional training and licensing from the state.
Is an associate's in psychology worth it?An associate's degree in psychology is worth getting if you use it as the first step toward a career in psychology or for an entry-level aide, assistant or support role. Students should not, however, assume that they will be qualified to do the work of a psychologist after just two years of schooling.
What to do after getting an associate's in psychology?Careers with an Associate's in Psychology. Correctional officer. ... . Home care aide. ... . Human service or social work assistant. ... . Psychiatric nursing aides. ... . Psychiatric technician.. Which associate's degree pays most?What Are the Highest-Paying Associate Degrees?. Radiation Therapy. ... . Nuclear Technology. ... . Nuclear Medicine. ... . Dental Hygiene. ... . Web Development. ... . Diagnostic Medical Sonography. ... . Aerospace Engineering. ... . Electrical Engineering.. What else can you do with a degree in psychology?There are many different options available to psychology degree holders, depending on your specializations and interests, such as:. Psychologist.. Psychotherapist.. Social worker.. Counselor.. Educational psychologist.. Human resource manager.. Teacher.. Research roles.. |