Associate degree in psychology overview. Some of the most popular careers for those with an associate degree in psychology are clinical, research, and corporate positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists that clinical, counseling, and school psychologists are expected to experience a 14% increase in jobs between 2016 and 2026 (www.bls.gov).
With an associate degree in psychology, you can work as a psychologist. It’s possible to get a job as a psychologist with just a bachelor’s degree in psychology, but the associate degree will give you an advantage over other applicants because it shows that you have more experience and training.
You can also work as a counselor or social worker with an associate degree in psychology. These jobs generally require an advanced degree, but they are still possible with only an associate degree.
If you want to get into academia, then an associate degree is not enough; you’ll need at least a master’s degree. But if you’re interested in teaching high school or community college classes, then working on your PhD while holding down your current job should be enough instead of trying to find another one first!
What jobs can you get with an associate degree in psychology
Introduction
Whether you’re pursuing a career in psychology or exploring the options for your associate degree, it’s important to consider what jobs are available for people with associate degrees. An associate degree can be a great way to try out a career path and see if you want to pursue it further. In the field of psychology, an associate degree can open up the door to several different subfields and careers that might interest you.
A career in social work
Social workers are the people who help people deal with mental illness, addiction, poverty and other issues. Social workers can work in hospitals, schools, businesses and other places. They may provide counseling services or help clients find jobs or housing.
Substance abuse counselor
You should note that the field of substance abuse counseling is quite competitive, and it’s important to ensure that you meet the educational requirements for employment. The specific requirements vary depending on where you live and which job you’re applying for, but generally speaking:
- You’ll need to be certified as a substance abuse counselor by your state’s Department of Psychology or Health Services. To do this, you will have to complete an approved degree program (more on this later).
- You’ll need a master’s degree in psychology from an accredited institution (again more on this later).
Community health worker
A community health worker is a professional who works in public health agencies and programs, providing services to individuals, families, and communities. They provide support to people with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or heart disease; help people manage their health care at home; connect individuals to other community resources; and advocate for policy changes that affect the health of the population. Community health workers require a bachelor’s degree in public health or social work.
Because of its focus on individualized care and services, this career path is well-suited for psychology majors who have an interest in mental health or gerontology (the study of aging). This can also be an excellent opportunity for those interested in pursuing a master’s degree later on down the road. As with many jobs discussed here today, there are multiple avenues open when it comes time to find employment: you can choose between working at an outpatient clinic or hospital setting; working within your own community as part of an outreach program; helping support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meet their goals; helping schools run safe environments free from bullying by counseling troubled students one-on-one each week during lunch break hours etcetera
Management positions in mental health settings
An associate degree in psychology can prepare you for management positions in mental health settings. You could work as a manager at a hospital, clinic, or other health care facility; in a private practice; in the school system; as part of the corrections system; or within the government. As a mental health administrator, you’ll be responsible for overseeing all aspects of an organization’s services and operations. You might also plan how to integrate new programs into existing ones, create policies and procedures related to client care within your organization, manage budgets, develop staff training programs and evaluate their effectiveness – even handle hiring decisions!
An associate degree can help you get a foot in the door for several psychology-related fields.
If you have an associate degree in psychology, you could get a job as a:
- Social worker. In this role, you would help people overcome personal problems and improve their lives. You may work with individuals, families or groups to provide counseling and therapy.
- Mental health counselor. You would help people with mental illness by providing supportive counseling and treatment for depression, anxiety disorders and substance abuse problems. This can include working with people who are suicidal or experiencing psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions.* Rehabilitation counselor (also known as vocational rehabilitation counselors). These professionals help injured workers get back on their feet after an injury by finding them suitable jobs that allow them to use their skills.* School psychologist (also known as educational psychologists). These psychologists work at schools helping teachers identify children who have learning disabilities or behavioral problems in order to provide appropriate educational services based on each child’s needs.* Clinical psychologist (also called licensed clinical social workers). These professionals evaluate clients’ mental health needs then create individualized treatment plans based on diagnosis to help patients overcome emotional difficulties such as depression or anxiety disorders.* Forensic psychologist (also called forensic psychiatrists). These psychologists evaluate defendants’ mental states for criminal proceedings like murder cases; determine whether someone is competent enough to stand trial; treat mentally ill patients who might harm themselves if not confined properly; counsel convicted felons who were found not guilty by reason of insanity so they can return home safely; perform research into how the mind works during trauma situations such as war zones where soldiers experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); conduct psychological evaluations related to divorce custody battles involving children under 18 years old
Conclusion
These are just a few of the jobs that you can get with an associate degree in psychology. There are many more—and if you decide to go further, you’ll be able to make even more options available for yourself. While it’s true that a bachelor’s is often necessary for positions that have some level of authority or responsibility, there are still plenty of opportunities available with an associate degree alone. You can do a lot with just two years!
