Program Overview

The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer degree covers the contemporary perspectives on understanding human behavior: biological, psychodynamic, learning-based, humanistic, cognitive, and sociocultural, as well as the effects of nature verses nurture on behavior and abilities. Students learn how to analyze the various methods used to study behavior, including the naturalistic observation method, the correlational method, the experimental method, kinship studies, the epidemiological method, and the case-study method. Students choosing this major will gain an understanding of the definition of normal vs. abnormal behavior, as well as describe the different types of mental health professionals and the basic features of psychotherapy and drug therapies. The successful student will be able to: Characterize the nature of psychology as a science; understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues; use reasoning to recognize, develop, defend, and criticize arguments related to conclusions about psychological issues; identify appropriate applications of psychology in solving problems, such as the origin and treatment of abnormal behavior, pursuit and effect of healthy lifestyles, psychology-based interventions in clinical, educational community, and other settings. Students will be prepared for a baccalaureate degree in Psychology.

Program Level Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Characterize the nature of psychology as a science.
• Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
• Use reasoning to recognize, develop, defend, and criticize arguments related to conclusions about psychological issues.
• Identify appropriate applications of psychology in solving problems, such as the origin and treatment of abnormal behavior, pursuit and effect of healthy lifestyles, psychology-based interventions in clinical, educational community, and other settings.