Psychology, an Option to Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts
Program Description
The Associate of Liberal Arts (AA) with an option in Psychology will prepare students for further academic and career study in the area of psychology at the junior and senior level designations. This option prepares students to transfer to a baccalaureate psychology program. The coursework is designed to foster an appreciation and understanding of the scientific study through 1) the utilization of the scientific method 2) exposing students to the history and scope of behavior and fundamental mental processes. Program graduates will learn basic and applied areas in the field of psychology. Students will apply relevant research to analyze and evaluate psychological perspectives and concepts.
Transfer Information
Students pursing the Liberal Arts degree – Psychology Option can transfer into majors such as Psychology, Social Sciences/Liberal Studies, and Psychology with teacher’s certification. Many four-year colleges suggest coursework in psychology as well as other areas to specialize for future careers. Students are encouraged to work closely with OCC faculty and Advising Transfer Services. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution in NJ can explore the “Transfer Programs” feature on NJ Transfer www.njtransfer.org.
Career Information
The Associate of Arts degree is designed to provide students with the coursework needed to transfer to four-year institutions and pursue a bachelor’s degree and/or master's degree in psychology or psychology related majors. The curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a pathway to careers in counseling or psychology. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with OCC faculty and Career Services as they begin to explore career options. OCC students can also utilize Focus2 Career, a resource provided by OCC, to explore degree programs and corresponding careers. To get started, log in through Ocean Connect.
Students are encouraged to keep track of degree requirements by using the “My Progress” screen on Student Planning. Student Planning can be accessed via logging into Ocean Connect.
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Comunications | ||
| ENGL 151 | English I | 3 |
| ENGL 152 | English II | 3 |
| COMM 154 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| History | ||
| History Gen. Ed. Requirement 1 | 3 | |
| History Gen. Ed. Requirement 1 | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| PHIL 191 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| Any ARTS, MUSC, or ENGL course from the List of Approved General Education Courses 1 | 3 | |
| Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement 1 | 3 | |
| Social Science | ||
| PSYC 172 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Select from the following 1 | 3 | |
| Child Psychology | ||
| Adolescent Psychology | ||
| Life Span Development | ||
| Diversity | ||
| Diversity Gen. Ed. Requirement 1 | 3 | |
| Mathematics-Science-Technology | ||
| Mathematics, Lab Science, and Technology Gen. Ed. Requirement 1 & 2 | 12 | |
| Program Requirement | ||
| Any STSC - Student Success Seminar course 3 | 2 | |
| Psychology Program Electives 1 | 9 | |
| Elective | ||
| Elective to meet 60 credits | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 60 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
Psychology Program Electives
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 173 | Child Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 174 | Personality Theory | 3 |
| PSYC 175 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 240 | Travel Seminar: the Person and Environment | 3 |
| PSYC 250 | Introduction to Quantitative Analysis in The Social Sciences | 3 |
| PSYC 270 | Psychology of Gender | 3 |
| PSYC 271 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 273 | Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 274 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 275 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 278 | Life Span Development | 3 |
- 1
Course selections should be based on the requirements of the intended transfer to a four-year institution. Students should speak to their advisor for clarification.
- 2
Students must select one math course, one lab science course, and one technology course and complete the 12 cr. requirement with any additional math or science course from the list of Approved General Education Courses. Students may attempt to “test out” of the technology requirement. If they succeed, they must take an additional course(s) in math or science from the List of Approved General Education Courses.
- 3
A variety of STSC -Student Success Seminar courses are available. Please speak to your academic advisor for assistance when selecting.