Applied Psychology
Associate Degree

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Why Choose NCC’s Applied Psychology 2-Year Program?

Grow your passion for helping individuals and understanding relationships in the Associate in Applied Science in Applied Psychology program at Northampton Community College. This hands-on degree prepares you to start your career in behavioral health, health care, education, or human services. You'll also have the necessary credentials to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in psychology, applied psychology, or a related field.

Study 100% online or connect with your peers and faculty in person on our Bethlehem and Pocono campuses in Pennsylvania.

 

Gain Human Service Experiences through Internships

Practical experience helps you understand your own interest in and passion for applied psychology—and it stands out on resumes and transfer applications! NCC’s applied psychology degree, in both online and on-campus formats, culminates in a semester-long, 150-hour internship through which you will work with individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. This unique hands-on opportunity builds your positive behavior support and counseling skills.

 

Transfer to a 4-Year University or Jumpstart Your Career

With an applied psychology associate’s degree, you have the skills and experience to launch directly into a person-focused professional role. You may also choose to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree and get on track for graduate and postgraduate study, which is necessary for some psychology and counseling professions.

NCC’s applied psychology graduates continue studying in programs like:

  • Penn State University: Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Rehabilitation and Human Services, Biobehavioral Health, or Applied Psychology
  • Lehigh University: Psychology Program
  • Kutztown University: Psychology Program
  • East Stroudsburg University: Psychology Program, Clinical Track, or Rehabilitation and Human Services
  • Cedar Crest College: Psychology Program
  • Marywood University: Psychology, Clinical Track
  • University of Scranton: Counseling and Human Services Program

 

What Will You Learn in the Applied Psychology AAS Degree Program?

Become competent in positive behavior support and counseling skills for a variety of professional settings. In contextual courses and electives, you will develop broader knowledge of life issues that impact people’s functioning, key principles for working with diverse populations, and the values and ethics that ground the counseling profession. You will graduate with a solid foundation for further study in counseling, therapy, and mental health.



Program Details

Semesters: 4

Credits: 62

College Catalog: View Curriculum

Program Map: Download PDF

Locations: Bethlehem | Fully Online

Program Overview:

NCC’s 62-credit applied psychology degree, offered online and on campus, provides an in-depth look at developmental psychology, child psychopathology, neurodevelopmental disorders, sociology, and intercultural communication. The program’s elective courses allow you to customize your study according to your career goals. In the program, you deepen your classroom learning through a hands-on internship experience with a community organization.



State Licensing

If you are a Northampton Community College student living outside of Pennsylvania or intending to complete an internship or clinical placement outside of the state in a NCC program leading to professional licensure, you should review requirements on the state board website to make sure that the program qualifies.

Licensure requirements vary from state to state and you may require additional authorization from the professional licensing agency in that state. Participating in a program from outside of Pennsylvania, if not properly authorized by that state's professional licensing board, could result in loss of licensing eligibility. If you need help or have questions, please contact the Program Director for more information.



What is Applied Psychology?

Applied psychology is focused on helping others. Our AAS in applied psychology is the first step on a path toward clinical practice, counseling, behavioral health and human services, and other hands-on forms of intervention and service for individuals, families and communities. You can also transfer to a bachelor’s degree program with an AAS degree.

If you find yourself more interested in the research- and discovery-based aspects of psychology, consider our AA in Psychology program as a launch pad for further study at a four-year institution.

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Future Career Paths

Set yourself up for success in the workforce or at a four-year institution! The applied psychology program can directly lead to rewarding careers in behavioral health, health care, education, or human services. If you choose to continue your education and pursue more clinical work, the associate degree covers courses typical of the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in psychology/applied psychology, rehabilitation & human services, family studies, or biobehavioral health.

Potential career paths include:

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

Student Spotlight

I love the small classes and heard great things about the faculty. I choose my NCC major because I love to help people. I want to help youth see their full potential and become productive members or society.

Harry Martinez, Alumni
Applied Psychology

Harry Martinez

Need Help Deciding?

Not sure if this is the right program for you? Take advantage of the resources we have available for students to help hone in on what path to pursue.


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