5 Best Online Associate’s Degree in Clinical Psychology
Updated October 25, 2021 | BestCollegeReviews.org Staff
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Get your start in clinical psychology with a transfer-friendly associate degree. Check out the 5 Best Online Associate’s Degrees in Clinical Psychology for 2020!Psychology is a field that provides students with the foundation that they need to enter the human services job market, and an associate degree is the first step toward entering such fields. Job opportunities include positions as counselors, lawyers, aides, and technicians, and the markets for these roles are growing.
The job market for counselors, for example, is expected to grow 23 percent, which is much faster than average, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. For social and community service managers, the growth is expected to be 18 percent in the same time period.
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For students looking to start their associate degree in psychology, they should consider two things in particular. First, they should take into consideration how the degree will prepare them to transfer to a four-year institution. Second, they should make sure that the format of the program will fit their needs.
Some programs are entirely online while others are exclusively on campus. By learning more about each of these apply to specific schools, students can gain a better sense of whether the degree will help them to achieve their career goals.
Methodology
Best College Reviews provides degree rankings, such as the 5 Best Online Associate’s Degrees in Clinical Psychology in 2020, from carefully researched data sets published from government and nonprofit organizations across the United States. Five primary factors affect how we rank degrees:
- 25% Student Satisfaction
- 30% Earning Potential
- 15% Retention Data
- 20% Affordability
- 10% Acceptance Rates
For an in-depth breakdown of how we calculate each ranking, check out our Methodology page.
Top Degrees in Clinical Psychology
MELBOURNE, FL
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
Website
Score:100.00
At the top of our list is the Florida Institute of Technology with its Associate of Arts in Applied Psychology. This program is offered entirely online for students who need the flexibility of online courses. Students must complete 61 credit hours of coursework to finish the degree. Typically, the program can be finished in two years, and courses are each eight weeks in length. FIT also approaches this degree as a combination of liberal arts and scientific research, designed to provide students with a foundation to enter the field or continue in their studies. They will also learn how to think critically, research effectively, and grow personally.
Net Price:$33,610
LYNCHBURG, VA
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Website
Score:98.0
Liberty University has an Associate of Arts in Psychology that requires 60 credit hours of coursework. Typically, this degree takes a year and a half to finish and is entirely online, offering flexibility to students who may want to complete the course of study online. Classes are eight weeks in length with a variety of start dates throughout the year. Additionally, students with prior college experience can bring in up to 75 percent of the degree through transfer credits. Liberty is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Finally, students can specialize in Christian Counseling if they so choose.
Net Price:$26,954
WAXAHACHIE, TX
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY
Website
Score:97.0
The Southwestern Assemblies of God University has an online Associate of Science in psychology degree that requires 63 credit hours of coursework. Included in this are courses that draw from the institution’s religious background, making it a good fit for students who wish to be at a religiously-focused college. Some classes include Psychology of Selfhood and The Christian Faith, Development Psychology, and Introduction to Counseling. Though the program is entirely online, students will still be able to access the Career Center, the Wellness Center, and the Counseling Center. SAGU is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Net Price:$24,463
LAKEWOOD, CO
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY
Website
Score:95.0
Colorado Christian University awards a top-ranked Associate of Science in Psychology. The program centers on relationships, behavior, and culture. The degree requires 60 credit hours, 18 of which are in the major specifically. Additionally, classes are five weeks in length and typically take two years for students to complete. CCU is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and students can transfer in credits for their degree. Furthermore, CCU students who finish the AS program may also be able to apply coursework toward the institutions’ Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology. Finally, courses are available online, and the program as a whole is designed for adult students who may have other personal or professional responsibilities.
Net Price:$25,198
LOS ALTOS HILLS, CA
ASSOCIATE IN ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Website
Score:91.0
Foothill College offers an Associate in Arts in Psychology degree that gives students a basis in research methods, statistics, and the biological elements of behavior. This particular degree was designed to help students to transfer to California state institutions. Ninety units are required for the degree. This degree also prepares students for real-world application of the variety of skills that they learned while in the program, including learning how to work with diverse backgrounds. Courses in this program include Psychology of Sports, Human Development, and Positive Psychology.
Net Price:$7,481