Psychology, AS

Degree/Certificate:  Associate in Science
HEGIS Code:           5620
SUNY Code:            17222
Major Code:            PSY

The Career

Graduates from the Psychology program will be able to use their knowledge and skills in a variety of career opportunities such as Advertising Agent, Career Counselor, Case Manager, Child Care Worker, Guidance Counselor, Human Resource Specialist, Journalist, Laboratory Assistant, Market Researcher, Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Public Relations Specialist, Researcher, School Counselor, Social Service Specialist, Substance Abuse Counselor, Teacher, and Victim Advocate.^**

^**Some careers may require more specialized education and advanced degrees.

According to the most recent report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019), the employment of psychologists is expected to grow by 14% by the year 2028, which is faster than the average for all other occupations.  Job prospects are best for those who have a doctoral degree in certain specialties within psychology.  In addition, a New York State Department of Labor report, “Long-Term Occupational Employment Projections, 2016-2026” indicates that employment will increase by 18.2% for psychologists and 15.6% for school psychologists by 2026.

The NCCC Approach

The Psychology A.S. degree program prepares students for transfer to a four-year college or university to earn a Baccalaureate degree in psychology or a related area by providing foundational courses that parallel the first two years in a four-year institution.  Courses in Introductory Psychology, Statistics, and Methods of Scientific Inquiry lay the foundation for intensive study in areas such as developmental, social, and abnormal psychology.  Students will broaden their education by taking additional courses in psychology and other social sciences, writing, humanities, and natural sciences.  Students who transfer to a SUNY four-year institution will have met or be close to meeting the requirements for junior status as a psychology major.

Admission

Students admitted in fall, spring, and summer.

Psychology is offered as a full-time or part-time day program, full-time or part-time evening program, and in an online format. Because of sequencing of courses, it may take longer than four semesters to complete the full-time day program if a student begins in a spring semester.

Dual Admissions

Buffalo State College
Canisius College
Niagara University

Articulation Agreements

Buffalo State College
SUNY Canton
Medaille College
Niagara University

Program Goals and Objectives

• To develop a student’s verbal and written communication skills
• To enhance critical thinking skills
• To prepare students for successful transfer to upper-level institutions in Psychology
• To assist students in meeting a minimum number of SUNY General Education requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

• Identify and analyze the strengths and limitations of the scientific research methods used by psychologists
• Compare and contrast the contemporary theoretical perspectives by which behavior and mental processes are influenced
• Differentiate among the various factors that shape and influence behavior and mental processes
• Identify the ethical issues in the study and practice of psychology

Program Requirements (PSY)

1. A total of at least 63-credit hours with a minimum curriculum grade-point average of 2.0 Academic Foundations courses do not count toward the degree.
2. Psychology:  A minimum of 12-credit hours to include:
   PSY 110 - Introduction to Psychology AND
   Three of the following courses:
   PSY 210 - Lifespan Developmental Psychology⁺OR
   PSY 220 - Child Development⁺ 
   PSY 240 - Social Psychology 
   PSY 250 - Abnormal Psychology
   PSY 255 - Methods of Scientific Inquiry  
3. Humanities and Social Sciences:  A minimum of 24-credit hours to include:
   ENG 101 - Writing I*  OR
   ENG 102 - Writing II & Introduction to Literature 
   ANT 102 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
   SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology 
   LIT  ___ - Humanities (H) General Education elective with LIT prefix
   HIS ___ - American History (AH) or Other World Civilization (OW) or Western Civilization (WC)
   General Education elective with HIS prefix
   ___ ___ - Social Science (SS) OR Humanities (H) General Education elective
   ___ ___ - Social Science (SS) OR Humanities (H) General Education elective
4. Basic Communications:  A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
   SPE 101 - Speech Communication OR
   SPE 102 - Public Speaking OR
   SPE 103 - Interpersonal Communication OR
   HUS 123 - The Helping Process 
5. Mathematics:  A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
   MAT 164 - Introduction to Statistics  
6. Computer Technology:  A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
   CIS ___ - Computer Technology elective
7. Natural Sciences:  A minimum of 4-credit hours to include:
   BIO 109 - General Biology I AND BIO 109L - General Biology I Lab  OR
   BIO 117 - Human Biology AND BIO 117L - Human Biology Lab 
8. General Education elective to satisfy an area that has not already been met:  A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
   ___  ___  Arts (AR) General Education elective OR
   ___  ___  American History (AH) General Education elective OR
   ___  ___  Foreign Language (FL) General Education elective OR
   ___  ___  Western Civilization (WC) General Education elective
9. Health/Physical Education:  A minimum of 2-credit hours
10. Free Electives:  A minimum of 9-credit hours

Typical Program

First Semester

• PSY 110 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Cr.
• ENG 101 - Writing I 3 Cr.
• ANT 102 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3 Cr.
• HUS 123 - The Helping Process 3 Cr. OR
• SPE 101 - Speech Communication 3 Cr. OR
• SPE 102 - Public Speaking 3 Cr. OR
• SPE 103 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Cr.
• CIS  ___ - CIS elective by advisement 3 Cr.

Total Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester

• PSY ___ Psychology elective selected from PSY 210, 220, 240, 250 or 255  3 Cr.
• ENG 102 - Writing II & Introduction to Literature 3 Cr. OR
• ENG 103 - Writing for STEM 3 Cr.
• MAT 164 - Introduction to Statistics 3 Cr.
• SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Cr.
• BIO 109 - General Biology I 4 Cr. AND
• BIO 109L - General Biology I Lab 0 Cr. OR
• BIO 117 - Human Biology 4 Cr. AND
• BIO 117L - Human Biology Lab 0 Cr.

Total Credit Hours: 16

Third Semester

• PSY ___  Psychology elective selected from PSY 210, 220, 240, 250 or 255  3 Cr.
• LIT  ___   Literature elective that fulfills a Humanities (H) General Education requirement  3 Cr.
• HIS  ___  History General Education elective selected from American History (AH) or Other World Civilization (OW) or Western Civilization (WC) 3 Cr.
• ___  ___  Social Science (SS) or Humanities (H) General Education elective 3 Cr.
• ___  ___  Free elective 3 Cr.
• ___  ___  Health/Physical Education elective 1 Cr.

Total Credit Hours: 16

Fourth Semester

• PSY ___  Psychology elective selected from PSY 210, 220, 240, 250, or 255 3 Cr.
• ___  ___  Social Science (SS) or Humanities (H) General Education elective 3 Cr.
• ___  ___  General Education elective selected from one of the following categories that has not been met: American History (AH) or the Arts (AR) or
                     Foreign Language (FL) or Western Civilization (WC) 3 Cr.
• ___  ___  Free elective 3 Cr.
• ___  ___  Free elective 3 Cr.
• ___  ___  Health/Physical Education elective 1 Cr.

Total Credit Hours: 16

Note:

* Dependent upon the fulfillment of Academic Foundations requirements.
⁺ You may take either PSY 210 or PSY 220 as one of the PSY electives, but not both.

Scholarship Opportunities

There are several scholarships available to NCCC students.  Scholarship deadline dates vary each semester.  For more information, please visit the scholarship webpage at www.niagaracc.suny.edu/scholarships. The NCCC Scholarship Office is located within the Financial Aid Complex, A-114 or by phone (716) 614-6205.