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Psychology

Earn an Associate Degree in Psychology at Aims

Do you get a thrill out of knowing what makes people tick? Are you fascinated by personalities and why people behave the way they do? Psychology studies the science of human behavior, personality, and executive functions related to learning, motivation, coping with stress and memory. When you earn an associate degree in psychology, you’ll also learn about the research and psychological assessment methods used in the field and gain a basic understanding of therapy and abnormal psychology. 

Both the associate of arts and associate of science degree tracks in the psychology program are designed to transfer to a participating public Colorado four-year institution where you’ll enter as a junior to complete your bachelor’s degree in psychology. An affordable associate degree with designation from Aims can help you earn your general education credits toward your bachelor’s for considerably less cost. 

Turn Your Passion For Helping People Into a Career in Psychology

Transfer your Aims credits to a bachelor's program
Aims Degree Video - Behavioral Sciences - Psychology

Aims psychology instructor, Dr. ShawnaLee Washam explains how an associate degree in psychology is an affordable foundation for students who intend to pursue higher degrees and offers a variety of exciting and meaningful career paths.

If you’re uncertain which degree track to choose, be sure to meet with an Aims enrollment coach to discuss your objectives. If possible, also talk with an admissions counselor at the transfer school you’re choosing to see which psychology associate degree will match their requirements and meet your career goals. The psychology A.S. degree may require additional science credits after transfer to complete a B.S. 

You can also choose to enter the workforce directly after graduating from Aims. The psychology associate degree prepares you for a variety of entry-level positions that value a liberal arts education by helping you develop critical thinking, an appreciation for diverse and global perspectives and other soft skills that apply to a variety of occupations.

Whichever path you choose, once enrolled, you’ll have access to a great support network at Aims which includes your instructors, Pathway Advisors and Transitions Center coaches. This team will work with you throughout your journey at Aims to help your transfer to a four-year program or transition to the workforce go smoothly. 

Note: If you plan to become a professional psychologist, you will need to earn a master’s degree or higher. 

Gain Psychology Knowledge and Skills at Aims

Depending on your degree track, your instructors and Pathway Advisor can help you choose general education courses. These classes are required for associate and bachelor’s degrees and will also help you develop the skills you will use in your career. 

Your instructors will teach you essential facts and knowledge about psychology, including:

  • Research methodologies
  • Analysis practices 
  • Therapeutic applications
  • Stress and coping
  • Cognition
  • Intelligence
  • Consciousness
  • Perception
  • Learning
  • Memory
  • Gender and sexuality
     

While earning a psychology associate degree, you’ll also learn soft skills that are vital to success in volunteer opportunities, undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and employment, including:

  • Critical thinking
  • Global and diversity awareness
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Ethical behavior
  • Job preparation
  • Time management

Careers in Psychology

Psychology is a diverse degree that can intersect with many other subject areas and disciplines where expertise in psychology is valued by many employers. You can pursue exciting career opportunities in fields including:

  • Social work
  • Counseling
  • Teaching
  • Healthcare
  • Human resources
  • Marketing research
  • Sales
  • Criminal justice

Continue Your Psychology Studies at a Colorado Four-Year Public University

Thanks to a Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement in Colorado, after graduating from Aims, you can go on to study at any participating public university statewide.

Be sure to contact an admissions counselor at your chosen school to confirm transfer requirements:

Colorado State University-Pueblo 
Metropolitan State University of Denver
University of Colorado, Denver
Western Colorado University

Here’s what your journey from Aims to a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology will look like:

  • When you’re applying to Aims, an Aims Enrollment Coach can answer your questions about this degree transfer program and help you get started on the path to earning your degree. 
  • After becoming an Aims student, you’ll choose classes to earn your psychology associate degree. Your Pathway Advisor will help you ensure you follow the pathway that best suits you and helps you reach your goals. You'll also meet with your Aims Transfer Coach to explore transfer school and scholarship options. 
  • You can reach out to a transfer advisor at your chosen four-year school to make sure you're choosing classes that will support you when you go on to complete your bachelor's degree. If you’re pursuing an associate of science and then a bachelor’s of science, be sure to confirm you have the classes you need and understand that the BS will likely require additional science credits after you transfer. 
  • Before graduating from Aims, your Transfer Coach can help you prepare for the transition to your new school as a junior.

Leverage Your Associate Degree in Psychology to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Related Subjects

Many Aims psychology students go on to earn a bachelor’s or higher degree in this behavioral science, but you can also apply your credits to a major in other disciplines, including:

  • Human services
  • Social work
  • Statistics
  • Any research science major
  • Counseling 
  • Criminal justice
  • Police academy
  • Sociology
  • Nursing
Students Signing Aims2UNC Board

Aims2UNC Transition Program

Aims2UNC is a joint initiative streamlining the path for students to seamlessly transition from Aims to UNC. You'll get support from advisors specific to this program who will assist you as you earn your associate and bachelor's degree in Psychology.

Learn More

You can also choose one of the majors above and declare a minor in psychology. Work with your Pathway Advisor to choose the courses you’ll need to fulfill requirements and understand that you may need to make up some credits if you choose a new major. 

If you choose to attend The University of Northern Colorado (UNC), the Aims2UNC program is a joint initiative that streamlines the path for students to transition between the two colleges, with dedicated advisors who will help you transfer seamlessly.

Before graduation, an Aims Transfer Coach can help you prepare for the transition to your new school as a junior.

Psychology Faculty

Aims psychology faculty have real-world experience in a variety of disciplines within the field. With smaller class sizes compared to four-year schools, you’ll have more opportunities for personalized instruction and interaction with other students.  
 

  • ShawnaLee Washam headshot

    ShawnaLee Washam

    Department Chair - WEBSA
    Professor, Psychology
  • PICTURE OF BRENNAN ARTRIP

    Brennan Artrip

    Part-Time: Instructor, Concurrent Enrollment
  • Aims Community College behavioral sciences staff member Kim Bontempo

    Kim Bontempo

    Part-Time: Academic Coach, Arty's Power Hour
  • Headshot of Lynn Dean

    Lynn Dean

    Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
  • Amanda Dunn headshot

    Amanda Dunn

    Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
  • headshot of Elizabeth Durrance

    Elizabeth Durrance

    Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
  • Dr. Selani Flores, professor of psychology at Aims

    Selani Flores

    Professor, Psychology
  • Aims Community College behavioral science faculty member Christine Guttner

    Christine Guttner

    Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
  • Headshot of Richard hanks

    Richard Hanks

    Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
  • Aims Community College behavioral science instructor Juanita Hernandez

    Juanita Hernandez

    Professor, Psychology
  • Anna Chris Johnson headshot

    Anna Johnson

    Faculty, Advanced Academic Achievement
  • Ann Kingsley

    Part-Time: Instructor, Concurrent Enrollment
  • Aims Community College behavioral science instructor Pam Lundeberg

    Pam Lundeberg

    Assistant Professor, Psychology
  • Aims behavioral science instructor Mark Luoma

    Mark Luoma

    Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
  • Angie McMillen

    Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
  • Headshot of Denise Pearson

    Denise Pearson

    Professor, Advancing Academic Achievement
  • Mackenzie Peake Pohja

    Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
  • Photo of Allan Obert

    Allan Obert

    Part-Time: Substitute, Psychology
  • Franci Rottini headshot

    Francie Rottini

    Professor, Psychology
  • Aims psychology instructor Arthur Jeremy Rottini headshot

    Jeremy Rottini

    Instructor, Psychology and World Religions
  • Rebecca Sailor headshot

    Rebecca Sailor

    Department Chair - Humanities, Philosophy and World Languages
    Professor, Humanities
  • Portrait of Karen Scarpella

    Karen Scarpella

    Adjunct Instructor: Psychology, Sociology and Women & Gender Studies
  • Portrait of Douglas Strauss

    Douglas Strauss

    Director, Learning Commons