Psychology Associate Degree Program

Begin your studies in psychology

The psychology program at Harper College provides comprehensive, transferable first- and second-year college courses in psychology for transfer, general education studies, personal advancement, and general interest. In some courses, students will have the opportunity to engage in service-learning opportunities with community-based organizations working with at-risk populations.

Students can also participate in Psychology Club, which sponsors speakers and extracurricular learning opportunities. The Psychology Department uses the learning goals and outcomes for psychology majors developed by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Start at Harper. Finish at a four-year university.

The Associate in Arts (AA) degree prepares you to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor's degree in psychology. Speak with your advisor about the best courses to take to meet your academic goals.

Associate in Arts—Psychology Sample Transfer Plan

Harper also offers institution-specific transfer information to help prepare you to transition to a four-year university. To learn more, visit our Transfer Information page or see your advisor.

Explore psychology careers

Learn more about career paths for psychology students. Each career profile offers a complete picture on the local job market, including salaries, open positions, top local employers and more. To learn more, visit our Psychology Careers page.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Child, Family, and School Social Workers career profile for most current data.

$59,733
Median Salary

4%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

1,390
Job Postings

Description:

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

Core tasks:

Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.

Quick facts:

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Clinical and Counseling Psychologists career profile for most current data.

$93,803
Median Salary

7.9%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

218
Job Postings

Description:

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

Core tasks:

Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.

Quick facts:

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors career profile for most current data.

$61,857
Median Salary

2.6%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

550
Job Postings

Description:

Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.

Core tasks:

Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
Counsel individuals or groups to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.

Quick facts:

Mental Health Counselors

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Mental Health Counselors career profile for most current data.

$60,019
Median Salary

14.6%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

637
Job Postings

Description:

Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.

Core tasks:

Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.
Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.

Quick facts:

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists career profile for most current data.

$65,311
Median Salary

-0.2%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

13
Job Postings

Description:

Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.

Core tasks:

Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.
Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.
Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
Supervise people on community-based sentences, such as electronically monitored home detention, and provide field supervision of probationers by conducting curfew checks or visits to home, work, or school.

Quick facts:

Psychiatrists

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Psychiatrists career profile for most current data.

$162,614
Median Salary

4.7%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

253
Job Postings

Description:

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders.

Core tasks:

Prescribe, direct, or administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.
Gather and maintain patient information and records, including social or medical history obtained from patients, relatives, or other professionals.
Design individualized care plans, using a variety of treatments.
Analyze and evaluate patient data or test findings to diagnose nature or extent of mental disorder.

Quick facts:

School Psychologists

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the School Psychologists career profile for most current data.

$79,611
Median Salary

1.8%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

798
Job Postings

Description:

Diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school. May address student learning and behavioral problems and counsel students or families. May design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performance. May consult with other school-based personnel.

Core tasks:

Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
Select, administer, and score psychological tests.

Quick facts:

Resources

For more information about starting your college education at Harper, please contact Admissions Outreach at 847.925.6700 or fill out our request information form.