Nov 23, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology - A.A. (TTP)


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For more information on this program, contact the Social Science and Education division at 615-230-3231.

The Associate of Arts in Psychology is a two-year program for students planning to continue their education to earn a bachelor’s degree in the field of psychology.  Professional careers in the field of psychology typically require a master’s degree or a doctoral degree, depending on the career path one is pursuing.  However, with an A.A. degree in psychology, one can often find a job in the following areas: crisis intervention, counselor’s aide or assistant, case work, and mentoring.  An A.A. degree is often used as a stepping stone to a Bachelor’s degree.  For example, with that degree, one could pursue work as a case manager, career counselor, rehabilitation specialist, or psychiatric technician.

Transfer Options

The Tennessee Transfer Pathway (TTP) degree is designed to create a smooth transition to all public universities offering a Baccalaureate degree in this major by guaranteeing the transferability of all courses. For transfer to other four-year institutions, contact an advisor at the senior institution.  Note:  There are to be no course substitutions in this program.

All students graduating with a degree from VSCC are required to take the Educational Testing Service Proficiency Profile (ETSP) to meet graduation requirements. More information can be found at https://www.volstate.edu/testing.

General Education Requirements - Credits (41)


Area of Emphasis Requirements - Credits (19)


Foreign Language (One year sequence in a single language) Credits: (6)
University Parallel Elective Credits: (1) [Freshmen required to take FYEX 1030 and 1040 must complete both of these courses as their elective.]*

Psychology Electives


Choose two of the following Psychology courses:

Total Degree Requirements - Credits (60)*


*All Psychology AA freshmen entering Vol State Fall 2020 or later that have not completed at least 15 college-level credit hours with a 3.0 or higher inclusive GPA must take FYEX 1030 and 1040; the degree will require 62 credit hours.

Career and Salary Information


The following is a list of some of the career choices that may be obtained upon completion of this program. Please visit the following website http://www.onetonline.org or speak to an advisor for additional career opportunities, salary information and education requirements. Salaries are not guaranteed.

Career Median Level Salary with Bachelor Degree Experienced Level with Master’s or Ph.D
Industrial/Organizational Psychologist  $87,100 $184,520
Clinical, Counseling, School Psychologist $63,150 $102,220
Psychology Teacher-Post secondary $62,380 $102,520
Marriage and Family Therapist  $34,100 $49,510
Mental Health Counselor  $37,760 $59,360
Psychiatric Technician $23,830 $30,710
Rehabilitation Counselor $19,910 $38,120

Recommended Schedule


This is a recommended schedule. Learning Support, pre-requisites and other academic factors may impact this schedule.  See your advisor to create a degree plan.

DegreeWorks, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning.  Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the DegreeWorks audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.

First Year - Fall Semester - Credits (16.5)


First Year - Spring Semester - Credits (16.5)


Second Year - Fall Semester - Credits (16)


  • Foreign Language (One year sequence in a single language)  Credits: (3)
  • History (See General Education Requirements in Catalog) Credits: (3)
  • Psychology Electives (Choose from list above) Credits: (3)

Second Year - Spring Semester - Credits (13)


  • Foreign Language (One year sequence in a single language)  Credits: (3)
  • Humanities and/or Fine Arts (Literature - See General Education Requirements in Catalog)  Credits: (3)
  • Psychology Electives (Choose from list above) Credits: (3)

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