Best Online Associate in Psychology

Badge for BEST ONLINE ASSOCIATE'S IN PSYCHOLOGY

Published: Jul 7, 2021
Updated: Nov 22, 2023

Find top-ranked online associate in psychology degree programs for students as a stepping stone into a bachelor’s degree program in psychology or those wanting entry-level positions, like social and human services assistants, psychiatric technicians, and counselor aides.

Key Takeaways

Psychology associate’s degrees can lead to career opportunities in psychiatry, corrections, and social work.
In basic psychology general education courses , psychology students learn psychology’s history, terms, theories, and current practices, such as general psychology, statistics, and child psychology.
The online associate degree in psychology might be a good fit for you if you enjoy problem-solving and have excellent communication skills, patience, and listening abilities.

Top 10 Online Associate in Psychology Degrees

Park University
Colorado Christian University
University of the Cumberlands
Liberty University
Regent University
Point University
Johnson University
Upper Iowa University
Albany State University
Niagara County Community College

Liberty University
Anne Arundel Community College
Drury University
Regent University
Park University
Upper Iowa University
New England College
Albany State University
Camden County College
Community College of Denver

New England College 100%
Liberty University 99%
University of the Cumberlands 83%
North Greenville University 76%
Fisher College 74%
Johnson University 63%
Drury University 63%
Upper Iowa University 54%
Regent University 32%
Point University 24%

Coastline Community College 30 to 1
Camden County College 23 to 1
Regent University 21 to 1
Front Range Community College 21 to 1
Community College of Denver 20 to 1
Albany State University 20 to 1
Brookdale Community College 18 to 1
Rowan College at Burlington County 18 to 1
Liberty University 18 to 1
University of the Cumberlands 18 to 1

New England College $41,518
Fisher College $34,150
Drury University $33,830
Upper Iowa University $33,639
North Greenville University $23,590
Liberty University $22,511
Point University $22,300
Regent University $19,680
Johnson University $19,274
Colorado Christian University $17,476

Fisher College $27,090
Upper Iowa University $18,870
Regent University $16,028
Colorado Christian University $13,931
New England College $13,678
Point University $13,014
North Greenville University $12,220
Johnson University $9,285
Liberty University $7,893
Drury University $7,587

Front Range Community College
Brookdale Community College
Rowan College at Burlington County
Bristol Community College
Community College of Baltimore County
Coastline Community College
Laramie County Community College
SUNY Adirondack
Camden County College
Community College of Denver

Laramie County Community College
Bristol Community College
Niagara County Community College
Point University
Rowan College at Burlington County
Johnson University
Community College of Baltimore County
Coastline Community College
SUNY Adirondack
Colorado Christian University

Point University 24%
Regent University 32%
Upper Iowa University 54%
Drury University 63%
Johnson University 63%
Fisher College 74%
North Greenville University 76%
University of the Cumberlands 83%
Liberty University 99%
New England College 100%

New England College 7 to 1
Johnson University 10 to 1
Fisher College 11 to 1
Drury University 12 to 1
Point University 13 to 1
North Greenville University 13 to 1
Upper Iowa University 13 to 1
Community College of Baltimore County 14 to 1
Park University 14 to 1
Bristol Community College 14 to 1

Bristol Community College $576
Coastline Community College $1,104
Camden County College $2,856
Laramie County Community College $3,150
Community College of Denver $3,754
Front Range Community College $3,754
Rowan College at Burlington County $3,816
Albany State University $4,064
Niagara County Community College $5,040
SUNY Adirondack $5,088

Albany State University $3,438
University of the Cumberlands $4,282
Park University $6,663
Drury University $7,587
Liberty University $7,893
Johnson University $9,285
North Greenville University $12,220
Point University $13,014
New England College $13,678
Colorado Christian University $13,931

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Job Outlook for Psychologists with an Online Associate Degree in Psychology

Psychology offers a wide range of career opportunities, whether you’re a college student or a seasoned professional looking for a change. A wide range of jobs is available to you based on your chosen career path.

A psychologist may help someone through a difficult time in their life. Others may also conduct the study of human behavior. You’ll be able to use your online associate degree in various ways, no matter what drew you to this field. Whether you’re an extrovert who loves to talk to as many people as possible or an introvert who prefers to speak to fewer people, you’ll find the perfect fit for this career path.

Careers Worth Pursuing with an Online Associate Degree in Psychology

It is possible to pursue a number of career paths with an online associate’s degree in psychology program. The psychology field offers a wide array of career options, including positions with hospitals, police, correctional facilities, schools, universities, and local, state, and federal governments.

Online associate degree programs qualify students for jobs in psychology working with the public or conducting research at universities, depending your career trajectory. Consider the following career opportunities that await you as you graduate with an online associate in psychology:

Psychiatric Technician

In hospitals, mental health facilities, and substance abuse centers, psychiatric technicians help care for people with disabilities and mental illnesses. Medication administration, therapeutic activities, bathing and feeding patients, and monitoring their vital signs are among their duties. A psychiatrist’s technician serves as the patient’s advocate and as a liaison with the doctor.

Social Service Assistant

Social services assistants develop treatment plans with clients and other professionals or help clients with daily activities like eating and bathing, among other duties. Supporting patients and clients in applying for benefits like food stamps and medical aid are also some of the functions of social service assistants. They ensure that clients are receiving and using qualified services by performing check-ins with them.

Home Care Aide

In the United States, the market for home health care is booming. Many people are undergoing significant health and rehabilitation at home due to an aging population and skyrocketing healthcare costs. Assisting them with everything from grocery shopping to dressings is the job of a home care aide. As a home care aide, you can assist someone with disabilities, independence loss, and other problems that arise when they are homebound or disabled.

Family Advocate

Family advocates foster and strengthen well-being by providing and coordinating services and activities. Among families, staff, and community members, they serve as a liaison. In mediating disputes, they have knowledge of parental rights and work in the interests of minors or dependent children. In order to make recommendations regarding guardianship and care for families, these professionals evaluate their circumstances.

Youth Counselor

The role of counselors is to provide emotional, mental, and behavioral support to adolescents. Teenagers experiencing substance abuse or disabilities may also need the help of youth counselors. Typically, a childcare worker’s duties include interacting with and supervising children and teenagers to help them solve problems and meet their needs.

The Future of a Career in Psychology

Psychology’s future is hard to predict, but since mental issues are on the rise, it’s without question that societies will need these professionals more so in the future. As a result of the internet, technology, and the increasing popularity of mental health, psychology is undergoing rapid change. In addition to improving mental well-being, psychology provides skills and knowledge that are useful in a wide range of situations, and it contributes to public discourse on issues such as human behavior and intelligence.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that psychology careers are plentiful. People can receive help with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, among other conditions. Research and teaching are also available at colleges and universities. Online Psychology associate programs are a good springboard for entry into the field

Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology Degrees

Why get an associate in psychology?

An associate in psychology could be your first step toward a fascinating career spent studying human behavior and the human mind. Programs will provide general education and introductory psychology courses, such as Behavioral Psychology, Relational Psychology, Human Growth and Development, and Abnormal Psychology. Prospective students can choose from either online or on-campus degree programs.

How long does it take to get an associate in psychology?

Most associate in psychology degrees require a minimum of 60 credits, which typically takes two years to complete.

What can you do with an associate in psychology?

Many careers in psychology require at least a four-year degree, which means many students view this as a stepping stone into a bachelor’s degree program in psychology. However, associates can qualify for entry-level positions, like social and human services assistants, psychiatric technicians, and counselor aides.

Learn more about how to major in psychology.

How do we determine the best online psychology associate's degree programs?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Online Associate in Psychology Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Psychology Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Psychology

Degree Level: Associate's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Starting Salary*: $21,914
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $31,291
* denotes ‘annually’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Managers, All Other	3.35%	$106,040
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists	4.95%	$103,134
Psychologists, All Other	4.97%	$99,205
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	11.41%	$86,021
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	5.30%	$77,082
Social Science Research Assistants	4.65%	$50,585

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%	Median	Top 10%
$48,517	$87,335	$136,511

Promising Job Markets

State	Cost of Living	Avg. Salary
#2 Ohio	14% higher than average	$94,262
#3 Delaware	2% higher than average	$108,210
#4 Texas	10% higher than average	$90,916
#5 New Jersey	13% higher than average	$114,492
#6 Alabama	13% higher than average	$85,873
#7 Tennessee	14% higher than average	$84,577
#8 Kentucky	14% higher than average	$83,278
#9 Virginia	5% higher than average	$92,404
#10 Illinois	7% higher than average	$90,000
#11 North Dakota	average	$95,307
#12 South Carolina	8% higher than average	$87,208
#13 New York	5% higher than average	$98,932
#14 South Dakota	7% higher than average	$87,253
#15 Iowa	9% higher than average	$84,906
#16 Missouri	16% higher than average	$78,267
#17 Wisconsin	7% higher than average	$86,794
#18 North Carolina	11% higher than average	$81,923
#19 Nevada	5% higher than average	$96,015
#20 Arizona	5% higher than average	$87,362
#21 Minnesota	4% higher than average	$87,074
#22 Georgia	13% higher than average	$78,956
#23 Colorado	3% higher than average	$93,206
#24 Rhode Island	20% higher than average	$106,938
#25 Nebraska	6% higher than average	$83,808
#26 Florida	6% higher than average	$84,184
#27 California	26% higher than average	$112,238
#28 Pennsylvania	5% higher than average	$84,666
#29 Utah	4% higher than average	$85,352
#30 Michigan	15% higher than average	$74,996
#31 New Mexico	7% higher than average	$82,120
#32 Washington	7% higher than average	$93,606
#33 Kansas	9% higher than average	$79,728
#34 Arkansas	16% higher than average	$73,208
#35 Idaho	7% higher than average	$79,500
#36 Oregon	11% higher than average	$94,893
#37 Oklahoma	13% higher than average	$73,644
#38 Mississippi	18% higher than average	$69,643
#39 Alaska	23% higher than average	$103,805
#40 Montana	3% higher than average	$80,813
#41 Connecticut	18% higher than average	$98,734
#42 Wyoming	2% higher than average	$80,660
#43 New Hampshire	13% higher than average	$91,352
#44 Indiana	11% higher than average	$72,164
#45 Maryland	18% higher than average	$94,836
#46 Massachusetts	24% higher than average	$96,860
#47 West Virginia	11% higher than average	$65,986
#48 Vermont	13% higher than average	$82,646
#49 Maine	9% higher than average	$77,964
#50 Louisiana	9% higher than average	$62,560
#51 Hawaii	40% higher than average	$96,435
#52 District of Columbia	49% higher than average	$95,596

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Managers, All Other	$106,040
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists	$103,134
Psychologists, All Other	$99,205
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	$86,021
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	$77,082
Social Science Research Assistants	$50,585

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Online Associate in Psychology

Key Takeaways

Top 10 Online Associate in Psychology Degrees

Featured Programs

Job Outlook for Psychologists with an Online Associate Degree in Psychology

Careers Worth Pursuing with an Online Associate Degree in Psychology

Psychiatric Technician

Social Service Assistant

Home Care Aide

Family Advocate

Youth Counselor

The Future of a Career in Psychology

Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology Degrees

Why get an associate in psychology?

How long does it take to get an associate in psychology?

What can you do with an associate in psychology?

Best Online Associate in Psychology Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Park University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Colorado Christian University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at University of the Cumberlands

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Liberty University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Regent University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Point University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Johnson University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Upper Iowa University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Albany State University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Niagara County Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Anne Arundel Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Fisher College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at New England College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Drury University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at North Greenville University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Community College of Denver

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Camden County College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at SUNY Adirondack

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Laramie County Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Coastline Community College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Community College of Baltimore County

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Bristol Community College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Rowan College at Burlington County

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Brookdale Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Front Range Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Students with Psychology Degree

Psychology

Degree Level: Associate's

Career Salaries

Average Career Salaries

Promising Job Markets

Top Industries

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions