Oct 13, 2024  
College Catalog 2024 - 2025 
  
College Catalog 2024 - 2025

Psychology Concentration, A.A.


The Department of Behavioral Sciences aspires to develop and foster a passion for lifelong learning and academic excellence.  The department integrates students’ diverse backgrounds into the teaching and learning experience, creating a civically engaged community of learners who are able to think critically of current issues in our complex world.  Graduates of the program will carry with them a strong sense of collegiality and responsibility that will help them succeed in their long-term academic, professional, and personal goals.

The vision of our department is carried out through our mission of:

  • teaching foundational behavioral science courses that support the general education mission of the college and engage our students in the broad domains and applications of Psychology, Sociology, and Cultural Anthropology;
  • offering concentration courses that help our students develop a firm understanding of the various fields within a specific behavioral science discipline;
  • engaging our students in research that allows them to apply critical thinking skills using scientific approaches;
  • supporting our majors as they prepare to transfer to four-year institutions and/or successfully navigate the professional world through the application of the principles, concepts and theories that they have learned from the program;
  • supporting our students to apply what they have learned towards becoming civically engaged and lifelong learners.

* Milestone Courses should be taken in the order shown. This will help you stay on track and graduate on time.

Semester 1


Total Credits: 15


Semester 1 Advising Note

  • Students enrolling in this degree program can earn World Studies Emphasis certification simultaneously.
  • New degree-seeking students enrolled in 9 credits or more must take a Learning Community Seminar or a Learning CommunityCluster within their first year.

Semester 2


Total Credits: 16


Semester 2 Advising Note

  • Upload in ePortfolio required Psychology majors courses artifacts PSY-235  onwards
  • PSY-235  introduces students to research methods
  • Participate in Psychology discipline conference offered by department
  • Begin exploring transfer options: attend a transfer workshop and the College transfer fair.
  • Meet with an advisor to begin career planning activities.

Semester 3


Total Credits: 16


Semester 3 Advising Note

  • Select the career elective from PSY, HSV, or ECE courses. The Department encourages students to take a computer course for one of the three electives.
  • PSY-213 Human Growth and Development  does not satisfy the A.A. Psychology concentration requirements. It is offered only to non-Psychology majors.
  • Complete a Learn and Earn Internship or Community Engagement activity in any of your Psychology courses
  • Upload in ePortfolio required Psychology major courses artifacts

Semester 4


Total Credits: 15


Semester 4 Advising Note

  • Select the career elective from PSY, HSV, or ECE courses. The Department encourages students to take a computer course for oneof the three electives.
  • PSY-219  - ePortfolio to be completed and presented
  • See an advisor about World Studies emphasis certification
  • Apply for graduation

Upon Completion of This Concentration Graduates Will Be Able To:


  • a basic knowledge and understanding of the different principles and concepts of Psychology (foundational knowledge)
  • the ability to apply learned concepts to the intrapersonal and interpersonal experiences embedded within diverse cultural contexts
  • the ability to evaluate, compare and contrast, critique various theoretical perspectives and complex/debatable and current issues as they relate to the various domains of Psychology
  • the ability to use learned knowledge to actively engage in and produce scientific research.

Career Outlook


Graduates of this concentration should plan to transfer to a four-year college or university because entry-level positions in the general field of psychology require a bachelor’s degree. Career positions generally require a master’s degree.

Explore Career Options

Transfer Options


Transfer Advising Guides

MassTransfer A2B Map

  • Fitchburg State University
  • Framingham State University
  • Westfield State University
  • Worcester State University
  • University of Massachusetts Boston
  • University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
  • University of Massachusetts Lowell

MassTransfer A2B Link

  • Bridgewater State University
  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts