Psychology Associate of Arts
Program Description
This program is designed for students wanting to complete the first two years of a Bachelor's degree at the community college and transfer to a university to complete a BA in Psychology. Human behavior, how the mind works and mental illness are explored. Psychology is the study of the mind and of behavior. It studies both individuals and groups of people, and it often involves case studies. Psychologists try to understand how mental functions affect individual and social behavior. They also explore emotion, motivation, personality, and relationships. Careers often require a BA degree or higher. Careers include school and private counseling, psychiatrist, psychologist, and treatment for youth and adults. This program introduces students to Psychology and it includes courses that are common to all four-year institutions in Colorado. The Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Psychology prepares students to complete the second half of a Bachelor of Science (BA) in Psychology at a four-year university.
This MAP is appropriate for transfer to Colorado public institutions with the exception of Colorado State University – Fort Collins. Students intending to complete an Associate of Science degree in Psychology and transfer to University of Colorado – Denver should refer to the MAP for the Associate of Science degree in Psychology. Students intending to transfer to Colorado State University – Fort Collins should contact an Academic Advisor.
Learn more about this program.
My Academic Plan: Full-Time
Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your degree. Follow the pathway below to complete your AA degree in 4 semesters (2 years). For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
First Semester
| PSY 1001 | General Psychology I: GT-SS3 | 3 |
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| COM 1150 or COM 1250 | Public Speaking (COM 1150) or Interpersonal Communication (COM 1250)* | 3 |
| GT-HI1 | Any History (GT-HI1). Prefer: Women in U.S. History (HIS 2105), U.S. History Since 1945 (HIS 2145), History in Latin America (HIS 2200), 20th Century World History (HIS 2015) | 3 |
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester Note: *The University of Colorado Denver
prefers COM 1150 Public Speaking to fulfill this requirement.
Second Semester
| PSY 1002 | General Psychology II: GT-SS3 | 3 |
| ENG 1022 | English Composition II: GT-CO2 | 3 |
| Biology (GT-SC1) | Any Biology w/Lab (GT-SC1). Prefer: Science of Biology w/Lab: SC1 (BIO 1005) or General College Biology I w/Lab: SC1 (BIO 1111) | 4 |
| GT-MA1 | Any Mathematics (GT-MA1)*. Prefer: Intro to Statistics (MAT 1260) | 3 |
| Approved Elective List | Any Approved Elective List Course. Prefer: Fitness & Wellness (HWE 1061) | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester Note: *Colorado Mesa University requires Mathematics for the Liberal Arts (MAT 1240) or College Algebra (MAT 1340) to fulfill this requirement.
If you take more credits in Mathematics and Natural & Physical Sciences than are listed, it will reduce elective credits needed.
Third Semester
| Psychology (GT-SS3) | Any Psychology (GT-SS3). Prefer: Human Sexuality (PSY 2107), Social Psychology (PSY 2221), Human Growth & Development (PSY 2440), or Child Development (PSY 2441) | 3 |
| GT-SC1 or GT-SC2 | Any Natural & Physical Lab Science (GT-SC1) or Natural & Physical Non-Lab Science (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| Approved Elective | Any Approved Elective List Course | 3 |
| GT-AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH). Prefer: Intro to Philosophy (PHI 1011) or Ethics (PHI 1012) | 3 |
| GT- SS | Any Social & Behavioral Science (GT-SS) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fourth Semester
| Psychology (GT-SS3) | Any Psychology (GT-SS3). Prefer: Human Sexuality (PSY 2107), Social Psychology (PSY 2221), Human Growth & Development (PSY 2440), or Child Development (PSY 2441) | 3 |
| Psychology (GT-SS3) | Any Psychology (GT-SS3). Prefer: Human Sexuality (PSY 2107), Social Psychology (PSY 2221), Human Growth & Development (PSY 2440), or Child Development (PSY 2441) | 3 |
| GT- SS | Any Social & Behavioral Science (GT-SS) | 3 |
| Approved Elective | Any Approved Elective List Course | 3 |
| Approved Elective | Any Approved Elective List Course | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
My Academic Plan: Part-Time
Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your AA degree within 8 semesters (3 years). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
Fall Semester 1
| PSY 1001 | General Psychology I: GT-SS3 | 3 |
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| COM 1150 or COM 1250 | Public Speaking (COM 1150) or Interpersonal Communication (COM 1250)* | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Semester Note: *The University of Colorado Denver
prefers COM 1150 Public Speaking to fulfill this requirement.
Spring Semester 2
| PSY 1002 | General Psychology II: GT-SS3 | 3 |
| ENG 1022 | English Composition II: GT-CO2 | 3 |
| GT-MA1 | Any Mathematics (GT-MA1)*. Prefer: Intro to Statistics (MAT 1260) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Semester Note: *Colorado Mesa University requires Mathematics for the Liberal Arts (MAT 1240) or College Algebra (MAT 1340) to fulfill this requirement.
If you take more credits in Mathematics and Natural & Physical Sciences than are listed, it will reduce elective credits needed.
Summer Semester 3
Fall Semester 4
| Psychology (GT-SS3) | Any Psychology (GT-SS3). Prefer: Human Sexuality (PSY 2107), Social Psychology (PSY 2221), Human Growth & Development (PSY 2440), or Child Development (PSY 2441) | 3 |
| Biology (GT-SC1) | Any Biology w/Lab (GT-SC1). Prefer: Science of Biology w/Lab: SC1 (BIO 1005) or General College Biology I w/Lab: SC1 (BIO 1111) | 4 |
| Approved Elective List | Any Approved Elective List Course. Prefer: Fitness & Wellness (HWE 1061) | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Semester Note: If you take more credits in Mathematics and Natural & Physical Sciences than are listed, it will reduce elective credits needed.
Spring Semester 5
| GT-SC1 or GT-SC2 | Any Natural & Physical Lab Science (GT-SC1) or Natural & Physical Non-Lab Science (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| GT-HI1 | Any History (GT-HI1). Prefer: Women in U.S. History (HIS 2105), U.S. History Since 1945 (HIS 2145), History in Latin America (HIS 2200), 20th Century World History (HIS 2015) | 3 |
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Semester Note: If you take more credits in Mathematics and Natural & Physical Sciences than are listed, it will reduce elective credits needed.
Summer Semester 6
Fall Semester 7
| Psychology (GT-SS3) | Any Psychology (GT-SS3). Prefer: Human Sexuality (PSY 2107), Social Psychology (PSY 2221), Human Growth & Development (PSY 2440), or Child Development (PSY 2441) | 3 |
| GT- SS | Any Social & Behavioral Science (GT-SS) | 3 |
| GT-AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH). Prefer: Intro to Philosophy (PHI 1011) or Ethics (PHI 1012) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Spring Semester 8
| Psychology (GT-SS3) | Any Psychology (GT-SS3). Prefer: Human Sexuality (PSY 2107), Social Psychology (PSY 2221), Human Growth & Development (PSY 2440), or Child Development (PSY 2441) | 3 |
| GT- SS | Any Social & Behavioral Science (GT-SS) | 3 |
| Approved Elective | Any Approved Elective List Course | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Total Credit Hours: 60
Prior Learning eligible course
• Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning
• View all eligible courses
Important Program Notes:
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), you may complete ENG 1021 (GT-CO1) and ENG 1022 (GT-CO2) OR ENG 1022 (GT-CO2) and a gtPathways-approved CO3 course (GT-CO3).
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), credits for additional required courses (PSY 1001, PSY 1002, COM 1150, COM 1250, or three gtPathways Psychology courses (GT-SS3) may not be required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution. If not required, they will be applied to the Bachelor’s degree as elective credit toward graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied.
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), you must take one gtPathways Biology course (Psychology faculty recommend BIO 1005 or BIO 1111) from GT-SC1 (course with lab) and one gtPathways (GT-SC1 or GT-SC2) course of your choosing.
If you take more credits in Mathematics and Science than are listed, it will reduce the 11 credits of electives needed.
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), any additional Psychology courses beyond the 15 credits indicated may not apply toward degree requirements.
You must complete a minimum of 60 credits to complete this degree. If receiving financial aid, you should only take courses and credits as required for this degree. Check with your Academic Advisor to monitor your completion progress.