The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer Degree is designed for students planning to transfer into a psychology major. A study of psychology is built upon the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Students pursuing the AA-T in Psychology will study the nature of consciousness and the development of the person; basic processes of human perception, learning, cognition, and motivation; the relationship of behavior to physiology; and the nature of psychological disorders and how psychologists use their knowledge to help improve the quality of people’s lives.

This degree intends to prepare students for careers and/or higher education in the social sciences, generally, or in the specific disciplines within the overall social science designation. This degree emphasizes the nature of individual and collective human behavior; our interactions; the political-economic, social, and psychological structures and institutions of human beings; and the challenges of developing and sustaining interpersonal and intercultural relationships. This degree will enhance their ability to explain how groups and subgroups operate to make responsible political, moral, and social decisions.

Why do we dream? Can intelligence be increased? Which treatments for anxiety are most effective? How can negative stereotypes be changed? Why is it more difficult for adults to learn a new language? What makes the sexual nature of humans unique in the animal world? These are just a few of the many issues addressed in psychology, a science that explores the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and environmental basis of both normal and abnormal behavior.

The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer (AA-T) degree is intended to meet the lower-division requirements for Psychology majors (or majors that have been deemed similar in the CSU system). A study of psychology is built upon the scientific study of the biological, mental processes, and environmental factors that influence human behavior. Students pursuing the AA-T in the psychology major will study the development of the person, basic processes of human perception, learning, cognition, and motivation; biological processes, personality and the nature of psychological disorders, and how psychologists use their knowledge to help improve the quality of people’s lives.

The discipline of psychology is concerned with defining, explaining, predicting, and influencing human behavior The Psychology Department at Laney College offers a rich variety of courses that support our state-approved Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) degree, which guarantees students who earn the degree and who meet the minimum eligibility requirements admission to a California State University but not necessarily to a particular program or major Course offerings includes Introduction to General Psychology, Psychology of Childhood, Lifespan Development, Human Sexuality, Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology Through these courses, students acquire a solid foundation of knowledge about human behavior and the manifold influences of environmental, biological, social and cultural factors and forces.

Explore human nature and turn your passion into a college degree. Begin with an Associate of Arts (DTA) degree with a direct transfer into a Bachelor program in Psychology. The Associate of Arts (DTA) degree consists of 90 quarter credits earned in General Requirements, Distribution Requirements, and Electives. The public community colleges and the four-year colleges and universities of the State of Washington have an established Direct Transfer Agreement. That agreement allows students who hold the Associate of Arts (DTA) degree to transfer at least 90 quarter credits (60-semester credits) to four-year institutions for the purpose of satisfying most or all of the general education requirements of the receiving institution.

The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer (AA-T) The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer (AA-T in Psychology) is designed to provide a clear pathway to a CSU institution for students who plan to transfer and complete a CSU major or baccalaureate degree in Psychology. Psychology concerns itself with the study of human and animal behavior. This program provides students training both in pure science and in the practical application of science to matters of everyday life. This program is designed for students who seek to learn to examine psychological processes from multiple perspectives and to apply psychological principles and methods to personal and social issues in ways that promote self-understanding, personal development, and effective interpersonal relationships as members of a diverse society.

Psychology represents an extremely broad discipline, ranging from the study of the behavior of the simplest of organisms to the behavior of humans and groups of humans in complicated situations. There is probably no other field that has as many direct and practical applications to human activities.

The Associate in Arts for Transfer degree in Psychology provides students with the foundational knowledge necessary to make a successful transition into a Baccalaureate Degree at any of the CSU campuses. The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree offered at California Community Colleges. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a campus within the California State University (CSU) system in a similar major, although not necessarily to a specific campus. Students who complete an AA-T or AS-T are given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college major and will be given a special GPA advantage when applying to CSU-impacted campuses or majors. Students who are planning to pursue an AA-T or AS-T are strongly advised to meet with a counselor for additional information about this transfer program.

The philosophy of the Department of Psychology is consistent with the college mission of welcoming and supporting all students in achieving their personal, educational, and career goals in an environment of academic excellence. The department is dedicated to promoting a science-based understanding of human behavior, and fostering positive, proactive choices and actions that increase students' options for both personal and academic success.

The Associate in Arts degree (AA) in Liberal Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences provides students with a broad perspective on human behavior. It is designed to stimulate appreciation for, and understanding of values, ideas, and artifacts of culture and society. Critical thinking skills and self-understanding through these courses provide a framework for lifelong study in liberal arts.

The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences provides students with a broad perspective on human behavior. It is designed to stimulate appreciation for and understanding of values, ideas, and artifacts of culture and society. Critical thinking skills and self-understanding through these courses provide a framework for lifelong study in liberal arts. Successful completion of the curriculum in Social and Behavioral Sciences offers students a breadth of knowledge that could be focused on single discipline degrees and applied to an interdisciplinary degree.

The Associate of Arts degree in Behavioral Science is designed for normal completion in two years. It has a two-fold purpose. First, it provides coursework for persons who may want to enter the human services field at the paraprofessional level. Second, it provides a solid general education experience and can serve to enhance career mobility, be the foundation for a baccalaureate program, or prepare the student who wants to transfer to another institution. The program takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of human behavior and cuts across several academic and professional fields. An advisor works with each student to assist him/her in course selection and evaluation of career opportunities.

The Associate in Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences degree program provides students with a broad perspective on human behavior. It is designed to stimulate appreciation for, and understanding of, values, ideas, and artifacts of culture and society. Critical thinking skills and self-understanding through these courses provide a framework for lifelong study in a variety of disciplines. Successful completion of the curriculum in Social and Behavioral Sciences offers students a breadth of knowledge that could be focused on single discipline degrees as well as applied to an interdisciplinary degree. The degree is intended for those who are considering transfer but have not decided on a major or for those who are required to complete a degree for a job promotion. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor to develop their own program of study.

The Associate of Arts (Psychology) Degree is a two-year undergraduate degree and includes a customizable concentration in psychology, which allows students to explore different areas in psychology, including cognitive and abnormal psychology, data analysis, research methodology, and the scientific basis of human behaviour.