Summer 2025: Applications are closed
Fall 2025: Apply Now!
Winter 2026: Apply Now!
Summer 2026: Applications open June 2, 2025 at 9:00 am
Please select "Arts- Associate Degree when applying on ApplyBC
Please visit the International Application Deadline page to find out when applications may be available.
Explore different areas in psychology with the Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology. You’ll focus on psychology classes while also expanding your education with courses from other disciplines. This will develop your critical-thinking, writing and oral communication skills, needed in many disciplines and careers. Explore different areas in psychology, including data analysis, research methods, brain and behaviour, as well as cognitive and abnormal psychology.
Continue your psychology education at Douglas
The Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology fulfils the course requirements for the first 60 credits (2 years) of the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology at Douglas College. For advisement on course selection, career paths and other questions about transferring your AA, please contact the Coordinator: Pathways in Psychology.
What is an Associate degree?
Associate degrees take two years to complete and concentrate on one area of study. If you plan your courses carefully with a university program in mind, you’ll be able to transfer all 60 credits to university. In most cases, an associate degree will allow you to enter the third year of a four-year bachelor's degree program. To ensure your courses transfer, see the BC Transfer Guide.
Get full-time, paid work experience during your studies
Put your skills to work by joining the optional Co-operative Education Program, which alternates semesters of study with paid, full-time work in your field. You’ll earn money while gaining experience, building your resume and getting an employer reference, all before you graduate. To participate in Co-op you need to plan two semesters in advance, so we strongly recommend contacting the Co-op Office at the start of your program.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.
For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.
Graduation Requirements:
Course Requirements:
To complete an Associate of Arts Degree with a Specialization in Psychology, students must complete:
The following Psychology courses are recommended:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|
An Introduction to Psychology I |
3.00 |
|
|
An Introduction to Psychology II |
3.00 |
|
|
Data Analysis in Psychology |
3.00 |
|
|
Research Methods in Psychology |
3.00 |
|
|
Two of the following: |
||
|
Biological Bases of Behaviour |
3.00 |
|
|
Abnormal Psychology |
3.00 |
|
|
Cognitive Psychology |
3.00 |
|
*Note: PSYC 2300 has a Math prerequisite. Students are required to have a "C" or higher in Foundations or Principles of Math 11 (or equivalent), before taking PSYC 2300.
The following are the general requirements for an Associate of Arts Degree at any BC college:
* English courses include courses in written Communications and Creative Writing that transfer to one of the BC Research Universities (SFU, UBCV, UBCO, UVIC or UNBC) as English credit. A maximum of 3 credits can come from such an equivalent; at least 3 credits must be earned in an actual ENGL course so-named. For purposes of the Associate of Arts degree, English courses cannot be counted as Humanities courses.
** Arts courses are available in the Faculty of Languages, Literature, and Performing Arts, and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. To confirm whether a course is designated as "humanities" or "social sciences," check the Associate of Arts degree graduation checklist. Economics courses are Arts courses. Arts courses may also include Mathematics courses.
Definitions:
A course is defined by the subject for which it is granted transfer credit at one of the research universities (SFU, UBCV, UBCO, UNBC, or UVIC).
For detailed information you should meet with a Student Success Advisor.
Co-operative Education Option:
Students enrolled in this program may be eligible for a Co-operative Education designation. Co-operative Education involves alternating full-time academic and work terms. For information contact the Co-operative Education Office.
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
If you are a student at Douglas College, more information about the Psychology degrees, checklists and more can be found on the Psychology Blackboard Communication Centre.
Entry-Level Careers for AA Grads include: