To meet the need for graduates who are able to function independently in a behavioral health, health care, education, or human service environment, the Applied Psychology program offers an education focused on understanding human development, developmental psychopathology and neurodevelopmental disorders, and responding appropriately to people’s resulting needs in these settings. Contextual courses will help students begin to build competency in positive behavior support and counseling skills that can be applied across professional settings, while students’ elective and program choices will allow them to develop broader knowledge of life issues that impact people’s functioning. Students in the program will be prepared to work with diverse populations, build critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and cultivate knowledge of skills, values and ethics in the counseling profession.
This program is also offered as an online and remotely accessible degree option requiring some blended classes with live time. All online courses are facilitated by an instructor and include opportunities for student interaction and participation.
The Applied Psychology program will serve students who either wish to transfer to a four-year institution, or students who seek immediate professional employment. For those who wish to work for professional entities with this A.A.S. degree, the Applied Psychology program offers a direct path to employment in behavioral health, health care, education, or human services upon graduation.
View this document to see the differences between our Applied Psychology and Psychology degrees.
If you are a Northampton Community College student living outside of Pennsylvania or intending to complete an internship or clinical placement outside of the state in a NCC program leading to professional licensure, you should review requirements on the state board website to make sure that the program qualifies.
Licensure requirements vary from state to state and you may require additional authorization from the professional licensing agency in that state. Participating in a program from outside of Pennsylvania, if not properly authorized by that state's professional licensing board, could result in loss of licensing eligibility. If you need help or have questions, please contact the Program Director for more information.
The program will serve students who either wish to transfer to a four-year institution, or students who seek immediate professional employment. For those who wish to work for professional entities with this A.A.S. degree, the Applied Psychology program offers a direct path to employment in behavioral health, health care, education, or human services upon graduation. Positions include: mental health technician, therapeutic staff support (TSS) professional, direct care worker for people with special needs or mental illness, job coach or employment specialist for people with special needs, and EEG technician.
For those who wish to continue their education, the Applied Psychology A.A.S. degree serves as the first two years of a Bachelor’s degree, typically in Psychology/Applied Psychology, Rehabilitation & Human Services, Family Studies, or Biobehavioral Health. The Applied Psychology A.A.S. is an appropriate choice for those seeking to work in a clinical capacity with attainment of a Bachelor’s degree or beyond, including careers as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Behavioral Specialist, Art/Music/Dance Therapist, Family Therapist, Drug & Alcohol Counselor, Counseling/Clinical Psychologist, School Counselor, School Psychologist, Human Services Caseworker, Rehabilitation Counselor, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, Physical Therapist, Health Care Technician, and Physician Assistant.
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