Earn an online Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Psychology degree from Rio Salado College while building a foundation in human behavior, research, communication, and critical thinking. Designed for transfer, this flexible online program can help working adults and dual enrollment students take the next step toward a bachelor’s degree or a people-focused career path.
Psychology is the study of the mind, behavior, and the factors that shape human experience. Rio Salado’s Associate in Arts degree with an Emphasis in Psychology introduces students to psychological theories, research methods, ethics, and real-world applications.
The program is designed to support transfer into a four-year bachelor’s program and can help students build skills used in fields such as mental health, social services, education, business, public health, human resources, and research support.
Courses are built for online learning, with clear expectations, instructor feedback, and weekly deadlines. This structure helps students make progress while balancing school with work, family, or other responsibilities.
Psychology students develop a foundation in how people think, learn, grow, communicate, and behave. Coursework may introduce topics such as lifespan development, social psychology, psychological disorders, research methods, statistics, ethics, and communication.
These courses can help students strengthen transferable skills, including critical thinking, writing, information literacy, data-informed reasoning, cultural awareness, and ethical decision-making.
|
Online at Rio Salado |
Traditional On-Campus Format |
|
Coursework completed online with weekly deadlines |
Set class meeting times and campus attendance |
|
Classes start most Mondays |
Usually semester-based start dates |
|
No commute or parking required |
Travel time and campus costs may apply |
|
Online access to student support services |
In-person support may depend on campus hours |
This associate degree is designed as a transfer pathway for students who plan to continue into a bachelor’s degree program. It may also help students explore people-focused fields where understanding behavior, communication, and research is valuable.
Potential areas of interest include human resources, education support, social services, behavioral health support roles, community programs, student services, research assistance, and market research. Students interested in becoming licensed counselors, psychologists, or therapists typically need additional education, supervised experience, and state licensure.
Because transfer requirements vary by university and program, students should work with an advisor early to confirm course choices, transferable credits, prerequisites (prior classes needed to meet requirements), and next steps.
Costs may include tuition, course fees, and textbooks. Rio Salado offers affordable per-credit tuition, and some courses include no-cost or low-cost textbook options. Students may also explore financial aid, scholarships, grants, payment options, or employer tuition assistance if eligible.
Support is available online, including academic advising, tutoring, library services, counseling, and career services. These resources can help students plan classes, manage assignments, build study strategies, and stay on track.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects overall employment in community and social service occupations to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. Check out the occupations and projected growth .
An online psychology degree introduces students to the study of human behavior, development, research, communication, and ethics. At Rio Salado, students complete coursework online with weekly deadlines, making it easier to plan school around work, family, or other school responsibilities.
Rio Salado College is a public community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation matters for students who plan to transfer credits, apply for financial aid, or continue into a bachelor’s degree program. Students should confirm transfer requirements with their target university.
Yes. The Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Psychology is designed to support transfer into a four-year bachelor’s degree program. Students should speak with an advisor to choose courses that align with their transfer goals.
Rio Salado courses are offered online and designed for flexible learning. Some courses may have specific in-person or virtual proctoring testing requirements. Students should review course details before enrolling.
Online students can access advising, tutoring, library resources, counseling, and career services. These services can help with class planning, study strategies, research, writing, career exploration, and personal support.
Students generally need reliable internet access, a computer, an updated browser, and software required by each course. Review course details before enrolling.
Usually, yes. Licensed counseling, psychology, and therapy roles typically require a graduate degree, supervised hours, and state licensure. This associate degree can be a starting point toward that longer educational pathway.
Jennifer Moore
Faculty Chair, Psychology
480-517-8721
[email protected]
