Psychology
What Will I Learn?
As a student studying psychology at Heartland Community College, you will engage in the scientific study of the human mind. HCC offers a variety of courses in psychology spanning the spectrum of human development--from a course in child psychology to a course in adult development and aging, as well as courses in abnormal psychology, social psychology, personality, parenting, and human sexuality.
What Is The Occupational Outlook?
Overall employment of psychologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. Psychologists apply their knowledge to a wide range of endeavors, including health and human services, management, education, law, and sports. In addition to working in a variety of settings, psychologists usually specialize in one of a number of different areas including clinical, counseling, school, industrial-organizational, and developmental psychology. 1
In the State of Illinois in 2006, median annual salary earnings for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists were $55,250. Median annual salary earnings for industrial-organizational psychologists were $58,248. For all other areas of psychology, median earnings were $78,864. 2
What Are My Options?
The Associates Degree with emphasis in Psychology is designed for students planning to complete the first two years of study leading to a baccalaureate degree and major in psychology at a four-year college or university.
Bachelor's degree holders in psychology may work as assistants in rehabilitation centers or in other jobs involving data collection and analysis. Those who meet State certification requirements may become high school psychology teachers.
With a master's degree you can work as a psychological assistant or counselor, providing mental health services under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist. Still others may find jobs involving research and data collection and analysis in universities, government, or private companies.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Psychologists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos056.htm#emply (visited April 4, 2007)
- Department of Employment Security, State of Illinois, Wage Data 2007, on the Internet at http://lmi.ides.state.il.us/PDFs/statewidewage_pub.pdf (visited June 21, 2007)
