Psychology Transfer Major - AA

Are you fascinated by the way the human mind works?

Start your journey toward a bachelor's degree in psychology with SCC. Our examine the many factors that influence human behavior, thought, and emotion, gain a deeper understanding of yourself and others, understand how and why people behave, think, and feel the way they do – and the best part: they're the same classes you'd take at a 4-year program.

A Psychology transfer major at SCC prepares you for further study at 4-year colleges and universities and can supplement and support a variety of careers outside of psychology.

Program Location

Available in West Burlington Available in Keokuk Available online

Why Psychology at SCC?

Save money:You'll take the same classes and learn the same concepts and skills as a 4-year program but at a fraction of the cost. Then transfer to finish up.

Get to know your professors:Our faculty love to teach... and it shows. Enjoy small classes with plenty of time to interact and learn from them.

Keep a flexible schedule: Whether you're a full-time student or juggling work and family, SCC offers flexible class schedules and online options to fit your busy lifestyle.

Make close connections: Take advantage of opportunities outside of class to learn more about psychology and to interact with others who have similar interests.

What you'll learn

Learn Psychology fundamentals: Learn about including behavioral, cognitive, and developmental theories.

Understand the inner workings of the human brain: Understand the key factors that influence behavior, emotions, and cognition.

Gain insights into abnormal psychology: Explore learning disorders, and mental health conditions, and learn how to provide support and intervention.

Develop critical thinking and research skills: Hone these important life skills through hands-on projects, experiments, and case studies.

Build healthy communication skills: Practice methods that encourage healthy communication and interaction with others.

Explore diverse career paths in psychology:  Psychology is a very versatile field: from counseling and therapy to research and academia, see which option best fits your goals and interests.

Common transfer colleges & universities

  • University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa
  • Most Universities will offer undergraduate degrees in Psychology and many will also have graduate programs in this discipline

Transfer institution options

Where this degree can take you

Earn your bachelor's degree and be qualified for a variety of positions in the field.

  • Clinical Psychologist
  • School Psychologist
  • Human Resources Specialist
  • Substance Abuse Counselor
  • Social Worker

Did You Know?

Students who start at SCC and then transfer to a 4-year program consistently outperform students who started there. They're also more likely to graduate... and do it on time.

Contact Us

West Burlington Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 208-5155
Text: (319) 250-7144
Email: admissionswb@scciowa.edu

Keokuk Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 313-1923
Text: (319) 220-3266
Email: admissionskeo@scciowa.edu

Schedule an Appointment

 

The Psychology Transfer Major is designed to prepare students planning to transfer to a 4 year institution to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.

The following courses are required for the Psychology Transfer Major: PSY-111, PSY-121, PSY-251, MAT-156, PHI-101, BIO-105, SDV-108, ENG-105, and ENG-106. The other courses are suggested and may be substituted; please consult with a Student Success Advocate.

Summary Sheet

The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.

Download the summary sheet.

Curriculum Sequence


Fall Semester I Course Title Credit
SDV-108 The College Experience 1
ENG-105 Composition I 3
PSY-111 Introduction to Psychology 3
BIO-105 Introductory Biology 4
PHI-101 Introduction to Philosophy 3
TOTAL CREDITS 14

Spring Semester I Course Title Credit
ENG-106 Composition II 3
PSY-121 Developmental Psychology 3
MAT-156 Statistics 3
PSY-251 Social Psychology 3
Take courses totaling 3-5 credits
ZZZ-ELE Elective Course 3-5
TOTAL CREDITS 15 - 17

Fall Semester II Course Title Credit
ZZZ-HUM Humanities Course 3
ZZZ-SOC Social Science Course 3
SPC-112 Public Speaking 3
ZZZ-PSY Psychology Course 3
Take courses totaling 3-5 credits
ZZZ-MSC Math or Science Course 3-5
TOTAL CREDITS 15 - 17

Spring Semester II Course Title Credit
ZZZ-HUM Humanities Course 3
ZZZ-CUL Cultural Awareness Course 3
Take Course(s) Totaling at Least 4 Credits
ZZZ-ELE Elective Course 3-5
Take courses totaling 3-5 credits
ZZZ-ELE Elective Course 3-5
Take courses totaling 3-5 credits
ZZZ-ELE Elective Course 3-5
TOTAL CREDITS 16 - 20

SDV-108 - The College Experience

Lecture: 1

Credit: 1

This course is designed to empower new students to successfully transition to college. Students will learn academic success skills, strategies for personal development and exploration, college culture and expectations, and how to access college resources and services.

ENG-105 - Composition I

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A study of the principles of writing. Emphasis on rhetoric, mechanics and development of expository patterns: narration, description illustration, comparison/contrast, classification, process and cause/effect. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: Meet minimum test score requirements.

PSY-111 - Introduction to Psychology

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A basic course in the understanding of behavior, designed to give the student a scientific background in the fundamental problems and techniques covered in the field of psychology.

BIO-105 - Introductory Biology

Lecture: 3

Lab: 2

Credit: 4

Introductory Biology is a lecture and lab course designed for non-science majors or as a refresher course of those wishing to take higher-level biology courses. Topics include chemistry of life, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, evolution, plant, animal, and fungi classification and ecology.

PHI-101 - Introduction to Philosophy

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A topical introduction to the major areas of philosophical inquiry.

ENG-106 - Composition II

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A continuation of study of the principles of writing begun in ENG-105. Emphasis is placed on persuasive writing, critical analysis and the MLA research paper. Time will also be spent exploring print and electronic research sources and learning effective research strategies. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: ENG-105, with a minimum grade of C-.

PSY-121 - Developmental Psychology

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A systematic study of life-span development. Individual differences in behavior as well as cultural norms are considered in relation to heredity and environment.

MAT-156 - Statistics

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course is an applied course in statistics, designed to introduce students to some of the concepts, symbols, procedures and vocabulary used in the field of statistics. Topics covered in this course include: organizing and graphing data, descriptive statistics, probability, various distributions, the sampling distribution of the mean, estimating a population mean, confidence intervals, inferential statistics (hypothesis testing), comparing two population parameters, analysis of variance, correlation, simple linear and multiple regression, contingency tables and nonparametric statistics, (time permitting). Prerequisites: MAT-092 or MAT-099 with a minimum grade of C- or meet minimum placement testing requirements.

PSY-251 - Social Psychology

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

The study of interpersonal relations, social attitudes, group dynamics, intergroup relations, class and cultural influence in a psychological context. Prerequisite: PSY-111.

ZZZ-ELE - Elective Course

Lecture: 2-4

Lab: 0-2

Credit: 3-5

Any course of 100-level or higher from Arts and Sciences or Career Technical Education can be used to fulfill an Elective. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-HUM - Humanities Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Humanities requirement address human history, languages, literature, philosophy, and the arts. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Humanities courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-SOC - Social Science Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Social Science requirement address the behavior of humans as individuals and groups. These courses cover the academic disciplines of economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Social Science courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

SPC-112 - Public Speaking

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery and audience analysis.

ZZZ-MSC - Math or Science Course

Lecture: 2-4

Lab: 0-2

Credit: 3-5

Courses fulfilling the Math or Science requirement address quantitative and/or scientific reasoning skills. Any course of 100-level or above from mathematics or a science discipline can fulfill this requirement. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-PSY - Psychology Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

The Psychology Transfer Major requires at least one other psychology course in addition to Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Social Psychology. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-HUM - Humanities Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Humanities requirement address human history, languages, literature, philosophy, and the arts. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Humanities courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-CUL - Cultural Awareness Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Cultural Awareness requirement address the diversity of culture within the United States and across the world. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-ELE - Elective Course

Lecture: 2-4

Lab: 0-2

Credit: 3-5

Any course of 100-level or higher from Arts and Sciences or Career Technical Education can be used to fulfill an Elective. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-ELE - Elective Course

Lecture: 2-4

Lab: 0-2

Credit: 3-5

Any course of 100-level or higher from Arts and Sciences or Career Technical Education can be used to fulfill an Elective. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-ELE - Elective Course

Lecture: 2-4

Lab: 0-2

Credit: 3-5

Any course of 100-level or higher from Arts and Sciences or Career Technical Education can be used to fulfill an Elective. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

Polly Falcon - Professor - Psychology

Email: pfalcon@scciowa.edu
BS, Texas A&M University
MS, University of North Texas

Lori Henderson - Professor - Psychology

Email: lhenderson@scciowa.edu
AA, Southeastern Community College
BS, Western Illinois University
MS, Western Illinois University
PhD, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Lee Skeens - Professor - Psychology

Email: lskeens@scciowa.edu
AS, Community College of the Air Force
BA, Southwest Texas State University
MA, Webster University, University of Iowa
Certified Education Counselor