Social Sciences: Psychology (Liberal Arts & Sciences) (A.A.)

Study psychology at JCC

The Social Sciences degree with a psychology concentration at Jamestown Community College prepares you for transfer to a four-year psychology degree. You can pursue a variety of careers based on your area of specialization and level of education after JCC in fields like psychotherapy, counseling, addictions, politics, marketing, forensic psychology, and developmental psychology.

Psychology is the scientific study of human thought, feeling, and behavior. Psychology majors study the science of people and what explains them as individuals. They use their understanding of people to solve real-world problems and achieve goals in numerous career opportunities.

A four-year and graduate degree can prepare you for roles like practicing or research psychologists. You can also become a psychotherapist or counselor in schools, non-profit treatment centers, and private settings. Social psychologists can work in politics, government, sales, and marketing. Those specializing in disorders can work in the treatment and forensic psychology fields. Developmental psychology graduates can work in school and childcare settings. Others can work in the field of addictions, or work with specialized populations such as those who are victims of trauma or face the challenge of a developmental disorder like autism.

Psychology at JCC teaches you how to understand yourself and others through questioning your actions, the actions of others, and what you observe. While at JCC, you’ll work closely with your advisor to choose your courses and prepare for transferring after graduation. The psychology concentration is a SUNY Transfer Path, which can help you identify core coursework for transfer to four-year SUNY schools. Depending on your career goals, you can work with your advisor to pursue four-year and graduate degrees.

2023 median pay for psychologists: $92,740/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Where to study at JCC

Social sciences skills

After you complete the program, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the social science approach by using social science concepts and theories to analyze behaviors or institutions (as appropriate to the discipline). This outcome is to be assessed in 2000-level courses.
  • Explain or demonstrate the methods that social scientists use to explore social phenomena, or to gather and interpret information (as appropriate to the discipline). This outcome is to be assessed in 2000-level courses.

Semester 1

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

INT 1555: Inquire

2
JCC
  • Critical and Integrative Reasoning

PSY 1510: General Psychology

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences

Social Sciences Elective

Recommended:

ANT 1510: Human Evolution and Prehistory or

ANT 1520: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or

ANT 1530: Comparative Religion

3
SUNY
  • Diversity
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding
  • Global Perspectives

Mathematics Elective

Recommended:

MAT 1540: Elementary Statistics

3
SUNY
  • Math
JCC
  • Mathematical Reasoning

ENG 1510: English Composition I

3
SUNY
  • Humanities
JCC
  • College Composition
  • Set up shadowing experience with Career Services.
  • Visit the Learning Center for support throughout the semester.

Semester 2

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

PSY 2510: Life Span Development or

PSY 2520: Child Development or

PSY 2550: Psychology of Adolescence

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

HIS 1520: World History since 1500 or

HIS 1530: U.S. History before 1865 or

HIS 1540: U.S. History after 1865 or

HIS 2610: Intro to U.S. Women’s History

3
SUNY
  • U.S. History and Civic Engagement
  • World History and Global Awareness
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding

Mathematics & Sciences Elective

Recommended:

BIO 1510: Health Science or

MAT 1540: Elementary Statistics

3
SUNY
  • Math
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

ENG 1530: English Composition II

3
SUNY
  • Written & Oral Communication
JCC
  • College Composition
  • Oral Communication

Elective

Recommended:

BUS 1500: Intro to Business or

CMM 1510: Intro to Communication or

CRI 1510: Intro to Criminal Justice or

HUS 1210: Intro to Human Services

3

Semester 3

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

PSY 2530: Social Psychology

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Applied Learning
  • Cultural Understanding

Social Sciences Elective

Choose any 2000 level social science course

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences

Natural Sciences Elective

Recommended:

BIO 1500: Human Biology or

BIO 2510: Anatomy & Physiology I or

CHE 1500: Introduction to Chemistry

4
SUNY
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

Humanities Elective

Recommended:

Choose any Art, Music, or Theatre course

3
SUNY
  • Arts

Elective

Recommended:

ASL 1510: Introductory Sign Language I or

SPA 1510: Introductory Spanish I

3
SUNY
  • World Languages
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding
  • Prepare applications to transfer programs.

Semester 4

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

PSY 2560: Abnormal Behavior

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding

Program Core Elective

Any 1000 or 2000 level social science course

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences

Elective

Recommended:

ASL 1520: American Sign Language II or

ARA 1520: Introductory Arabic II or

FRE 1520:  Introductory French II or

SPA 1520: Introductory Spanish II

3
SUNY
  • World Languages
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding

Elective

Choose any Liberal Arts and Sciences elective

3

Elective

3-4
  • Complete an internship or other applied learning experience.