Psychology with a Focus on Social Services
Associate in Arts Psychology · Yuba College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Psychology is the study of human thought, feelings, and behavior. Part of its appeal is the fact that it involves both scientific investigation and practical applications of those findings in everyday life. This degree is designed to introduce students to the field of psychology with a specific emphasis on social services. Those pursuing this degree will find career options centering around helping others. This program is designed to prepare students for employment as para-professionals with agencies such as (but not limited to) youth group homes, youth and family serv ices agencies, schools, probation, welfare, and mental health departments. Specific career titles may include (but are not limited to) p eer support group facilitator, youth group home worker, and county/state eligibility worker.
This degree is not designed to prepare students to transfer to a UC or CSU. If the goal is to transfer to a UC or CSU, the Psychology ADT is a much better option.
Students who complete this program should be able to:
- Apply psychological principles to the development of interpersonal, occupational and social skills and life-long personal growth.
- Demonstrate respect for the psychological differences in opinions, feelings and values of others in ones interactions.
- Analyze psychological data/information/theories.
- Articulate similarities and differences in human behavior among cultures, times, and environments, demonstrating an understanding of cultural pluralism and knowledge of global issues as they relate to human behavior.
- Draw reasonable conclusions in relation to human behavior from the data/information/theories.
Required courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PSYCH-C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH-12 | Human Sexuality and Sexual Behavior | 3 |
| Complete two courses from the following: | ||
| PSYCH-7 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH-22 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH-33 | Personal and Social Adjustment | 3 |
| PSYCH-41 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| Complete two courses from the following: | ||
| AJ-10 | Introduction to Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| ECE-31 | Child, Family, Community | 3 |
| HUSEV-10 | Introduction to Human Services | 3 |
| HUSEV-28 | Skills and Techniques of Group Counseling | 3 |
| orSPECH-6 | Small Group Communication | 3 |
| orSPECH-7 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| orSPECH-8 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| Total units required for degree major | 18 | |
Students earning an AA/AS degree must complete a minimum of 21 units of General Education requirements and the health graduation requirement, in addition to the program units listed here. Students must complete a total of 60 degree applicable units to earn an AA or AS. Please see your counselor for additional information.