2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Psychology, AA (PSYCH-AA)

CIP Code: 420101

Program Description

The Psychology Associate of Arts program is designed to provide a strong foundation for students ultimately seeking a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Psychology, or other degree programs. The program offers students the chance to participate in a scientific review of psychology, complimenting most other major fields of study. The A.A. degree is an excellent first step to prepare for many careers, including administration, advertising, community relations, human resources, human services, marketing research, public relations, retail sales, and education.

The A.A. degree in Psychology provides a wide range of content areas, including Abnormal Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Human Development, Human Sexuality, and Social Psychology. Classes cover not only the theories within these areas, but also how these theories were developed and tested. The application of theory to real-world situations is emphasized throughout all psychology courses.

Program Admission Requirements

This academic program does not have admission requirements beyond regular admission to Wright State University. Any student is eligible to declare this academic program.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

understand human behavior, including an understanding of thoughts, motivations, and feelings of individuals and groups and knowledge in how to assess human behavior and respond appropriately in work situations
develop strong ethical principles and be familiar with ethical principles relating to work practices and the protection of information, including how to safeguard privacy and confidentiality
communicate information effectively both verbally and in written form in a concise and clear way
collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds, take initiative on group projects, in following directions or an established protocol, and be responsive to positive or negative feedback
define and achieve goals in unclear situations, develop and complete projects from idea conception through final presentation of results or work products, and manage multiple, simultaneous demands relating to school, work, and family

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

demonstrate an understanding of human behavior
discuss the ethical principles relating to work practices and to the protection of information
demonstrate effective communication, both verbally and in written form in a concise and clear way
apply skills needed to effectively collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds
demonstrate self-management skills

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 1 Credit Hour

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy one additional credit hour in the Additional Core Courses category.

UVC 1010 - First Year Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 4 Credit Hours

Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the required course below.

Required:

STT 1600 - Statistical Concepts Credit Hour(s): 4

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Required:

PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 1010L - Introduction to Psychology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
Select an additional Social and Behavioral Sciences course, with a different course prefix (not PSY) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Additional Core Courses: 5 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 5 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course

Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Required Major Courses: 13 Credit Hours

PSY 2020 - Careers in Psychology Credit Hour(s): 1
Choose 1 course from Area 1
Choose 1 course from Area 2
Choose 2 courses (6 credit hours) from Areas 1, 2, and/or 3

III. General Electives: 11 Credit Hours

Students must take 6 credit hours of PSY 2000-4990 (not taken above).

Students must take 5 credit hours of General Electives (any prefix).

Total: 60 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a two-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State associate programs can be completed in two years with careful planning. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

This GPS is valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and is subject to change. This GPS is a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.

Psychology, AA, Lake Campus (GPS)