About My Degree
Information for Your Psychology Major
Bookmarks
Psychology Program Options at SVCC
Degrees in this Field of Study
Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
Psychology Courses at SVCC
- PSY 103 - Introduction to Psychology (must be taken before other psychology courses)
- PSY 200 - Human Growth and Development
- PSY 214 - Child Developmental Psychology
- PSY 215 - Social Psychology
- PSY 217 - Abnormal Psychology
- PSY 270 - Substance Abuse
Psychology Program Options at SVCC
Associate in Arts, Psychology (655)
Associate in Science, Psychology (855)
* An associate in science involves the completion of general education requirements, which then transfer to colleges and universities that participate in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)
Degrees in this Field of Study
Associate's Degree
Average Student Loan Debt: $6,125.33 (SVCC financial aid office)
Time to Completion: 35% of students complete within 3 years
Bachelor's Degree
Average Student Loan Debt: $26,000 (Institute for College Access and Success)
Average Time to Complete: 4.3 years (https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=569)
Doctoral Degree
Average Student Loan Debt (APA workforce publications, 2009 employment survey):
- Ph.D - $68,000
- Psy.D - $120,000
Careers in Psychology
Most careers in psychology require a college degree and a license or certification.
Some career options for Illinois:
| Degree | Career/License/Certification |
| A.A./A.S. | Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC) |
| B.A./B.S. | Psychology Technician Case Manager Research Assistant |
| M.A./M.S. | Licensed Professional Counselor/Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Marriage and Family Therapist Licensed Social Worker/Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
| Ph.D./Psy.D./Ed.D. | Licensed Clinical Psychologist (testing, therapy and research in schools, universities, hospitals, military, treatment agencies, private practice, ect.) Professor Researcher |
| M.D. | Psychiatrist (mental health diagnosis, prescribe medication, therapy) |
Sources for Detailed Career Information:
https://www.apa.org/careers/resources/guides/careers.aspx
Salaries
*2015 median pay according to the bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
| High School Diploma | Social and Human Service Assistant | $30,830 |
| Bachelor's Degree | Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors Probation Officers | $39,270 $49,090 |
| Master's Degree | Mental Health & Marriage / Family Therapists School Psychologists | $42,250 $53,370 |
| Doctoral Degree | Psychologist | $70,700 |
| Doctor of Medicine | Psychiatrist | $153,060 |
Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
Academic Advising, 815-835-6354
Dr. Amy Jakobsen, Associate Professor of Psychology. 815-835-6324