North Carolina Community Colleges
Psychology Programs
Psychology programs at community colleges in this state. Intro psych, abnormal, developmental, and transfer-track coursework for four-year programs.
51 colleges · 1392 sections · 19 unique courses · Spring 2026
Intro and developmental psychology are among the highest-enrollment sections at North Carolina community colleges — partly because most college students take at least one psych course as a general-education requirement, and partly because the field is a popular transfer-track major. 1392 sections across 51 NCCCS colleges this term cover general psychology, abnormal psychology, developmental psych, and statistics for psychology.
A psychology associate is almost entirely transfer-prep. Direct career roles in psychology (clinical, counseling, school) require a graduate degree, but the CC associate completes the first two years of a four-year psychology bachelor's at lower tuition. Adjacent career paths — social services case manager, behavioral technician, mental-health technician — open up with just the associate plus relevant certifications.
Colleges offering Psychology
Psychology Availability Snapshot
How psychology sections are being offered across 51 colleges in North Carolina this term (1392 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person731 (53%)
- online553 (40%)
- zoom65 (5%)
- hybrid43 (3%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)328
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)159
- Evening (5 PM and after)31
- Asynchronous / TBA874
Start dates
Sections begin on 30 distinct dates. 498 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 348 distinct instructors across 51 colleges.
Common Psychology courses
- PSY 150General Psychology(921 sections)
- PSY 241Developmental Psych(266 sections)
- PSY 281Abnormal Psychology(96 sections)
- PSY 118Interpersonal Psychology(40 sections)
- PSY 237Social Psychology(27 sections)
- PSY 231Forensic Psychology(10 sections)
- PSY 263Educational Psychology(6 sections)
- PSY 141Psych of Death and Dying(5 sections)
- PSY 239Psychology of Personality(5 sections)
- PSY 211Psychology of Adjustment(4 sections)
- PSY 230Biological Psychology(2 sections)
- PSY 243Child Psychology(2 sections)
Frequently asked questions
- Can I become a therapist or psychologist with a CC degree?
- No. Clinical and counseling psychology require at least a master's degree (Licensed Professional Counselor) and often a doctorate (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) plus state licensure. The CC associate is the first two years of the path; expect 6+ more years of education after the bachelor's to practice clinically.
- What jobs are available with just an associate in psychology?
- Direct-service roles that benefit from psych foundations but don't require licensure: behavior technician (especially in autism / ABA settings), mental-health technician at residential facilities, social-services case manager, school paraprofessional, and intake or admissions specialist at human-services agencies. Pay is modest but the work is meaningful and the field has steady openings.
- Does psychology credit transfer to a four-year program?
- Yes — intro psych, developmental, abnormal, social, and psychology statistics all transfer cleanly to North Carolina state universities under the standard articulation agreement. The structured associate-of-science-in-psychology pathway is the safest route to ensure every credit applies toward the major.
- Is community college a good place to start psychology?
- Often yes — the intro psychology sequences are the same content at CC and four-year, taught at substantially lower tuition with often smaller class sizes. Students serious about clinical careers should plan for the bachelor's and graduate work to follow; students considering related applied fields (social work, counseling, education) can use the associate as a flexible foundation.
Compare Psychology programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how North Carolina’s psychology programs stack up.
Other programs in North Carolina
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.