Associate’s Degree

Steps to becoming a neuropsychologist in the United States. Required steps include graduating from high school, obtaining a bachelor’s degree, obtaining a doctoral degree like a PhD, PsyD, or EdD, completing a postdoctoral fellowship, and licensure. Optional steps include obtaining an associate’s degree, taking a gap year, and board certification. You are on the step associate's degree.

Associate's Degree

After graduating high school, an optional first step to becoming a neuropsychologist is to start with an associate’s degree. 

An associate’s degree is a two-year college degree earned through study at a community college, junior college, or similar institution. Benefits of attending a community or junior college can include lower cost of tuition and greater flexibility. While pursuing an associate’s degree, students can complete their general education requirements, work and save money, and prepare to transfer for a four-year university to obtain their bachelor’s degree.

View the infographic below for information on what to do during the optional step of earning an Associate’s Degree:

Click on the resources in this column for additional information

What to do during your associate’s degree. GE Requirements. General Education (GE) is the required curriculum that makes up the foundation of an undergraduate degree. Complete GE requirements as part of your Associate's Degree. Academic Advising. Meet with an academic advisor, career development specialist, or other advisor within your school to talk about options. They can help you choose the right classes for your goals. Internships. Explore internship options related to psychology, such as working in a healthcare setting, working with people with neurological illness, or conducting research. Transfer. Prepare to transfer to a 4-year university by meeting with your academic advisor and researching the schools & majors that can meet your goals.
Click here to navigate to the psi beta website

If you have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, consider joining Psi Beta, the national honor society in psychology for community and junior colleges, or explore how to charter a new chapter at your school. Psi Beta’s mission is to encourage professional development and psychological literacy of all students at two-year colleges through promotion and recognition of excellence in scholarship, leadership, research, and community service.

Click here to navigate to the Dr. Kit website

Explore free articles and videos about 29 different degrees related to psychology and 26 different career paths in psychology, including advice from faculty and students and recommendations on what classes and opportunities to pursue as a student from professionals in their respective fields.

If you are seeking additional preparation in neuroscience, neuroimaging, neuropsychology, and basic science literacy, check out ENIGMA-U. ENIGMA-U, based out of the University of Utah Department of Neurology, is a free online school (including lectures, assignments, and quizzes) covering these topics.

To learn about additional steps in becoming a neuropsychologist, click below:

Bachelor's Degree
Associate's Degree
Doctoral Degree
Gap Year(s)
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Licensure & Boards
Skip to content