Question by -: Need advice: Should I finish my Associate’s degree?
Im 5 classes away from completing my Associates degree in Psychology (it has taken me forever to complete it but im almost done) but I really dont have an real interest in Psychology anymore (I dont want to get a BA in psy.) Im thinking about getting an certificate to be a paralegal..

Should I complete my associate’s and start a certificate right after? Will I be more marketable if I go and get the certificate?

Im not even sure if i can get some sort of job with an AA in Psyc.

Best answer:

Answer by foxtrot
Yes you should complete you AA Degree in Psychology and then go for the Paralegal Cert. Regardless of the vocation you end up being employed, having some form of College Degree on your resume helps increase your value. I have found from over 7 years of experience in the job market that it pays to get a college education in addition to all the certs. With an AA in Psyc, you could land a job in a school as a Counselor at the very least.

Hope this helps.

Answer by Achelios
I don’t know what school counseling office foxtrot is referring to

in most, if not all states, a Master’s Degree is required to be a school counselor

you might as well complete the associates degree — having some kind of degree is often better than no degree

the reason is because you will be highly limited in the use of Fin Aid to change course.
the reason is because (1) you must be enrolled & taking classes in a degree program not just certificate program (2) you are only allowed to attempt (count in every class including withdrawals) 150% of the credits required by degree type

before you enroll in those 5 classes, take time to sit down with both your academic advisor & your fin aid advisor — you need a clear picture of Plan A (getting AA & then cert) & Plan B (getting cert without AA or changing major to paralegal for AA, if the school offers it)

you also need to do some checking into your hireability with both Plan A & Plan B —- in many areas of the country, there are no paralegal jobs…. so you really need to check into that job market before you commit to that path. There are so many out of work lawyers doing the work of paralegals that companies can get a whole lot more bang for their buck letting a desperate lawyer do the paralegal work at the paralegal price

to the best of my knowledge, the jobs for AA psych include clerk in psych unit at a hospital or inpatient facility & “security therapy aid” which is a fancy word for security guard at a mental health facility, rehab facility, or prison for those unfit to stand trial

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