What To Do At as a SUCO Psychology Undergrad By: Christine Noonan

1. What To Do At as a SUCO Psychology Undergrad By: Christine Noonan

2. Students who choose to major in psychology must have A TOTAL OF 34 SEMESTER HOURS of psychology courses. • B.A. in Psychology: 34 - 45 credits • B.S. in Psychology: 34 - 60 credits • Six Required Courses: • PSYC 100 Introductory Psychology STAT 101 Introduction to Statistics PSYC 220 Introduction to Psychological Research (4 credit hours) PSYC 240 Developmental Psychology PSYC 260 Introduction to Social Psychology PSYC 270 Personality Theory   Note: • The Introductory Psychology course will count to meet part of your General Education requirement in Social and Human Behavior. • The Research Methods course will count to meet your General Education Writing Skills requirement.

3. Area RequirementYou MUST take 1 of the following courses!!! NOTES: 1. The two 300-level courses will meet both the Area Requirement and the 300 level requirement. 2. In all cases, the prerequisite of a C or better in PSYC 110 (Statistics in Psychology) may be satisfied with a C or better in STAT 101 (Introduction to Statistics)

4. 300 Level RequirementTwo of the following 300 level courses are required

5. 300 Level Requirement cont.

6. Electives & Other Coursework • Psychology Electives:         Approximately 15 additional Psychology Courses are offered, mostly at the 200 Level.  Courses include Advertising, Sleep and Dreams, Human Sexuality, Psychology of Women, Psychology of Drug Use and Abuse, as well as Internships, Teaching/Research Assistantships, and Independent Studies. There are a number of special topics courses being offered in the fall including Positive Psychology, Crisis Counseling, and Health Psychology. Selections must total at least 33 hours of Psychology Credit. • Related Coursework from Other Departments:         Psychology Majors are required to select 15 hours of courses from lists including Mathematics, Statistics, Computers, Language Arts, and Cultural Diversity.  These selections will also satisfy General Education Requirements applicable to all majors. (See the Undergraduate Catalog for specific courses that may be chosen.)

7. Special Opportunities in Psychology • Psychology majors, and those students planning to go on to graduate school, or to seek employment in the discipline, are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities which include independent and faculty research projects, internships, and teaching assistantships. • More information is available from your academic advisor.

9. Teaching Assistantship • Earn credits working with psychology department faculty, which is an EXCELLENT way to build a mentoring relationship (and gain another recommendation letter!) • Attend class and take notes so students may use them as a resource • Help proctor exams, enter grades in grade book • Tutor individual students and hold study sessions for groups of students prior to tests/quizzes • Prepares you for GRE Psychology test by refreshing old concepts

10. Internships(Note: Some of the contacts on this list may be outdated) • Students gain valuable field experience and credits! • Can examine careers closely, make professional contacts for future, and if all else fails at least learn what careers NOT to choose! • Some local opportunities include but are not limited to:

11. Helpful Sites for Finding Jobs/Internships • www.jobtrak.com • www.collegegrad.com • www.careerbuilder.com • www.studentjobs.gov • www.apa.org • www.petersons.com • http://jobfindersonline.com • www.jobweb.org

12. Research Assistantships & Independent Studies • Actually involved in “hands-on” learning experience • Opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty member, which cultivates a mentoring relationship (and probably another recommendation letter!) • Students have the opportunity to publish the results of research, or to present the findings at undergraduate conferences held on our own campus, at the campuses of sister institutions in this region, or at regional or national psychology conferences. • Talk to faculty, advisor, & peers to learn about these opportunities.

13. Because of the popularity of the Department, it has become necessary to establish our own pre-registration at which students may pre-select some courses. The date for the pre-registration meeting for Fall 2005 is March 23rd at 3pm.

14. Explore!!! • Our college offers a plethora of non-psychology related clubs, internships, volunteer work, and courses in various departments. Consider electives, picking up a minor in an area of interest, or to compliment your major!! Doing so will enhance your knowledge, AND your marketability! • The Human Ecology, Anthropology, Business/Economics, Communications, and Sociology departments are just a few programs that offer minors and courses that appeal to the psychology inclined!! Consult professors or students of these departments, or the course catalog for a full list of descriptions.

15. Some courses to take… • PHIL 205 - Philosophy and Psychology of YogaAn analysis of the philosophical basis, psychological content, and practical method of Patanjali's Yoga. Special attention is given to various theories concerning the meaning, aim, method, and accomplishment of Yoga. The course also requires practice of physical, breathing, and psychological exercises and exploration of the three stages of concentration. Offered every spring --- 3 s.h., LA, CD, ICDPrereq: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy • FAMS 361 American Families in Poverty (3 s.h.) The course studies the influence of socioeconomic status of family life. The focus is to help students develop an understanding of poverty and the issues that families living below the poverty line face within this culture. Other social problems as they relate and are influenced by poverty are discussed, as well as programs and policies to help families, Students complete a written reaction paper, a research paper and policy paper on family life and poverty, and essay exam questions. (LA, CD, CPA, CW, WS2) Prereq: FAMS 160 or CHLD 170 and 3 s.h. 200 level social science.

16. CHLD 170 The Child in the Family (3 s.h.) This course covers a base knowledge of the child in the biosocial, psychological, cognitive areas of development from prenatal stages until adolescence in the context of the family setting. The institution of the family and its impact on development of the child is the major focus. Students are required to observe and interact with children in a lab setting. (LA, CPA) • SOCL  210  Social Work Theory and Practice (3 s.h.) The course will provide an overview of the profession and methods of social work practice, i.e., casework, group work, community organization, research and administration. Focus will be on developing awareness and sensitivity as to the impact of contemporary social problems on individuals, families, and communities.  Social welfare institutions, social work values and modes of interventions will be discussed with particular attention to attitudes toward people in dependent situations and the social worker's role as enabler. • COMM 215 Interviewing (3 s.h.) Anyone entering a business or communication field would benefit greatly from an understanding of the information, sales, problem-solving, counseling, and job interviews. The objective of this course is to familiarize students with the current principles and techniques of interviewing. It is a practical performance-oriented course

17. Get to know your professors!! • They are excellent resources for help with finding jobs, internships, grad schools, etc. • Recommendation letters from professors never hurt either!!

18. The Psychology Club • Student-run organization with a goal to inform, involve, and enhance the lives of psychology majors at Oneonta State. The club meets EVERY MONDAY @ 4PM IN 110 FITZELLE to: • Assist psychology majors with academic information, research projects, etc. • Organize on-campus events both independently, and in conjunction with other clubs. • Work with the community through service projects. The Psychology club provides students with the chance to enhance their knowledge about psychology, & find opportunities to network with faculty and peers.

19. Psi Chi • National Honor Society in psychology for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. There are opportunities to attend regional and national conferences each year. Mission: • Advance science and the profession of psychology • Promote an educational experience consistent with the mission • Promote ethical and socially responsible members and leaders • Define and establish an organizational structure that promotes the mission Requirements: • Completion of 3 semesters, & 9 semester hours of psych. courses • Rank in top 35% of class in general scholarship • Minimum 3.0 GPA for both major and cumulative grades More info. @: www.psichi.org

20. Volunteering • This is a great way to get field experience and increase your marketability! It also helps to narrow down your options by learning what you like to do. • The Center for Social Responsibility and Community is an excellent resource for volunteer opportunities and a great way to get involved!!

21. For the grad school bound…

22. GRE Timing • Take your GREs as early as possible, preferably the summer of your junior year to give you plenty of time to retake them if necessary. A few months of practice in advance is highly recommended! • Keep the deadlines for the schools you are applying to in mind! • The General Test (computer/paper based) may only be taken once a month, and NO MORE than 5 times a year!!! This applies even if you cancelled your scores on a previous test! • Computer-based test appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. • Paper-based tests are offered in areas where computer-based testing is not available. • To register for the computer-based test call 1-800-GRE-CALL. Registration is also available online at www.gre.org • Register early to get your preferred test date!