Psychology Undergraduate Student Handbook
Introduction
This handbook is intended to help you understand and make effective use of the educational opportunities available within the framework of our psychology curriculum. With these opportunities come responsibilities to plan carefully and to use resources of the University to support development of your personal, academic, and professional objectives. The faculty in the Department are available to assist you in this endeavor.
The primary responsibility for meeting graduation requirements rests with you. Although this handbook delineates many requirements of the University, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Department, it should not be utilized as a sole source of information to the exclusion of other University publications. You should check the Undergraduate Catalog for the current policies.
You should be aware that the educational process is constantly evolving. This may result in periodic changes in curriculum requirements. You are advised that these changes may have an impact upon course prerequisites and course offerings that may affect their program of study. The Department will make every effort to accommodate students who would be adversely affected by such changes. However, you are responsible for informing yourself of changes and determining the impact the changes will have upon your course sequencing and ultimately your graduation date.
Welcome to Psychology
Our undergraduate major in psychology is designed to provide you with a broad liberal arts education and an understanding of how psychologists study behavior and what psychologists have learned about behavior. The knowledge and skills you obtain are useful in a wide variety of employment settings and careers. Additional course work and experiences are available if you are interested in advanced study at the graduate level and if you are interested in careers in social services. The minimum requirements for completing a major in psychology are such that you could complete the requirements of a second major in the College of Arts and Sciences or a second degree in another college in four years with timely planning.
Psychology is both an academic discipline and a profession. To become a professional psychologist, you will need advanced training. Our undergraduate program in psychology does not train you to become a professional psychologist; however, we offer you the opportunity to earn academic credit for participating in research and in supervised field experiences in social service agencies, industry, and government settings.