What To Do At as a SUCO Psychology Undergrad

By: Christine Noonan

• 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.

Area RequirementYou MUST take 1 of the following

courses!!!Course Prerequisite

230 Primate Behavior231 Cognitive232 Sensation & Perception233 Memory234 Learning

C in 100

324 Physiological326 Comparative

C in 100,110, & 220

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)

300 Level Requirement

Two of the following 300 level courses are required PSYC Course Title Prerequisite

324 Physiological (See Note 1) C in 100, C in 110, C in 220

326 Comparative (See Note 1) C in 100, C in 110, C in 220

301 History and Systems C in 100, 110, & 220plus 12 s.h. in PSYC, JR/SR

standing 310 Advanced Statistics C in 100, C in 110, C in

220

322 Advanced Research C in 100, C in 110, C in

220 335 Behavior Modification C in 100, C in 110, C in

220

300 Level Requirement cont.

PSYC

Course Title Prerequisite

345 Adulthood and Aging C in 100, 110, & 220 360 Advanced Social C in 100, 110, 220,

260

365 Applied Social Psychology C in 100, 110, 220, 260

373 Psychotherapy and Behavior Change C in 100, 110, 220, 270

374 Abnormal Psychology C in 100, 110, 220, 270

398 Senior Seminar C in 100, 110, & 220, JR/SR, &

permission of instructor

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.)

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.

PSYC Course Title Prerequisites

295 Teaching Assistantship in Psychology Junior/Senior, C in 100, 110 or STAT 101, 220, 21 credits in Psychology courses, 2.5 GPA in Psychology, 3.0 GPA overall, written permission - see catalog.

297 Field Experiences in Psychology Junior or Senior, Psychology Major, C in 100, 24 credits in Psychology, 2.5 GPA in Psychology, written permission - see catalog--- See Note 1.

299 Independent Study in Psychology C in 100, 110 or STAT 101, 220, 2.5 GPA in Psychology, written permission- see catalog.

399 Independent Study in Psychology C in 100, 110 or STAT 101, 220, 2.5 GPA in Psychology, written permission - see catalog.

Note 1. Students doing internships sign up for the course PSYC 297, Field Experiences in Psychology. Be aware that there is a $50 insurance fee that must be paid by every student who signs up for an internship.

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

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:

Agency Address Phone Contact

Career Development Center

SUCO 607-436-2534 Rebecca Tinker

Children’s Center SUCO 607-436-2484 Marie Petta

Wellness Center SUCO 607-436-2469 Dale Capristo

Oneonta Nursing Home 332 Chestnut St. 607-432-8500 Kristin Russell

Otsego Cty. Chem. Dependency

31 Main St. 607-431-1030 Denise Keck

Crisis Center, Adolescent Center, Adult Center

Fox Hospital 607-431-5415 Arleen Bessette

Violence Intervention Program (OFO)

3 West Broadway 607-433-8031 Jonathan Allen

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

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.

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.

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.

Some courses to take…• PHIL 205 - Philosophy and Psychology of Yoga

An 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.

• 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

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!!

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.

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

missionRequirements:• 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

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!!

For the grad school bound…

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!