Class of 2019 Psychology Majors

and Families

Welcome to the

Psychology DepartmentAugust 26, 2015

We are glad you are here!

Schedule for the afternoon

• This presentation– The Psychology Major at BSC– Advisement – Careers in Psychology – Individualized Experiences and Minors

• Small group sessions (3rd Floor Classroom Building A and C wings)– Session A: Strategies for Success– Session B: Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology,

Working with Children, Jobs with a Bachelor’s degree (pick one)

– Lab open house– Meet the students– Assignment to your advisor

Psychology at Buffalo State

• We teach psychology as a behavioral science

• We are undergraduate only• We stress individualized

experiences with students• We have 11 full time faculty that

cover all the major areas of psychology

Introducing the Psychology Faculty

The Psychology Major

• The principal undergraduate psychology degree at Buffalo State College is the B.A.

• Most (90% +) graduate with a B.A.• Everyone starts out on the B.A.

track.

Psychology B.A. Requirements

Five required courses, starting with PSY 101

Electives that are distributed across the field of psychology

Options for independent study, internship, honors thesis

Must maintain a 2.0 GPA in psychology and overall at Buffalo State

Total credit hours in the major=36

Psychology B.A. Typical RoadmapFIRST YEARFirst Semester– PSY 101 (Introduction

to Psychology). Must pass with a C or better

– Make sure you are taking care of CWP 101

– Meet with your advisor before you register for spring semester

FIRST YEARSecond Semester– Start PSY 300

Content Courses– Make sure you

complete• CWP 102• Math

requirement

Psychology B.A. Typical RoadmapSOPHOMOREFirst Semester– PSY 306 Stats

• First of 3-course sequence

• Must pass with a C or better

– PSY 300 Content Course

SOPHOMORESecond Semester– PSY 450 W

Research Methods• Second course in

3-course sequence

– PSY 300 Content Course

Psychology B.A. Typical RoadmapJUNIORFirst Semester– Two PSY 300

Content Courses

JUNIORSecond Semester– PSY 471 History and

Systems– Begin Advanced

and Elective Courses

Psychology B.A. Typical RoadmapSENIORFirst Semester

– Finish Remaining Advanced and Elective Courses, including • PSY 488 Internship

• PSY 499 Independent Study

• PSY 496 Honors Thesis

SENIORSecond Semester– PSY 472 W Seminar

in Psychology

A Few Words about the B.S. Degree A few specialized students go into the B.S. tracks:

Aging Biopsychology Clinical Psychology Environmental Psychology Infancy Industrial/Organizational Psychology

It is not automatic. Requires department approval. You must talk to your advisor by your junior year.

The B.A. and the B.S. are equally prestigious degrees

Psychology Honors

• Option for students who wish to go above and beyond – Senior year– 3.5 minimum GPA in psychology major– 3.25 minimum overall GPA

• Talk to your advisor no later than your junior year about it.

Resources

• Major Guide• Web page• Facebook page• The Random Sampler (our newsletter)

http://psychology.buffalostate.edu/

Is the psychology major the best fit for you? We like to think so, but…Everyone wins if you find the right major for you!

Other majors that might be more comfortable

Social Work (2.5 GPA minimum) Education/Exceptional Education (2.75 GPA) Criminal Justice (2.5 GPA) Business (2.5 GPA) Health and Wellness Sociology

What should I do if I am not sure psychology is for me?• You have time • Do your homework– Talk to your advisor– Take courses in psychology and other potential

majors– Talk to majors in other departments– Do internet searches– Check with the Career Development Center– Talk to the chairs of other departments