Class of 2020 Psychology Majors and Families Welcome

Class of 2020 Psychology Majors and Families Welcome to the Psychology Department August 24, 2016 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 (3 rd 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) – Get to know us! • Talk to faculty • 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 12 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=39

Psychology B. A. Typical Roadmap FIRST YEAR First 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 YEAR Second Semester – Start PSY 300 Content Courses – Make sure you complete • CWP 102 • Math requirement

Psychology B. A. Typical Roadmap SOPHOMORE First Semester – PSY 306 Stats • First of 3 -course sequence • Must pass with a C or better – PSY 300 Content Course SOPHOMORE Second Semester – PSY 450 W Research Methods • Second course in 3 course sequence – PSY 300 Content Course

Psychology B. A. Typical Roadmap JUNIOR First Semester – Two PSY 300 Content Courses JUNIOR Second Semester – PSY 471 History and Systems – Begin Advanced and Elective Courses

Psychology B. A. Typical Roadmap SENIOR First Semester – Finish Remaining Advanced and Elective Courses, including • PSY 488 Internship • PSY 499 Independent Study • PSY 496 Honors Thesis SENIOR Second 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 (Distributed today) Web page Facebook page The Random Sampler (our e-newsletter)

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