What To Do At as a SUCO Psychology Undergrad

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

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• 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.

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Area RequirementYou MUST take 1 of the
following courses!!!
Course Prerequisite
230 Primate Behavior 231 Cognitive 232 Sensation Perception 233 Memory 234 Learning C in 100
324 Physiological 326 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)
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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
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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
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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.)
  

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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.

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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. 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. 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.
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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

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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
Childrens 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
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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

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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.

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• 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.

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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.

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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.

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• 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

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• 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!!

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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 _at_ 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.

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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. _at_ www.psichi.org

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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!!

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• For the grad school bound

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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!