Information Session for Psychology

I. The Psychology CurriculumA. Brief Outline of RequirementsB. Planning Ahead

1. Choosing 2000s to Get 4000s2. When You Can Start Taking 4000s

II. Advising—Where to Go for HelpIII. Considering the Next Step—What You Could/Should Be

Doing Outside of ClassIV. Breakout for Individual Advising

Psychology major is fairly straightforward…(see http://www.psyc.vt.edu/undergrad for more info.)

Requirements:PSC 2004PSC 209412 hours of Psyc electives 10 hours of advanced Psyc courses• senior seminar• advanced 4000 level course, with accompanying one-credit lab• one other advanced 4000 level course

CLE 3 hours STAT (2004, 3604, or 3615)6 additional hours in a science (BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS)6 additional hours in any combination of CS, PHIL, or STAT

Many 2000-level courses ‘match up’ with 4000-levels; they are prerequisites…

Developmental Adv. Developmental, and Lab

Learning Adv. Learning, and LabCognitive, and Lab

Nervous Systems and Beh. Physiological Psych, and Lab

Social Adv. Social, and Lab etc.

Some courses (e.g. Animal Behavior, Health Psych., Environmental Psych.) are prerequisites for nothing; they are purely electives.

Thinking ahead to your 4000-levels courses

• Look at courses NOW to know what prereqs. you’ll need• Each 4000-level course is offered only about once/year• 4000-level courses restricted to Juniors (2nd sem.) and Seniors• 4000-level courses in high demand

• * requests to ‘force add’ courses, at any level, are almost never granted

• Summer school, if possible, makes scheduling much easier

Thinking ahead to your 4000-levels courses: Senior Seminars

• 4364 (4354 in summer)• Special topics, 5-6 options each semester• Smaller, often discussion-based• TO SIGN UP… Seniors AUTOMATICALLY receive an email

from Cindy Koziol (approx. 1-2 weeks before course request), asking for a ranking of choices. YOU NEED TO REPLY TO THIS EMAIL TO GET A SENIOR SEMINAR!

Advising: Multiple Tiers

1) Faculty Advisor listed on your student handbook (primary majors)—should be able to answer any of your questions

2) Cindy Koziol, 109 Williams—great for course advising; also look for emails from Cindy about internships and opportunities

3) Kurt Hoffman, 123 Williams—good for course advising, and career advising.

Job Outlook: Options Depend on Degree LevelLook at http://www.apa.org/careers and http://www.apa.org/workforce

and http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos056.htm (from http://www.apa.org/careers/resources/guides/careers.pdf)“In 1999, fewer than 5% of 1997 and 1998 psychology BA recipients were employed in psychology or a field related to psychology. …Two thirds were in forprofit business settings, usually the sales/service sector.”

“The 2001 Doctorate Employment Survey from APA’s Research Office found that …75% [of 1,754 respondents] were employed within 3 months of receiving the doctorate.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects growth in specific areas:• health care (outpatient mental health and substance abuse clinics)• schools• social service agencies• management consulting services

“Psychologists with extensive training in quantitative research methods and computer science may have a competitive edge over applicants without this background.”

Job Outlook: Start Preparing Now

Pay Attention to Resources and Events on Campus, and ways to get involved in research, volunteer work

http://www.career.vt.edu , and http://www.career.vt.edu/WebSites/Index.html http://www.psichi.org.vt.edu/ (Psyc Club)Look for emails from Cindy Koziol, and read www.psyc.vt.eduhttp://www.research.vt.edu/vted/

Job Outlook: Start Preparing Now

Some inexpensive spring break reading?

Good disc. of careers,some are unusual Short and sweet

From APA --a plan/guide