Advisement is a process that starts well before the chaos and utter madness of registration. “Registration” is the time when you officially select and sign up for courses, but you should be seeking “advisement” well before that time. The term advisement means to seek consultation and advice—and that is exactly how the Psychology department approaches academic advisement. Despite the fact that we have an “official advisement period”, you should feel free to contact your advisor at any time during the year to sit down and discuss your goals, plans, needs, and questions.
Advisement should be seen as a partnership between you and your academic adviser. It is a time to work with a faculty member in shaping your current education to achieve your future plans and career aspirations.
We are here to provide guidance and give advice on how to achieve a desired career direction—not just which courses you should take, but how to tap other resources to improve your chances of success. As professionals in the field, we have a wealth of experience, knowledge, and local, regional, national, and international contacts that are yours for the asking.
Our advice to all students is to read the undergraduate catalog and psychology major guide and find out what the department has to offer including courses, extra curricular activities, and individualized opportunities. Be proactive and investigate what your options are with a psychology degree. Then work with your advisor to find out how to achieve those goals.
New majors are assigned a psychology advisor when they declare the major. If you don’t know who your advisor is, consult the list outside the psychology main office.
Peer Mentoring
Prior to registration, the Psychology Department hosts a Peer Mentoring Office, in Classroom Building C315.
The purpose of this office, which is staffed by your Psychology Club and Psi Chi peers, is to provide psychology students with an initial point of contact to ask questions and pick up valuable resources about the advisement process, Degree Navigator, Banner, research opportunities, internships, departmental requirements, tutoring, and graduate school.
The office will be open daily in the weeks prior to registration. Come by and check out our hours of operation.
Mandatory Meeting for New Majors
Every fall, the Psychology Department holds a meeting for all new majors. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the requirements of the major and all of the opportunities that are available to our students. New majors should watch for announcements about this important meeting.