GENERAL
1) I already graduated from UNR but I would like to come back and take some more classes. Can I do that? Getting back into the university is EASY. Just go to Admissions & Records and apply as a "graduate special." Since you graduated from here, you do not have to pay an application fee, and the application is processed immediately (it´s essentially a formality to get you back into the "active" column in the computer). Then you can immediately sign up for classes.
2) Can some classes "double-count" for more than one requirement? How does that work?
Yes. For example, ENGL 304 can fulfill both the "Diversity" requirement for the University and the "Humanities" requirement for the College of Liberal Arts (as long as English is not your major or minor). However, although the one class will cover both requirements, you will only receive 3 credits for it, not 6.
The combinations that often occur in double-counting include: (1) "Diversity" and "Capstone" (just look in the capstone and diversity table at the front of the course schedule -- anything that´s in both columns will double-count), (2) "Capstone" and major requirements (in Psychology, PSY 491 would fulfill one of your capstone requirements AND a Psychology elective or "Integrative and Seminar Course," depending on your catalog), (3) "Diversity" and major requirements (in Psychology, PSY 433 would fulfill both your diversity requirement AND a Psychology elective), (4) "Capstone" and minor requirements (see your minor advisor to make sure a particular course will count), (5) "Fine Arts" and "Humanities" (the only one that works here is PHIL 202), and (6) "Capstone," "Diversity," & "Humanities" (a TRIPLE-COUNT!! If a class you take fulfills #1 above AND meets the requirements for being a humanities course, then you may count it for all three).
Why would you want to double-count a course? Essentially, what "double-counting" allows you to do is fulfill more requirements while taking less credits. So, if it looks like you are going to exceed the 128 total credits and the 40 upper division credits you need to graduate (e.g., you have taken lots of general electives or you transferred in and a lot of your credits transferred in as general electives), then you can save yourself some time and money. Students also double-count when they want to "free up" more credits so they can take more classes in their areas of interest.
3) I am planning on starting at UNR in the spring. Am I still supposed to attend orientation before the fall semester? Do they have orientation in spring?
There is an orientation in the spring, but it just isn´t quite as big as the fall orientation (since more students start in the fall than in the spring). So, if you want to be part of a BIG group, and take part in more activities, do it in the fall; if you want to be part of a smaller group, do it in the spring!
The orientation in the spring is usually about 2 hours long, and just covers the basics.
4) I am really having a hard time getting registered for a particular class--it´s ALWAYS full! What can I do?
The best thing you can do, of course, is look in the course schedule and call in to telephone registration just as soon as you are allowed.
When that doesn´t work, one option for you is to just keep calling in and attempting to get into the course. Since there is no "waiting list", if someone else drops the course, the next person who calls in to add it gets that open slot.
A second option is to contact the professor who teaches the course and ask if he or she will open up another slot for you. Classes have a cap on number of students because, obviously, the more students, the less personal attention they get and the more tests, papers, projects, etc. the professor is responsible for. So, depending on the demand for the class and the nature of the class, you may get in and you may not. However, professors are usually pretty good about letting extra students in if they really need the class to graduate. The professor just has to write a memo to Admissions & Records giving you permission to enroll in the course.
5) What´s the deal with capstones? Do I have to take one in Psychology? When do I take them?
Regarding the first part of your question: you do NOT have to take any capstones in Psychology (since Psychology only offers one regular capstone--PSY 491--it didn´t seem fair to require all Psychology majors to take it). You must take 2 capstones, and at least one of them must be a "general" capstone; this is indicated on the ´Capstone and Diversity Courses´ chart in each class schedule.
The university does not want students to sign up for capstones until: 1) they have completed the rest of the core requirements (English, Math, Western Traditions, Natural Sciences, Social Science, and Fine Arts), and 2) they are a senior. However, nobody checks your status when you sign up for courses designated as capstones, so there is nothing in the system to stop you from taking them "early". The only thing that might stop you is if the professor teaching the course notices that you are short of credits and asks you to drop.
Keep in mind, however, that it is strongly recommended that you wait to take your capstones at the proper time. Capstones are meant to build upon the core curriculum and to foster discussion of substantive issues; you would be best prepared for and would get the most out of your capstones if you wait until the appropriate time.
6) I graduated with my B.A. from UNR last year. Now I would like to return and finish another major. Is that possible?
Yes. The university allows students to complete a dual major, either all at once, or one after the other. You just need permission from the major and the dean.
7) I´m thinking of retaking a course I didn´t do well in. How does this work?
It depends. If it was a lower-division course (i.e., 100- or 200-level), AND if you retake it the next regular semester that it is offered that you are enrolled, AND if you fill out a form in Admissions & Records, then your new grade will REPLACE the old grade. Your transcript will show an "R" ("repeated") for the first time you took it, and will show your new grade for the second time you took it. You still only receive 3 credits, but only the new grade will be figured into your GPA.
If it was a lower-division course (i.e., 100- or 200-level), and you DON´T retake it the next time it is offered that you are enrolled OR if you DON´T fill out the form at Admissions & Records, then both the old AND the new grade will show up on your transcript. You still only receive 3 credits, but both grades will be figured into your GPA.
If it was an upper-division course (i.e., 300- or 400-level), it doesn´t matter how long later you take it. Both the old AND the new grade will show up on your transcript. You still only receive 3 credits, but both grades will be figured into your GPA.
In the latter two cases, the real reasons to retake it would not be to change your GPA, but to: 1) learn the material, and 2) show the people that later read your transcript (e.g., admissions committees for graduate school) that you can handle the material and that the first time you took it you just had a bad semester.
8) Does it matter what I minor in?
The purpose of the minor is to give the student some exposure to another field and to allow him or her to do something else (besides their major topic) that they enjoy. Also, many students find ways to combine their major and minor in order to explore a field they are interested in (see Question #16 for more on this).
The list of approved minors for Arts and Science majors is on page 78 of the 1998-1999 catalog (if you don´t have that catalog, it is usually on the second page of the "College of Liberal Arts" section).
9) What is the difference between a Dual Major and a Dual Degree?
With a Dual Major, you must complete the requirements for two majors (and their colleges). You DO NOT need a minor. You only need 128 credits. You end up with ONE diploma that says, "B.A. in Psychology and Sociology", for example. Restriction: both majors must offer a degree of the same name (e.g., both must be B.A.s or B.S.s).
With a Dual Degree, you must complete the requirements for two majors (and their colleges). You also must complete a separate minor. You need a total of 160 credits. You end up with TWO diplomas, one that says, "B.A. in Psychology" and one that says, "B.S. in Biology", for example.
10) Do I have to turn in any forms or anything in order to graduate "with distinction?"
You do not have to do anything special in order to graduate with distinction (except get good grades!). It will automatically appear on your transcript and your diploma (for more information, see page 36 in the 1998-1999 catalog).
11) I will still have a few credits left after this semester. Is there any way I can petition to walk in the graduation ceremony with my friends even though I won´t be completely finished?
Yes. You can walk in the graduation ceremony if you have 12 or less credits remaining to graduate. You just need to go down to Admissions & Records and fill out a form. This will allow you to get a cap and gown, etc. The only difference between you and students officially graduating will be that their names will be listed in the program.
Also, if you have more than 12 credits remaining, you may still be able to walk; talk to Admissions & Records.
12) Please explain the different credit requirements for graduation.
The three things to watch for are: 1) your specific class requirements, 2) your total number of credits (need 128 to graduate), and 3) your number of upper division (300-400 level) credits (need 40 to graduate). Number of credits is not usually a problem for a student who has been attending full-time, but when you double-count a lot of classes sometimes you run a little short.
13) Once I graduate from UNR, can I still take classes to raise up my GPA?
No. After you graduate there is no way to raise your GPA. However, a couple of options exist that may be open to you. First, you could delay graduating and complete additional credits (e.g., an additional major or minor). Those grades, of course, would go toward raising (or lowering!) your GPA.
A second option is to apply for "graduate special" standing after you graduate. With "graduate special" standing, you are allowed to take some graduate school classes within the graduate program that you would like to eventually apply for. (This discussion assumes that the reason you are worrying about your GPA is so you can be accepted into a graduate program). You could also choose to take more undergraduate courses (e.g., key courses allowing you to be considered for that graduate program). Your undergraduate GPA will not be affected, however; the basic idea is that you can show the admissions committee that you are able to handle the material and can contribute, so maybe they should consider accepting you into the program. If you are then accepted into the program, up to 9 of the graduate-level credits you took as a "graduate special" can count toward that M.A. or Ph.D. degree.
14) I am planning on applying to graduate schools soon, and I will need to get at least 2 or 3 recommendations from professors. When should I ask?
When you are going to need a recommendation from a professor, make sure to give him or her plenty of warning before you need it (i.e., several weeks). Also, be sure to give him or her a list of your psychology classes and grades, memberships, and anything else that´s relevant to your career in psychology (if you have prepared a vita, give a copy of it to the professor).
15) What can I do above and beyond the basic Psychology major that would look good on my transcript or resume when I apply to graduate school?
Regarding what classes to take: Even if you are using a catalog prior to 1997-1998, I would recommend following the new Graduate School Preparation Track of the Psychology major pretty closely. It is detailed in all catalogs beginning with 1997-1998, and also on checklists you can get in the Department of Psychology main office. That is a pretty good guideline of what you should take to be competitive for graduate school in Psychology and related fields.
Another thing you might want to consider is signing up for credits of field experience or as a research assistant in a professor´s lab. Even if you have a little experience in one lab or field experience site, trying out some other professors´ labs can help to expand your experience with different kinds of psychological research, and so can help you to decide what you are most interested in. It also will give you more options for recommendations from professors when and if you do apply to graduate school. Finally, you may even get a chance to participate in some presentations at conferences or even publications (and that REALLY looks good when you apply to graduate school). (Also see research and field experience opportunities).
If you are not already, you may also want to become a member of Psi Chi or the Psychology Club -- it looks good on your vita and can expose you to other aspects of Psychology, as well as other students interested in Psychology.
Also, there are lectures (colloquia) given periodically by visiting scholars, and that is a really good way to learn about what´s brand new in Psychology. When colloquia are scheduled, a flyer is posted on the Psychology bulletin board on MSS first floor.
Finally, you should contact the graduate program(s) to which you are planning to apply and ask THEM what they expect in a good candidate.
16) I currently am pursuing a dual major because I thought that it might look good and help me get into graduate school. What´s your opinion?
In general, the reason a double major looks better than a single major is that it shows that you can focus, plan your time, and get two things done at the same time. Another nice thing about a dual major is that you have something to "fall back on" if the other doesn´t work out as a career. Further, you may be able to find ways to combine your majors in order to focus on your specific interests.
There are several majors available that may combine with Psychology to better meet your needs and interests. For example, if you eventually want to work in organizational or industrial psychology, a major or minor in Business Administration might help. If you eventually want to do therapy with older adults, a major or minor in Gerontology would be good. If you eventually want to do experimental psychology, a major or minor in Biology might help. If you eventually want to do social or community psychology, a major or minor in Sociology might be good. If you eventually want to go into forensic or criminal psychology, a major or minor in Criminal Justice might help. If you want to work with addicted populations, a minor in Addiction Information and Services would be good. If you eventually want to do clinical psychology in more diverse settings, a major or minor in Spanish might be useful.
All of those second majors (or minors) would be in your area of interest and therefore not only justifiable, but also would look good to graduate school admissions committees.
17) I am interested in going to graduate school in Psychology, but my B.A. is not in Psychology. What classes should I take to make myself a good candidate?
As far as classes to take, I can tell you what we require for our graduate programs. The absolute minimum is: 18 credits in Psychology, including an introduction to psychology (PSY 101), a social sciences statistics course (PSY 210), and an experimental psychology course (PSY 301). For Clinical Psychology, you will want to have taken an abnormal psychology course (PSY 441) and a course on theories of personality (PSY 435), as well.
As far as what to take for the additional credits, you might use our current minor in psychology as a guide for what is important. It requires: 1) a 3-credit Introductory Course (101 or 103), 2) 6 credits of Foundations and Principles (233, 261, 403, 405, 421, 431, 472, 480, 481), 3) 3 credits of Applied Methods and Populations (321, 391, 406, 412, 441, 444, 446, 451), and 4) 6 - 12 credits of psychology electives. Just look in the catalog to find out what those course names are.
Of course, the more background you have in psychology, the more competitive a candidate you will be for Masters and/or Ph.D. programs. So, you should take as much psychology as possible to fill out your experience. Definitely get some research and/or field experience. One thing you should do is contact the programs that you intend to apply to and ask them what they want from their candidates.
Another option is to return as an undergraduate and complete a second degree in psychology.
A "vita" is like a resume for the academic world. It includes sections on your personal history, educational history, professional positions, memberships in professional organizations, professional activities, editorial activities, grants, presentations, publications, projects, professional interests, and professional references.
You will need to produce a vita if you plan to apply for most graduate schools and professional positions. For instructions on how to write a vita, you should read "Writing your vita," by Steven C. Hayes and Linda J. Hayes. This short paper was originally published in the May 1989 issue of the American Psychological Society Observer, and is also available at the main Psychology office.
19) I heard that we can transfer some classes to UNR from TMCC, WNCC, etc. How do I know what transfers and what doesn´t?
Many TMCC, WNCC, and other community college courses will transfer to UNR to fulfill university core, college, major, and minor requirements. Many others that do not fulfill specific requirements at UNR will transfer as general electives (which count toward the 128 total credits you need to graduate).
So what counts for what? The various colleges of the UCCSN system provide a form that shows exactly what classes to take at the community college in order to fulfill requirements at UNR. Another resource is the Transfer Center at UNR (775) 784-4700, Student Services Building. Finally, for further information about what will fulfill Psychology major requirements, contact an academic advisor either by making an appointment 775-784-6828 or by e-mail.
20) I have transferred schools twice now, and I´m thinking of transferring again. I´m worried that graduate schools are going to look at me as unstable and question if I would even stay in the program. What do you think?
You´re right to be a little concerned about too many transfers. However, what´s important is WHY you transferred. If you were getting bad grades and couldn´t take it, didn´t get along with the professors, etc., that´s BAD (obviously). However, reasons of scholarships, family issues, seeking a better program, etc., are okay, and probably not something to worry too much about.
It might also help to put these things in perspective. If you do well in the important things (GPA--esp. within Psychology courses, GRE, recommendations, research experience, focused goals), then the fact that you moved a couple of times will not be an important issue to graduate school admissions committees.
Also, when you apply to graduate school you will have to write a "letter of intent", which describes why you are applying to graduate school, why this particular school, your research and applied interests, and your career goals. Within this letter, you can and should explain things like why you chose to transfer a couple of times--especially if it had to do with getting into a better program, etc.
21) What is academic advisement, and how does it work in the Department of Psychology?
Basically, one of the prime functions of advisement is to help students make their way through the requirements of getting a BA in Psychology. This might include time-lining, recommendations on particular classes or scheduling, making sure what you take counts for requirements, signing forms, doing a checklist to see what you have left to take, etc. Essentially, most of this type of information is available in the catalog, but it´s amazing how tricky the rules can get sometimes! Another function of advisement is helping the student to plan for career and/or graduate school.
The Department of Psychology does not require that its majors seek advisement; some students go all the way through college without coming in for advisement, and many of those do so successfully. However, we strongly encourage all students to seek advisement if only to reassure themselves that they are doing everything right.
In order to give more time to our advisement system, the Department of Psychology has assigned a 20 hour/week graduate student to do most of the initial advising with most students (i.e., getting through the curriculum, getting forms signed, choosing classes, time-lining, some preparation for graduate school).
Faculty advisors are also available by referral from the graduate student advisor. Faculty advisors handle whatever the graduate student advisor cannot (e.g., the details of specific graduate schools, career advising).
22) How can I get an appointment with an advisor in Psychology?
Either come by Mack Social Science Building 438 or call 775-784-6828 to set up an appointment. Another option is to email the advisor.
A colloquium (plural = "colloquia") is usually a presentation of research with a question and answer period at the end. They are excellent opportunities to hear what´s going on currently in different areas of psychological research, as well as to interact (if you want) with other students and professionals who are interested in psychology. It´s a lot like going to a lecture. You sit and listen to someone give a presentation about some current research he or she is doing. You´ll hear how the project was set up, what the results were, and the speaker´s interpretation of those results. Then the people in the audience can ask questions, offer criticisms, etc. and the presenter will respond.
Colloquia usually last about 1.5 to 2 hours (although you can always slip out early if you have to). They are attended usually by professors and graduate students who are interested in the topic. So, some colloquia might be more interesting to you than others. One nice thing about going to these presentations as an undergraduate is that you can get exposed to the types of research that are out there within Psychology, and you can use that to begin to form your own opinion about what´s good and bad research, and about what you´re interested in. It´ll basically give you a head start in developing your own thoughts about Psychology.
Finally, these colloquia come up pretty often; sometimes we´ll go for several weeks having one every Friday. The people that speak are "brought in" as guests to UNR usually by one of the graduate programs (Clinical Psychology, Experimental Psychology, or Behavior Analysis), and so their presentation will usually come from the same general perspective that program. Different people are interested in different things (especially within Psychology, which is extremely divided as a discipline), so if you go to a few colloquia you are likely to experience widely varying kinds of ideas.
If your email address is included on the Psychology advisor´s list, you will receive notice whenever a colloquium is being held. If you would like to be included on this list, just email the advisor.
24) How do the "direct learning" courses work? (also see Curriculum Planning).
The "direct learning" element is a requirement for both tracks of the psychology major beginning with the 1997-1998 catalog. There are basically two types of courses that will fulfill this requirement: field experience and research experience. As the name suggests, these are not lecture-based courses. Rather, you actually get hands on training and experience in delivering services, conducting research, or both. The department considers these experiences to be crucial in developing students of psychology; further, they are very important, and likely necessary, for getting into graduate school in psychology.
The courses that fulfill the "direct learning" requirement are: PSY 275 & 375: Undergraduate Research, PSY 439: Field Experience in the Teaching of Psychology, PSY 440: Field Experience in Behavior Analysis, PSY 447: Field Experience in Geropsychology, and PSY 448: Geropsychology Independent Study.
Field experience (PSY 439, 440, & 447) is basically work for credit. It gives you applied experience working in the field of psychology with specific populations. For example, in PSY 447 you work with older adults; in PSY 440 you work with profoundly developmentally disabled adults, moderately developmentally disabled adults and children, autistic children, mentally ill adults, or in an organizational setting; and in PSY 439 you work as a proctor to aid students enrolled in PSY 101.
Research experience (PSY 275, 375, & 448) is helping graduate students and professors do psychological research for credit. You will learn how to plan, design, and implement experiments, analyze data, etc. as it is actually happening. You could engage in a wide variety of activities depending on whose lab you become a part of.
Both are very useful activities, and it is recommended that you take part in both while an undergraduate, if you have time. How that time is spent also depends on what your later goals are: some graduate programs would like you to take more applied experience before enter their programs (often terminal Masters programs), while others would like you to have done a lot of undergraduate research (typically Ph.D. programs). Also, it can never hurt to get information from the programs to which you intend to apply for graduate school and see what they would like you to have done as an undergraduate.
As mentioned above, these are not lecture classes; you actually work with the population for a particular number of hours per week. Also, since these are variable credit courses, you can choose sign up for 1, 2, or 3 credits. The formula is as follows: for fall and spring semesters, for each credit you sign up for, you are committing to 3 hours per week of work or research. So, if you sign up for 3 credits, you would have to work 9 hours per week for the semester. During the summer, since the semesters are shorter, you work more hours per week. However, the total number of hours you will work over the course will be the same as during the regular semester.
So, how do you get signed up? If you look in the course schedule, you will notice that these courses are listed, but there is no call number to sign up with. In all cases with "direct learning" courses, you will have to speak with the professor before signing up.
To sign up for research experience: Unless you already have a relationship with the professor you want to work with, the best resource is the bulletin board on the north end of the 4th floor of the Mack Social Science Building. It says "Psychology--Research and Field Experience Opportunities", and has a bunch of flyers on it. Each flyer is from a professor who needs research assistants in his or her lab. So find one that sounds interesting to you and make a call. If you end up working for that professor, you will be sent to the Department of Psychology office with permission to get the call number. Another good way to find a research assistant position is to look at the Faculty portion of this website. It lists the professors and their research interests, and allows you to e-mail the professors directly.
To sign up for field experience: Look up the course number in which you are interested in the course schedule (note that there are several sections of PSY 440). The footnotes in the course schedule tell you what the specific topic and/or population of that section of field experience will be, as well as the name of the professor who runs that project. Then, you will have to contact those professors in order to find out what kinds of things you will be doing, and whether or not they have slots open for more students. These professors will also give you the call numbers.
Finally, don´t be confused by the footnotes in the course schedule for 440: when it says "course meets first few weeks only", that only means that the time published in the course schedule is only for the first meeting or two. After that, you will set up an individualized training and work schedule for the rest of the semester.
25) Are Psychology majors required to do an internship or a thesis?
No, psychology majors are not required to do an internship or thesis; however, if the catalog you are using requires "direct learning" credits, you will be required to complete research or field experience credits
26) What are "Psi Chi" and the "Psychology Club"?
"Psi Chi" is the national honor society in psychology. It meets on an approximately monthly basis to discuss various issues in the area of psychology. The "Psychology Club" meets simultaneously, and is designed for students who do not yet qualify for Psi Chi membership.
The minimum requirements for Psi Chi membership are as follows:
Look for current Psi Chi information on the Psychology bulletin board on the south end of the Mack Social Science Building, fourth floor or check out Psi Chi´s web site here.
27) I´ve heard that PSY101 is not taught like a normal class. Can you tell me about it?
Psychology 101 at the University of Nevada is different from any other course you have ever taken (or probably ever will). It does not provide weekly lectures, from which you are expected to take notes and study. Research has shown that the lecture approach is not a very good method for teaching large groups of students. Instead, you will study the textbook and online interactive materials on your own, take many computerized quizzes in our Learning Lab, and participate in small group discussions. To help promote mastery of the material, you will be allowed multiple opportunities to take each quiz. You will also be able to participate in online discussion groups with other students and professional psychologists, both from our department and the community. The course is self-paced to allow you to progress as fast as you´d like (quiz deadlines are in place, however, to prevent you from going too slow!).
The bulk of the course consists of you reading and studying the assigned material. When you are confident that you understand the material, make an appointment to take a quiz in the Learning Lab. Proctors will be available in the Learning Lab at all times to assist you with any questions about the quizzes or course material. A small group discussion, consisting of about 5 students and a graduate student serving as discussion leader, will also be required for each chapter.
The Psychology 101 teaching staff includes two course directors (department faculty members), a course designer (a graduate student responsible for developing and maintaining the online portions of the course), graduate teaching assistants, and proctors. A proctor is an undergraduate student who has been selected for his or her mastery of the course content, for maturity of judgement, for understanding what it´s like to be a beginner, and for sound interpersonal skills. It is the proctor who will assist you in mastering the course content. Graduate teaching assistants monitor and update all student course records, supervise the proctors, and serves as the small-group discussion leaders. The course director plans, manages, modifies, and evaluates the course, and basically does whatever it takes to ensure that learning is always taking place.