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This manual is aimed at the student working toward a minor or major in psychology. If nothing else, we recommend that you read the section on Advisement. It is important for all students to learn how to navigate through a course of study toward a degree. This manual will be useful for all students majoring in psychology. It is especially important, however, for those planning to pursue a future in psychology. Since most (but not all) professional opportunities in psychology per se require a degree beyond the bachelor´s level, if you plan to stay in psychology you will probably go on to graduate study for a master´s degree or Ph.D. Some sections of this manual refer to preparation or requirements for degrees beyond the bachelor´s (graduate study). If you are one of those who wants to pursue the field of psychology, these sections are for you. Some graduate programs in psychology are especially competitive; having a reasonable chance of success may depend upon adequate preparation as an undergraduate. Even a vague goal will help. The more specific your goal, the easier it will be to utilize advisement and move efficiently toward your chosen degree.
Psychology: [Gr. psyche, originally a term for the energy that was thought to cause breathing, and then of life energy itself. Later came to mean "the soul" and then "the mind." With a background like that, it is broad enough to cover every orientation in the field!] Contemporary psychology is somewhat divided into different approaches or theories for understanding behavior. The organisms considered may range from chimps to pigeons, from humans to amoebas, and lest we forget, the beloved lab rat. Some psychologists believe it is most important to understand physiological processes (biological approach); others rarely, if ever, consider physiology. Some psychologists insist that we must probe the deepest thoughts of the unconscious mind (psychoanalysis); others seek to understand mental structures and processes that underlie human performance (cognitivists); others study the situated actions of organisms and deny that "mind" can be separated from this level of analysis (behaviorism). Psychology is far from being a unified field of research and practice. This will be one of the questions you will have to answer for yourself: which field, or perspective, of psychology is the most interesting to you.
Where Can I Go With Psychology?
A minor or major in psychology is an excellent adjunct to many fields such as law, business, or teaching. A basic knowledge of psychology can illuminate some basic principles of behavior -- a tremendous asset if one wants to communicate effectively, persuade, supervise, or teach. Psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate majors. Many majors use it as a base for a liberal arts education, or as a foundation for work in other fields such as medicine, law, business, human services, management, sales, and the like.
Within psychology itself, people have a plethora of options to consider. Most people stereotype psychologists as one-on-one therapists with a couch in their office and a German accent. Although many people enter psychology with the intention of becoming therapists, there are other ways to continue in the field. Some programs focus on physiological psychology. For example, one could look at chemical interactions in the brain, or may pursue research in how bodily functions affect psychological factors. Another interest in psychology is artificial intelligence; optic scanning and interpretation technology, computer science, and other high-tech scientists are interested in this area. Organizational management psychologists focus on training and supervision policies within organizations. There are psychologists who are interested in behavior in the courtroom as well as other areas concerning law. Almost any field that exists outside of psychology includes an aspect relevant to psychologists. Some psychologists study art, literature, statistics, business, history -- name the area, and there are psychologists studying it.
If you want to go for a psychology degree higher than a bachelor´s, it will help immensely if you start working specifically toward that goal at least by your junior year. This means you need to have some fairly clear ideas before you register for your junior year. If you have already missed that timeline, better late than never.
The following descriptions of the graduate programs within the Department of Psychology at UNR may help you see some of the different directions you can go with a bachelor´s degree in psychology. In addition to those listed, you may be interested in pursuing a degree in related areas oriented toward applied practice. Two of these options, not described here, are a Master´s degree in Counseling and Educational Psychology (CEP), which is offered by the College of Education, and a Master´s degree in Social Work (MSW), offered through the College of Human and Community Sciences. The following descriptions were condensed from the Graduate Studies in Psychology brochure.
Clinical Psychology
The clinical psychology program follows a scientist-practitioner model, which blends research training with the acquisition of clinical skills. It is accredited by the American Psychological Association.
The program contains several components: training in basic psychology, didactic training in clinical psychology, practicum training, and research training. An effort is made to expose students to a wide variety of clinical populations and settings: adults, children, families, groups, and communities; inpatient and outpatient; advantaged and disadvantaged. Didactic clinical training includes both problems and intervention with adults and children, community psychology, racial and cultural differences, assessment and related courses. The theoretical perspectives of the faculty include behavioral, systems, and humanistic approaches. The predominant orientation is behavior analytic/contextualistic. The program is characterized by its commitment to clinical training on the one hand, and an interest in research and scholarship that grapples with serious clinical, theoretical, and philosophical issues on the other. Students truly committed to both aspects of clinical training do best in the program.
General Experimental Psychology
The experimental psychology program is best known for research in two-way communication with cross-fostered chimpanzees, and for the journal, Behaviorism: A Forum for Critical Discussion. Other projects in the department include research in perception, especially during high-speed movement, psycholinguistics, learning and memory, and human cognition.
The program is research oriented, with required courses kept to a minimum. During the first two years students complete a core program covering statistics, perception, conditioning, cognition, comparative psychology, physiological psychology and developmental psychology. Students must take qualifying examinations in these areas, and comprehensive examinations in their declared specialties. Credit in a laboratory course in experimental psychology is required for admission (i.e., Psy 301).
Behavior Analysis
Behavior Analysis is a sub-field within psychology emphasizing the study of acts in their historical and situational contexts. It has technological, methodological, theoretical, and philosophical aspects. It includes basic work in animal and human learning, as well as applied extensions of this work.
Graduates teach and do research on basic and applied behavioral processes. Graduates also work in industry as system-level consultants, addressing the behavioral side of business (for example, establishing worker motivation programs). They are administrators or consultants for government programs in health or human services. They work in institutional settings such as prisons or mental retardation facilities in the role of a consultant, program developer, program manager, or program evaluator. A number of Nevada state agencies hire doctoral and master´s level behavior analysts.
Students in the Behavior Analysis doctoral area take a basic core, conduct research, and take several courses in behavioral psychology. They also take applied courses in behavioral and systems assessment, behavioral management and consultation, and organizational behavior management.
Faculty
If you want to get more out of your undergraduate study you should get to know at least one or two faculty. Finding a faculty member you can talk with is a tremendous asset; if you want to go to graduate school, it is essential. If you have a question about a lecture or about something in this manual, there´s your opportunity -- go knock on a door. Since faculty have numerous demands on their time and need to block out periods for various tasks, it is helpful if you plan appointments and meetings in advance and try to restrict questions, problems, etc., to regularly-scheduled hours. Of course, emergencies constitute exceptions.
One of the greatest resources in UNR´s Department of Psychology is the faculty. Faculty members hold the highest degrees attainable in their fields. Their studies and research represent a wide range of interests. Many of the faculty are nationally or internationally known for their contributions to the field of psychology. The following list of department members also includes a sample of representative publications so you may get a better idea of their individual specialties.
Have you heard about students getting into what they thought was their last year in school, only to find out they are two or three credits short of graduating? Wise use of advisement can help you avoid this rude surprise.
What the advisor can do for you
Some required paperwork must be signed by your advisor. This includes such forms as your Field of Concentration form, Minor Program form, and the Application for Graduation (these need to be signed by the department chair, as well). Your departmental advisors are primarily for advisement regarding major or minor requirements within the Department, although they are familiar with requirements for the University and College. Consult your general catalog for the University core and the requirements of your college.
The advisor can help you choose classes and create a schedule that efficiently moves you toward graduation and prepares you for pursuits beyond the bachelor´s degree. If you feel like you are not getting much input from your advisor, maybe you are not doing a good job of planning on your own, or you might want to try a different advisor. It is a good idea to have your plan reviewed and approved by your departmental advisor, and it doesn´t hurt to get a second opinion from time to time. It is likely that there is more than one advisor in the Department and each person has different experience and therefore a slightly different perspective from which to give advice.
What You Need To Do
You must take charge of your college career. Gone are the high school days when you were directed through a generic curriculum. This is part of the transition into higher education. One of your tasks is effective planning. If you don´t know where you´re going, all the directions in the world won´t help. If an advisor is to be assistance, you must have some idea of what you want to do in the future. Otherwise, you need a career counselor. An advisor may be able to give you some career advise and guidance--often this advise is best given by professors you are working with, either in upper-level courses or as a research assistant. Ultimately, you have to choose your direction. At the same time, you don´t have to have it all figured out and written in stone. By the beginning of your junior year, it is good to have at least a rough idea of what you want to do after your bachelor´s degree. There are some forms that will help you draft a plan. The Psychology Major Checklists can be found in the current general catalog, and are available in the Psychology Department office. It is also a good idea to make sure you have a current copy of your Academic Progress Sheet from the Dean´s office of the College of Arts and Science.
Getting Advisement
An appointment for advisement can be made in the Psychology Department office, MSS 438, or by calling 784-6828, ext. 02. There are two times during a semester that are particularly busy for advisors, and so waits of a week or more may be required to get an advisement appointment. One of these periods is the time just before and during registration, and the other is the time prior to or at the beginning of a semester. You can pick the worst times if you want to, but it is just better to plan ahead. The Department now offers an Advising Forum once a semester -- an evening in which you can get general advisement and everything signed all at once. Look for flyers with the date and location.
Before You See Your Advisor
Freshmen and sophomores with no transfer credits from another school may not need to bring transcripts or other information. Advanced students or those transferring credits may need to bring transcripts, an academic progress sheet, or an evaluation of core requirements. For questions regarding transfer credits outside of the Psychology Department, contact the Office For Prospective Students/Transfer Center. Gradually, more of this information will be available to the advisor via computer. When you make an appointment, ask about what to bring.
Get acquainted with relevant sections of the general catalog before your advisement meeting. It will help you ask questions and retain information your advisor gives you. Requirements for graduation are based on only one catalog (for example, you can use the requirements in the catalog that was current when you declared your Psychology major, or you may use the catalog that will be current the year you graduate). Flip through the catalog and notice it has general information in the front, then it is organized by the different colleges or schools (e.g., College of Arts and Science or School of Medicine), and then the various specialties (e.g., psychology) within each college or school. These sections give the requirements for the various majors and minors. Hint: Glance at the requirements for applying to graduate school. Classes that are required for admission to some graduate programs may not be required for your bachelor´s degree (i.e., abnormal psychology and theories of personality are required for admission into the clinical program, but are not required for the bachelor´s degree). In the back of the catalog you will find course information, including descriptions and prerequisites. Hint: Find out from an advisor how frequently (if ever) various classes are offered, and record this in your catalog. Some classes are offered only in the spring or only once every three or four semesters, while other classes are offered every semester. This information can be vital for making a workable plan.
Finally, if you are unhappy with advisement or disagree with your advisor, you may want to try an appointment with someone else. The Department Chair is also available by appointment to help students with problems regarding the advising system in the Department.
No, this is not your own personal psychic advisor -- it´s better! Now you can supplement in-person meetings with your psychology advisor by using the internet. This e-mailbox is monitored on a daily basis, and any questions you have will be answered personally by a Department advisor, usually within a day
Maybe you want to know who is teaching a particular class in the fall, or whether a psychology class you have in mind will fulfill a requirement for graduation. Maybe you´ve received a progress report that you don´t understand, or want to get some research experience and don´t know where to start. Further, maybe your schedule is such that you will have trouble setting up an appointment with an advisor just so you can ask one short question. In all of these instances, and many more, psyvice@unr.nevada.edu may be very helpful for you.
So feel free to give it a try. If your advisor feels that your question would be better handled in person, then he or she will suggest that in his or her reply.
Drafting a Plan
Although the core requirements give you plenty to start working on, your long-term goals will influence how you go about completing your major, and which minor you choose. This is where talking to faculty you have worked with, one of the departmental advisors, graduate students, or other people can pay off. Their advice will help you attain your goals, once you have determined what they are. Following are some basic steps to help you draft a plan. Keep in mind, plans are just that--plans. Things can and will change.
First, think about how many credits you plan on taking per semester. If you take an average of 16 credits per semester (not counting summers) and plan well, you should be able to complete the 128 credits required to graduate with a Bachelor´s degree in four years. Keep in mind that many summer classes are available, so if you cannot manage 16 credits per regular semester, you can add classes in the summer. However, you must take at least 12 credits per regular semester to remain a full-time student. Also, you can take up to 21 credits per regular semester without special permission.
Second, find out if any of your required classes have prerequisites, and plan to take them first. For example, within the Psychology major you should take PSY 101 (Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science) or PSY 103 (Introduction to Psychology as a Natural Science) before taking any other psychology classes. PSY 103 is particularly appropriate for majors intending to pursue graduate school. You must also take PSY 210 (Statistical Methods) before you take PSY 301 (Experimental Psychology), and before you take PSY 210 you should fulfill your University Core Math requirement.
Within the University Core requirements and the College of Arts and Science requirements, several classes must be taken in a particular order or at particular times. For example, you must take ENGL 101 (Composition I) before taking ENGL 102 (Composition II). In addition, you must take CH 201 (Foundations of Western Culture) before taking CH 202 (The Modern World) or CH 203 (The American Experience and Constitutional Change). Depending on how much foreign language you had in high school or transferred in with, you may have as much as four semesters worth of a foreign language to take, so it is a good idea to start early. Finally, you are required to take two integrative Capstone courses, which are designed to be taken in your senior year.
Third, as mentioned in the previous section, find out if any classes are only offered at certain times. For example, PSY 301 (Experimental Psychology) is usually offered in only one semester each year.
Fourth, don´t be afraid to explore. One of the best things about the first couple of years of school is that almost any class you take will count for something toward graduating. So, if you don´t know what you would like to minor in, try out classes from a few departments and see what you enjoy. Any classes you take that don´t end up counting toward your minor will count toward your general electives. Keep in mind, even if you have to take the maximum number of credits to fulfill your University Core requirements (33-41 credits), College of Arts and Science requirements (6-20 credits), Psychology major requirements (33-40 credits), and minor requirements (18-21 credits), you still have several credits left over to add up to 128 (41 + 20 + 40 + 21 = 122).
The Two Psychology Tracks
The Department of Psychology offers two different tracks from which you can choose: the Liberal Arts track and the Graduate School Preparation track.
The Liberal Arts track offers the traditional psychology major, designed for the student who does not plan to apply to graduate school in psychology or closely related fields. It requires 33 credits of psychology courses.
The Graduate School Preparation track requires 40 credits, and is designed to ensure that students who plan to go to graduate school in psychology are particularly ready to do so. Students must take a wider variety of courses that are typically either required or greatly desired by graduate school admission committees. This track also requires that a good GPA (3.0 in psychology classes and 2.75 overall) be maintained since it is unrealistic to expect to get into graduate school with average grades.
A student does not have to officially decide which track he or she is on until just before or during the junior year (when the "Field of Concentration" form is due). Many classes will fulfill requirements for both tracks. However, the sooner you decide, the better, because then you can more accurately plan your time at UNR. Also, if you begin in the Graduate School Preparation Track but your grades move you out, all of the courses should still fit in either the Liberal Arts track or as general electives.
The "Psychology Major Bachelor of Arts Checklist" for each track is available in the Department of Psychology office in MSS 438, or you may download it here. These checklists provide a list of every single requirement you need to graduate with a bachelor´s degree in Psychology--it includes the University Core Curriculum requirements, the College of Liberal Arts requirements, the requirements of the Psychology major, and includes space for the requirements of your chosen minor and general electives. Below are listed the requirements for each of the tracks of the Psychology major, as well as the courses which fulfill each requirement:
Psychology Major Course Requirements
In addition to meeting the University Core Curriculum and College of Liberal Arts requirements, to earn a Bachelor´s degree in psychology you must complete the following major requirements:
| Courses Required |  |
Liberal Arts Track | |
Grad School Prep Track |
| Introductory Psychology | |
101 or 103 | |
101 or 103 (103 encouraged) |
| Methods | |
210 | |
210 and 301 |
| Foundations & Principles | |
9 credits | |
12 credits |
| Applied Methods & Populations | |
3 credits | |
3 credits |
| Direct Learning | |
3 credits | |
3 credits |
| Integrative & Seminar Courses | |
None required | |
3 credits |
| Psychology Electives | |
12 credits | |
9 credits |
| TOTAL | |
33 credits | |
40 credits |
Introductory
Methods
Foundations and Principles
Applied Methods and Populations
Direct Learning
Integrative and Seminar Courses
Troubleshooting -- Problems and Pitfalls
Conflicts: How to Resolve Them
Inevitably, some conflicts will arise between students and faculty members. This might include such things as grade disagreements, offensive comments, a poor course structure, and so on. Try not to come from a position of resentment, and do take the initiative to discuss the issue as soon as possible with the person involved. One of the difficulties in resolving conflicts is the power differential between faculty and students. Students, fearful of reprisals, are reluctant to be direct in their communication with faculty. Our history as a department shows little evidence of such negative practice by faculty. The department wants to see conflicts resolved in as healthy a manner as possible. The steps are as follows:
1. Conflict is recognized by either the student or a faculty member.
2. Attempt to resolve the conflict with as much direct communication as possible between the parties. All parties should mutually recognize that a conflict exists and should try to solve it amicably.
3. If the conflict cannot be resolved, the two principals involved should consult with the Department Chair. The Chair may meet with everyone directly, or may ask each party to select one student and one faculty member (who are not involved) to serve as negotiators in the conflict.
Sexual Inappropriateness/Sexual Harassment/Discrimination
Sexual harassment, as defined in the general catalog, is the introduction of sexual activities or comments into the work or learning situation. Often sexual harassment involves relationships of unequal power and contains elements of coercion, as when compliance with requests for sexual favors becomes a criterion for granting work, study or grading benefits. However, sexual harassment may involve relationships among equals, as when repeated advances or demeaning verbal behavior have a harmful effect on a person´s ability to study or work. It is easy in this day and age to offend others without meaning to do so. It is especially important to try to work together, if possible, to resolve such complaints through direct discussion between the parties. At times, however, this may seem too uncomfortable. The student may wish to approach the Department Chair. Concerns regarding discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, handicaps, or veteran status can be handled in the same fashion. If all of this is not working, there is an Affirmative Action Office on campus.
A student-run organization, Psi Chi offers presentations such as preparing for graduate school applications, what degree for which careers in psychology, field trips related to psychology, and a variety of guest speakers. The main purpose of Psi Chi is to encourage, stimulate and maintain excellence in scholarship by individuals in all psychology-related fields, and to advance the science of psychology. Psi Chi gives you a direct link to people and resources regarding psychology. Since Psi Chi is student run, it needs active members to serve as officers. This can be a great route toward building additional references for your vita. Membership is open to qualified graduate and undergraduate students who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests. Psi Chi is an affiliate of the American Psychological Association. Information is available in the hallway outside of the Psychology Department office, MSS 438.
Research, Participation as a Subject
Participation as a subject for psychology class extra credit is a good way to learn about methods of research. Participating as a subject helps researchers, and some psychology classes give extra credit for participating as a subject in experiments. If you participating in research for class credit, check with your instructor for details. You should be informed that you may discontinue an experiment at any time. You should also be informed about any potential risks due to the experiment and, if you have any concerns during or after any experiment, you can ask to discuss it with someone in the Psychology Department.
Research, Undergraduate Assistant Opportunities
Undergraduates may obtain experience in a research lab by volunteering or by registering for undergraduate research (PSY 275 or PSY 375, maximum of 6 credits each), or special topics (PSY 499, maximum of 9 credits). Various faculty have active research labs. Since the level of activity in each lab fluctuates, your first step is to contact a lab or faculty member and ask if there is a need for help in their lab. Ask about other labs. If you can, sit in on a few lab meetings in different labs to see which one you are most interested in. If you decide to stick with a lab, whether you register for credits or just volunteer, the professor of the lab will probably ask you for a minimum commitment of time. This may be the foundation for your letters of recommendation; be careful about the commitments you agree to. Also, keep in mind that 3 credits of PSY 275 or PSY 375 will fulfill your "Direct Learning" requirement within both tracks of the psychology major, as will community service and applied experience (see below).
Conferences and Publications
Newsletters, journals, and conferences are vehicles used by professionals to exchange information and ideas. Check with professors whose work you are interested in to learn about conferences and organizations they find valuable. There are a plethora of journals and organizations, so it helps to have the guidance of someone familiar with a particular perspective or special interest. You may be able to volunteer help for one of the UNR-based publications or organizations. If you become actively involved in a research lab you might get the chance to present at a conference.
A great way to send mail via computer, without a postal charge, to any where in the world that has an Internet connection. Learn about this from Computing Services in the Business Building. Accounts are free to students. This can be one of the best ways to communicate with busy people who are hard to catch by phone or in their office.
PsycLit and PsycINFO
These are what you use to search for information for research or writing papers. PsycLit is a CD-ROM literature index that provides abstracts and source information about journals in the field of psychology. PsycINFO is an on-line search engine offering similar information. Both are available in Getchell Library, and the Savitt Medical Library on the north end of campus; PsycINFO is also available on-line to anyone with an e-mail account.
Computer Labs
Several labs on campus provide computers and assistance with a wide range of software. Check with Computing Services in the Business Building.
Writing Center
RH 214, 784-6030. The Writing Center provides free assistance/tutoring to students writing papers for any level class. An appointment is recommended.
Tutoring
Tutoring is available in Thompson Student Services. Group tutoring is free of charge. They offer referral for private tutoring, which is not free. Don´t wait till you´re in deep trouble to get help, because tutor availability can be limited. Some paperwork and some waiting is usually involved.
Film and Video Library
More than one hundred titles of videos and films concerning the field of psychology can be found in the Getchell Library´s film and video collection. These can be viewed in the Library, or some of the titles may be rented for home viewing.
Community Service/Applied Experience
It can be helpful, and often necessary, to have experience working in a position related to the field of psychology. This may be referred to as clinical experience -- that is, experience working with people in the field, rather than in a lab or experimental setting. Some possible opportunities are listed below. As with research and lab experiences, you may be able to receive credits for participating in these service opportunities. In fact, taking 3 credits in any of the projects listed below is one way to fulfill your "Direct Learning" requirement within both tracks of the psychology major. Most of these projects also offer research experience and/or credit through the directors´ research labs (see above). Work in many of these projects may also be available for pay. Other service opportunities than those listed may exist, depending on your luck and persistence.
Beyond the Bachelor´s Degree:
Getting through the graduate school application process can be complex and grueling. Some applications include clear and explicit instructions -- others seem like an aptitude test in analytical reasoning. The following resources are highly recommended:
Graduate application requirements: Clinical programs are the most competitive. For example, UNR gets about thirty applications for each opening. This is when your past hard work can pay really off. Competition in other programs, such as Experimental, Social, or Behavior Analysis are a bit less competitive--the ratio is usually more like 3 to 1.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE): For most students, the GRE actually consists of two exams: the General and the Subject. The General covers verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills, and is somewhat similar to the SAT. The Subject exam evaluates your proficiency in the specific subject you intend to study in graduate school; in your case, psychology. Each test takes three or more hours, and just may be one of the most enjoyable parts of the application process (ha!). Some people say you can´t study for the GRE -- that´s a sure fire way to keep your scores down. At the time of this writing, the Princeton Review for the GRE was one of the most highly-recommended training books, and the available computer software was mediocre at best. The on-campus workshops can be very helpful; check with Student Services. The quantitative score is the easiest to improve, and the verbal score the hardest. You are urged to take the exam the June before you apply to graduate school (i.e., before your senior year) so that you have time to retake it if you want to. If you can do something significant to improve your score, it might be a good idea to retake the tests. Some schools use Miller´s Analogies Test in addition to, instead of, or as an alternative to the GRE. Contact Testing Services (784-4638) in the Thompson Student Services building for current details regarding these tests.
The Vita: A vita is essentially a resume of your academic-related experience. As an undergraduate it may feel like you have nothing to write down, but it is the time to begin. For some good advice see, Writing Your Vita, by Steven C. Hayes and Linda J. Hayes. Reprinted from the May 1989 issue of the APS Observer, it is available from either APS or the Psychology Department office.
Letters of Recommendation: Ask faculty about letters of recommendation well before you need them. Most graduate school applications request two or three letters of recommendation. Depending upon the programs you apply to, these letters may be one of the most important components of your graduate school application. Graduate programs usually specify that these letters should come from psychology professors who know your work. Doing well in a class you have taken from a professor may at least get you an average letter if the professor remembers you. Get to know some faculty, work with them, talk with them, ask their advice. If you are applying to competitive programs, this step could be crucial.
Research and Clinical Experience: Depending on the program you apply to, it may be helpful, or in some cases crucial, to have research and/or clinical experience. For example, admission committees for clinical doctoral programs generally say that research experience is very important but, clinical experience is of low or moderate importance. If you can get your name published on a research poster or paper it will likely receive considerable notice. The book Graduate Study in Psychology and Associated Fields will usually include information about various programs´ emphasis on this type of experience.