Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of our Frequently Asked Questions divided into 5 categories: General, Graduation, Graduate School, Transferring, and Our Psychology Department. A full list of these questions is also available in .pdf format. If you have a question that is not on the list, please email the psychology advisor or the psychology main office for information.

1. General
2. Graduation
3. Graduate School
4. Transferring
5. Our Psychology Department

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). 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

18. What is a "vita"?

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.