Northern Arizona University

 

Q: I think I would like to go to graduate school after I graduate. Is there anything that I need to do in order to increase my chances of getting in to a graduate program?

A: It is important that you speak with a faculty advisor to discuss the different subspecialties and degrees that are possible in psychology (Ph.D., Psy.D., M.S., M.A., etc.). It is also important that you take PSY 230 and PSY 302w early in your course of studies (230 by the end of your 2nd year, if not earlier; 302w by the end of your 3rd year, if not earlier) so that you can have the pre-requisites for more advanced courses and get involved in PSY 485 (Undergraduate Research Experience) with a faculty mentor. See the bulletin board across from the office for application information or click here for the information posted on the Psychology website. While research experience is not absolutely necessary to get into graduate school, the experience you gain will be valuable, not to mention the importance of having a faculty member know you well enough to be able to write a strong letter of recommendation. If you read our departmental newsletter, you'll see many stories and photos of NAU Psychology majors presenting their research in various outlets, such as regional and national conferences. These research experiences provide valuable experience if you are interested in going to graduate school. Other valuable activities are PSY 408 (Fieldwork in Psychology), especially if you think you are interested in clinical or community psychology, joining Psi Chi National Honors Society, or NAU's Psychology Club. You can also see our "Getting Involved" link on our website.

Q: When should I start thinking about graduate school?

A: Many students start to seriously think about graduate school while there are taking PSY 302w. As a result of the skills learned in this course, students often begin the application process for PSY 485 in order to gain more research experience. 

Q: How do I know what classes I should take in order to graduate in 4 years?

A: Please see the bulletin board across from the Chair's office--there you will find helpful hints about course sequencing and course plans that will help you plan your courses. Of course, you are ALWAYS encouraged to see a faculty advisor should you want to talk about courses and future plans.

Q: How can I learn what is going on in the Psychology Department?

A: Please check the departmental website on a regular basis and look for the Departmental newsletter that comes out six times a year: January/February, March/April, May/June, August, September/October, and November/December. The newsletter is always posted near the last day of the last month (e.g., November/December should appear by December 31). If you would like to have something appear in the newsletter, please submit your idea to the chair via email (Heidi.Wayment@nau.edu). The newsletter has a lot of information about what is going on and what your fellow majors are up to!

Q: I need my graduation papers signed. Where do I go to get them signed?

A: Take the papers to the SBS Advising Office to have Pam or Matt check them for credit accuracy. When they have signed off, bring them to your academic advisor to sign, and then to the Psychology Office (SBS 200) where they will be logged in. The chair will sign them and return them to the office and you can usually pick them up later the same day or the next day.

Q: I hear that the capstone requirement is going to change for 2007-2008. Is this true?

A: Beginning with the Fall 2007 semester the Department of Psychology is eliminating the 1-unit PSY 490c course and expand the number of capstone offerings which will take effect in the 2007-2008 academic year. We will still have PSY 450c (History of Psychology), PSY 460c (Community Psychology), and PSY 480c (Health Psychology) as capstone courses. In addition, Fieldwork experience will count as a capstone (will be changed to 408c), and Introduction to Clinical Psychology (will be changed to 405c). Finally, we will be offering a 3-unit PSY 490c that will be a "special topics" capstone course. In 2007-2008 watch for this class which will be a course devoted to the study of psychology and film taught by Dr. Andy Walters. The other capstone requirement will be for you to complete an on-line questionnaire when enrolled in any of these classes where you will complete our short psychology assessment and exit interview. More information about how you complete the on-line survey will be provided to you when you sign up for your capstone class. Beginning in Fall 2007 it will not be possible to count 408 or 405 retroactively as your capstone course if you have already taken it before it officially became a capstone course. You must take a class with a "c" officially attached to the course prefix to meet the university capstone requirement. We'll keep you posted on these changes.

Q: When I took my PSY 230 class I filled out a questionnaire in class. What happens to the information from that questionnaire?

A: We now administer a short 1-page questionnaire to all majors in our PSY 230 and PSY 302w classes in order to get a better understanding of whether you have a plan to graduate, whether you've been thinking about your future goals, what your goals are, a reminder to see an advisor and our departmental website if you haven't already, and a place for you to let us know how we can be of help to you as a major. Starting next semester we will also use this questionnaire to let students know what capstone courses will be offered in 2007-2008. If you want to see the results of these questionnaires you can see the assessment report from 2005-2006 listed on our website, or parts of it published in the newsletter. See the September/October 2006 newsletter for information about the Fall 2006 survey administered to PSY 230 students, the November/December 2006 newsletter for information about the Fall 2006 survey administered to PSY 302w students.