Model 4-Year Plan for the 2008-10 and 2010-12 catalogs

This 4-year plan identifies an example of how you might plan your course work to complete the Major in Psychology requirements and General Education requirements in four years. This sample plan provides only a guideline; course schedules might be quite flexible but can be limited by prerequisite requirements. With careful planning, you should have ample opportunity to take additional classes (outside of required Psychology courses) to complete the 120 total hours needed for a bachelor's degree. Listed below are optional classes that can enrich your undergraduate experience.

You should take PSY 398 Professional Practice: Psychology during your junior or senior year. Commonly referred to as an internship, this course allows you to earn credit hours for doing work in the community. Internships give you valuable experiences that will be helpful in pursuing future jobs or additional education after graduation. Internships also allow you to explore possible employment areas that may help clarify and solidify your career plans.

You are also encouraged to get involved in undergraduate research or teaching assistant experiences. Opportunities are available in:

• PSY 287 Independent Study;
• PSY 290 Special Projects: Research Apprenticeship;
• PSY 291 Special Projects: Undergraduate Teaching;
• PSY 299 Independent Honors Study; or
• PSY 390 Advanced Research Apprenticeship.

These courses allow you to earn course credit for assisting faculty with their research or serving as a teaching assistant in their classes, or working on a research project of your choosing with a psychology faculty supervision. Any of these options will provide you with valuable experience working closely with a faculty member, which will be most helpful in building your resume and/or preparing for graduate school.

Career Enhancement Certificates (CEC) are areas of specialization that are comprised of courses taken from several departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. CECs are neither majors nor minors; however, upon completion of all the requirements, you are issued a certificate that you can list on your resume and show potential employers. The CEC pursued most often by psychology majors is in Human Resources Management. See the Career Enhancement Certificates website for more information.

The Undergraduate Catalog is filled with many interesting, useful, and enriching courses. Filling elective hours is a perfect opportunity for you to explore areas of interest and add to your educational experience. Read through your catalog to become familiar with the many courses offered and available to you. You may also want to consult with your advisor for suggestions of courses that—depending on your career plans and areas of interest—would be of particular interest to you.

Each course listed below is for three credit hours unless otherwise noted in the parenthesis.