Frequently Asked Questions

1. What courses are required for a Major or Minor in Psychology?

2. Do I have to take the classes in a certain order?

3. What if I took the equivalent of these classes at another institution?

4. So I have a Psychology Advisor in addition to my advisor at Student Success?

5. When should I declare my major?

6. There are so many Psychology Majors here at UCCS! How do I make myself stand out?

7. What kind of jobs are available to me with a bachelor’s degree in psychology?

8. Do I need an additional degree to become a psychologist?

1. What courses are required for a Major or Minor in Psychology?

In order to Major or Minor in Psychology, there are certain lower-division courses (1000- and 2000-level) you must take, but you have a lot of choices as to which upper-division courses (3000- and 4000-level) to take to fulfill the required number of credit hours. As a Psychology Major, you’ll receive a good grounding in the basics of psychology, taking courses that emphasize the development of skills and abilities (e.g., research methods and statistics) while also accumulating a solid knowledge base in the various subdisciplines of Psychology (e.g., Developmental, Social). Visit our Student Handbook for a list of Major/Minor requirements, along with a description of courses.

2. Do I have to take the classes in a certain order?

YES! Psychology courses are designed to provide you with the tools (knowledge and skills) with which to understand and apply psychological knowledge. And we enforce class prerequisites. Note that we particularly insist that:

a. You must complete PSY 1000 (Introduction to Psychology) and Math 1040 (Algebra) with passing grades of C- or better before you can enroll in PSY 2100 (Statistics)

b. You must complete PSY 2100 (Statistics) with a passing grade of a C- or better before you can take PSY 2110 (Research Methods). You must also take ENG 1410 prior to or concurrently with PSY 2110.

c. You must complete PSY 2110 (Research Methods) with a passing grade of a C- or better before you can take an Advanced Seminar (also called a Senior Seminar).

d. Many of our upper-division courses require PSY 2100 and PSY 2110, so it is important for you to enroll in these two foundation courses as early as possible.

Please review the Psychology Model Degree Program:
http://www.uccs.edu/Documents/ssc/Major%20Sheets/117/Psychology-117.pdf

3. What if I took the equivalent of these classes at another institution?

Usually, Student Success advisors will go through your transcripts with you and show you what courses will count toward the Psychology major/minor. Sometimes the Student Success office will send you to a Psychology Advisor with a form to fill out if it is not clear whether a course is equivalent to one offered at UCCS. It is ultimately YOUR responsibility to ensure that courses you think will count, are actually counted. The Department’s Undergraduate Director (Dr. Lori James) is also available to help you with transfer questions (ljames@uccs.edu, 719-255-4172).

4. So I have a Psychology Advisor in addition to my advisor at Student Success?

YES! All of the Professors in the Psychology Department are available to advise you. In fact, an advisor has already been assigned to you based on your last name. The list of advisors-advisees is located here or posted on the bulletin boards outside the faculty members’ offices. This is the person to see (or call or e-mail) about questions directly related to psychology. Each advisor will also have office hours when you can drop by; these hours are also posted outside their office doors. Even though you have been assigned an official advisor, you can ask any faculty member for advice. The Department’s Undergraduate Director (Dr. Lori James) is also available to answer your questions (ljames@uccs.edu, 719-255-4172).

To maximize your gain when meeting with your advisor, consider the following:

• Meet with your advisor regularly to plan next semester’s schedule (academic advising) and to discuss future plans and how to accomplish them (career advising)
• For academic advising sessions, know what courses you have already taken, what courses you have to take, and what courses are offered for next semester. Prepare a tentative schedule of classes.
• Be open and honest about your career goals.
• Before you make a major decision about a class or your academic plans (e.g., adding or dropping a class; changing your major; withdrawing from school; transferring to another college), consult with your advisor.
• Accept responsibility for the academic and career decisions that you make.

And just in case you forgot or don't know who your student success advisors are, they are Nashla Dawahre, Valerie McClinton and Jill Summers. Click here for their contact info.

5. When should I declare my major?

As soon as possible! The sooner you are officially a Psychology Major, the more we are able to help you succeed in your degree program.

6. There are so many Psychology Majors here at UCCS! How do I make myself stand out?

It’s true; Psychology has a large number of majors. How can you stand out in such a large crowd? Here are some ideas:

a. Distinguish yourself as an outstanding student. Do the following:

• Treat your instructors, classes, and peers with respect.
• Consistently attend class and be on time.
• Ask questions and contribute to class discussion.
• Read assignments before class.
• Show respect for others when you disagree with others.
• Ask for assistance from your instructor if you’re struggling with the class; don’t just complain about the class or instructor.

b. Get involved in organizations designed for students in Psychology.

• Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology. Psi Chi was founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging excellence in scholarship and for the advancement of Psychology. Involvement in our UCCS Psi Chi local chapter can lead to opportunities to develop leadership skills. Psi Chi has a long tradition of promoting scholarly achievements of undergraduate psychology students.
• There are two major national organizations for psychologists, the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Psychological Society (APS). APA offers a student affiliate status for undergraduates where you can join the association for a reduced fee, and receive discounts on books and journals. Both organizations provide valuable advice for entering the profession and also keep members informed about the critical issues in society that impact practice and science of psychology.
• Enroll in the Department’s Honors Program. The Psychology Department offers an outstanding Honors Program for eligible students. You will gain valuable research experience, acquire skills and knowledge not easily gained in the classroom, have an opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty member, gain valuable exposure to graduate-level work, and have the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of the science of psychology. For a full description of the program, go here.
• Get involved in conducting research. There are many opportunities for undergraduate students to assist faculty members in a program of research. Here you’re involved in doing the research rather than reading about it in your textbook. Not only will you acquire valuable skills and knowledge, but you can also earn course credit (e.g., PSY 9300, Independent Study; or PSY 4210, Research Practicum). These credits make a positive impression on your transcripts. How do you get involved as a research assistant? Review the listing of the Psychology Faculty. Then, email, call, or make appointments with faculty members to discuss research possibilities. NOTE: Do not enroll in these courses until you have the instructor’s approval.
• Get involved in field experiences and internships. These are opportunities to learn about and apply psychological principles out of the classroom and in the field. Through your volunteer work or internship work, you can gain on-the-job experience, have an opportunity to examine a career choice and make contacts with potential employers, and develop skills that are difficult to learn and practice in the classroom. How do you find out about these experiences? Check the bulletin board in the Department for work and volunteer opportunities. Join the PSYCHOLOGY MAILING LIST for email distributions of opportunities. The Department also offers a class (PSY 3660) called Service-Learning Internship, where students can earn course credit for volunteering (contact Dr. Sandy Wurtele for more information about this course).

7. What kind of jobs are available to me with a bachelor’s degree in psychology?

Your options are wide, but limited. A Psychology education provides valuable skills and abilities, and if you are willing to be flexible, you can make a career for yourself starting with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Often, psychology graduates work in a paraprofessional role (i.e., a support role for a psychologist). Some job titles might include counselor, aid, or psychology technician. Duties may involve some counseling, interviewing, record keeping, and occasionally paraprofessionals administer psychological tests or assessments. Others may find administrative positions such as coordinating community volunteers. Starting salaries for social and human service assistants range from $15,000 to $24,000, whereas experienced workers could earn between $20,000 and $30,000 annually. As you can see, although many of the career options with a bachelor’s degree can make a great deal of difference in people’s lives, they often do not pay well. If you want a career that is psychology-related and pay is your primary consideration, you may need to obtain more education. For information about career development, visit the UCCS Career Services (MH 202; x3340), or check out the various internet sites designed to help you find jobs in psychology, check out Professions of Psychology and Career Options for Psychology Undergraduates.

8. Do I need an additional degree to become a psychologist?

Yes! Psychology is one of those professions where an additional, professional degree is required to practice the craft. Your choices are to pursue a Master’s degree (M.A. or M.S.) or a Doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D).

For general information on clinical psychology and graduate school, click here.

For more information about the UCCS Psychology Department's graduate program, click here.