Advisement - General Recommendations
Careful planning is needed to make the most of your college experience. It will also prevent a lot of headaches!
In general, we recommend that Freshmen and Sophomores should take mostly core classes. This conservative approach will help ease the transition if you decide to switch majors or transfer to another university. Freshmen and Sophomores should take Introductory Psychology (PSYC 1101), Introductory Sociology (SOCI 1101) and Human Growth and Development (PSYC 2103).
Juniors and Seniors should focus on completing the major requirements with an eye toward long-term career development. Psychology majors should note that the statistics course (either PSYC 3301 or SOCI 3331) is required before taking Experimental Psychology (PSYC 4431). Sociology majors should note that the Methods of Social Research course (SOCI 4440) is only offered in the spring semester.
Although having a minor is not required for either the Psychology or Sociology major, it is highly recommended. Good minor or certificate programs for Psychology and Sociology majors include Psychology (for Sociology majors), Sociology (for Psychology majors), the Criminal Justice Certificate, the Caregiving Certificate and the Women's Studies Certificate. Please note that opting to skip the minor will not help you finish your degree faster.
Junior and Seniors should also consider gaining valuable career-enhancing experiences. These might include participation in the Psychology/Sociology Club and the Internship Program.
Important Deadlines and Policies
- Early registration is highly recommended. Registering early will increase the likelihood that you will get the courses that you want and the times that you prefer.
- The minimum credits for full time status is 12 hours/semester. We recommend 14 or 15 hours/semester to graduate in four years. Taking more than 18 credits in a semester is an overload. This will only be given to students with good academic records (e.g., GPA of 3.0 or better).
- The first few days of each semester are the Drop/Add period. Courses and course sections may be changed during this time without being recorded on your grade transcript.
- Once the Drop/Add Period is finished, students can withdraw from courses up to midterm. This will result in a grade of "W" on your transcript for the course.
- After midterm, courses can only be dropped if there is a legitimate medical excuse or family emergency.
- Internships must be arranged during the early registration period. Internships cannot be arranged during late registration or the Drop/Add Period.
- Graduating Seniors must submit the Application for Graduation approximately one year before the anticipated graduation date.
Advisement Resources
- General program information for Psychology and Sociology majors.
- Curriculum Sheets: Select the sheet for the academic year that you started at GSW.
- A blueprint of recommended courses for Psychology majors.
- Frequently asked questions about graduate school (coming soon).
- Graduate programs offered by universities in our area.
- Elliot Flom's advice on applying to Psy.D. programs.
- Student resources from the American Sociological Association.
- Student resources from the American Psychological Association.
- Career possibilities from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles
- Marky Lloyd's Careers in Psychology
Useful forms (in *.pdf format):
- Application for Graduation
- Major/Adviser Change form
- Regents Examinations
- Request for overload hours (over 18 hours/semester)
- Withdrawal from class form
- Withdrawal from class for nonacademic reason. Use this form if you need to withdraw due to a medical or family hardship after the midterm.