The Psychology Major, Department, & Discipline

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"When I first heard I had to take this course I had originally thought that it was going to be a class basically telling us all the jobs we could get with a psychology degree. I did not expect it to be a class on teaching us how to go get those jobs nor did I think that it would also be helping me figure out just what career I actually want."

Even though you likely already are a psychology major, there may be a lot you don't know about the major, the department, and the psychology discipline as a whole.  This assignment will give you a few sources of insight into all of these things.

Please read K&M's Chapter 1; APA Chapter 3

Please browse the department website. This is a resource that a lot of people forget about! There is course information, information about what research faculty members do, links to Psychology Club and other resources, as well as graduate program information for our department. http://www.uni.edu/psych/

Review the content here: Psychology: Science in Action 

Check out the Facebook group: University of Northern Iowa Psychology Alumni -

Check out this excellent page: Careers in Psych

After reviewing all of this information, please write up a summary of what you learned, anything that surprised you, email it to me and make sure to post your question in the facebook group!

Explore!

Info about Psych Areas

6 Important College Experiences

Time Management

College Success

Possible Minors (this is not an exhaustive list..you can minor in something just because you like it! and you can minor in something that will ultimately help you in your future endeavors):

Mental Health

Educational Studies Minor

Criminology Minor

Sociology Minor

Spanish Minor

Biology Minor

Family Studies Minor

Gender & Women Studies Minor

Political Science Minor

Academic Publishing

Honors in Psychology

You can graduate with Honors in Psychology if you have at least a 3.5 GPA and complete an Honors Project. Basically, an honors project is a research study that you design, carry-out, and write-up in your senior year with the help of one primary faculty member. You will learn how to design an original study, write an IRB proposal, collect and analyze your own data, write a real research paper, and present your work to others. This is a great way to stand out when you apply to grad school! Please see this website for more specifics: http://www.uni.edu/csbs/psych/psychology-department-honors-program

 The most typical timeline for doing a project like this is:

 Fall of Junior Year - work with a professor on their research. Get to know the professor well, and learn how to conduct a study by helping with an ongoing project.

 Spring of Junior Year - continue working with a professor (or start working with a new professor to learn about another type of research). Decide which professor you'd like to be the Chair of your project, ask if he/she will supervise you, and pick a topic you'd like to study for your project. Meet with Dr. Lefler, the Honors Coordinator, to discuss the rules and requirements. Fill out a Declaration Form.

 Summer between Junior and Senior Year - write the Introduction/Literature Review section of your paper, the Methods section of your paper, and the IRB proposal with the help of your Chair.

 Fall of Senior Year - continue writing your paper based on feedback from your Chair, and secure IRB approval for your study. Collect your data. Your Chair should be working with you every step of the way.

 Spring of Senior Year - analyze your data and write the final draft of your research paper. Schedule a "defense" of your paper with your committee (the Chair and two other professors), and present your research at a conference. Notify Dr. Lefler before Finals week that you have completed all requirements, and fill out the Completion Form.

 

 



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