Psychology Program Notes: Ethical Standards, Curriculum, Advising, and Certificates

Ethical Standards and Professional Development in Psychology

Emphasis on ethical standards in psychology for both research conduct and professional practice.
Skills covered include writing for a psychology audience, delivering presentations, and interacting effectively with others.
Focus on professional development and understanding the next steps to become a professional in psychology.
Broader aim: integrate ethical considerations with interpersonal effectiveness and communication in professional settings.

Statistics course (Stats) is offered only in the fall.
History of psychology is a foundational requirement.
Foundational psychology courses typically include History of Psych, General Psych, and Writing in Psych.
General education (gen ed) requirements also apply alongside psychology coursework.
Graduation target: accumulate about 120 credits by the time of graduation.
Encouragement to adopt the recommended curriculum and refer to the recommended semester sequence.
The curriculum and sequence are available for students to follow; ask about the curriculum if you don\'t already have it.

First-year students are primarily advised by the Office of Academic Services and Retention (OASR).
For sophomores, juniors, and seniors, the psychology major also has a primary adviser; first-year students in their second semester will also have a primary adviser.
If you are a double major, you will have an adviser for psychology and an adviser for your other major; you will effectively have one psychology adviser and one adviser from the other major.
eCampus can technically handle up to three advisers for a student.
Some students pursue graduate school and seek mentoring from the very beginning of their program.
The advising model is designed to support students throughout their time in the program.

There is a certificate or concentration in Human Resource Management.
There is a concentration in Substance Use Counseling.
The Substance Use Counseling concentration would enable CAC certification (Certified Addictions Counselor).

A formal curriculum is available for psychology students; it is recommended to pick it up if you don\'t have it yet.
A recommended semester sequence is also available to help plan coursework over time.

A psychology club provides a supportive student community.
The session included a live example of classroom engagement (e.g., asking a student to raise their hand) to illustrate participation.
The overall structure supports not only coursework but also networking, professional development, and preparation for graduate study and licensure.

The program emphasizes practical next steps to become a professional in psychology, including:
- Completing core psychology coursework and gen eds to reach the credit target of 120.
- Engaging with advising to map out the path, including potential concentrations and certificates.
- Considering graduate school mentorship early if pursuing advanced training.
- Exploring concentration options (HR Management or Substance Use Counseling) to fit career goals.
Broader implications include ethical practice, effective communication, and the importance of building a professional identity early in the academic journey.