Department of Psychological Sciences: Undergraduate Advising Guide GENERAL INFORMATION:

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Department of Psychological Sciences:
Undergraduate Advising Guide
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Academic Advisor: Bryce A. Cain
Phone: (330) 672-2912
E-mail: bcain9@kent.edu
Office Location: Kent Hall 142
Appointment Information: By appointment only.
Schedule an appointment online using the link
below (Under the “Reasons To Seek Departmental
Advising” section). Advising hours vary by
semester with approximately 20 appointment slots
available each week for Kent Campus students
only. Revisit the link often as new appointment
slots become available every day at midnight.
Late Policy: If you are more than 10 minutes late
to your appointment, you will be asked to
reschedule.
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REASONS TO SEEK DEPARTMENTAL ADVISING:
If you are a Kent Campus psychology major, schedule an appointment to meet with the
Department of Psychological Sciences Academic Advisor in Kent Hall 142 to:

Become connected with a faculty advisor.

Decide whether the Bachelor of Art (B.A.) or the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree is right for you.

Find a psychology internship/volunteer experience that will allow you to acquire real-world psychology-related
experience while in school. (Internships can also count as credit for your major!)

Learn the process for becoming a Research Assistant (RA) in a psychology lab and find research opportunities.

Acquire information about psychology-related student organizations and events.

Find psychology electives that align with your interests and future goals.

Discuss career goals and post-graduation plans.

Clarify major/minor requirements.

Fulfill your required advising appointment each semester and have your Advising PIN removed.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES ACADEMIC ADVISOR HERE:
http://www.kent.edu/psychology/advising
*Note: You may also meet with your assigned Academic Advisor in Bowman Hall 105 to fulfill your required advising
appointment if there are no appointment slots available to meet with the Department of Psychological Sciences
Academic Advisor. Schedule your appointment here: http://www.kent.edu/cas/advising
WHICH DEGREE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Key Differences:
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Kent Core Math


Any Kent Core Math
Introductory Statistics recommended
Kent Core Science

Choice of any basic science courses
Foreign Language
Requirement
Minimum GPA Requirements to
Graduate

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Algebra Required

Must choose from select biology and
chemistry courses
4 Semesters

2 Semesters

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Overall GPA = 2.00
Major GPA = 2.00

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Overall GPA = 2.00
Major GPA = 2.50
More major-specific classes required

Fewer major-specific classes required

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A lot of flexibility in choosing majority of upper-division psychology
courses and general electives
Some flexibility in choosing upperdivision psychology courses and general electives

Much stronger emphasis placed on
methods, research, and science; two
quantitative methods courses

Pre-Medicine/Osteopathy concentration is available for students desiring
to go to medical school
Definitely possible, but the B.S. degree requires a greater number of
specific psychology courses
Better prepares students for
advanced graduate training and Ph.D.
programs related to clinical and
psychological sciences by providing
advanced coursework in research,
statistics, and methodology.
Curriculum


Ability to Add a Minor?

Graduate School Preparation

Less math and science focused; one
quantitative methods course
Very manageable and encouraged to
make oneself more marketable in the
workforce
Prepares students for graduate work
in a variety of Master’s degree programs such as school, mental health,
community, and career counseling,
social work, higher education administration/student services, education,
law and criminal justice, etc.
Ph.D. programs in psychology are still
a possibility, just like the B.S.


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Master’s degree programs are still a
possibility, just like the B.A.
CAN I GET A JOB WITH JUST MY BACHELOR’S DEGREE?
Absolutely! A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology can prepare you for careers related to:

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Advertising/Event Planning
Corrections & Probation
General Business, Customer Relations, & Sales
Human Resources, Personnel, Recruiting
Human, Community, & Social Services
Mental Health Services, Advocacy

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Public Relations
Research, Data Management, Technical Writing
Retail & General Management
Teaching/Education (in some instances)
Many other industries. A psychology degree is
extremely transferable!
Consider taking our 1-credit, upper-division, online workshop called “Career Pathways in Psychology” (PSYC 41993) to
learn more about psychology career and graduate school opportunities!
WHICH PSYCHOLOGY ELECTIVES SHOULD I TAKE?
Most psychology courses can be electives. However, it is best to take electives that align with your interests and future goals.
Interest
Area
Suggested Elective Courses



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
Introduction to Clinical Psychology (PSYC 40383)
Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 40111)
Health Psychology (PSYC 41581)
Adolescent Psychology (PSYC 30651)
Drugs and Behavior (PSYC 41364)
Child
Psychology



Child Psychology (PSYC 20651)
Adolescent Psychology (PSYC 30651)
Social and Personality Development (PSYC 30652)


Children’s Thinking (PSYC 30655)
Psychological Disorders of Childhood and
Adolescence (PSYC 40112)
Forensic
Psychology


Forensic Psychology (PSYC 30111)
Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 40111)

Drugs and Behavior (PSYC 41364)
Neuro/
Biopsychology




Perception (PSYC 31141)
Animal Cognition (PSYC 31634)
Cognitive Psychology (PSYC 40445)
Cognitive Neuroscience (PSYC 40446)



Basic Learning Processes (PSYC 41043)
Biopsychology (PSYC 41363)
Laboratory Experience in Psychological
Research: Cognitive/Learning (PSYC 41574)
Health
Psychology



Psychology of Adjustment (PSYC 21211)
Psychology of Aging (PSYC 30656)
Psychology of Motivation (PSYC 30821)


Drugs and Behavior (PSYC 41364)
Health Psychology (PSYC 41581)
Clinical/
Counseling





Psychological Disorders of Childhood and
Adolescence (PSYC 40112)
Psychology of Adjustment (PSYC 21211)
Children’s Thinking (PSYC 30655)
Psychological Assessment (PSYC 40231)
Forensic Psychology (PSYC 30111)
POPULAR MINORS FOR PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS:




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Advertising/Marketing
Anthropology
Applied Conflict Management
Biological Sciences
Business
Chemistry
Communications
Community Health Education
Criminology and Justice Studies
Economics
Event Planning

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



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

Foreign Language
Gerontology
Health Care Ethics
Healthcare Systems Management
Hospitality Management
Human Development and Family
Studies
Human Resources Management
Human Sexuality
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Studies

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Non-Profit Studies
Pan-African Studies
Paralegal Studies
Political Science
Pre-Law
Public Health
Public Relations
Sociology
Sport Administration
Urban Studies and Planning
Women’s Studies
*Among many others! Check out all of KSU’s minors here: http://solutions.kent.edu/gps/
INTERNSHIPS & RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
It is highly recommended that psychology majors complete at least one internship and/or acquire
formal research experience to become more qualified for a competitive workforce and graduate
school programs.

For more information about internships, including a categorized list and contact information for
sites and organizations where previous undergraduate psychology students have interned, visit:
http://www.kent.edu/psychology/internships-and-volunteer-opportunities
- This webpage also contains links to instructions and process for obtaining a psychology
internship. Note: Internships can be completed for course credit or non-course credit.

For more information about acquiring research/lab experience, including a list of available
Research Assistant (RA) positions and the process for applying for RA positions, visit:
http://www.kent.edu/psychology/research-experience
- Note: RA positions can be completed for course credit or non-course credit. This is up to the
student and supervising faculty member. Every lab has a different application process.
GET INVOLVED! PSYCHOLOGY ORGANIZATIONS
Participating, and possibly even one day taking on a leadership role, within a student organization is
another way to make psychology majors more marketable and well-rounded after they graduate.

There are five psychology-related student organizations for students to become involved with:
1. Psi Chi - The International Honor Society in Psychology
- Must be psychology major or minor, 3.0 GPA, already completed 9 credits of psychology, and
be at least a second semester sophomore to join; One time lifetime membership fee
2. Psychology Club
- Open to any student interested in psychology; weekly meetings focus on different psychology
topics such as topics currently gaining attention in the media, graduate school options, etc.
3. Peer Mentor Program
- Junior/Senior psychology majors mentor Freshman/Sophomore psychology majors
- Join if you have interest in becoming a mentor or a mentee
4. Phi Delta Epsilon, Ohio Beta Co-ed Medical Fraternity
- Requires pre-med concentration, 3.0 GPA, application, interview, and fee
5. American Medical Students Association
Visit the following link for more information:
http://www.kent.edu/psychology/student-organizations
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