Psychology Department
Student Handbook
2014-2015

Psychology Department
Missouri Western State University
Murphy Hall 217
4525 Downs Drive
Saint Joseph, Missouri 64507
(816) 271-4444
http://www.missouriwestern.edu/psychology/
1
Welcome
Welcome to the psychology department at Missouri Western State University.
Psychology, as a scientific discipline, has been in existence only a little more than
100 years. During this time, psychologists have made significant advancements in
the understanding of human behavior and cognitive function. New discoveries
about the brain and behavior are being made at a phenomenal rate. These
discoveries influence our psychological and physical health, the treatment of
mental illness and the application of psychological principles to improving human
performance in a variety of areas.
In recent years, enrollment in psychology classes has skyrocketed, as has the
number of professional psychologists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Occupational Outlook Handbook (2012), career opportunities in psychology are
expected to grow through 2022, particularly for those specializing in
counseling/clinical psychology, school psychology, industrial/organizational
psychology, and those working in healthcare. Psychology appears destined to grow
and flourish as the many applications of the science are utilized and appreciated.
The goal of the Missouri Western State University psychology program is to
provide students with a foundation in the basic core methodologies and body of
knowledge that constitute the science, and to introduce the many applications of
psychology. You will be exposed to numerous subfields of psychology, and will
have the opportunity for hands-on experience. You will receive a broad education
in psychology and the liberal arts that will make you an attractive candidate for
careers in several areas, as well as prepare you to advance your education in
psychology if you choose to attend graduate school.
This handbook will familiarize you with our department and its program. The
handbook will also serve as a guide for career preparation, whether you choose to
seek employment at the bachelor’s level or want to pursue graduate studies.
Welcome to the Missouri Western State University psychology department. We
wish you the best in your pursuit of your educational and career goals.
The Missouri Western State University Psychology Faculty
This manual was last updated in August 2014 by Dr. Deka.
2
Table of Contents
Background:
Why Major in Psychology? ………………………………………..… 3
History of the Missouri Western Psychology Department…..……….. 7
Faculty………………………………………………………………… 8
Facilities………………………………………………………………. 8
Majoring in Psychology
Admission to the Major……………………………………………….
Major Requirements………………………………………………..
Choosing a Minor…………………………………………………….
Statistics Test-Out Procedure……………………………………….
Honors in Psychology………………………………………………..
9
10
11
12
13
Guides
Important Dates……………………………………………………… 14
Materials You Should Have…………………………………………. 14
Finding Psychological Articles……………………………………… 15
Applied Learning
Independent Research………………………………………………..
Undergraduate Conference Information……………………………..
Undergraduate Publication Information……………………………..
Practicum Information………………………………………………
Student Organizations in Psychology……………………………….
Finances
Department Scholarships……………………………………………
Funding for Research………………….. ………………………..
Funding for Conferences and Travel ………………………………
Graduation
Procedures…………………………………………………………..
Graduate School: Is it right for you? ……………………………….
Master of Applied Science………………………………………….
Finding Employment at the Bachelor’s Level……………………..
Request for Letter of Recommendation….……………………….
16
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26
27
28
3
Why Major in Psychology?
For the past several decades, psychology has been one of the most popular majors
on college and university campuses across the nation. This enduring popularity
reflects the flexibility of the psychology degree and the myriad of opportunities
that are available to those with a background in psychology. The bachelor’s degree
is not only the foundation for further study to become a psychologist, but it is also
excellent preparation for professional schools (law, medicine) or for a variety of
careers at the bachelor’s level (human resources, business, health care) or the
master’s level (counseling, social work).
Bachelor’s Level
The skills that you will acquire with a psychology degree at Missouri Western
include quantitative and qualitative data analysis, critical thinking, oral and written
communication skills, and understanding human behavior, enmeshed within a
liberal arts education. These skills are highly valued by employers in the public
and private sector. In fact, over 300 positions, including caseworker, corrections
officer, data analyst and human resources recruiter are attainable with a bachelor’s
degree in psychology (Refer to Table One for some possibilities). Most psychology
majors who seek to obtain jobs with a bachelor’s degree are very successful. The
common goals that psychology students should acquire within their programs
(Landrum, 2001, McGovern et. Al., 1991) are ones that make psychology
graduates strong candidates for a variety of careers and attractive to employers.
These goals are:
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A knowledge base. There is a wide array of information in psychology that you need to understand to truly be a
student of human behavior. In other words, a future employer might actually expect you to know something about
human behavior!
Thinking skills. Critical thinking and reasoning, analysis of outcomes through experimental methods and statistics
give psychology students the tools to make reasoned decisions.
Language skills. As scientists, psychologists must be able to communicate findings to the broader scientific
community; students must develop reading, writing, and presentation skills.
Information gathering and synthesis. Psychology students need to be able to gather information from a number
of sources (e.g., library, computerized databases, the Internet) and be able to synthesize this information into
coherent lines of reasoning.
Research methods and statistical skills. The development of quantitative and qualitative methods of data
analysis and interpretation is central to the discipline.
Interpersonal skills. Psychology students need to be sensitive to the diversity of the environment in which they
live and be able to use this increased sensitivity and self-knowledge to monitor their own behavior.
History of psychology. Psychology majors need to understand the contexts out of which popular ideas and
people have emerged. George Santayana once said, “Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.”
Ethics and values. Psychology majors need to understand the ethical treatment of research participants, to
understand conflicts of interests, and to generate options that maximize human dignity and human welfare and
adhere to high standards of academic and scientific integrity.
4
Table One
Categories of Job Titles Relevant to
Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Holders
Related to psychology
Related to business
Other areas
Academic advisor
Alcohol/drug abuse counselor
Behavior analyst
Career counselor
Career planning and placement counselor
Case management aide
Case worker
Child care worker
Child protection worker
Community outreach worker
Community support worker
Corrections officer
Counselor aide
Day care center supervisor
Director of volunteer services
Eligibility worker
Employment counselor
Family services worker
Gerontology aide
Group home coordinator
Housing/student life coordinator
Life skill counselor
Mental health technician
Mental retardation unit manager
Parole officer
Political campaign worker
Probation officer
Program manager
Public affairs coordinator
Public relations specialist
Publications researcher
Radio/TV research assistant
Rehabilitation advisor
Residential counselor
Residential youth counselor
Secondary school teacher
Social services assistant
Social services director
Social work assistant
Urban planning research assistant
Veterans advisor
Administrative assistant
Advertising agent
Advertising trainee
Affirmative action representative
Airline reservations clerk
Bank management
Claims specialist
Customer relations
Customer service representative
Employee counselor
Employee relations assistant
Energy researcher
Events coordinator
Financial researcher
Hotel management
Human relations director
Human resources recruiter
Insurance agent
Insurance claims/underwriter
Intelligence officer
Job analyst
Loan officer
Lobbying organizer
Management trainee
Marketing representative
Marketing researcher
Media buyer
Occupational analyst
Office manager
Personnel worker/administrator
Property management
Public information officer
Sales representative
Small business owner
Staff training and development
Store manager
Technical writer
Warehouse manager
Activity director
Assistant youth coordinator
Camp staff director
College admissions officer
Community organizer
Community recreation worker
Community relations officer
Congressional aide
Crime prevention coordinator
Director of alumni relations
Director of fundraising
Driving instructor
Educational coordinator
Fast food restaurant manager
Foster home parent
Film researcher/copywriter
Historical research assistant
Hospital patient service representative
Juvenile probation officer
Laboratory assistant
Law enforcement officer
Neighborhood outreach worker
Newspaper reporter
Nursing home administrator
Park and recreation director
Private tutor
Research assistant
Security officer
Statistical assistant
Statistical reports compiler
Store manager
Task force coordinator
Teaching
Technical writer
Vocational rehabilitation counselor
Volunteer coordinator
Warehouse manager
Work activity program director
Youth minister
Sources: Appleby, 1999; Aubrecht, 2001; Lloyd, 1997;
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 1998; Shepard, 1996.
5
Master’s Level
The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics (2012) expects that job opportunities will
continue to grow throughout 2022 for psychology majors, particularly those that
pursue a master’s or doctorate in the field. With a master’s degree, you can work as
an industrial-organizational psychologist, school psychologist, psychological
assistant, or counselor. These areas are projected to grow in the next ten years.
Doctoral Level
The Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) will allow you to become a university professor,
clinical or counseling psychologist, or to work in healthcare, private industry or the
government as a psychologist. Some individuals acquire a Psy.D. (Doctor of
Psychology) and work in clinical settings or private practice. These areas are also
projected to grow in the next ten years. Psychologists at this level are specialized
into one of the following categories listed in Table Two.
The Psychology program at Missouri Western can be your starting block for your
career in a variety of settings, or a highly specialized setting. We offer several
classes and strong, individual guidance to help you attain your goals. In addition,
we offer independent research and applied (practicum) experiences. In fact, several
of our classes involve service learning opportunities for students to interact with
the community on psychologically-related projects.
6
Table Two: Specialty Areas in Psychology
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: Clinical psychologists assess and treat people with psychological problems. They may act as
therapists for people experiencing normal psychological crises (e.g., grief) or for individuals suffering from chronic
psychiatric disorders. Some clinical psychologists are generalists who work with a wide variety of populations, while others
work with specific groups like children, the elderly, or those with specific disorders (e.g., schizophrenia). They are trained in
universities or professional schools of psychology. They may be found working in academic settings, hospitals, community
health centers, or private practice. (See also Counseling Psychology.)
COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY: Counseling psychologists do many of the same things that clinical psychologists do.
However, counseling psychologists tend to focus more on persons with adjustment problems rather than on persons
suffering from severe psychological disorders. They may be trained in Psychology Departments or in Schools of Education.
Counseling psychologists are employed in academic settings, community mental health centers, and private practice. (See
also Clinical Psychology.)
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: Developmental psychologists study how we develop intellectually, socially, and
emotionally over the lifespan. Some focus on just one period of life (e.g., childhood or adolescence). Developmental
psychologists usually do research and teach in academic settings, but many act as consultants to day care centers, schools,
or social service agencies.
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: Educational psychologists are concerned with the study of human learning. They attempt
to understand the basic aspects of learning and then develop materials and strategies for enhancing the learning process.
For example, an educational psychologist might study reading and then develop a new technique for teaching reading. They
are typically trained in Schools of Education and employed in academic settings. (See also School Psychology.)
EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: This area includes a diverse group of psychologists who do research in the most basic
areas of psychology (e.g., learning, memory, cognition, perception, motivation, and language). Their research may be
conducted with animals instead of humans. Most of these psychologists work in academic settings.
FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY: Forensic psychologists are involved in analyzing crime evidence and aiding law enforcement
agencies in criminal investigations.
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY: Health psychologists are concerned with psychology’s contributions to the promotion and
maintenance of good health and the prevention and treatment of illness. They may design and conduct programs to help
individuals stop smoking, lose weight, manage stress, and stay physically fit. They are employed in hospitals, medical
schools, rehabilitation centers, public health agencies, academic settings, and private practice.
HUMAN FACTORS PSYCHOLOGY: Human Factors researchers study the human/machine interface. They may help make
appliances such as cameras user-friendly, or they may do studies of safety-related issues in the design of machinery,
airplane controls and instrument layouts, or they may do basic research on human perceptual and motor abilities as they
relate to the operation of machines, computers, and other mechanical devices.
INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: Industrial/organizational psychologists are primarily concerned with the
relationships between people and their work environments. They may develop new ways to increase productivity or be
involved in personnel selection. They are employed in business, government agencies, and academic settings.
PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY: Physiological psychologists study the physiological correlates of behavior. They study
both very basic processes (e.g., how brain cells function) and more readily observable phenomena (e.g., behavioral
changes as a function of drug use or the biological/genetic roots of psychiatric disorders). Most are employed in academic
settings.
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY: School psychologists are involved in enhancing the development of children in educational
settings. They assess children’s psychoeducational abilities and recommend actions to facilitate student learning. They are
typically trained in Schools of Education and work in public school systems. They often act as consultants to parents,
teachers, and administrators to optimize the learning environments of specific students. (See also Educational Psychology.)
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY: Social psychologists study how our beliefs, feelings, and behaviors are affected by other persons.
Some topics of interest to social psychologists are attitude formation and change, aggression, prejudice, and interpersonal
attraction. Most social psychologists work in academic settings, but some work in federal agencies and businesses doing
applied research.
Lloyd, M. A. and Dewey, R. A. (1997, August 28). Areas of specialization in psychology. [Online]. Available:
http://www.psywww.com/careers/specialt.htm.
7
History of the Missouri Western Psychology Department
Date
1925
1931
1941
1958
1968
19701980
1989
2005
2009
Event
Psychology becomes part of the St. Joseph Junior College curriculum. Mary
Francis Robinson, who received her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1937,
taught courses in introductory, applied and educational psychology.
Mary Francis Robinson establishes Psychology Club.
Robinson pioneers studies with prefrontal lobotomy patients, showing devastating
side effects on cognitive functioning and personality.
Robinson retires and the education department assumes teaching psychology
courses.
With the establishment of Missouri Western State College, Dr. Willis McCann
develops the four-year psychology curriculum. He was the Chief Psychologist at
the St. Joseph State Hospital for 20 years. There, he pioneered the development of
humanistic, nonsomatic therapies for mentally ill patients.
The curriculum expands and several new faculty are hired to meet the needs of
students interested in psychology.
The Missouri Western chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honors Society in
Psychology, is established by Dr. Phil Wann.
Missouri Western State College becomes Missouri Western State University.
The psychology department establishes the Masters program in Human Factors.
8
Current Faculty / Staff
Dr. Brian Cronk, Professor
Aron Gerhart, Instructor,
Ph.D., Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Cognitive Psychology
Cognition, human-computer interactions
Chair – Department of Psychology
816-271-4388
cronk@missouriwestern.edu
Murphy Hall, 217G
M.A., University of Central Missouri
Counseling Psychology
816-271-5886
agerhart1@missouriwestern.edu
Murphy Hall, 217C
Dr. James Bargar, Professor
Dr. Kelly Henry, Professor
Ph.D., Univ. of Missouri-Kansas City
Counseling Psychology
Counseling, forensic psych., personality
816-271-4528
bargar@missouriwestern.edu
Murphy Hall, 217D
Ph.D., Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Organizational Psychology
Group dynamics, organizational behavior
816-271-5693
henry@missouriwestern.edu
Murphy Hall, 217H
Dr. Teddi Deka, Professor
Stena Hinkle, Administrative Assistant
Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Developmental Psychology
Human development, gender
Director – Honors Program
816-271-4445
deka@missouriwestern.edu
Murphy Hall, 217E
Dr. Ben England, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Texas Tech University
Applied Cognitive Psychology
Metacognition, multimedia learning
(816) 271-5630
Bengland2@missouriwestern.edu
Murphy Hall, 217I
816-271-4444
hinkle@missouriwestern.edu
Murphy Hall, 217
Dr. Christine Ziemer, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Iowa
Developmental Psychology
Cognitive development, statistics
816-271-5681
cziemer@missouriwestern.edu
Murphy Hall, 217F
Dr. Lisa Jo Elliott, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., New Mexico State University
Engineering Psychology
Human Factors, Usability Testing
Director - Masters Program Human Factors
(816) 271-5844
lelliott3@missouriwestern.edu
Murphy Hall, 217B
Facilities
Offices: Murphy Hall Room 217: Eight faculty offices, library, meeting area, lobby
Computer Lab: Murphy Hall, Room 216: 18 computers and two printers for student and class use
Cubicles: Murphy Hall, Rooms 212-215: Small cubicles with video cameras and computers for research
Laboratory for Usability and Interactive Systems (LUIS): Murphy Hall, Rooms 209, 210: Laboratory for
Human Factors Program
Additional Facilities: The computer lab and two classrooms contain video recording equipment
Archives: Several psychological measures available for use by students – See Dr. Cronk
9
Admission to the Major
Admission in the Psychology program is competitive, and an admissions committee reviews all applicants
to the Psychology major October 1 and March 1. Admission is based on the grades earned in five
prerequisite courses, an essay regarding the applicant’s vocational aspirations in Psychology, and grades
in all college work to date.
Steps toward Admission to the Major:
1. Discuss which psychology program best suits your needs with a psychology advisor.

B.S. in General Psychology: For those who plan to attend graduate school or work in the areas of
mental health care, counseling, and research.
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B.A. in General Psychology: Same as above but with an additional foreign language requirement.

B.S. in Personnel Psychology: For those who plan to work in a business or human resources
setting.
2. Complete, or be in progress in no more than two of the following courses (C or better):
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PSY101 must be completed
PSY200
BIO101 or BIO105
MAT110 or higher
ENG104 (or ENG112)
Overall GPA of 2.0 or higher
3. Complete an application form available online before the October 1 or March 1 deadline
https://www.missouriwestern.edu/psychology/undergraduate-degrees/apply/
The department reviews applications received by October 1st each year for acceptance at the
end of the Fall semester, and received by March 1st each year for acceptance at the end of the
Spring semester.
10
Major Requirements (in addition to pre-requisite courses and General Studies)
B. S. or B. A. in General Psychology
General (15cr):
PSY 101, 200, 300, 301, 303, 430,
490
Interpersonal/International (3cr):
PSY 222 or 230 or 260
B. S. Personnel Psychology
Psychology (24 cr):
PSY 101, 200, 230, 300, 301,
303, 310, 325, 365, 490
Experiential Learning (3-4 cr):
PSY 415 or 420 or 421
Biological/Comparative (3 cr):
PSY 335 or 340 or 360
Accounting & Business (6 cr):
ACC 201, GBA 211
Social/ Personality (3 cr):
PSY 350 or 355
Developmental/Lifespan (3 cr):
PSY 319 or 321
Abnormal/Assessment (3 cr):
PSY 309 or 400
Electives (6 cr):
Two more PSY classes at 300+ level
Economics (3 cr):
ECO 260
Management/Marketing (6 cr):
MGT 350, MKT 301
Communications (6 cr):
COM 210, 324
Minor in Psychology
General (6cr):
PSY 101, 200
Group One (3 cr):
PSY 335 or 340 or 360 or 350 or
355
Group Two (3 cr):
PSY 230 or 310 or 319 or 325 or
365
11
Choosing a Minor
A minor is an area of emphasis, in addition to your major, that you wish to explore more deeply but without
taking as many classes as an additional major would require. The minor should round out your education,
helping you obtain a job in your area of interest or help you get into graduate school. Because of these reasons,
faculty in the psychology department recommend that you choose a minor if you have selected the general
psychology major. Most departments at Western offer minors, and some offer several minors. All available
minors are described in the Missouri Western State University Catalog available from the registrar or on line at
www.missouriwestern.edu/Catalog. Some minors are interdisciplinary. That means that the minor contains classes
across several areas of study. Here are some common psychology interest areas, and minors that emphasize
those areas:
If you are interested in:
Bio/Comparative
Clinical
Counseling
Cross-cultural
Developmental
Experimental
Forensic / Legal
Health
History of psychology
Human factors
Learning/behavior
Social/cognitive
Industrial/organizational
You may consider a minor in:
Biology, Chemistry
Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Health Informatics, Philosophy, Wellness
Health Informatics, Music, Speech Communication, Gender and Power,
Sociology, Wellness
Gender and Power, International Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Political
Science, Sociology
Athletic Coaching, Childhood Studies, Recreation Sport Management,
Sociology, Wellness
Computer Science, Computer Technology, Computer Information Systems,
Math
Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Legal Studies
Recreation Sports Management, Wellness
Art History, European History, Philosophy, Religion
Computer Science, Computer Technology, Computer Information Systems,
Engineering Technology, Math
Biology, Chemistry, Peace and Conflict Studies
Computer Science, Computer Technology, Computer Information Systems,
Political Science, Sociology, Speech Communication, Gender and Power
Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, General Business, Legal Studies,
Political Science
Applying for a Minor: Visit your academic advisor. He or she will fill out the appropriate form to add a minor.
You must first be accepted into the psychology program and have a major form on file before you can declare a
minor.
If you are completing the B.S. General Emphasis psychology major, you should have room in your schedule to
complete a minor. See your advisor for assistance.
12
Statistics Test-Out Procedure
The PSY 300, Introduction to Psychological Statistics, course is a cornerstone course in the MWSU psychology major.
The statistical procedures and concepts taught in this course are essential for performance in upper-division research
classes. For this reason, transfer credit for this course will be given only for those students who demonstrate proficiency
in the key statistical concepts and SPSS procedures taught in PSY 300.
To receive transfer credit for PSY 300, you must have received a C or better in a statistics class taught at an accredited
college or university that has a course description similar to Missouri Western’s PSY 300. The course must be equivalent
to three or more hours of credit and have included examples/statistical problems based on the social sciences. Bring your
transcript and a catalog course description or syllabus to the MWSU Psychology Chairperson for approval.
In addition, to receive transfer credit for PSY 300, you must demonstrate proficiency in statistics and the SPSS statistical
package by scoring at least 70% on an examination of basic statistical concepts (see below). See Dr. Cronk to take this
statistics proficiency exam.
You can expect the following topics to appear on the statistics proficiency exam
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
Samples vs. populations
Inferential and descriptive statistics
Symbols
Independent and dependent variables
Parametric and non-parametric tests
Measurement Scales
Graphing conventions
Weighted averages
z-distribution
Calculating z-scores
34%/14%/2% ranges
Frequency tables and grouped frequency tables
Measures of central tendency
Definition of variance
Shapes of distributions
Standard deviation
Standard error
Probability – addition and multiplication rules
Mutually excusive events
Independent events
Sampling effects
Pearson correlation
Simple linear regression
Multiple linear regression
Type I/II errors
Power
Effect Size
H0 and H1
1-tailed and 2-tailed tests
Critical values
Entering data into SPSS
Interpreting SPSS results
Single sample t-tests
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
Paired sample t-tests
Independent sample t-tests
One-Way ANOVA
Tukey’s HSD
Factorial ANOVA
Chi-Square test of independence
Selecting the appropriate test
13
Honors in Psychology
Enrollment in the Western Honors Program provides high-achieving students opportunities to enhance their
learning through smaller classes, guest speakers, conference attendance, study abroad, scholarships and in-depth
research experiences.
Admission Requirements
Incoming freshmen must have an ACT score of at least 26 and a high school GPA of 3.5. Current students must
have a GPA of 3.5. Students must fill out an application and receive acceptance to the program. The application
is available at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/honors. To remain in the program, students must maintain a 3.20
GPA their Freshman year and a 3.50 GPA every year thereafter. If you are interested in joining the honors
program, contact Dr. Deka at 271-4535 or visit the website listed above.
General Studies Honors
To graduate with General Studies Honors, students must enroll in a minimum of six sections of General Studies
Honors courses and pass each with a B or better. General Studies Honors courses fulfill general studies
requirements, but are designated as Honors sections.
In addition, students must also complete six hours of Honors Colloquium courses, each completed with a grade
of B or better. Colloquium courses are special topics courses offered only to honors students, with one being a
Freshman Colloquium.
For transfer students, honors credit will not be transferred and must be completed at Western.
Students who fulfill these requirements will graduate with the distinction of General Studies Honors.
Majors Honors
To graduate with Majors Honors in Psychology, the student must work under the direction of a faculty mentor
to conduct a two-semester Honors Independent Research Project. This project includes writing a proposal,
forming a committee of three faculty members (including the mentor) to approve the proposal, obtaining
CUHSR approval, conducting independent research and writing a Senior Honors Thesis. The student must
present his or her research at a conference, and/or publish the research in a professional journal.
Students usually begin their Honors Independent Research as second-semester juniors or first-semester seniors.
Building a relationship with a faculty member before this time is essential. Consider working as a research
assistant with a faculty member before this time to prepare for the Honors Independent Research Project.
In addition, the student must complete six additional credit hours PSY450 (research) and six hours of colloquia.
However, if the student completed General Studies Honors, only four additional credit hours of colloquia are
required.
Before initiating a project, students must complete the Majors Honors Approval Form at
http://www.missouriwestern.edu/honors. Students who fulfill these requirements will graduate with the
distinction of Majors Honors. Students may complete both Majors Honors and General Studies Honors.
14
Important Dates
September 30
Fall deadline for joining Psychology Club
October 1
October 1
Fall deadline for application to Psychology major
Scholarship applications available for next year
Fall deadline for application to Psi Chi
November 1
Application for Spring Graduation must be compete and turned in to registrar.
November
Preregistration for Spring classes begins. Sign up for advisement.
November
Submit Independent Research Applications and Practicum Applications for Spring semester.
Note: Practicum applications are due before pre-registration begins.
Exit Exams (university and psychology dept) should be taken by Fall graduates. Psychology
Dept exit exams are given within PSY 490.
Spring deadline for joining Psychology Club
November
January 30
March 1
March 1
Application deadline for Outstanding Psychology 101 student, McCann Outstanding Senior
Award and FAFSA Application for All Scholarships Due.
Exit Exams (university and psychology dept) should be taken by Spring graduates. Psychology
Dept. exit exams are given within PSY 490.
Spring deadline for application to Psychology major
April 1
Application for Summer Graduation must be complete and turned in to registrar.
March 1
Spring deadline for application to Psi Chi
April
Preregistration for Summer and Fall classes begins. Sign up for advisement.
April
April
Submit Independent Research applications and Practicum Applications for Fall semester.
Note: Practicum applications are due before pre-registration begins.
Exit Exams (university and psychology dept) should be taken by Spring graduates.
July 1
Application for Fall Graduation must be complete and turned in to registrar.
March
Materials You Should Have
Title
What is it?
Where do I get it?
College Catalog
Describes all courses at Western and degree requirements
http://www.missouriwestern.edu/
Catalog/
Class Schedule
Describes courses offered per semester and exam schedules
http://www.missouriwestern.edu/
Schedule/
Student Handbook
Describes procedures and code of conduct for students
https://www.missouriwestern.edu
/studentemployment/studenthandbook/
Major / Minor forms
Lists classes needed to complete the psychology major
https://forms.missouriwestern.edu
/registrar/ug/
APA Quick Reference
A guide to help you write papers in the proper format for Psy.
CUHSR Instructions
A guide to gain permission to conduct research on humans or
animals
http://www.apastyle.org/learn/qu
ick-guide-on-references.aspx
https://www.missouriwestern.edu
/humansubsresearch/
15
Finding Psychological Articles
Many of your classes will require that you find peer reviewed journal articles to cite for papers.
What is a journal article?
A journal article is written by a professional within his or her field of expertise for other professionals or
students studying within the field.
What does “peer reviewed” mean?
This means that the article was reviewed by other professionals before it was allowed to be printed in the
journal. This can be a very rigorous process, and sometimes journals only publish 15% of the articles that are
sent to them. In other words, “peer reviewed” means that the contents of the article have met a certain level of
scientific rigor necessary for you to trust that it contains accurate information.
Finding peer-reviewed journal articles
From Missouri Western’s Home Page, select “Library” or go to https://www.missouriwestern.edu/library/. On
the top of the screen, select “search for articles” then “Ebsco Host.” You will be able to select a number of
different databases relevant to psychology to search simultaneously. The ones that are probably most helpful are
Academic Search Complete, ERIC, Mental Measurements Yearbook with Tests in Print, PsyARTICLES,
PsychINFO, and eBook Academic Collection. You can then search by keyword. Separate all keywords with
“and”. Also, to ensure you get a peer-reviewed journal article, you can select “peer reviewed” from the options
that are listed on the page.
Once you find an article of interest, there are several ways that it can be acquired. Here are the possible phrases
you will find underneath the abstract that will guide you to the actual article:
Title Not Held Locally
Consult a librarian for help in acquiring the article.
HTML Full Text
Click on this to review and print the full article from your computer.
PDF Full Text
Click on this to review and print the full article from your computer.
Check for Full Text
Click on this to find out how to get the article. You may have to fill out an
Interlibrary Loan Request Form, which is available at the site you will be
directed to.
If you need more information, don’t hesitate to ask one of the reference librarians!
16
Independent Research
Students can receive course credit for conducting psychological research by taking PSY 450, Independent
Research. The amount of credit for this course ranges from one to five credit hours, depending on the extent of
the project. Independent research credits benefit students by providing hands-on research experiences. These
experiences will help with future job potential as well as graduate school admission.
Students may participate in research on one of three levels:
Research Assistant
Work on a faculty member’s research project for 1-2 hours credit.
Independent Research
Design a psychological investigation with a faculty member for 3 or more
hours credit.
Honors Independent Research
Design and implement a two-semester psychological investigation with a
thesis requirement for 3 or more hours credit per semester, and present the
research at a conference regional or national conference, or submit
research to a scholarly journal. This option is only available to honors
students and fulfills part of the requirement for Majors Honors.
How to get started:
Make sure you have completed coursework that will maximize your experience. Usually, Juniors or Seniors
who have completed at least PSY 300 (and preferably PSY 301/303) apply for independent research credit.
Approach a faculty member working in an area of interest to you in the semester before you intend to enroll in
independent research.
If you intend to design an investigation with a faculty member, suggest some topics that are of interest to you.
The faculty member may or may not agree to supervise your PSY 450 experience. To maximize your
acceptance, make sure to select a faculty member whose area of interest meshes well with yours, and develop a
strong academic record.
Fill out an Independent Research Application, available in the Psychology office, with the approval of your
sponsoring faculty member.
Other Information:
PSY 450 can be repeated for more credits. Many students begin as research assistants and move on to
completing independent research or honors independent research.
Individual faculty members will have different requirements for working with them as research assistants or on
independent research projects. Make sure that you and the faculty member agree on your obligations.
For each credit hour taken, you can expect to work for three hours per week on the project. Thus, if you sign up
for two credit hours, you will be expected to devote six hours weekly during the semester to the project.
PSY 450 is offered both Fall and Spring semesters. See your faculty mentor about Summer opportunities.
Funding for materials may be available for your research project through the LAS Dean’s office. Ask your
faculty mentor for more information.
17
Undergraduate Conference Information
For many students, their lab experience in PSY 303 and experience in independent research lead to
presentations at conferences or publications in undergraduate research journals.
Funding may be available for travel to conferences through the Student Excellence Fund (Missouri Western
Foundation) and through the Student Government Organization (SGA). See the “Finances” section for more
information on funding.
For conferences, one or more faculty members usually attend the ones listed and will coordinate hotel rooms
and registrations for students interested in attending. Consult your faculty mentor for this information.
Conferences that Accept Student Presentations
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MWSU Interdisciplinary Research Day
o Semi-Annual (fall, spring)
o Missouri Western State University
o Open to all MWSU students
o Poster presentations of empirical and non-empirical works
o https://www.missouriwestern.edu/appliedlearning/events/mrd/
Missouri Undergraduate Research Conference
o Annual (November). Submissions due in early November
o Locations vary
o Open to all undergraduates in Psychology and other disciplines
o Poster, oral and panel presentations of empirical works
Great Plains Student Psychology Convention
o Annual (March). Submissions due in February.
o Location changes every year within the Midwest
o Open to all undergraduates in Psychology
o Poster and oral presentations of empirical and non-empirical works
Midwestern Psychological Association Annual Meeting
o Annual (May). Submissions due in early November.
o Chicago, IL (Palmer House)
o Open to PsiChi Members
o Poster presentations of empirical works
o http://www.psichi.org
Missouri Psychological Association Annual Meeting
o Annual (April)
o Location changes every year within Missouri
o Open to all undergraduates in Psychology
o Poster and oral presentations focused on clinical issues
Missouri Academy of Science
o Annual (April)
o Location changes every year within Missouri
o Open to all undergraduates in several disciplines
o Poster and oral presentations
American Psychological Association Annual Convention
o Annual (August). Early submission required.
o Location changes every year.
o www.apa.org
Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention
o Annual (May). Early submission required.
o Location changes every year.
o http://www.psychologicalscience.org
18
Undergraduate Publication Information
There are several journals that publish undergraduate research. Some requirements are more stringent than
others. Most submissions require faculty sponsorship. Contact these individual sites for more information.
American Journal of Undergraduate Research
http://www.ajur.uni.edu
Journal of Psychological Inquiry
http://www.fhsu.edu/psych/jpi/
Journal of Psychology and the Behavioral Sciences
http://view.fdu.edu/default.aspx/default.aspx?id=784
Modern Psychological Studies
http://modernpsychologicalstudies.weebly.com/
National Undergraduate Research Clearinghouse
http://www.webclearinghouse.net/
Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research
http://www.psichi.org/?page=JN_Submissions
Practicum Information
Practicum experience (PSY 420) is offered each Fall for four credit hours. These experiences provide senior
students in psychology with opportunities to apply their knowledge to actual situations in the field. The student
is expected to spend an average of six hours per week during the semester in direct contact hours at the site plus
one hour per week of meeting time with the sponsoring faculty member. A journal/log is kept by the student
throughout the semester. Each student is required to make a one-hour presentation of his/her practicum
experience near the end of the semester, and must be evaluated by both the site supervisor (letter of evaluation)
and the faculty supervisor to complete the experience.
How to Get Started
Contact Dr. Bargar, the department practicum coordinator during your junior year expressing your interest in
practicum and potential practicum sites. Also, discuss your wish for practicum with your advisor.
Fill out an application in the semester before you will be involved in practicum. Applications are due before
pre-registration begins. Applications are available in the psychology department.
Try to find a site for your practicum experience. Several suggestions are available from the practicum
information sheet located in the psychology office. Or, see your advisor for suggestions.
Acceptance of Practicum
Faculty in the department review each practicum application. To increase your chances of having your
practicum experience approved, consider the following:
o Your status (seniors are favored) and the course work you have already completed.
o Your performance in course work that could be related to the practicum experience.
o How many courses you will be taking during the semester you are intending to take practicum, as well
as how many hours you work during the semester. An unrealistic work load will interfere with your
ability to complete the practicum experience.
o History of responsibility of the applicant. Practicum students should be capable of self-direction and
self-motivation.
o Goodness of fit between student’s educational aspirations and practicum site needs.
19
Student Organizations in Psychology
Joining an organization is considered, by many employees and especially graduate school committees, an
essential part of the university experience. Active participation in an organization can provide you with many
skills such as good citizenship, the ability to apply classroom knowledge to the “real” world, a sense of
community with others, and leadership skills if you decide to become an officer. It is strongly encouraged that
you consider joining one or both of the organizations within the psychology department.
Psychology Club
ESTABLISHED:
COLORS:
SPONSOR:
PURPOSE:
ELIGIBILITY:
DUES:
APPLICATION:
ACTIVITIES:
1931
Maroon and white
Dr. Ziemer
To promote social and academic interaction among students interested in psychology.
Any student interested in psychology, regardless of major.
$5.00 per semester
September 30, January 31, See Dr. Ziemer or go to meeting posted on Club board outside
of the Murphy second floor computer lab.
Campus activities, sponsor a site through fundraising and volunteerism in community,
Psychology Awareness Week, social events.
Psi Chi
ESTABLISHED:
COLORS:
SPONSOR:
PURPOSE:
ELIGIBILITY:
DUES:
APPLICATION:
ACTIVITES:
1989 (Missouri Western Chapter)
Blue and gold
Dr. Deka
National Honor Society in Psychology whose purpose is to encourage, stimulate and
maintain scholarship and advance the science of psychology.
Completed eight credit hours in psychology courses with minimum psychology grade
average of “B”. Must have overall cumulative GPA in the upper 35% of the student’s
class. Membership criteria will be posted on the Club board every semester.
$55.00 one-time application fee.
Fall and Spring each year. See Dr. Deka.
Campus activities, sponsor a site through fundraising and volunteerism in community,
Psychology Awareness Week, social events, conference attendance and participation.
20
Department Scholarships
To Apply for Any Western Scholarship, You Must:
Be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Not receive more money than the total of your tuition, fees, room, board, books and supplies.
Apply between October 1 and March 1.
Complete the FAFSA application on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Complete the General Scholarship Application on-line at
https://www.missouriwestern.edu/finaid/scholarships-and-grants/
Submit required letters of reference or other information as specified for each scholarship.
Donor Funded-Willis H. McCann Scholarship
This scholarship is available to a first- or second-semester senior majoring in psychology who has and maintains a 3.0
GPA, both cumulative and in the major. The award will be made on the basis of financial need and vocational aspirations.
Students apply as Juniors.
Application Deadline: March 1st
Application Procedures: Complete the General Scholarship Application, and consult the Psychology Department.
Western Excellence-Psychology (Freshman)
This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to an incoming student who demonstrates interest in Psychology. The recipient must
enroll in PSY101 or PSY200 during the first semester of the award. A minimum ACT score of 24 is required to apply; and
preference will be given to students in the Missouri Western Honors program. Financial need will be considered in
addition to academic potential and genuine interest in Psychology. Please attach a brief essay discussing your interest in
Psychology; and why you should be considered for this scholarship. Please discuss academic potential; and financial need
in addition to interest in the discipline.
Application Deadline: March 1st
Application Procedures: Complete the General Scholarship Application
Western Excellence-Psychology (Outstanding Applicant)
This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to the overall best applicant to the Psychology Major each year. To be considered; you
must be accepted into the Psychology major during the academic year in which you apply. The recipient must complete a
major/minor form declaring a major in Psychology and enroll in or complete PSY300 during the first semester of the
award.
Application Deadline: March 1st
Application Procedures: Complete the General Scholarship Application
Western Excellence-Psychology (Outstanding Freshman)
This scholarship is awarded to one or two students as either $500 or $1000. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
and have completed PSY101 or equivalent. Applicants must have completed 36 or fewer hours. Decision will be made
based on performance in PSY101; GPA; overall performance as a freshman; ACT score; and a brief essay. The recipient
must enroll in or complete PSY200 during the first semester of the award.
Application Deadline: March 1st
Application Procedures: Complete the General Scholarship Application
21
Funding for Research
For Research (MWSU)
Psychology Chairperson’s Research Scholarship | Deadline March 1
$1000 to be awarded across two semesters: $500 in Fall and $500 in the Spring semester.
Declared Psychology major, minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; must enroll in three credits PSY 450 in the semester
of the initial award, then present the research to the campus community as well as submit it for presentation to a
regional or national conference, or for publication. Selection Criteria: 1. Quality and feasibility of proposed
research, 2. Financial need, 3. Student’s academic and extracurricular record
https://www.missouriwestern.edu/psychology/psychology-chairpersons-research-scholarship/
Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences may have funds for student research. Ask your faculty mentor for help in
applying for this money.
For Research (Regional/National)
APS Student Grant Competition | Deadline November 15
Grant of $300.00 or $500.00 for an APS Student Affiliate to conduct research.
http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/members/grants-awards-and-symposia/student-grant-competition
Hunt Research Grants | Deadline September 15
Psi Chi students and faculty members may apply for $3000 to complete empirical research that addresses a
question directly related to Psi Chi.
https://app.smarterselect.com/scholarships/11496-2013-14-thelma-hunt-research-grants
Summer Research Grants | Deadline April 30
Psi Chi members can apply to conduct summer research at nationally recognized research institutions and receive
$3500.
https://app.smarterselect.com/scholarships/14318-2013-14-all-psi-chi-summer-research-grants
Undergraduate Research Grants | Deadline October 1, February 1
Open to Psi Chi members to defray the cost of conducting a research project. Applicants may request up to
$1500 for each project.
https://app.smarterselect.com/scholarships/14106-2013-14-undergraduate-research-grants---spring
22
Funding for Conferences and Travel
For Conferences and Travel (MWSU)
Student Excellence Fund | Deadline October 18, February 7
This fund is used for activities such as conferences and seminars, research, presentation of papers and
participation in state and national competitions and tournaments. Allocations from the SEF are based upon
availability of funds, with the maximum award per student per academic year limited to $700.
https://www.missouriwestern.edu/foundation/student-excellence-fund/
Blake K. Scanlon Applied Learning Presentation Grant | October 18, February 7
The Blake K. Scanlon Applied Learning Presentation Grant was established by James J. and Lauren K. Scanlon
for the purpose of providing grants to Missouri Western State University students presenting refereed papers (or
refereed poster sessions) or exhibiting juried works (or making juried performances) in national and international
professional venues (not regional). The funds shall be used to cover travel, lodging, and meal expenses associated
with their role in these venues. Individual grant awards shall be no more than $1,000.
https://www.missouriwestern.edu/foundation/blake-scanlon/
Student Government Association at Missouri Western | Rolling Deadline
The SGA can usually provide some money for student travel, particularly if students are traveling in groups.
https://www.missouriwestern.edu/sga/wp-content/uploads/sites/295/2013/10/individualapp.pdf
Psychology Club and Psi Chi at Missouri Western| Rolling Deadline
The clubs often contribute funds to members who are traveling to conferences. If you are an active member of
Psychology Club or Psi Chi, inquire about these funds by contacting the current president.
For Conferences and Travel (Regional/National)
The following psychology conferences offer travel assistance to undergraduates. Please see their websites for more
information. Generally, students must be a student affiliate/member of the organization that sponsors the conference, and
must submit a paper or poster to the convention at least six months ahead of the convention date.
Association for Psychological Science
http://www.psychologicalscience.org/apssc/awards/travel.cfm
Midwestern Psychological Association
http://www.psichi.org
Southwestern Psychological Association
http://www.psichi.org
American Psychological Association
http://www.apa.org/about/awards/scidir-stutrav.aspx
23
Graduation Procedures
Use this checklist to ensure that you have taken all of the proper steps to graduate:
Have You:
_____ Consulted with your advisor about graduating?
_____ Applied for graduation with the Registrar’s office in accordance with the deadlines
July 1 for Fall, November 1 for Spring, April 1 for Summer?
_____ Paid $80 fee to the registrar (2nd degree is additional $40.00)?
_____ Made sure that you will have completed 124 hours of coursework excluding classes designated with numbers
<101?
_____ Made sure that your GPA is at least 2.0, both overall and within your major?
_____ Taken at least 30 credit hours of 300-400 level courses?
_____ Earned 30 of your last 45 credit hours at MWSU in resident course work?
_____ Checked that you only counted six or fewer credits with the CED (100 level or higher) designation toward your
124 hours total?
_____ Consulted with the registrar about any transfer credit or necessary paperwork?
_____ Made sure that your major / minor forms are on file and not expired?
_____ Made sure that you fulfilled or will fulfill all requirements for your major and minor?
_____ Signed up for your university exit exam with the testing center during the semester you intend to graduate?
_____ Taken (or will take) the psychology department exit exam within your PSY 490 class?
_____ If you are an honors student, did you complete the proper forms for the Honors Office for General Studies Honors
and/or Majors Honors?
_____ If you completed Majors Honors, did you give a copy of your thesis to the administrative assistant in the
Psychology Department and Honors Program?
24
Graduate School: Is it right for you?
There are several advanced programs offered in psychology. The most common are experimental,
developmental, social, biopsychology, cognitive, clinical, counseling, school, and industrial-organizational
psychology. For information on programs, examine the book Graduate Study in Psychology available in our
library and in the psychology department. Here are some things that you can do to decide if graduate school is
right for you:
Discuss your options with your advisor. He or she is an excellent resource of information.
Examine potential programs during your junior year. You can make sure you are prepared for entrance
into their program by meeting their prerequisites.
Think about what you want to do with your career. What level of education is necessary?
Assess your strengths. Is your GPA up to par? What can you offer to their program?
Assess your finances. You may be able to obtain a fellowship, a research assistantship or a teaching
assistantship. If not, what can you afford?
What increases your chances of being admitted:
GPA: Competitive programs may require a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Less competitive may be 3.0 and up.
Letters of Recommendation: Getting to know faculty by joining the Psychology Club and / or Psi Chi,
participating in class, and research or practicum can strengthen these relationships. Most programs require at
least three letters. Make sure to fill out the request form in this handbook for each request.
Research Experience : Conducting research with faculty members and presenting such research at conferences
or publishing articles is very favorable.
GRE Score: The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is much like the SAT, but for graduate school. It contains three
sections: Verbal, math (quantitative) and analytic writing. Most programs have a minimum score they will
accept, which is calculated by adding the verbal and quantitative scores. Preparedness is essential. Many books,
computer programs and even preparatory classes are available to help study for the GRE. We recommend at
least three months of preparation/study time. Some schools will require you to complete an additional GRE for
psychology. The best study method is an introductory psychology textbook and a history of psychology
textbook. Ask your professors if they have extra books you could borrow to prepare.
Personal Statement: Most graduate schools require a personal statement explaining why you want to go to
graduate school. Don’t take this lightly! This may be the deciding factor between you and another candidate.
Avoid saying “I want to help people” even though this may be true. Instead, explain why you want to do this,
and why you would be good at it.
Practical Experience : Working in a setting relating to your area of interest may be very helpful. Just make
sure that you emphasize this in your personal statement, or maybe one of your reference-writers can emphasize
your work. You may want to participate in a practicum experience (see page 19) or take a class with service
learning experiences embedded in it. If you have completed such classes, don’t forget to mention them in your
statement!
25
Contact with Graduate Faculty: Are you interested in working with a particular faculty member in the
graduate program? Contact him or her. Discuss common research. Contact with faculty at the graduate school
will be a definite plus for you.
Where to apply
Try to pick the school that best suits your needs in terms of the program being offered, the faculty members
available and their skills, financial support the school may offer you, and location (if that is important to you).
Some programs are called “Ph.D” programs. These are the most competitive, since the school will accept you
for both your Masters and Ph.D. work. Successful completion of the Masters and an examination will
automatically enroll you in their Ph.D. program. Less competitive are Masters programs. You may complete a
terminal master’s degree, where you enter the workforce after the masters, or you may apply for a Ph.D.
program after completing the Masters program. In addition, “PsyD” programs may also be less competitive than
Ph.D. programs. These programs train you to be a professional counselor, but also may be costly.
A good rule is to apply to 3-5 programs that you feel confident that you could gain entrance, 3-5 that you
may/may not accept you, and 3-5 that are a bit out of your reach. Applying to 15 programs may not be feasible
for you since most charge up to $50.00 (not refundable) to even apply. You may be able to get assistance to pay
for the application fees. Consult the application procedures for each individual school.
When to apply
Applications for Fall are usually expected before January. Programs will differ on application deadlines.
Schools typically expect that you have completed your GRE before applying.
26
Missouri Western State University
Master of Applied Science: Human Factors & Usability Testing Option
Our program combines business and human factors education. Develop your professional
management skills in product: design, implementation and evaluation!
We emphasize the business of Human Factors!
Our curriculum is composed of half business and half human factors courses. The business courses
provide you an understanding of managerial, organizational, marketing and economic theory. The
human factors courses provide you an understanding of cognition, human-computer interaction, user
centered design, experimental and practical methodologies as it relates to product development.
We offer you two educational paths for completing your degree the professional (internship) or the
researcher (thesis).
We are always searching for those with undergraduate degrees in computer science, business,
engineering, design or psychology that have a desire to make better products. Financial assistance is
available to well qualified applicants.
Learn more at http://www.MissouriWestern.edu/Psychology/Graduate
27
Finding Employment at the Bachelors Level
You may be tired of people telling you, “Oh, you can’t do anything with a bachelors degree in Psychology!” In
contrast, the bachelor’s degree in psychology is valued by employers because it provides students with critical
thinking skills, research methodology and statistics, computer skills, interpersonal skills and ethics (Landrum,
2001). Bachelor’s degree recipients often find entry level positions in service-related fields such as case
manager, probation officer, crisis counselor, research assistant and resource counselor (Cannon, 2005). They
work in education, government, health care, human resources, management and business, public relations, sales
and social service settings.
Bachelor’s degree recipients are expected to remain highly competitive in the job market compared to other
graduates because their “soft skills” paired with research abilities are highly adaptable to meet the needs of
diverse occupations (Murray, 2002). Therefore, bachelor’s programs should continue to emphasize skills that
encourage flexibility in the workplace, such as statistical ability, critical thinking, communication skills and
interpersonal skills.
There are several things you can do to maximize your employment at the bachelor’s level.
1. Don’t just take the required classes. Think about taking classes that strengthen a particular
interest of yours.
2. Add a minor. Think about what type of career you want, and which minor would help you the
most.
3. Develop practical skills. Take a practicum at a work site you would be interested in. See page 19
for details.
4. Find people who are doing what you would like to do in the workforce, and ask them what skills
they needed to be successful. See pages 3 and 4 for potential careers.
5. Market yourself on applications. Emphasize your statistical abilities and skills in understanding
people.
6. Get good references. Get to know faculty members so that they can speak highly of you.
7. Join Psychology Club and/or Psi Chi. This will help you build a network of others you can rely
on, as well as interact more with faculty members and build up your service experience.
8. Use the resources that MWSU has available in their Career Development Center (271-4205).
9. Volunteer at organizations that could build your skills in the area you would like to work in.
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Request for Letter of Recommendation from Psychology Department Faculty
To: __________________________________________________
I, ______________________________________________ would like to ask you to write a letter of
recommendation on my behalf. I am applying for (circle one):
Graduate School
A Job
A Scholarship
Other (specify below)
__________________________________________________________________________________
By signing this form, I give permission for you to access my grades / transcript and to discuss matters relating
to grades / transcript in the recommendation letter. If this form is not signed, I am denying permission to
discuss my grades /transcript in the recommendation letter.
I understand that completing this form is not a guarantee that the professor will agree to write a letter of
recommendation on my behalf.
This form will be retained by the psychology department in your academic file.
___________________________________________________
Signature noting acceptance of terms
______________________
Date
For professor (circle one):
Accept Request
Deny Request
Date letter(s) completed: _____________________________________________________________