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What I need to do to graduate with a degree in Psychology

This guide was prepared to help you major in psychology and graduate with minimum trouble(not counting study time.)

Step 1: Go see your advisor

If you do not know who your advisor is find out by going to see

Dr. Gregory
Sloan Center
Office 13
phone ex 4178
home 657-1034
Dr. Provost
Sloan Center
Office 14 B
phone ex 4197
Dr. Rhoads
Sloan Center
Office 14
phone ex 4179
home 886-7706

In fact if you have any questions see Dr. Gregory, Dr. Provost or Dr. Rhoads.

Step 2: Take your general education courses

There are certain courses you must take in order to graduate as part of your liberal arts education. Everyone must take the following courses-this is called your General Education requirements. The sooner you take these course the better off you will be. Do not wait to take them your Junior or Senior years, that’s too late. Take them your freshmen and sophomore years, they will not just go away if you wait.

General Education Courses English Composition I
English Composition II
World lit I
World lit II
Humanities (Choose two of the following )
Art Appreciation 2143
Music Appreciation 2143
Theater Appreciation 2153
Philosophy 2253
Speech (Sp2183)
New Testament
Old Testament
U.S. History HT2233 Or HT2243
Western Civilization HT1133 Or HT1143
2 social science course
Intro to Sociology
Any other Sociology course
Physical science
Biology
1 math course
If you are Track I College Algebra
If you are Track II College Algebra or
Contemporary math
4 hours of PE
(Two of which must be activity courses)

Step 3: Enroll in General Psychology your first semester at Williams

General psychology is the prerequisite for all other psychology courses and the sooner you take it the sooner you move forward. In addition it introduces you to the psychology faculty. It is recommended that your second semester you take Positive Psychology.

In addition all Psychology majors must take the following courses. However, not the first semester. You advisor will help you to decide what to take and when to take it. See Step 1
General Psychology requirements General Psychology
Child Development
Adolescent Development
Abnormal Psychology
History and Systems of Psychology
Personality Theory
Synthesis of Psychology

Step 4: Decide on a Track in psychology

Eventually you must decide upon a specific area of psychology to major in. At Williams there are three possible choices: Track I if you are planning to go to graduate school. Track II if you are planing to go to law school, seminary, directly into the work force or other work that does not require an advanced degree, or Family Psychology if that is your area of special interest. Deciding upon a track does not have to be done immediately but by the end of your sophomore year it will be become more and more difficult if you are undecided.

Track I Track II Family Psychology
Statistics
Experimental
Learning
Testing and Measurement
Neuroscience
+One psychology Elective
Positive Psychology
Social Psychology
Counseling Psychology
+One psychology Elective
Sociology
Marriage and Family
Theories of Learning
Positive Psychology
Social Psychology
Introduction to Counseling
Parenting
Family Systems
Health and Safety
Consumer Finance

Step 5: Decide on a minor

If you are Track I or Track II eventually you must decide upon a minor.(Family psychology has no minor but it has more required courses which equals the same thing.) This does not have to be done immediately but the sooner the better. It is advisable to decide upon a Track before you decide upon a minor. Your advisor will be happy to help you decide upon a minor. Different minors have different requirements. Look in the catalogue to determine what is required. I.e. To minor in sociology requires any 18 in sociology. However, other minors has very specific requirements. See your advisor and check you catalogue.

Step 6: Pass your courses.

You are going to have to have a C average, at the minimum, to graduate.

Step 7: Take English proficiency exam

You will need to take and pass the English proficiency exam. It is strongly recommended that you take this as soon as you have completed Com I and Comp II. A) this gets it out the way, b) this gives you extra time to take it if you should fail it the first time. The times of this exam will be announced. If you should have trouble qualifying see your advisor. The best preparation is to take your 6 hours of composition and 6 hours of literature very seriously. You can take it more than once. Start early.

Step 8: Fill out a degree plan

No later than you’re the end of your Sophomore/beginning of your junior year fill out a degree plan. This is your plan to graduate and how you are going to do it. It lets you know if there are going to be any conflicts. Conflicts that we find out about early can be worked out. Conflicts that we find out about late are far more difficult. A degree plan has been enclosed. The degree plans are also available in disk form if you would like to complete it directly on the computer.

The degree plan can be obtained from your advisor and must be approved by your advisor. It is then approved by the Registrar’s office. Degree plans can be changed after they have been approved if circumstances change.

Step 9: Fill out an intent to graduate

Go to the Registrar’s office and fill out an intent to graduate. This will be done your senior year

Step 10: Order graduation robe

Congratulations!!!

Additional requirements for Track I students

Words of caution for everyone

If you are wanting to go to graduate school you should do the following