Freshman Orientation Department of Psychology George Mason University

Orientation Objectives  Introduction to the department  Distinguish BA vs. BS  Introduction to Academic Advising  High school transfer credits  How to be successful  Stay connected!

Intro to the Department of Psychology

 Under College of Humanities and Social Sciences  One of 22 CHSS majors and degree programs  CHSS is the largest academic division on campus  2011 – 2012 Psychology was the 3 rd largest major on campus, with roughly 1,300 undergraduates

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) vs. Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Bachelor of Arts vs. Bachelor of Science B.A. Math Science 2 labs Literature Fine Arts Non-Western Culture Foreign Language PSYC lab (Research Methods) B.S. Math emphasis 2 courses from required list Science emphasis Intro BIOL 1 & 2 and 2 additional sciences Literature Fine Arts Technical Writing PSYC lab (Research Methods + 1 additional)

Academic Advising

 Psychology Undergraduate Office  David King Hall, room 2086  Director of Undergraduate Advising, Dr. Michael Hurley  Graduate student advisors  Not assigned a specific advisor  Bring your degree evaluation to appointment   ALWAYS include your G#

Academic Advising: Expectations  Interactive  Understand degree requirements  Know the basic concepts for creating your semester schedule  Meet with an advisor once a semester

Academic Advising  To schedule your advising appointment, please visit the Department of Psychology website: 

Academic Advising

Scheduling an advising appointment

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Academic Advising: Student Privacy  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)  Federal law  Sign release allowing advisors to share information  Use only Mason when corresponding with instructors and advisors

High School Transfer Credits (AP, IB, & Dual Enrollment)

High School Transfer Credits  Appropriate exam score necessary for transfer  Check what transferred from your high school or dual enrollment institution on Transfer Equivalency Worksheet  Should something need to be corrected, you must complete a Transfer Re-evaluation Form and see your academic advisor

Transfer Equivalency Worksheet  See what transferred from your high school or dual enrollment institution

How To Be Successful

How To Be Successful  Go to class!  Consider UNIV 100 (Freshman Transition)  Communicate with your instructor  Utilize instructor office hours  Directory posted in hall of David King Hall  Utilize campus resources:  Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) academic skills workshop; Writing Center; Career Services and more!  Join or create study groups

How to Be Successful  Get involved in undergraduate research  Undergraduate research assistant in a lab, OSCAR (Students as Scholars)  Join psychology organizations  Psi Chi: national honor society in psychology (complete minimum of 12 hrs of PSYC and meet GPA requirements)  Honors: 3-semester curriculum for majors (join as early as sophomore year)

Get Connected! Facebook.com/GMUPsychology GMUPsychology