1. Department of Psychology
Freshmen Orientation
Department of Psychology

2. Orientation Objectives
Introduction to the Department
Distinguishing between a BA vs. a BS Degree
Introduction to Academic Advising
High School Transfer Credits
How to be successful your first semester
Connect with us!

3. Intro to the Psychology Department
Location: David King Hall
Ph: (703)

4. Note! - Neuroscience has split from the Department as of the Fall of 2017

5. Intro to the Psych Department
Under the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
1 of 21 CHSS Departments
8 undergraduate Concentrations in the major and 7 minors    
CHSS is the largest academic division on campus
6,273 undergraduate students and 1,416 graduate students (beginning in Fall 2017), representing 25 percent of all undergraduate students and 14 percent of all graduate students at Mason.
Connections with more than 53,000 alumni are maintained through a print magazine, special events, and social media        
2011 – 2012, Psychology was the 3rd largest major on campus, with roughly 1,300 undergraduates at the time.

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

7. Bachelor of Arts VS Bachelor of Science
What’s the difference?
B.A.
Non-western Culture Class
Philosophy or Religion Classes
Foreign Language Classes
B.S.
Math Emphasis
2 courses from the required list
Science Emphasis
Technical Writing Classes
1 Extra Psych Lab Class
Please see the Orientation Materials for the BA and BS requirements for more information!

8. Academic Advising

9. Academic Advising Psychology Undergraduate Office
David King Hall Room 2086
Psychology Graduate Office
David King Hall Room 2013F
Director of Undergraduate Advising
Dr. Michael Hurley,
Advisors
These are graduate students
You are not assigned to a particular one.
Bring your Degree Evaluation to appointment
ALWAYS include your G#!!

10. Academic Advising Expectations
Interactive Appointments!
Better understanding of degree requirements
Know the basic concepts for creating your semester schedule and tools you can utilize.
Be sure to meet with an advisor, AT MINIMUM, once a semester.

11. Academic Advising Expectations
To schedule your advising appointment please visit the Department of Psychology website:
Psychology.gmu.edu
Find my advisor (top right corner)

12. Step 1
Step 3
Step 2
Step 1. Click ”Schedule a Psychology Advising Appointment” to get to GMU SSC advising center.
Steps 2. and 3. Keep in mind that Neuroscience (unless a you are a Concentration or Minor in Cognitive Behavior and Neuroscience), your advising is in a different area of campus! Instead of clicking on “Psychology” in SSC you will click on “Neuroscience”. Also keep number 3 in mind before your appointments!

13. Academic Advising: Setting an Appointment

14. Academic Advising: Setting an Appointment

15. Academic Advising: Setting an Appointment
Find and Select ”Psychology Major Advising”

16. Academic Advising: Setting an Appointment

17. Academic Advising: Setting an Appointment
Our advisors vary on availability. If you do not have a preference you may leave it blank, or pick from one on the drop down menu.

18. Academic Advising: Setting an Appointment
Pick your preference for day and whether you want your appointment in the morning or afternoon!

19. Academic Advising: Setting an Appointment
Select a time!

20. Academic Advising: Setting an Appointment

21. Academic Advising: Setting an Appointment
Congratulations!

22. Academic Advising: Your Privacy is important to us!
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
If you wish to have someone sit in your appointment with you, they must fill out a FERPA Form before your appointment begins!! NO EXCEPTIONS!! Except for children under the age of 13
Federal Law to protect you.
By signing this, it allows your advisor to share information with others being discussed during your appointment ONLY!
The form must be filled out every time you have someone with you, even if it is the same person.
Only use your MASON when corresponding with instructors and advisors!

23. High School Transfer Credits
AP, IB, & Duel Enrollment

24. High School Transfer Credits
Appropriate exam scores are necessary for transfer
Check what transferred from your high school or duel enrollment institution on the Transfer Equivalency Worksheet on Patriot Web.
Should something need to be corrected you must complete a ”Transfer Re-Evaluation Form” and see your academic advisor before or within the first semester of being at Mason.
Get the Form by scheduling an academic advising session and and advisor will walk you through the evaluation.

25. Transfer Equivalency Worksheet
This is available on Patriot Web under Student Records -> Transcript!

26. How to be successful,
In college!

27. How to be successful!! Outside of Psychology
GO TO CLASS!
Take good notes!
Professors will drop you if you do not show up!
Consider UNIV 100 (Freshman Transition)
Communicate with your instructor
Utilize instructors office hours (They are on the syllabus)
Please be aware that staff in the department will not know if your professor is in his or her office at the moment. They like to keep their doors shut sometimes so just knock, or make sure you schedule an appointment with them via or after class!!
Utilize Campus Resources
Counseling And Psychological Services (CAPS)
Writing Center
Career Services
And more!!
Join or create study groups!
Join a Student Organization, Athletic Team, Student Senate, Patriot Ambassadors, etc.!
Be involved on Campus!

28. How to be successful!! In Psychology
Get involved in undergraduate research
Become an Undergraduate Research Assistant in a Lab
Submit your research to OSCAR (Office of Student Scholars, Creative Activities, and Research) or Students as Scholars
Join Psychology Organizations
The Psychology Club (Student Organization)
Psi Chi (National Organization)
Honors Program
See Orientation Materials for more information.
Last But not least….
Go To Class!

29. Connect with us!
/GMUPsychology GMUPsychology David King Hall room University Drive Fairfax, VA, Phone: (703)