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Frequently Asked Questions
(THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED AS NEW QUESTIONS CROP UP)
If you have a question about the curriculum, please check here first. Your question may have already been answered. If not, or if you still have questions after reading below, please see your advisor and/or email Drs. Shelton & Drigotas for clarification.
Q: Am I required to use the new curriculum?A: That depends. The new curriculum is required for the Class of 2009 and beyond. For Classes 2006-2008, you have the option of completing either the old or new curriculum. You should discuss which curriculum best suits you with your major advisor. Courses are still available to complete the old curriculum.
Q: When and how do I declare which curriculum I want to use?
A: For Class of 2009, declaring the major binds you to the new curriculum. For Classes 2006-2008, you should work with your advisor NOW to determine which curriculum is right for you. Your advisor should know which checklist you are using (OLD or NEW). When you do your junior checklist (Spring of your junior year), you will officially submit the appropriate checklist.
A: Technically, you have the option until you do your junior checklist. When you do your junior checklist, you are essentially making a contract regarding what you need to do to finish, so you MUST establish which curriculum you are using by that time. However, to be sure that you get on track and finish everything, switching back and forth is not recommended.
Q: I took a course as a 100-level and now it has changed to a 200-level. Can I count that course as a 200-level course under the new curriculum?
A: No. The courses that have changed number will also be taught with the level change in mind. Therefore, only true 200-level courses will count towards the new requirements.
Q: I took 100-level courses that are not part of the new curriculum (e.g. 200.115). Can I count these courses under the new curriculum? A: It depends on the particular courses you have taken. For some courses, it was clear that we could make a substitution from the old to the new curriculum. For others, there was simply no way to make the substitution without sacrificing the quality of the program in terms of gaining breadth and depth. You should discuss your particular situation with your advisor. You may also check out the course substitutions by choosing the appropriate list below:
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEW CURRICULUM (Class of 2008 or earlier)
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEW CURRICULUM (Class of 2009 or later)
Q: Under the old curriculum, can I take 200-level courses and count them towards the upper-level requirements?
A: Yes. One (1) 200-level course may be counted as an upper-level credit under the old curriculum, provided you took the course as a 200-level course (not as a 100-level that later changed) and you are not counting that course towards another major requirement.
A: Absolutely. This course has not changed. We changed the number to better reflect the rigor of the course.
Q: I already have credits for research/internship. Can I count these towards the new curriculum?
A. Yes. If an appropriate experience was already done for credit under the psychology course numbers for independent study, then it can count towards the three-credit requirement.
A: Unfortunately, no. You cannot retroactively receive credit for research or internship.
Q: I did an internship, but it was pass/fail. Can this count towards my requirement under the new curriculum?
A: Yes. All internships and some research is done on a pass/fail basis. Although all other courses must be taken for a grade, the small group requirement may be pass/fail in the case of internships.
A: Yes, if it is a substitution (and not a replacement) you can take the course, BUT you cannot count it towards your requirements. For example, if you took Intro to Cognitive Neuropsychology (050.105) during the Fall of 2005, it can count in place of Cognitive Psychology (200.110). You can still take 200.110 because it is a different course, but it cannot count towards the three intro-level course requirement. The five options for intro-level courses were intentionally selected to reflect the breadth of psychology and limit the overlap among the courses.
Q: I had transfer credits approved to count towards the old curriculum. Can they be approved for the new curriculum?
A: Yes. If you are doing the new checklist and you want to count transfer credits, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies.