The Cumulative Planning Guide offers suggestions for a successful academic career. Students should also review Requirements for the Major, Program Changes, and Standards for Progress in the Major when planning their semester schedules in order to satisfy Major and graduation requirements.

Freshman Year

READ the Undergraduate Catalog. The general information is helpful, and the specific information about graduation requirements is essential.
DECIDE, tentatively, on a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree and plan academic schedules accordingly.
READ the course descriptions in the Undergraduate Catalog for various departments and schools. Enroll in a broad range of courses.
FOLLOW the syllabus for each course and study for exams. A low grade point average (GPA) may be difficult to raise in later semesters.
SEE an advisor at least once each semester to discuss academic concerns and future plans.

Sophomore Year

ENROLL in courses to assess potential major and minor areas of study.
VISIT the Career Center to learn about occupations and consider enrolling in IDS 106 Career Choice, if relevant.
SPEAK with professors and advisors about careers and future plan.
ATTEND Psi Chi and Student Psychology Association (SPA) meetings for general information about the Major in Psychology and possible careers.
APPLY to the Department for the Major in Psychology.
CONSULT with a Psychology advisor.
INQUIRE about Career Competency Combinations offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Junior Year

DECIDE, tentatively, about graduate school or employment after graduation.
TALK with a Psychology advisor about internships, outofclass experiences, and research opportunities.
JOIN the Student Psychology Association. Consider joining the American Psychological Association (APA) as a student member.
JOIN Psi Chi, if eligible.
DECIDE on a minor and/or a Career Competency Combination, if relevant.
CONSIDER registering for research. Honors Program students should register for research no later than their senior year fall semester.

Summer between junior and senior years

SECURE an internship or employment to enhance academic goals.
REVIEW graduate programs and graduate schools. See the APA's Graduate Study Online or Graduate Study in Psychology by the APA in Milner Library.
REVIEW for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Law School Admissions Test, etc.
REQUEST graduate school applications if pursuing graduate study.

Senior Year
Fall semester for students applying to graduate school

REGISTER for the GRE.
TAKE the GRE prep course in Psychology that is offered by Psi Chi.
COMPLETE required 300-level elective courses for the Major.
REQUEST letters of recommendations from faculty, supervisors, and employers.
APPLY for graduation after completing final registration. Check the Academic Progress Summary. See the Psychology advisors for any discrepancies in the Summary.
ORDER official transcripts for graduate schools.

Fall semester for students seeking employment after graduation

ENROLL in BTE 300 Career Placement Decisions or PSY 392 Senior Seminar for information about future employment.
VISIT the Career Center for information about employment.
ATTEND career fairs, on and off campus, early in the fall semester.
REQUEST letters of recommendation from professors and employers for job applications.
APPLY for graduation after completing final registration. Check the Academic Progress Summary. See the Psychology advisors for any discrepancies in the Summary.

Spring semester

COMPLETE all academic requirements.
SEE professors or advisors for information or advice regarding any final decisions.
TAKE it easy as much as possible. The real world will begin soon enough!
ENJOY graduation and everything that has been accomplished.