1. Major

HOW DO I DECLARE PSYCHOLOGY AS A MAJOR?
First, you must be advised by Academic Assistance of the College of Arts and Sciences (724 General Classroom Building; 404-651-2291), and then by the psychology undergraduate advisor on the 11th floor Urban Life Bldg

WHEN CAN I DECLARE PSYCHOLOGY AS MY MAJOR?
You can declare it at any time but it may effect your graduation date if you are changing majors.

REALLY WANT TO GET MORE EXPERIENCE AS AN UNDERGRADUATE. HOW CAN I ACCOMPLISH THIS?
There are several clubs and programs for Psychology majors: The Honors Program, the Major in a Year Program, Psi Chi, Presidential Assistantships, and Research and Applied Practica. NOTE: Begin looking into what opportunities exist in both Research and Applied Practica NO LATER THAN THE FIRST SEMESTER JUNIOR YEAR.

2. Course and Curriculum Questions

WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR A COURSE?
The 1000- 2000 level courses do not have prerequisites. However, all of the 3000-4000 level courses require that you have taken Psyc 1101 (Intro to General Psychology) EXCEPT 3010 (which requires one college math) and 3030, which requires 3010. NO COURSE CAN BE TAKEN CONCURRENTLY WITH ITS PREREQUISITE. Further, many of the other courses require that you have taken 1101 as well as both Psyc 3010 (Psychological Statistics) and or Psyc 3030 (Principles and Methods of Psychological Investigation). IMPORTANT: NOT ALL COURSES ARE OFFERED EACH SEMESTER. PLAN AHEAD, TO AVOID DELAYING YOUR GRADUATION.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I REGISTER FOR A COURSE WITHOUT HAVING FULFILLED THE PREREQUISITE?
You will be given notice and an opportunity to appeal. If you have not successfully appealed by the appeal date, you will be administratively withdrawn from the class and your tuition refunded. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.

HOW DO I KNOW IF A COURSE I TOOK AT ANOTHER COLLEGE HAS OR WILL TRANSFER?
Obtain a copy of the Psychology Undergraduate Quick Reference Handbook from the Psychology Department, 11th Floor Urban Life or visit the Psychology Undergraduate Website at www.gsu.edu/~wwwpug/TransferApprovals.htm. If your school/course is not listed, discuss the problem with Academic Assistance in the College of Arts & Sciences (404) 651-2291.

HOW DO I PETITION FOR A COURSE TO BE TRANSFERRED?
Fill out a Course Transfer Petition form available in the psychology office, 11th Floor Urban Life.

3. Grading

CAN I GET A GRADE CHANGED?
Students are encouraged to first contact the professor of the course to review coursework to in order to determine if a grade change is proper.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE GRADE APPEAL POLICY?
See Grade appeal policy at www.gsu.edu/~wwwpug/AdministrativePolicies.htm for further information.

WILL I BE AUTOMATICALLY DROPPED IF I DON'T ATTEND A CLASS?
NO!!! Professors are not obligated to drop students for non-attendance; therefore, ALL STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DROPPING THE CLASS USING STANDARD REGISTRATION PROCEDURES FOUND IN THE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES ON THE GSU WEBSITE. FAILURE TO DROP THE CLASS IN BY THE MIDPOINT DEADLINE WILL RESULT IN THE GRADE OF AN "F" OR "WF" IN THE CLASS.

4. Registration Problems

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN OVERFLOW AND AN OVERLOAD?
An overflow becomes necessary when a student is attempting to enroll in a course that has reached maximum enrollment. An overload is when an individual student attempts to take more than an 18-hour course load per semester.

HOW MAY I GET IN TO A FULL CLASS?
FIRST, STUDENTS SHOULD NOT CONTACT THE PROFESSOR FOR ADMISSION. Students should direct overflows by e-mail through the WEB at www.gsu.edu/~wwwpug/OverflowRequest.htm. At the end of Phase I and Phase II, all overflow requests will be gathered and prioritized according to status (i.e., graduating, senior, junior, etc.). Overflows will be determined by course enrollments vs. room capacity, and status will remain a factor for priority. Any overflows granted during Phase III will be wait-listed and considered if and only if there is room in the class. Since Phase III occurs during the first week of class, students should be mindful that classes would have begun by this time. Students should be forewarned of the possibility that they may not get into the requested classes and should have an alternative plan in place.

HOW DO I REQUEST A COURSE OVERLOAD?
Apply at the Office of Academic Assistance, 724 G. You can find details in the General Catalog under Course Load.

WHAT DO I DO IF I WANT TO WITHDRAW FROM A COURSE?
First, make sure that you withdraw by the semester midpoint. Otherwise, you preclude yourself from being eligible to receive a W. In other words, if you withdraw after the midpoint, you can only receive an F or WF.

If you are a HOPE Scholar, see Section VIII of Frequently asked Questions (Scholarship/Financial Aid/Work Study) for further course withdrawal information.

5. The Difference Between theBA" AND "BS" Degree in Psychology

DO I WANT THE "BA" OR "BS" DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY?
That's up to you. The course requirements for the BS have more math and science while the BA has a language requirement. Most graduate training programs do not prefer one over the other if you have met all requirements, but you should check the requirements for the program and school you choose.

SHOULD I HAVE A SPECIAL FOCUS WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY?
It's your decision. We offer the following for Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in psychology:
--General program
--Community concentration
--Pre-med concentration (Bachelor of Science only

6. Advisement

SHOULD I TAKE MY COURSES IN ANY PARTICULAR ORDER?
This is not a requirement except for the 1101, 3010, 3030 and 4000 lab course sequence; however, we strongly recommend that you follow a logical plan outlined in Chapter Three of this handbook. Many upper division courses are not offered each semester and DO require prerequisites.

ARE REQUIRED COURSES GUARANTEED TO BE OFFERED IN THE SUMMER?
Typically, the department offers required courses in the summer; however, we do not guarantee availability of all sections due to summer schedule limitations.

IS IT IMPORTANT FOR ME TO SEE AN ADVISOR?
YES! WHEN? As soon as possible upon declaring your major. Don't wait until you are applying for graduation OR YOU MAY BE UNPLEASANTLY SURPRISED WHEN YOU FIND YOU WILL NOT GRADUATE ON TIME BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT MET CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS!

WHERE?
Make an appointment with the Psychology Advisor by contacting (404) 651-2283. Some walk-in hours are also available.

DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING?
YES!! You must bring a PACE form which you may obtain from the Arts & Sciences Office of Academic Assistance.

ONCE I COMPLETE ALL MY COURSES, CAN I GRADUATE?
NO!! All degree candidates must submit an application for graduation at least THREE (3) SEMESTERS PRIOR TO the expected graduation date. To find out the exact deadline for graduation applications, consult the most recent schedule of classes, and look under the heading "Graduation Information." Applications are located on the wall at the Graduation Office, Sparks 231.

7. Miscellaneous

CAN AN UNDERGRADUATE (OR A POST BACCALAUREATE) TAKE A GRADUATE COURSE?
Yes, for seniors and beyond. A 3.5 GPA is required. The form is available in the Office of Academic Assistance, 724 G. Also, a post baccalaureate may obtain non-degree admission to graduate school.

WILL A MASTER'S DEGREE INCREASE MY CHANCES OF ACCEPTANCE BY A DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY?
Contact the Psychology Graduate Department at (404) 651-1622 for information about acceptance into the Doctoral Program at GSU. They should also have general information about what most Doctoral Programs look for. Further See Chapter 7 of this Handbook for further Career and Graduate School information.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I WANT TO GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL BUT MY GPA IS NOT HIGH ENOUGH?
It might be a good idea to take some undergraduate courses as a post-baccalaureate.

ARE A HIGH GPA AND GRE SCORE ALL I NEED TO GET INTO A GRADUATE PROGRAM IN PSYCHOLOGY?
NO. You need to consider the value of experience, which you can get through the Practica courses. Visit the GSU Psychology Practicum webpage for more information.

I HAVE A COMPLAINT OR SUGGESTION REGARDING PROCEDURAL ASPECTS OF AN EXPERIMENT I SIGNED UP FOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY. WHO DO I CONTACT?
The Department Chair, in writing. Place a note in the Chair's mailbox, (11th floor, Urban Life Bldg).

8. Hope Scholarships

WILL I LOSE MY HOPE SCHOLARSHIP IF MY GPA IS BELOW 3.0?
The HOPE scholarship review is automatic at the end of the semester in which the student reaches 30, 60 and 90 credit hours. All attempted courses are calculated in this review, because HOPE will only fund 127 attempted hours on the semester system. Withdrawals do not lower your GPA unless it is a WF. But all withdrawals count toward attempted hours. Example, any student with a GPA less than 3.0 will have an opportunity to raise their GPA the following semester if they have not reached 30, 60 or 90 credit hours at the end of the current semester.

HOW CAN I MAKE SURE I MAINTAIN A GOOD GPA IN ORDER TO KEEP MY SCHOLARSHIP?
Aside from studying diligently, take advantage of academic advisement as much as necessary. Advisors can give you good insight as to how to arrange your classes so that you don't overload yourself with courses. This way, you won't have to withdraw unnecessarily and risk losing your scholarship because of a lowered GPA.

WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE LOST MY HOPE SCHOLARSHIP?
It is now possible to be reinstated in the program. Contact Financial Aid at (404) 651-2227 for more information

9. Cheating and Student Misconduct

DOES GSU HAVE A POLICY ON CHEATING?
YES. It would be to all students' benefit to review the GSU policy on cheating. Please visit the following web page at www.gsu.edu/~wwwcam/academichonesty.html.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET CAUGHT CHEATING?
You will be subject to all disciplinary action deemed necessary by the Psychology Department and by the University including but not limited to, failure in the class, suspension or expulsion from the University or any other disciplinary action deemed appropriate.