Department of PsychologyFaculty of Health

York University

ORIENTATION 2010

http://www.yorku.ca/psychology

Agenda for today:– Who are we?

– Why are we here?

– Where are we located

– What should you expect to learn in psychology?

– What can you do with a degree in psychology?

– Summary of some Do’s and Don’ts

Who are we? • Dept of Psychology Chair:

»Dr Suzanne MacDonald– Director, Undergraduate Program:

»Dr. Susan Murtha, – > 70 full-time faculty who teach and conduct

research in a breadth of areas (clinical, developmental, social, history, quantitative, neuroscience)

– and > 50 contract faculty who teach

Who are we, cont? – Undergraduate program staff

Admin/Program Assistants:

Valerie ThomasDonna Rosenfeld

Student advisor:

Anita Helman

Program Secretaries:

Ling, Jessica, Lorraine

Why are we here?

advice about your psychology degree requirements – Specialized Honours BA/BSc (must apply)– Honours BA/BSc (Double major, Major/minor)– BA/BSc

help with enrolling, when necessary– Book an appointment– Or Call 416 736 5117– Or Email psyc@yorku.ca – or drop in

• During drop in advising hours (Wed/Fri: 9:15, Tue/Thur: 1:15)• Hours of operation: 9:30-3:30, 4:30-6:30

– Or come during group advising times in the spring.

Undergraduate studies staff provides:

Why are we here, cont?

Advice about where to seek non-academic services E.g.,

– Counselling and Development Centre (CDC)

• Tel: 416-736-5297

• Location: N110 Bennett Centre

• Or go to http://www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp/ for info on workshops & online resources on topics such as time/stress management, exam prep, study strategies, etc.

Undergraduate studies staff provides:

Where is the Psyc. dept. located?

• Undergraduate Office: Room 291/292 BSB

Calumet College

Behavioral Science Building (BSB)

Campus Walk

What should you expect to learn in Psychology?

1000 level courses - Introductory Psychology 1010 6.0 - covers breadth of topics in psychology

2000 - Stats, research methods, developmental,social, personality, learning, perception, motivation, biological basis of behaviour

3000 - Research methods, stats, abnormal, health, cognition, animal behaviour, infancy, psychology of women/family, evolution, educational….

4000 - social, behaviour modification, research methods, atypical development, neuropsychology, independent research project….

What should you expect to learn, cont?

Describe behaviour Interpret and understand the causes of

behaviour Communicate this information

accurately and reliably

When you graduate you should be able to:

What can you do with an undergraduate degree in psychology?

– a liberal arts or science education prepares you for other professional degrees

Education

To become a Clinical psychologist you need

To become any other psychologists

Undergraduate BA or BSc

(4 yrs honours)

BA or BSc

(4 yrs honours)

Graduate Master’s (2 yrs)

PhD (6 yrs)

Master’s (2 yrs)

PhD (6 yrs)

And beyond Registration in province (C.Psyc)

-Post-doctoral fellowship

-Academia

What can you do with an undergraduate degree in psychology, cont?

– General research, statistical, critical reading/thinking/communication/interpersonal skills are useful in many jobs

Abnormal, counseling, – Rehabilitation counselors (certificate program)– Masters degree: Psychology specialist/associate

through education or social work grad programs– Social services, child care worker, day care

supervisor, youth counsellor

– Knowledge gained from specific psyc courses supplement these skills

• E.g.,

Developmental -– Education/teaching– working with youth or elderly– Research assistant

What can you do with an undergraduate degree in psychology, cont?

Biological/Neural Basis of behavior– Research assistant– Drug companies– Technical writers– Medical school

Social Psychology– marketing– Human resources and management– Business– Research assistant

What can you do with an undergraduate degree in psychology, cont?

Summary of Do’s and Don’ts

• Do seek advice about degree requirements at the end of first year

• Do know your prerequisites for all upper level psyc courses.– Includes a grade of C in Introductory Psyc (1010)– Pick up the supplemental calendar for details!

• Don’t wait until your last year to figure out your career goals