Please
don't hesitate to come for advising! You can
either stop by during my office hours or make an appointment. Advising
is a very important resource
designed to help students complete the requirements of the University
and their individual majors. Students should consult with their
advisor at least once a semester to decide on courses, check progress
towards graduation, discuss their career options and explore the
educational
opportunities provided by UH-Hilo
Faculty advisors typically help students with questions about academics
and careers within their discipline. Questions regarding general
university policies, financial aid, and personal issues can be
addressed by counselors working for Student Services. Students
can also benefit from visiting the UH-Hilo Career Center. If I
cannot answer a particular question, I'd be happy to refer you to
someone who can. Here's
a brief list of questions frequently asked by students with answers.
I am
a new student at UHH; what courses
should I take during my first semester?You should take PSY 100, Survey of
Psychology. This course provides an overview of Psychology as a
scientific discipline and serves as a prerequisite for any other
Psychology course taught at UHH.
I am
a transfer student; what courses do I
need to take to earn my BA in Psychology at UHH?You may wish to look up a list of courses
required for completing a BA in Psychology at UHH. If uncertain
in regards to what courses you need, please bring your transcript, and
we will figure it out together.
I
took a psychology course at a different
institution; can I apply it toward the UHH Psychology Major
requirements?This will
have
to be determined by an instructor who teaches a similar course at
UHH. You will need to submit a catalog description and possibly
the course syllabus, which would show whether the course you took
elsewhere is
equivalent to one of the UHH courses and can apply toward the Major
requirements.
How
can I obtain research experience while
studying toward my bachelors degree?You may wish to do a directed study with a
professor whose area of research is of interest to you.
Occasionally, there are also opportunities for working on some research
projects as a Research Assistant.
I am
not sure whether I am making adequate
progress toward my degree in Psychology or not; how do I find out? Please stop by! We'll need to take
a close look at your transcript.
I
declared my Major in Psychology a few
years ago. Do the new Major requirements adopted last year apply
to me?You can finish
your
degree in accord with the requirements effective either at the time you
declared your major or at the time of your graduation. If
uncertain about which would work better for you, please come to see me.
I
would like to work as YOUR CHOICE upon
graduation. Is there an opportunity for me to
obtain practical experience while at UHH?Yes, you need to sign up for a Practicum
course. You and the course instructor will determine what
practicum settings would fit your interests.
I am
thinking about continuing my
education in graduate school. What courses will help me to
prepare for graduate study the most?Generally speaking, you should take as
many courses in methodology (statistics, research methods, testing,
assessment, etc.) as possible. Other courses would depend on the
area of specialization in graduate school.
I
know that I need an advanced degree in
Psychology, but I am not sure where I should apply for graduate
study. How do I figure that out?This is not easy or simple. You need
to take into account many factors, such as your academic interests,
career plans, admission prospects, school location, financial aid,
etc. You may wish to stop by and consult with me about the details.
I'd
like to become a research psychologist
or a university professor. What are the requirements for
entering these occupations?First of
all, you need to earn a Doctoral degree, preferably from a reputable
graduate program. Second, you needs to acquire college
teaching experience. Third, you need to establish a program of
research and publish the results of your studies.
I'd
like to become a clinical psychologist
in independent practice. What should I do in order to obtain a
professional license?Licensure
laws differ somewhat from state to state. However, in most states
one needs to have a doctoral degree in Psychology, complete a one year
pre-doctoral internship and a two-year post-doctoral internship, and
pass a national test in order to be eligible for license. In
order to begin, you need to apply and get accepted into a graduate
program that would help you with satisfying these requirements.
The
most adequate programs would be those leading to a Ph. D. or Psy.D. in
Clinical or Counseling Psychology.
Where
can I work with a Bachelors degree
in Psychology?Most
graduates work for human or social services organizations.
However, quite a few work in business, education, public relations,
personnel services.
I am
applying for a job and need a letter
of recommendation. Who could write one on my behalf?Ask your former professors.
However,
have in mind that if you only took a course from your referee, they
would not have much to say about you. Generally, a person who
knows your work well and had a chance to interact with you in a variety
of situations over a longer period of time would make a good
referee. For job applications, it also appropriate or even
desirable to obtain a letter of recommendation from a previous employer
or supervisor in addition to academic references.
I am
a former student, and I would like to
help the UHH Psychology Program. What can I do?We'd be delighted to obtain help from you
in whatever form you choose. Please contact your former advisor
or the current department chair to explore the possibilities.
Of
course, the above are just examples of
the questions asked. If your question is not on the list, it does
not mean that it cannot be answered. So, don't be afraid to ask
for advice!
