Undergraduate Handbook (PDF version)
The Department of Psychology welcomes you as a Psychology major. We believe you have chosen one of the most interesting and useful subjects to study and one of the finest departments at this university.
The purpose of this handbook is to introduce you to the programs, policies and procedures of the department. It will be to your advantage to familiarize yourself with its contents. Feel free to discuss any questions you might have with your advisor. We prepared this manual in an effort to make certain all psychology majors are familiar with the many and varied opportunities the department offers in its undergraduate program.
We wish you well in your study of psychology. A major in psychology is excellent preparation for many jobs, further education in fields other than psychology, and graduate training in psychology itself. We hope in the coming years to share our excitement with you.
The Department of Psychology sends out important information periodically to students via e-mail. It is essential that students activate their university e-mail accounts and check them periodically for important information from the department. It is the student's responsibility to do this. The department is not responsible for students not receiving information that is sent to the e-mail address on file.
Undergraduate Major
Undergraduate Minor
Senior Assignment
Plagiarism
Policy on Incomplete Grades
It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by the dates set by the University if the student is not intending to complete the course. Students who do not withdraw and have not completed the course will receive an Unauthorized Withdrawl (UW). Only under special circumstances a faculty member may agree to give a student an Incomplete (INC) grade in order to allow the student to complete the remaining work for the course not later than the end of the following semester. An INC is never automatic but must be approved by the instructor. If an instructor agrees to give a student an INC grade, the instructor and the student will fill out a form (Memorandum of Incomplete Grade) indicating why an INC is being given. One copy of the completed form will be given to the student, one copy will be given to the instructor, and the Department of Psychology secretary will keep one copy. If the work is not completed by the time specified on the Memorandum of Incomplete Grade form, the grade will be changed from INC to F.
Transfer of Psychology Credits Earned at Other Institutions
I. Community Colleges:
A. Credit will be given for psychology courses similar in content and title to those offered at SIUE at the 200 level or below. Credit will be given for appropriate courses in which the grade obtained was a C or above.
B. A one-semester course in general psychology may substitute for our Psychology 111. Student wishing to receive proficiency credit for Psychology 111 must take the CLEP test for general psychology and score at least at the 75th percentile. Students should assume the responsibility for making arrangements to take the CLEP test. This may be done at the Office of Instructional Services (Peck Hall 1404, ph. 3717).
C. All transfer students from community colleges must complete at least:
1. 18 semester hours of 300 and 400 level courses in psychology at SIUE (or another accredited 4-year institution and SIUE minimum of 34 hours required for a psychology major,
Or
2. 12 semester hours in psychology at SIUE (or another 4-year institution and SIUE combined) to attain the minimum of 21 hours required for a psychology minor.
In either of the above cases where students have taken psychology courses at accredited four-year institutions, at least half of the upper level required hours for a psychology major or minor must be completed at SIUE.
II. Accredited Four-Year Colleges:
A. Courses similar in content to those offered at SIUE will be accepted for transfer credit.
B. Any psychology hours not credited towards a major or minor in psychology may still be counted toward the total required for graduation.
C. Regardless of the number of psychology courses (in excess of transferable credits) completed at other 4-year institutions, students must complete a minimum of 12 hours in psychology at SIUE for a psychology major and 6 hours at SIUE for a psychology minor to attain the required hours (34 and 21 respectively) for a concentration in psychology.
Psychology Undergraduate Awards
The Stephen J. Dankenbring Award for the Outstanding Graduating Senior in Psychology. The psychology faculty selects the student receiving this award. The award is presented during Honors Day ceremonies in the spring semester of the academic year. A stipend accompanies the award. The recipient's name is added to a plaque that is displayed in the Psychology Department.
The Psi Chi Award for the Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Psychology. The student receiving this award is selected by the membership of Psi Chi - the National Honor Society in Psychology. The reward stipend is provided by the Robert Engbretson Psychology Department Development Fund.
Annual Psi Chi Paper Presentation Session - First, Second and Third Place Awards, Undergraduate Division. Each year, Psi Chi organizes a paper presentation session at which students present research and/or theoretical papers in a professional atmosphere. Student and faculty judges choose the awards recipients. A stipend accompanies each award.
The Robert J. McLaughlin Psychology Honors Undergraduate Academy Award. A stipend is presented yearly to a member of the Honors Academy. The faculty selects the recipient of this award.