The School of Psychological and Behavioral Science is here to assist all psychology majors and minors. Freshman advising for psychology majors is handled by the University Advising Center. Once a student completes 30 hours, the Advising Center releases the student to the major department. Our Academic Peer Counselors assist Sophomores in their transition and offer suggestions on where to start in registering for upper level psychology coursework. All Junior and Senior psychology majors and minors are provided a faculty advisor.

How do you know who to see? Advising within the School of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences is divided into three main functions: advising for course selection/registration/hold removal; complex advising situations; and advising for long-term and career planning.

It is especially important for Sophomore and Transfer students to make a connection with either the APCs or their faculty advisor in the first semester on campus so that we can get to know you and help you make the most of your academic program as a Psychology major or minor.

How do I get the most out of Academic Advising? Our primary goal is to help undergraduate students with matters pertaining to academic progress and future career goals. Each student is responsible for understanding University, College and Department requirements. Our undergraduate handbook can assist you in navigating these policies and procedures. It is good practice to visit with an advisor at least once a semester to ensure you are on track and taking appropriate coursework to obtain your academic goals. Time is always limited for both the student and the advisor, so below are some recommendations to prepare for an advising meeting. To view frequently asked questions that occur during advising, please click here.

1. Review the major degree requirements.  Review your SASS audit prior to your appointment and bring a copy with you to discuss any questions or concerns.  Highlight areas that need clarification.
2. Have your questions ready.  We can best help you when you know why you need to meet with us.
3. Bring any forms or additional paperwork with you.  We cannot fill out forms or sign if you do not have them, not can we make recommendations without background information.
4. Evaluate your academic and career goals.  Knowing what you want in the future can help the advisor lead you to the correct theory or applied course work.  Your advisor can also assess the courses you are taking or recommend options for you to consider.
5. Take responsibility.  It is up to you to follow through on the information and resources provided to you, including scheduling courses, meeting with other departments like Career Services, the Writing Lab, the John C. Pace library and others.

What can my Faculty Advisor Provide? When you declared Psychology as a major or minor, you were assigned an academic advisor. Your advisor is a member of the School of Psychological and Behavioral Science Faculty and serves as a guide through your academic career at UWF. You should feel free to contact your advisor with questions and concerns at anytime during the semester. You should view your advisor as more than someone who can help you schedule classes during registration. Your advisor should serve as the person that can direct you in using your time wisely, getting the most out of your classes, defining your career goals, and working toward meeting those goals both academically and through extra-curricular activities. Some common issues include:

1. Who is my advisor?  How can I find out whom to contact?  You were sent an email introducing you to your faculty advisor as soon as you declared Psychology as your major or minor.  If you do not have this email, contact psychapc@uwf.edu and our APCs will email you the name and contact information of your faculty advisor.
2. How do I get in touch with my advisor?  Email is usually the best means of scheduling an appointment.  Remember, faculty have busy schedules with teaching, curriculum prep, research and meetings, so allow sufficient lead-time before important deadlines, unless there is an emergency situation and allow 72 hours for a reply.  Take into consideration when you send your emails and do not expect a reply over the weekend.
3. Is advising only available during registration?  No.  You should feel free to contact your faculty advisor or the APCs any time during the semester.  In fact, making an appointment before registration begins helps you to plan your courses in advance and get the classes that you want before they become closed.
4. What can I expect from a meeting with my advisor?  Additional recommendations for meeting with faculty are provided below.
   1. Take the Initiative! Show your face. Faculty advisors are here to help you navigate your academic career, but they cannot assist if they do not meet with you. Make it a point to meet with your faculty advisor regularly. Your advisor can be a valuable source of information and support and can play an important role by providing you with a recommendation for graduate school or job.
   2. Be Prepared!  Think about your questions prior to attending the appointment.  What do you want out of your career?  What are your life-long goals?  How does what you are doing in school fit into and support those goals?  How can you strategically plan to realize those goals?    Come to the meeting with your faculty advisor with your list of questions and concerns.