UMBC Psychology Department

• 1: General Info
  • 1.1: Directory
  • 1.2: Academic Calendar
  • 1.3: Contact Us
  • 1.4: Mission Statement
  • 1.5: Welcome From the Chair
• 2: News & Events
  • 2.1: Newsletter
  • 2.2: Job Openings
  • 2.3: Lecture Series
  • 2.4: Photo Gallery
  • 2.5: Calendar of Events
• 3: People
  • 3.1: Emeritus Faculty
  • 3.2: Faculty
  • 3.3: Faculty on Administrative Assignment
  • 3.4: Graduate Students
  • 3.5: Part-Time Faculty
  • 3.6: Research Associates
  • 3.7: Staff
• 4: Research
  • 4.1: Pediatrics Psychology Lab
  • 4.2: The Habits Lab
  • 4.3: CCAD Lab
  • 4.4: Laughter Lab
  • 4.5: Social Development Lab
• 5: Undergraduate Program
  • 5.1: Academic Advising
    • 5.1.1: Curriculum Information
    • 5.1.2: Advisor List
    • 5.1.3: Role of the Advisor and Advisee
    • 5.1.4: Resources
  • 5.2: Honors Program
  • 5.3: Major/Minor Requirements
    • 5.3.1: B.A. Checklist
    • 5.3.2: B.S. Checklist
    • 5.3.3: Minor Program in Psychology
    • 5.3.4: PSYC/SOCY Major
    • 5.3.5: PSYC/SOWK Major
  • 5.4: Concentrations
    • 5.4.1: Developmental Psychology
    • 5.4.2: Human Services
    • 5.4.3: Biopsychology
    • 5.4.4: Personnel and Industrial Psychology
  • 5.5: Independent Research
  • 5.6: Research Opportunities
  • 5.7: Undergraduate Admissions
  • 5.8: Career Information
  • 5.9: Graduate School Preparation
  • 5.10: Psi Chi
    • 5.10.1: Membership Benefits
    • 5.10.2: How to Join
  • 5.11: Life After UMBC
  • 5.12: Courses
• 6: Graduate Program
  • 6.1: General Information
  • 6.2: Graduate School
  • 6.3: Applied Behavior Analysis
    • 6.3.1: Program Admission
    • 6.3.2: Program Requirements
    • 6.3.3: Sample Program
    • 6.3.4: Faculty
    • 6.3.5: Contact Information
  • 6.4: Applied Developmental Psychology
    • 6.4.1: Program Requirements
    • 6.4.2: Careers in ADP
    • 6.4.3: Faculty
    • 6.4.4: Financial Assistance
    • 6.4.5: FAQs
    • 6.4.6: Contact Information
  • 6.5: Human Services Psychology
    • 6.5.1: Program Admission
    • 6.5.2: Program Requirements
    • 6.5.3: Resources
    • 6.5.4: Outplacement Success
    • 6.5.5: Faculty
    • 6.5.6: Financial Assistance
    • 6.5.7: FAQs
    • 6.5.8: Contact Information
  • 6.6: Courses
  • 6.7: Request Information
• 7: Alumni
• 8: Contact Us

Role of the Advisor and Advisee

Advisor Responsibilities

• To clarify major requirements
• To be available to meet with you each semester
• To help you to explore your interests, abilities and goals
• To offer advice on selecting courses and to assist you in developing an academic
  plan that satisfies degree requirements
• To be knowledgeable about career opportunities and to refer you to Career
  Services as needed.
• To be a responsive listener and to refer you to appropriate support services
  within the university when needed.
• To discuss with you your academic performance and the implications of your
  performance for the undergraduate programs, graduate programs and
  professional programs you desire to pursue.
• To offer you the opportunity to participate in a mentoring relationship which will
  help you to become more independent and self-directed.

Student Responsibilities in the Advising Relationship

Students should take the initiative to seek advisement and develop close helping relationships
with their Advisors. Students must be proactive in regards to their educational plans.
The advisee has primary responsibility for:

• Making decisions about his/her educational goals, including selection of courses, major and career.
• Scheduling all advising sessions early in the advising period and arriving promptly prepared
  to make full use of the advising session.
• Consulting with an Advisor on changes in the approved schedule, or academic plans. An Advisor
  should be consulted before changing majors, transferring, or withdrawing from college.
• Discussing academic difficulties with an Advisor and taking action to correct the difficulties.
• Reading all college communications and meeting all college deadlines pertinent to him/her.
  (For example, the college catalog, the course schedule, the student handbook, letters/postcards
  from the registrar, deans, department chairs etc).

Limitations On Academic Advisor Responsibilities

The Academic Advisor serves as a facilitator and role model. However, there are limitations to an Advisor's responsibilities.

An Academic Advisor:

• can NOT make decisions for an advisee, but can be a sympathetic listener and
  offer alternatives to consider.
• can NOT alter the native abilities of a student, but can encourage maximum
  development of talents.
• can NOT change college policy or academic requirements, but can inform and recommend
  course of action.
• can NOT serve as a personal counselor, but can be a resource for referrals to appropriate
  professional personnel.