PSYC Student Handbook
Information and Resources for Westminster PSYC Students
Westminster College is committed to a student-centered mission that emphasizes each student’s academic success and personal welfare. Students are entitled to quality academic standards and prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable assistance. Westminster College demonstrates this commitment by providing capable personnel and appropriate technological resources to serve students in individualized ways, congruent with their educational goals, interests, skills, and abilities. Academic advising is a key component in this student-centered approach.
Advising at Westminster is a developmental process during which advisors (faculty, staff, and peers) work with individual students to explore curricular choices matching the student’s academic and career goals.
Advising
Advisors will:
• Share knowledge about the institution and curriculum.
• Link students to college and community resources.
• Provide students with accessible advising.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse student communities.
All first-year and new students receive individualized academic advising in the START Center after admission. All first year students participate in a unique educational development program called Pathfinder, designed to help them make the transition to college. Beginning each May, new students are required to meet with advisors to learn about college and departmental resources, program requirements, educational alternatives, and available course choices.
Continuing students can receive academic advising in the START Center or choose a faculty advisor. By their junior year (60 credit hours), students must formally declare a major and meet with a faculty advisor from their chosen academic program(s). Faculty advisors work with students to map out remaining requirements and plan course sequencing to graduation.
What to expect when working with an advisor:
In working with your advisor, you engage in the “shared responsibility of a community of inquiry” The student and faculty member will work together to:
1) explore intellectual interests and the learning opportunities available;
2) articulate the student’s educational objectives;
3) develop a coherent academic program; and
4) prepare and plan for the transition from college to the world of work and further education.
During sessions, students and advisors will:
• Review degree requirements, any special options, and possible electives.
• Identify any deficiencies in the student's record and ways to correct them.
• Discuss career and graduate school options.
Expectations of advisors and advisees:
The faculty member is expected to:
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Help formulate & realize goals
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Provide information on degree programs
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Assist with course selection & load
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Guide student success
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Guide to appropriate resources
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Assist Advisee with understanding policies and procedures
The student is expected to:
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Plan ahead and bring a degree audit printed through WebAdvisor or at the START Center. If you are declaring the Psychology Major, obtain a major declaration form from the Arts & Sciences office in Foster 218.
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Actively participate
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Ask questions
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Discuss your goals and options
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Stay current on majors, courses, schedules, application procedures
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Check your email
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Take ownership of your education!