Psychology Masters
Registration Concerns

Fall 09 course list
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Program Coursework
    Please refer to your Master's program handbook for your program coursework.  Or click on the appropriate link here (PDF documents):

    Also, please keep in mind that the MSIO and MSHF program coursework is sequential.  Please be sure to take courses in the correct order.  If you are unsure, contact the Graduate Advisor or the head of these programs.
    A tentative list of MAR Seminar and Research courses may be viewed by clicking on these respective links.

500-600 level courses
    Due to the increasing number of MAR students, they cannot be "guaranteed" admission to all of their preferred program courses.  Therefore, they need to register as soon as possible to get their first choices.  Also, the sooner the better, as low enrollment courses are subject to cancellation.  IO students are "guaranteed" a seat in their restricted program courses; however, courses that are open to MAR and MSHF students, including 511 and 512, may fill up quickly -- again, register early to get your preferred classes.  MAR 600-level seminar courses that will count towards the IO elective may be taken by IO students ONLY after the Graduate Advisor gives the go-ahead (this is an agreement the IO program entered into with that of the MAR).  Please let me know if you're having difficulty registering for a 500 or 600 level course - the system now enforces all prerequisites, and if you didn't take them here, it won't recognize them.

300-400 level courses
    If you need to take a 300 or 400 level course to fulfill your Master's program's prerequisites, you may have trouble registering.  There are usually prerequisites for these courses; if you did not receive your Bachelor's Degree at CSULB, I probably will have to put a permit on to over-ride the computer looking for the prerequisite fulfillment.  But please keep in mind that you are in competition with undergraduates for enrollment in these courses -- register for them as soon as possible to take advantage of your priority as a graduate student.  Also, I can only put on the permits: 1) up until the end of open enrollment (before instruction begins), and 2) if the course is not full.  So the sooner you register for these courses, the better.  If the course(s) is full, you might want to email the professor(s) and explain that you are a new Master's student taking care of required prerequisites, and have been told to take the course(s).

Directed Research (PSY 697)
    If you are interested in a Directed Research course, you must sign up for PSY 697; PSY 599 (Independent Study) is for non-program graduate students only.  Don't use the course code number printed in the "Schedule of Classes" or used by the MyCSULB system -- contact the Graduate Advisor for the correct number.  Submit a completed contract signed by your faculty supervisor (forms are available either from the Psychology front office or from the Graduate Advisor) to the Graduate Advisor (don't return it to the front office!), and a permit to register for that course will be placed in the campus registration system, allowing you to complete your registration, if you register during computer registration (after that, adds are through the Add/Drop paper form).  Please be sure to sign up for the correct number of units.
    After open enrollment closes (during the week prior to instruction), there are much more steps and paperwork involved in registration -- try to avoid it by completing your registration by the open enrollment deadline.
    Please note: PSY 697 is for work done assisting a professor with his/her research, or being supervised by a professor on your own research project other than your thesis.  It can be for work that leads to your thesis project, but cannot be for your thesis work itself - you already get units for the thesis project (see next topic).

Thesis Units (PSY 698)
    To register for thesis units, contact the Graduate Advisor.  You will need to provide the name of your thesis chair (this will be verified).  The Graduate Advisor will place a permit on the registration system under the thesis chair's class number and then give you that number.  You will then add the units, using the class number.  (Please note: you will need to request a permit every semester you register for thesis units and be given the new class code number - they are semester specific.)  You may "break up" thesis units over more than one semester, but please be sure not to sign up for more than the total number of thesis units required for your program (MSIO - 4, MAR and MSHF - 6).  If you do, you will have trouble graduating and will wind up with a grade of "W" for your excess units once it is resolved.  (See me if you would like to discuss a thesis registration strategy to possibly save money on registration for one or perhaps two semesters.)
    To be eligible to register for thesis units you must have Advanced to Candidacy or Advance during the semester you begin to register for thesis units.  Please contact the Graduate Advisor if you wish to discuss how to break up your thesis units to possibly save money.
    When grades are posted, your thesis units will initially have a grade of "RP" - this is a holding value until the final grade is assigned.  Your thesis committee will assign the grade at your final oral (thesis defense) and a "Change of Grade" form will be put through at that time.  If you do not finish your thesis, the grade value of "RP" will remain (it will not affect your GPA).

PSY 696 - Research Methods
    Registration for PSY 696 is by Graduate Advisor's permit.  To take this course you must have successfully completed an Advanced Stats course as well as have had a professor agree to be your thesis chair (this will be verified prior to assigning you a permit - please email the Graduate Advisor with the name of your thesis chair and your desire to take PSY 696).  Please ask a fulltime Psychology professor to be your chair - a list of faculty who are willing to serve on theses committees is available (not all faculty on this list are willing to chair).

Adding Courses
    Beginning the first day of instruction, Psychology Department class enrollment is monitored by the individual instructor.  Therefore, any adding of classes, including 500-600 level courses, requires the instructor's permission.  She or he will ask the Graduate Advisor to place a permit on the CSULB registration system, which will then allow you to add the course through IVR or www.my.csulb.edu.  Please do not go directly to the Graduate Advisor to be added once instruction begins (PSY 697 and 698 are exceptions).

Registration Tips
    Be sure to register for each semester by the end of open enrollment, which usually closes the middle of the week before instruction starts.  If you are not registered for something (a one unit PE course would do it -- you can adjust your schedule once instructions begins), you will be charged an additional $25 late fee.  Also, remember that you must pay your fees within 30 days of registering for the course(s), otherwise your classes will be dropped.

Course Call Numbers
    Contact the Graduate Advisor for the correct number to the following courses: PSY 697 (Directed Studies) and PSY 698 (Thesis).  To sign up for Thesis units, you must have your Thesis Committee Chair selected at that time, so that he or she gets credit through your enrollment.  Also, you must have been Advanced to Candidacy in order to register for Thesis units.

Financial Aid/Full Time Status
    Most Financial Aid requires only halftime status.  Possible exceptions to the need to be "halftime only" status may include loan deferments if you have gone into repayment, insurance eligibility requirements, or if you are an International student.  If you have any questions regarding enrollment requirements for receiving your Financial Aid awarded funds, please check with either that office or myself -- I now have limited access to view Financial Aid screens.  9 units of graduate level (500s & 600s) courses is full time, 5 units of graduate level is minimum for halftime status.  You should check with the Financial Aid Office if your enrollment includes undergraduate level courses to determine halftime/full time status.

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Updated 4/8/09