Summary of Transfer Credit
    Your Summary of Transfer Credit (degree audit) may be delayed if you submit materials to the campus late.  Take your transcripts to Academic Advising in the East Library to estimate your GE needs.  The Psychology Peer Advisors can explain the requirements of the major.

Transferability and Equivalency
    Know the difference between transferability and equivalency.  See the Psychology Department Handbook for an explanation.  The most important point is that no upper division credit can be given for courses taken at a community college, no matter how similar the two courses.

Total Program: General Education + Major Courses + Electives = 120 units.
    Plan your program according to the six criteria for graduation:
        1.  Fulfill General Education (including 9 upper division units, I and HD courses).
        2.  Fulfill major required courses and unit requirements.
        3.  Fulfill total number of units for graduation (120).
        4.  Fulfill 40 upper division units (major, GE and possibly electives).
        5.  Fulfill 30-unit residency requirement.
        6.  Fulfill GPA requirements (at least 2.0 or "C" average in four categories).  See Handbook.

Advising
    To obtain the maximum benefits of the Psychology Advising Offices:
        1.  Read rules and regulations in the CSULB Catalog or the Psychology Department Handbook before you come.  Time is limited and you will waste your own time if the rules must be described.  Clarification of rules and exceptions to policy are appropriate topics for discussion.
        2.  Ask questions about GE requirements at the Academic Advising Center (East Library 125). No decisions about GE can be made by the Psychology Department.  Record the name of the person who advised you as well as the date.
        3.  Bring all relevant documents with you, otherwise you may have to return a second time to have your concerns considered.  Make sure the Peer Advisor or Undergraduate Advisor initials and dates the program checklist.

Department Involvement
        1.  All Psychology majors are automatically members of PSA (Psychology Student Association).  PSA sponsors many activities and has a lounge (PSY 314).  Participate - make friends.  Also consider joining the psychology organizations for Asian, Black and Latino students.
        2.  Psi Chi is an honorary society for advanced Psychology students with good grades.  (Pick up the information sheet from the Peer Advisors).
        3.  Get to know instructors - participate in class discussion, seek help during office hours, volunteer for research projects.
        4.  Attend department colloquia, forums, Psych Day

General Tips
        1.  Save all documents (admission information, grade reports, letters, major changes, major checklists, registration forms, cashier's receipts, etc.) that you receive from CSULB and the Psychology Department.  You may need them to document some points at a later date.
        2.  Classes may not be available in the subjects or at the times that you wish.  To petition classes, select those at less desirable times.  Attend more than one session of a class (unless the instructor refuses) to show your seriousness.  Jumping from class to class looking for anything often makes your task more difficult.
        3.  Read course descriptions in the catalog for all courses in which you plan to enroll.  READ FOOTNOTES IN THE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES very carefully.  Don't take a class if you have not had the listed prerequisites.
        4.  You can add or drop classes, but be sure to follow the correct procedures with Enrollment Services before the published deadlines.  IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO WITHDRAW FROM CLASSES.  DO NOT ASSUME THE INSTRUCTOR WILL DO IT FOR YOU.
        5.  Expect classes (and the whole campus) to be extremely crowded the first week or two.
        6.  READ EVERYTHING!