JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY SPRING 2017

PSYCHOLOGY 200 [Section 101]

Special Topics: Preparing for Graduate School
Meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:15 AM - 12:05 PM in Moody Blackwell Auditorium
Meets First Block (1/9/2017 - 2/28/2017)
Instructor: Dr. William F. Bill Evans
TAs: Rayah Martin (Lead TA), Ashley Ahlers, Kristin Gross, Stephani Romero
Office: Miller 1173 / Telephone: 540-568-6373
E-mails: evanswf@jmu.edu martinrh@dukes.jmu.edu
ahlersal@dukes.jmu.edu gross3ke@dukes.jmu.edu romerosx@dukes.jmu.edu
Evans Office Hours: Mondays 10-11; Tuesdays 12-1; Wednesdays 12:30-1:30; Thursdays 11:30-12:30
Career & Academic Planning (CAP) Hours [Student Success Center]: Open M-F 8:30-5:00
Other Times May Be Scheduled by Appointment
*Questions? Email all questions and concerns about grades to evanswf@jmu.edu

Course Description: This course will guide students through the graduate school application process. Topics will
include: vita building, the interview process, preparing for the GREs, and a variety of other topics. Representatives
from various departments at JMU (including Psychology Professors and CAP staff) will assist students in the
progression of their application process.

Course Objectives: To provide concentrated, individualized attention for each student through extensive experiential
learning and expert instruction. Emphasis will be on teaching students skills that will be necessary and helpful in
applying to graduate schools.

Honor Code: All coursework and classroom activities will strictly follow the JMU Honor Code.

Ethical Behavior: All students are expected to be familiar with and abide by the APA Ethical Guidelines.

Classroom Behavior: Questions and constructive comments are encouraged. Active participation is required.
ELECTRONICS USE IN CLASS: The use of electronics during class is prohibited UNLESS approved in writing by
the Professor or documented as needed by the JMU Office of Disability Services. Requests for exceptions must be
initiated by each Student at the beginning of the Semester. Must be used for education or emergencies ONLY.
Required Text: Buskist, W. & Burke, C. (2007). Preparing for graduate study in psychology. (2nd. Ed.). Blackwell
Publishing.
Evaluation Procedures: Grades will be assigned according to attendance, successful and timely completion of
assigned homework, and class participation. If you miss a class, you will have only ONE opportunity to make up any
lost points by attending a Psychology Peer Advising (PPA) symposium that focuses on similar content to what you
missed in class; students attending a PPA symposium must sign in so that their attendance can be accounted for and
do a one-page summary of that symposium. If there are no symposia focusing on the topic that the student missed,
another option for students would be to review Psychology Peer Advising archived symposia and do a one-page
summary of that symposium.
The following grading scale will be employed as a basis for determining your final grade in this course.
1. Class Attendance/ Participation: 20 Points = 20% of Grade
2. Homework Assignments: 80 Points = 80% of Grade
GRADING SCALE PERFORMANCE POLICY
92-100% = A There will be a 1.5 point deduction assessed for
82- 91% = B each day an assignment is late. Assignments
72- 81% = C will not be accepted after 7 days. A .5 deduction will be
62- 71% = D assessed for any assignments submitted after the class
0- 61% = F period on the day it is due.