2009 Psychology Department Graduate Student Orientation Schedule

Thursday before classes begin (8/13/2009)

• Pay any remaining fees to university
• Get settled a bit in apartment
• Suggested evening activity? TBD

Friday before classes begin (8/14/2009)

9:00 – 9:30 am, Holt 304 (Coffee, orange juice, water bottles, light snacks)

9:30am – 10:30pm, Holt 304

• Handout and review agenda
• Introduction to the I/O and Research Master’s programs:  
• Brief self-intro of Dr. Biderman and other faculty (I-O and RM)
• Name, Background, Research interests, Professional experience, classes you teach
• A pre-filled spreadsheet (with as much pre-info as is available already entered and with the columns already set to speed up entry of new information) will be used via projector to gather local contact details (e.g., local address and phone) will be gathered and each student will be also be asked to introduce him/herself briefly to the group
• Name, phone, where they went to school, email, what they think they want to do with their M.S., Why UTC?

10:45 am – 12:30 pm, Location TBD

• [I-O and RM programs split to discuss individual program requirements]
• I-O program requirements and forms
• Walk-through progress maps for those thinking of applied vs. research
• Review I-O program requirements
• Candidacy Forms       
• Comprehensive Exams
• Thesis
• Graduate Assistantships:  PSY GA’s; Qualifications; Criteria        
• Campus Resources:  Holt 302 Lab; Graduate Lab; UTC; mention sites for the tour later in the day
• 400-level courses for Graduate Credit
• Some career guidance

12:45 – 2:00 pm Optional Dutch-Treat (a.k.a, buy-your-own) Lunch (walk over to University Pizza-Deli or similar)

• RM and I-O program together if desired
• General Q+A from 1st years

2:10 – 3:15 pm

• Remind students of their responsibility to arrange their IDs and parking decals, etc. (mention the email they should have received over the summer from Dr. Biderman with details on these to-dos)
• To facilitate an understanding of where these to-dos can be accomplished and where other primary spaces on campus are, all students will split into four groups for a walking tour (1-page, labeled maps will be provided)
• Group 1
• Library, gym, UC, ID card office, Bookstore, Financial aide, Parking ID office
• Group 2
• Parking ID office, ID, UC, bookstore, financial aide, library, gym
• Group 3
• ID, UC, bookstore, financial aide, Library, Gym, parking
• Group 4
• Financial aide, Library, parking, Gym, UC, ID, Bookstore

3:30 – 5:00 pm

• [Split again into I-O and RM programs]
• Preview aspects of I-O program
• RCIO (Bart)
• SHRM (Ben McLaughlin, Pres)
• SIOP (Brian)
• Mentorship program (Chris)
• Internships (Mike)
• Past experiences
• Placement center

• Individual advising (if necessary) back in Holt Hall

Friday evening

• Nightfall concert for those who want to attend

Saturday Evening (8/15/2009)

• Optional and informal student get-together(s)
• Time for yourself

Sunday before classes (8/16/2009)

• Student-led, optional (and inexpensive) small group activities, beginning with lunch meetings at various locations around town:
• Chattanooga Market
• Lookout Mountain tour
• Cloudland Canyon
• Museum Tour
• Window shopping and orientation

Saturday Evening (8/22/2009)

• Program party at faculty member's house (details TBA)