Advising Resources

Below are resources to help you make the most of your academic experience in the Department of Psychological Sciences. Have questions? Make an appointment with your advisor!

Building your Class Schedule

Students can use their Advisement Report, Plan of Study, and 8 Semester Plan to help develop a schedule for the next semester. Other tips for building your class schedule include:

  • Each semester, try to balance your schedule by taking 1-2 major courses, 1-2 gen eds (until complete), and 1-2 free electives. We generally recommend taking no more than two PSYC classes per semester, as the workload can be difficult to manage.
  • We recommend taking PSYC 2100WQ in the 2nd semester of your sophomore year or the 1st semester of your junior year. We also suggest taking a couple of upper-level PSYC classes before taking PSYC 2100WQ.
  • Consider taking your PSYC Area II courses in different semesters, due to the heavy biology content of these courses.
  • Internships, research, and other experiences can help you prepare for after graduation, whether that be a career or graduate school.
  • Prepare for your registration appointment. Make an appointment with your advisor, and come prepared to their registration meetings with a proposed schedule for the next semester.

Class Registration FAQs

Quick Tips

  • Register on time.
  • Always maintain a balanced schedule: 1-2 PSYC, 1-2 gen eds, and 1 free elective/minor course.
  • 15 credits per semester keeps you on track to graduate.
  • Have your schedule reviewed by a Peer Advisor anytime, via drop-in hours.

When do I register for classes?

Find step by step instructions on how to view your enrollment appointment time.

Why won’t the system let me register for a class?

Hold on your account

Before you enroll, check your holds on Student Admin and clear them as soon as possible. If you have an enrollment hold on your account, you will not be able to register. Enrollment holds can come from a variety of offices, but we mainly see holds from Student Financial Services (SFS), the Office of the Bursar, Academic Probation, and advisor holds. The Department will only put holds on your account for mandatory group advising.

Not your pick time

If you are unable to register, be sure that it is your assigned pick time. Follow the steps in the above tab to view your pick time.

Registration has closed

During summer orientation, registration closes for continuing students shortly after the last day of classes and will re-open in July after orientation has concluded.

Permission of Instructor Required

Some classes will require the permission of the instructor before registering for the course. Most permission numbers are issued directly from the instructor of the course, but this can vary by department. You can email the instructor to request a permission number. A permission number is not a guarantee. We suggest you enroll in a backup course if you request a permission number.

Course is Full

If the course is full, then you will not be able to add the course to your schedule. You can try to email the faculty member for a permission number, but this is not a guarantee. PSYC courses taught by faculty are permitted to over-enroll their sections, however this is not very common. PSYC courses taught by graduate students are not allowed to over-enroll their sections. You can also try to add the course during the add/drop week. If this is your strategy, it is typically recommended that you attend the first class meeting of that class when the semester begins.

Reserved Seats

Oftentimes, a course will appear to have open seats, but you will get an error message indicating that you do not fit the reserved capacity. This means that while the course is open, all the remaining seats are reserved for a specific population of students. You can view the reserved seating by using the Dynamic Class Search. You will want to look for other sections or classes that have unreserved seats available. You can try to email the instructor for a permission number, but typically those seats are saved for that population.

Time conflict

If you have a time conflict with a course that you are already registered for, you will receive an error message. Double check any lab or discussion sections that could be conflicting with each other. You will not be able to enroll in two courses with a time conflict.

Prerequisite not met

Some courses require prerequisite coursework. If you do not meet the prerequisite, then you will not be able to enroll in the course. If you feel you do have the knowledge or should be able to take the course, you can reach out to the instructor or department to request a permission number. Use the course catalog to view the course description and prerequisites.

Class standing can also prevent students from registering for a course. You can reach out to the instructor to ask for a permission number if you feel like you can handle the coursework.

Excess credit

First year students are only able to register for 17 credits per semester. Upperclassmen, who have earned a 2.6 and above for the previous semester can enroll in 18 credits. To register for more than 18 credits in one semester, you will need to complete the Excess Credit Request Form. Please meet with the CLAS Academic Services Center for any questions regarding excess credits.

How do I get a permission number?

For a PSYC course

Some classes will require the permission of the instructor before registering for the course, for example, all PSYC 3889 sections are by permission number only. In these circumstances, you will need to coordinate with the instructor to work in their lab and receive a permission number to enroll. This can be done in person or via email.

PSYC courses taught by faculty are permitted to over-enroll their sections, however this is not common. PSYC courses taught by graduate students are not allowed to over-enroll their sections.

Psychological sciences staff advisors cannot provide permission numbers, except for special circumstances.

For a non-PSYC course

For other courses, you can email the instructor or you can reach out to the advising office of that department and ask about their permission number policy.

What do I do if an instructor doesn’t respond to my emails?

If you cannot reach a faculty member, you can reach out to the department's advising office, try to meet them before or after a class they're teaching, try to meet them during their office hours, or call them.

Faculty who are on school breaks do not have to check email.

It is suggested that students are fully enrolled in at least 12 credits while they are trying to add an additional course.

How do I get permission to register for more than 17 credits?

First year students are only able to register for 17 credits per semester. Upperclassmen, who have earned a 2.6 and above for the previous semester can enroll in 18 credits. To register for more than 18 credits in one semester, you will need to complete the Excess Credit Request Form. Please meet with the CLAS Academic Services Center for any questions regarding excess credits.

Advising Events

Mandatory Group Advising Sessions

All psychological sciences majors are required to attend one Mandatory Group Advising Session per academic year.

Students are encouraged to check in with advisors at least once a semester to discuss course selection and progress toward their degree. In addition, Mandatory Group Advising Sessions are designed to give you the necessary information you need to keep track of your degree progress.

Typical Schedule

All students are required to attend one of the group advising sessions. There will be a hold placed on student accounts that will prevent enrollment until you attend a session. Students are emailed with specific information regarding which session they are required to attend and when.

Fall Semester

  • First-Year Group Advising Sessions
    • Students with 0-23 credits earned
    • Typically, students with 3 more years to go, but also appropriate for new transfer students, new campus change students, and new PSYC majors
  • Senior Group Advising Sessions
    • Students with 86+ credits earned
    • Typically, students with 1-2 more semesters left

Spring Semester

  • Sophomore Group Advising Sessions
    • Students with 24-53 credits earned Group Advising Sessions
    • Typically, students with 2 more years to go, but also appropriate for new transfer students, new campus change students, and new PSYC majors
  • Junior Group Advising Sessions
    • Students with 54-85 credits earned Group Advising Sessions
    • Typically, students with 1 more year to go

Students are strongly encouraged to bring their laptops, as well as two color highlighters, to the group sessions.

Email undergradpsych@uconn.edu with any questions.

Advising Communications

The Psychological Sciences Digest is emailed to all psychological sciences majors and minors every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. It contains updates regarding important office information, dates and deadlines, research/internship/job opportunities, events, and more.

If you are not receiving the Psych Digest, please check your spam folder or email undergradpsych@uconn.edu.

Scholarships

The Department of Psychological Sciences is pleased to offer scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students. Awards are typically granted once per year based on faculty recommendations or student applications.

See the full list of PSYC scholarship opportunities, descriptions, and how to apply (where applicable).

For more scholarship opportunities, visit the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website.