08-31-2014, 09:10 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-31-2014, 09:14 AM by cookderosa.)
Thank you so much Jennifer, this helps SO much! You are quite welcome!
His program/career of choice is one that needs careful planning. When he first attended the CC, the advisors told him that he should look into psychology as a major. They are correct, it is a field of psychology, but this field is unusual in that his actual job will determine what he needs to study. For instance, what does he see himself "doing" with the knowledge he acquires? This is where connecting with his psychology professors will be the most helpful.My suggestion to include hard sciences is more to help him understand more than psychology of brain science. It's one big chemical and biological organ, so understanding THAT, even if it isn't required, is very important in my opinion. I'm trying really hard not to imply that psychology based brain science without studying biology and chemistry is make believe, but there are some tracks a person can accidently float down that are less based in research and can be more in the "metaphysical" or similar kind of field. He needs an end goal. I'm really sensitive to this because nutrition is that way, there are lots of non-science wellness "degrees" out there that are nothing more than....well....I'll stop there lol. You want his hard work to earn him respect in his field, not be a joke, that's all I'm saying.
Needless to say, I agreed thinking this was the best route since he does not want to practice medicine. However, as Jonathan suggested, neuroscience is focused on biology as well as psychology. The CC transfer options to a 4-year college for our state are there; it is the CLEP acceptance that are always not. As I mentioned in another post, UMD will not accept many CLEP in the Gen Ed track (this is the track the CC has). But, it will give him some credit. IMHO, the CC Gen Ed transfer is still a great deal, it is the school administration that I am frustrated with (i.e. financial aid). I'll work around that though! Okay, so this is where it takes a little time to understand exactly what they are saying. It's true that the 4 year schools don't accept CLEP, but your son won't be applying as a regular student if he completes an articulation. An articulation agreement LOCKS IN his CLEP into a guaranteed transfer. In other words, his CLEP credit isn't evaluated by the university since the CC already awarded it. This is a HUGE work-around. I can answer more questions on this if it's still confusing, this is a huge-big-deal distinction that can be hard to fully understand.
Fortunately, he loves science and it is one of his greatest strengths, so taking several science courses shouldn't be a problem for him. I truly appreciate your feedback and suggestions. I will look into the HES Neuroscience course for him. This is a great start for him in his field of choice and I know he'll enjoy it! Most likely, we will call UMD to speak with the Neuroscience Department there. He'll also speak to his psychology professors next semester. I have heard good things about the professors in this department. Thanks again!
[COLOR="#0000FF"]
You are welcome! Good luck, and keep updating if you don't mind. It's awesome to hear progress![/COLOR]
His program/career of choice is one that needs careful planning. When he first attended the CC, the advisors told him that he should look into psychology as a major. They are correct, it is a field of psychology, but this field is unusual in that his actual job will determine what he needs to study. For instance, what does he see himself "doing" with the knowledge he acquires? This is where connecting with his psychology professors will be the most helpful.My suggestion to include hard sciences is more to help him understand more than psychology of brain science. It's one big chemical and biological organ, so understanding THAT, even if it isn't required, is very important in my opinion. I'm trying really hard not to imply that psychology based brain science without studying biology and chemistry is make believe, but there are some tracks a person can accidently float down that are less based in research and can be more in the "metaphysical" or similar kind of field. He needs an end goal. I'm really sensitive to this because nutrition is that way, there are lots of non-science wellness "degrees" out there that are nothing more than....well....I'll stop there lol. You want his hard work to earn him respect in his field, not be a joke, that's all I'm saying.
Needless to say, I agreed thinking this was the best route since he does not want to practice medicine. However, as Jonathan suggested, neuroscience is focused on biology as well as psychology. The CC transfer options to a 4-year college for our state are there; it is the CLEP acceptance that are always not. As I mentioned in another post, UMD will not accept many CLEP in the Gen Ed track (this is the track the CC has). But, it will give him some credit. IMHO, the CC Gen Ed transfer is still a great deal, it is the school administration that I am frustrated with (i.e. financial aid). I'll work around that though! Okay, so this is where it takes a little time to understand exactly what they are saying. It's true that the 4 year schools don't accept CLEP, but your son won't be applying as a regular student if he completes an articulation. An articulation agreement LOCKS IN his CLEP into a guaranteed transfer. In other words, his CLEP credit isn't evaluated by the university since the CC already awarded it. This is a HUGE work-around. I can answer more questions on this if it's still confusing, this is a huge-big-deal distinction that can be hard to fully understand.
Fortunately, he loves science and it is one of his greatest strengths, so taking several science courses shouldn't be a problem for him. I truly appreciate your feedback and suggestions. I will look into the HES Neuroscience course for him. This is a great start for him in his field of choice and I know he'll enjoy it! Most likely, we will call UMD to speak with the Neuroscience Department there. He'll also speak to his psychology professors next semester. I have heard good things about the professors in this department. Thanks again!
[COLOR="#0000FF"]
You are welcome! Good luck, and keep updating if you don't mind. It's awesome to hear progress![/COLOR]
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