Q: How can a PCC mentor help me?
A: PCC mentors are all current graduate students in psychology at UMB. They are experienced in a combination of research, clinical, teaching, and other professional competencies that qualify them to help undergraduates navigate their interest in psychology at UMB and beyond. Some example topics that PCC mentors have covered with their mentees include:
Psychology coursework (homework help, exam prep, academic writing)
Graduate school (types of programs, application process, lived experience of a graduate student, what to expect, how to prepare)
Careers in psychology (types of jobs psychologists can have, summer research assistant jobs, application process, job seeking, research jobs on campus)
Professional development (mock interviews, help with resume/CV, editing cover letters, drafting emails)
Q: How do I get a PCC mentor?
A: Please visit our Find a Mentor page. You will be asked to complete a compatibility survey in order for us to find you a mentor who will be able to accommodate your schedule and interests. Please note that the mentor surveys are only released for the first few weeks of each semester. If the window for survey completion is closed, you may send an email to umb.psych.mentors@gmail.com to request a position on the mentee waitlist, or to be contacted when the following semester's mentee survey is released.
Q: When is the deadline to apply for a mentor?
A: Matching is conducted on a as needed basis; you can complete the survey at any time. However, you are more likely to be matched when the survey is completed within the first few weeks of each semester.
Q: Do I have to be a psychology major to request a PCC mentor?
A: No, you do not! We highly encourage all undergraduate students at UMB interested in pursuing a career related to psychology to request a mentor. Please understand however that we will first prioritize matching declared psychology majors.
Q: I am interested in getting involved with psychology-related research at UMB, where do I start?
A: Please visit our Campus RA Positions page for more information. You can also find out more information about getting involved with research at UMB on the Psychology Department website, or by searching for psychology-related jobs or internships on the UMB Handshake website.
Q: I just declared a major (or minor) in Psychology. Now what?
A: Please visit the Psychology Department website and make sure you have a clear understanding of the course requirements. If you have specific questions, you may contact Academic Support Services, and you can also reach out to us at umb.psych.mentors@gmail.com.
Q: What is the difference between a BA and a BS in Psychology at UMB?
A: At U Mass Boston, undergraduates who are Psychology majors can earn either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS). The answer to the question of which degree a particular student should pursue depends on several things. It is sometimes assumed that a BS is a more difficult but also a more prestigious degree to earn because of the science and math demands. While some students will find this to be true the value of either degree really rests in how well students do while earning the degree and the knowledge that they receive that can be applied to their future careers. The BS degree is a good option for Psychology majors who have a strong interest and aptitude for math and science related subjects. This is especially true for students with interests in areas of Psychology that are more biologically oriented or who have future career plans that include science or health care. However, there are also students who enter those areas who don’t want all of the course work that is required by the BS degree but who take some of the math or science courses and earn a BA degree. The general differences are outlined below:
A Bachelor of Arts (BA): This degree is fulfilled by completing our 12 course major and the university’s general education requirements for a BA. At the university level the BA degree requires (among other things) coursework in Arts, Humanities, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences and World Culture, the demonstration of language proficiency in a language other than English, competency in verbal reasoning and expression and competency in quantitative reasoning. While many students who receive a BA have a strong science background the specific coursework demands for graduation in math and science areas are more modest in comparison to the BS. For example, the quantitative reasoning requirement is Math 114 which covers basic algebra and real world problem solving based on calculation and synthesis of data. The natural science requirement can be met by a variety of courses in the Biology, Chemistry and Physics departments designed for majors or non-majors.
A Bachelor of Science (BS): This degree is fulfilled by completing our 12 course major and the university’s requirements for a BS degree. While our major continues to require at least 12 courses there are specific courses that must be taken. These include the statistics course (Psych 370) as one of their two electives and one of five different Advanced Experimental Methods courses as one of the three advanced level courses. With regard to the university general education requirements a BS student must complete coursework in Arts, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences or Mathematics and World Culture, but does not have to demonstrate language proficiency in a language other than English. The quantitative reasoning competency requirement is met by completing one of three Calculus courses (Math 135 or higher). Further, the student who is earning a BS for their psychology degree must complete additional science or math courses including a two semester biology sequence (Biology 111 and 112) and four additional courses within the College of Science and Math that would meet the requirements of a major in that college.