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Frequently-Asked Questions

Q: I ran a DARS and there are NEW REQUIREMENTS listed! I'm graduating soon! HELP!!
A: There are new requirements for students declaring the major as of 2003. The changes are not drastic-mostly we have changed the headings and where stuff fits in. If you have already done work on the old requirements and want to finish under them, just change the CATALOG YEAR to 2002 before you pull your next DARS report.

Q: Why has the advising office moved to Anthropology?
A: The advising office moves with the director or directors of the program. On July 1, 2002 Drs. Norm Waitzman and Polly Wiessner became the new chairs of Behavioral Science & Health so a new home was selected in Anthropology.

Q: How will that affect me?
A: You have a new advisor, Sandra McCarthy. You can visit her in the Anthropology department office, 102 Stewart Hall, or call her at 581-6880.

Q: How long has the program been around, and how many students are majoring in Behavioral Science & Health?
A: The Behavioral Science & Health program was related in 1983. Over 700 students have graduated in the program since that time. There are currently 200 students majoring in Behavioral Science & Health.

Q: Am I going to get a B.A. or a B.S. with this major?
A: You can get either a Bachelor of Arts or Sciences degree with this major, depending on whether you have fulfilled the necessary language or math requirements. The degree you will receive is "Social Science-Behavioral Science & Health Emphasis."

Q: Do I have to take my stats class prior to taking SOC 3473-Social Epidemiology?
A: Absolutely. Each student's academic record will be checked prior to the start of the class each semester and the professor will be given a list of students that have not completed an appropriate statistics course. Those students without stats will be asked to leave the first day. Students that refuse to drop the course will be given an "E" at the end of the term. MATH 1040 will not be considered a prerequisite. You cannot be concurrently enrolled in a stats class and be allowed to stay in SOC 3473. This may sound harsh, but this class always fills and there are typically 20-30 students with the prerequisite that are trying to add the class in order to graduate that semester. Graduating seniors with the prerequisite are given priority.

Q: Will the class I took at "x" transfer institution fulfill the Behavioral Science & Health requirement? For example, I took Bioethics at Weber State; will that count for Bioethics at the U?
A: Usually. If the class was given at an accredited institution and had the same title, content, and credit hours there should be no trouble using it for the Behavioral Science & Health major. Make sure you check with an advisor to have it approved and the appropriate exceptions entered.

Q: Will MATH 1040 or 1070 count for the statistics requirement for the major?
A: No.

Q: Where do I apply for graduation?
A: 250 SSB (Student Services Building) on the second floor at the "Graduation" window (#16) next to the Registrar's window. There may be a $25.00 fee to apply for graduation if you started at the U prior to the implementation of the matriculation fee for incoming students.

Q: Do I have to apply for graduation with Behavioral Science & Health?
A: No, but an advisor will have to sign off on your graduation application, so stop by and review your requirements anyway.

Q: The DARS report still isn't placing some of my transfer Behavioral Science & Health credit in the right places. When I run a DARS it still shows I'm lacking some requirements. When I came in to see you I was given a sheet that shows "x" class would fill that requirement. Will I still graduate?
A: You will still graduate as long as you have met with an advisor and the department accepts that class as equivalent or as a substitute. The exceptions are entered into the system by the program advisor, making the DARS accurate for the major. Remind the advisor to enter your exceptions next time you come in to see her.

Q: If I'm not graduating Spring Semester can I still walk in the commencement ceremonies? Do I need to get permission? How will they know I'm there so they can announce my name?
A: You are welcome to walk any Spring that is convenient for you and your family. All you need to do is order your cap and gown through the bookstore before the end of March (contact the bookstore for exact dates and times to order cap and gown). Then show up graduation day! Itineraries are available in all College of Social and Behavioral Science departments by mid-April and available at the home site www.utah.edu. How do we know you're there? We're pretty tricky in the College. If you're in a black cap and gown, believe it or not, we'll find you, get you the appropriate form, help you fill it out, and get you in the right place, all within the 15 minutes prior to the start of the College ceremony. Oh, and you can bring as many people to the ceremony as you wish.

Q: When is a good time to come by the advising office? I've been by before and there was a long line.
A: The first two weeks of the semester and right around the semester registration dates are the busiest times in the advising office. There is usually no wait during semester breaks, before a semester beings, and in the middle of a semester between the third week and when the next schedule is published on the web.

Q: Can I get advising over the phone?
A: No, it's against federal regulations. If you have a hard time coming in during advising office hours, call and we should be able to work out an alternative time. Of course, nothing beats in-person advising. You will retain more and there is less likelihood of misunderstanding when we're able to meet face to face. If you send your transcripts/DARS by fax or mail, they can be reviewed and sent back to you. However, you must be very careful if you take this option, because only what you send can be used. If you send incomplete information you could end up falling short at graduation time. If it's your last semester before graduation and there isn't room for error you should make the time to come in. After spending at least four years and a boatload of money, it's worth it to come in.

Q: I became sick during the semester and received a "D" in one of the courses. Can I petition the department to accept the course since the poor grade was due to illness, not ability?
A: No. Illness is grounds for a withdrawal, not acceptance of an inferior grade. "D" grades are NEVER acceptable for the major. This would also be the case if a student had to move, had a changed work schedule, a death in the family, or a similar non-academic emergency. In these cases the department will help you apply for a current or retroactive withdrawal if you have the appropriate documentation. See the advisor for more information.

Q: It's beyond the posted deadline to withdraw and I've had an emergency in my personal life and I cannot finish the course. What do I do?
A: See the advisor immediately. We can get you out of your classes anytime prior to the last official day of class (not the last day of finals) if you have a valid excuse and the appropriate documentation. If the class is over you should still see the advisor. There is a way to withdraw after the class is over, but it is much more cumbersome and requires going through a University committee.

Q: I'm having a personal or academic crisis that is interfering with my ability to continue my education. What do I do?
A: See the advisor immediately. There are many resources available here at the U to help you succeed. We don't want you to give up on your education, especially if there is someone here who can help you.

Q: What job opportunities are available for Behavioral Science & Health graduates?
A: A wide range of options are available. Results from surveys conducted in 1986, 1988, 1993, 1994-95, and 2000-01 indicate that about half of the Behavioral Science & Health graduates go on to some kind of graduate program in medicine, hospital administration, business, law, etc. Those who obtain health related jobs at graduation are working for insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, government agencies (e.g. programs for the homeless), and in private industry in health, safety, and wellness programs. Salaries vary with employer, location, course work, and related experience. (Link to "Career Information.") This major provides students with a broad range of skills and information related to health that can be applied in a variety of areas. It does not, however, prepare students to immediately enter one specific career. Visit Career Services for employment opportunities for this and other majors.