Psychology
Undergraduate Advising
S105 Elliott Hall
75 East River Road
Minneapolis, MN
55455-0344

Map/Directions

Email: psyadvis@umn.edu
Phone: 612-625-8520
Fax: 612-626-2079

 

Special Learning Opportunities in Psychology

Research, Laboratories, & Projects Search for psychology research projects site for research that is currently being done in the department of psychology.

Faculty Search for faculty members in psychology. Find out their fields of interest.

Adjunct Faculty Search for adjunct faculty through the psychology department. Find out their fields of interest.  

 

Why should I take advantage of these special learning opportunities in Psychology?

Special Learning Opportunities enable you to:

  • Explore various topics not covered in traditional psychology courses.
  • Gain direct experience in a specific area of psychology by helping a faculty member with his or her research. The work experience obtained from individual or faculty projects is extremely valuable when applying for jobs and graduate school.
  • Become better acquainted with faculty, graduate students, and other undergraduates.
  • Share knowledge and experience in a cooperative effort to explore a question or problem in psychology. Faculty members working with undergraduate students become familiar with their capabilities. These relationships can help you obtain letters of recommendation for graduate school and job applications.
  • Engage in reality-testing of your interests and goals. Students can experience the problems and rewards of working in a particular subject area and under particular working conditions. The self-knowledge gained in these situations allows a realistic appraisal of future satisfaction and success in a particular career area or in graduate school.

Students may apply a maximum of 6 credits of the following courses toward the requirements for the psychology major:

DIRECTED STUDIES (Psy 3993): Directed Studies allows you to gain in-depth knowledge by exploring a topic of your choice in psychology, in conjunction with a faculty/adjunct faculty in the department. Activities may include developing an individual project, conducting literary research, writing a paper, etc. [1-6 credits per semester].

  1. Read about the interests of faculty by visiting the "Faculty" and "Adjunct Faculty" links above.
  2. Once you have identified a faculty member with similar interests, send a personalized email, drawing connections between that faculty member's work and your proposed academic experience. Ask if the faculty would consider working with you.
  3. Obtain a Student/Faculty Contract form in Psychology Undergraduate Advising (S103, S105, or S106 Elliott).
  4. Meet with the faculty member to complete the Student/Faculty contract. Decide upon the academic requirements of your experience. The contract requires a detailed description of your project, as well as the number of credits, date of completion, method of evaluation, and the appropriate signatures.
  5. Bring the completed contract form to Psychology Undergraduate Advising and obtain approval from an adviser. You will either be given a permission number, enabling you to register online, or you will be directed otherwise.

FIELD STUDY / INTERNSHIP IN PSYCHOLOGY (Psy 3996): The Field Study/Internship course allows earning credit for academic work completed in conjunction with a practical, career-related learning experience. Locations and particulars of these internship/field study experiences vary widely, as they are arranged by the student. The academic portion of your experience may either be completed through enrollment in the Psychology Service Internship Seminar (for a more structured academic experience) or you may arrange to do independent academic work under the supervision of a faculty/adjunct member.

  1. Identify and secure an internship position. Activate your GoldPASS account at www.goldpass.umn.edu . This site provides access to postings of available internship opportunities. Additional resources include making an appointment with Psychology Advising, stopping in CCLC's Career Services office (135 Johnston ), or meeting with a peer adviser in CCLC's Community Involvement office ( 345 Fraser).
  2. Once you have secured an internship, you will need to follow the registration instructions below for either the Internship Seminar or the Independent Option. For additional information on the Seminar, please visit: www.psych.umn.edu/undergrad/interninfo.htm.
    1. Psychology Service Internship Seminar: Complete the Application for Psychology Service Internship Seminar form and drop off in S105 Elliott Hall. The course instructor will consider your application and contact you with registration instructions upon acceptance into the course. [Spring, 4 credits]
    2. Independent Option: Follow registration steps 1-5 listed above for Directed Studies. [Independent: Fall, Spring, & Summer, 1-6 credits per semester].

 

RESEARCH LABORATORY IN PSYCHOLOGY (Psy 5993): This course provides an opportunity to gain experience and academic credit working as a research assistant in a faculty/adjunct member's lab. Activities may include data analysis, attending weekly lab meetings, running participants, learning about instrumentation, reading relevant articles, etc. The only uniform requirement is a minimum five page, APA format paper . Lab duties vary according to the type of research being conducted and the current needs of the lab. Performing data entry alone does not qualify as a Psy 5993 experience; however, it may be part of the total research experience, provided that you are assigned other lab duties and responsibilities.
[3 credits per semester].

  1. Identify a faculty mentor/topic of interest. Read about the interests of faculty by visiting www.psych.umn.edu/undergrad/learningopps.htm . You may work with any “Faculty” or “Adjunct Faculty.” Also, explore the research labs within the department by visiting www.psych.umn.edu/research/index.htm .
  2. Once you have identified a faculty member, send a personalized email, listing any relevant academic or work experience, and drawing connections between your interests and the work of that faculty member. Ask if they have any openings for research assistants in their lab.
  3. Obtain a Student/Faculty Contract form in Psychology Undergraduate Advising (S103, S105, or S106 Elliott).
  4. Meet with the faculty member to complete the contract. Discuss and decide upon the academic requirements of your Directed Research experience. The contract requires a detailed description of your responsibilities, as well as the number of credits, date of completion, method of evaluation, and appropriate signatures.
  5. Bring the completed contract form to Psychology Undergraduate Advising and obtain approval from an adviser. You will either be given a permission number, enabling you to register online, or you will be directed otherwise.

SPECIAL TOPICS SEMINARS (Psy 3960 / 4960 / 5960): These courses provide an opportunity to explore in-depth a narrow topic in psychology, which is the instructor's area of expertise. Course topics vary from term to term and are rarely repeated. These seminars tend to be smaller and more discussion based than many other psychology courses. Steps to registration include:

  1. Monitor the class schedule to see which topics will be offered for upcoming seminars.
  2. Register online, just as you would for any regularly offered psychology course.

*****

Psy 3960, Undergraduate Seminar/Psy 4960, Seminar in Psychology/5960, Topics in Psychology (1-5 cr., prereq. 1001 & consent of instructor)
Faculty and graduate students teach small seminars on topics of special interest under these course numbers. The seminars usually cover subject areas not included in regular course offerings. Different courses may be taught each term under the Psy 3960/4960/5960 numbers. Always check the Class Schedule on the web for any late course additions.

    Examples of Seminars that have been offered under Psy 3960 include:
      Psychopaths and Serial Killers
      Psychiatry and Social Control
      Introduction to Psychophysiological Research
      Overview of Psychological Testing
      The Psychopathic Personality

    Examples of Seminars that have been offered under Psy 4960 include:
      Developmental Biopsychology

    Examples of Seminars that have been offered under Psy 5960 include:
      Memory, Belief, and Judgment

*****

  • Psy 3993, Directed Studies (1-6 cr.; prereq. consent of instructor)
    Under this course number, you can develop individualized projects on a topic of your choice. This project can be a written library study, literature review, or systematic reading program on a special topic. In consultation with a faculty monitor, you will propose an outline of study that includes objectives, methods, and means of project evaluation. The project results in a written paper (APA style) or an oral or written examination. Projects often cover areas of psychology not offered in course work or explore a specific area of interest to the student.

    Examples of Projects Titles:

    Children’s Imaginary Companions
    Psychological Testing in the Industrial Environment
    Personality Characteristics and Achievement of College Women
    Cognitive Processes in Reading
    Emotional Modulation and the Startle Reflex
    Self-Presentation Strategies and Gene-Culture Co-evolution
    Social Psychology and Media

    See Process of Registration

  • Psy 3996, Undergraduate Field Study/Internship in Psychology (1-6 cr.; prereq. consent of instructor)

    If you are involved in an internship or field experience outside the classroom, or would like to be, you may obtain credit for this experience. The Field Study/Internship in Psychology provides students with a practical, “real world”, more job-related learning experience. Locations and particulars of these internship/field study experiences vary widely, but examples include working with mentally ill adults in a hospital or group home, applying intensive in-home behavior modification programs with autistic children, developing and evaluating remedial academic and vocational training programs for incarcerated individuals, conducting task analyses and human factors research in industry, evaluating patient compliance with drug and physical therapy prescriptions in HMOs, selection and assignment processes for employing volunteers in human services activities, data collection and analysis for clinical trials for a pharmaceutical company, etc.

    In order to identify and secure an internship position, students should first activate their GoldPASS account at www.goldpass.umn.edu. This site provides immediate access to postings of currently available internship opportunities. For additional resources, students may also visit the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Office and the CLCC (see below). Upon securing an internship, students may arrange to receive psychology credit in one of the following ways: 1) Students may work with a faculty advisor to determine the parameters of the academic experience that will accompany their internship and the methods in which the student will be evaluated, or 2) Students may enroll in the classroom-based version of Psy 3996 offered Spring Term.

 

  • Psy 5993: Research Laboratory in Psychology (3 cr.; prereq. arrange with instructor)
    This independent study option involves work on empirical research projects that culminate in a 5-page minimum written report in APA style. Although empirical research typically requires some library work, a Research Laboratory project is primarily actual data collection and analysis. Students typically work on a faculty member's project; however, you may conduct original research as well. The best way to become involved in a research project is to consult with faculty who are working in areas of interest to you. Explore faculty research interests and adjunct faculty research interests on-line. You may also consult with psychology advisors to identify a faculty member whose research matches your own interests.

    Example Projects:

    Behavioral and Cognitive Problems in Patients with     Alzheimer’s
    Situational Predictors of Politeness
    Recognition Memory in Infants and Adults
    Sports Performance: The Effects of Handicaps
    Effects of Differential Outcomes on Short-Term Memory
    Thermoregulation in NASA Project
    Family Influences on the Development of Eating Disorders
    Human Memory and Confidence Values
    Eye Tracking and Schizophrenia

    • All research in which data are collected on human subjects must receive prior approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

    See Process of registration

Process for 3993, 3996, and 5993 registration:

    1. Explore research programs or consult with an advisor in Psychology Undergraduate Advising the departmental Faculty lists for referral to an appropriate faculty or adjunct faculty member with interests in your topic area.
    2. Obtain a contract form from S105 Elliott Hall.
    3. With the faculty advisor, negotiate the final project goals, work requirements, and method of evaluation.
    Each credit earned through independent study projects requires 3 hours of academic work per week throughout the term of registration (e.g., 3 credits = 9 hours of work each week). The shorter summer session will require a condensed workload.
    4. Complete the contract with faculty advisor’s signature and your signature.
    5. Obtain approval of a psychology advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Office.
    6. Distribute copies to appropriate persons/offices. You may need to deliver the pink copy to 49 Johnston Hall to register for the course or receive a permission number from Psychology Advising (5993) in S105 Elliott Hall.

    [Note: A total of six credits from the Seminars, Directed Studies, Field/Internship, and/or Research Laboratory courses may be applied toward the elective category of the minimum requirements for the psychology major].

  • Psy 4960, Seminar in Psychology (1-5 cr., prereq. 1001 & consent of instructor)
    Faculty and graduate students teach small seminars on topics of special interest under this course number. The seminars usually cover subject areas not included in regular course offerings. Different courses may be taught each term under the Psy 3960 number. Always check the Class Schedule on the web for any late course additions.
  • Psy 5960, Topics in Psychology (1-5 cr., prereq. 1001, jr/sr/grad status)
    Faculty and graduate students teach small seminars on topics of special interest under this course number. The seminars usually cover subject areas not included in regular course offerings. Different courses may be taught each term under the Psy 3960 number. Always check the Class Schedule on the web for any late course additions.
  • Volunteer Work in the Psychology Department
    If you would like to gain experience working on a project in psychology, but do not wish to register for credit you may be able to serve as a volunteer research and/or laboratory assistant to a faculty member. Students interested in this opportunity should contact the individual faculty member.
  • Paid Undergraduate Positions in the Psychology Department
    Paid undergraduate assistantships in the department are extremely rare. Occasionally a student in the work-study program may find a professor with matching funds who can hire him or her. However, the vast majority of students involved in special learning opportunities of this type do so primarily for credit or for the experience. Paid student positions are posted on the University of Minnesota’s Student Job Postings web site.

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Other special opportunities both on and off campus

  • Volunteer experiences, internships, and credited projects are also arranged through several offices on campus. These offices coordinate special learning opportunities both on and off campus.
  • UROP Office
    345 Fraser Hall (612) 624-8006
    The Undergraduate Research Opportunities program supports research or creative projects undertaken in partnership with a faculty member. Financial awards of up to $1700 are offered twice a year to full time undergraduates. These grants provide students an excellent opportunity to receive a stipend for work on a research project of their own design.
  • Department of Psychology Scholarships & Awards
  • Special Summer Research Opportunity: This intensive ten-week program is open to up to 24 undergraduates who plan to or are considering research oriented graduate studies in the behavioral sciences, cognitive sciences, and mental health. The University of Minnesota offers students an ideal opportunity to explore their future options in an intellectually challenging and socially rewarding context. Program details including application deadlines, housing arrangements, and stipend information may be found at the website.
  • Learning Abroad
    An extraordinary opportunity available to University students is the opportunity to experience learning overseas. Also check our Study Abroad in Psychology sheet for more information on integrating your study abroad experience within your psychology degree.
  • CLA Career and Community Learning Center
    135 Johnston, (612) 624-7577
    The CLA Career and Community Learning Center (CCLC) was created to locate, develop, and coordinate learning experiences tailored to individual students’ goals and interests. CCLC provides various alternatives to regular classroom study and offers guidelines on how to take advantage of them.
    • Interdepartmental Directed Study This opportunity is for students who would like to design an independent project including more than one academic discipline. CCLC’s office has information about the initial development of such a directed study. CCLC also has information about receiving extra credit for additional work in a regular course ("X" registration) and election of regular courses without attending lectures ("Y" registration).
    • Internship Experience CCLC is an excellent resource for identifying potential internship sites in the community. This office maintains a database with over 1400 prospective internship sites in the Twin Cities community. You may receive academic credit for internship experiences through CCLC’s interdisciplinary course, ID 3211, or through Psy 3993 or 3996 (see description above).
    • Internship Grant If you are interested in an unpaid internship but need financial support, you may apply for an Internship Grant through CCLC. The award is for an internship consisting of 10 hours of work per week provided throughout the semester.
    • Career Services CCLC also coordinates Career Services (see Career Web Resources and Careers with a B.A. in Psychology).
  • Psychology Undergraduate Advising Office
    Occasionally, the advising office receives requests for student volunteers or workers from community agencies or businesses. These requests are posted outside of S106 Elliott when received. You may also be notified of these opportunities through The Psych Scoop or weekly Psychology Advising Office e-mails sent to psychology majors.

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Updated 1/08