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Washington State University
College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Students interested in conducting research under the direction of psychology faculty may enroll in Research Participation (Psych 498 or 499).

  1. Check the bulletin board for listings. It is located on the 2nd floor of Johnson Tower or contact Psychology research faculty via email.
  2. Go to Johnson Tower 233 to pick up a “Psych 497, 498, 499” form.
  3. Take the form to the person you will be working with and ask him/her about the work. If you agree to work with him/her, the Mentor’s signature is required on the form.
  4. The cumulative maximum credit hours for Psych 498 is (8). You may take (4) credits of Psych 499 per semester and it may be repeated for an unlimited number of credits.
  5. Remember, one credit is equivalent to 3 hours of work per week.
  6. Be sure to register for Psych 498 or 499 along with your other courses.

Undergraduate Research Grants

To develop and showcase outstanding undergraduate research in psychology, the Department of Psychology awards research grants each fall and spring semester to undergraduates conducting independent research projects under the direction of psychology faculty.

To be eligible for a research grant, the student project must fulfill the following criteria:

  1. It must be developed in collaboration with a mentor on the psychology faculty.
  2. It must have scientific merit.
  3. It must include an original contribution by the student. That is to say, the scientific question and the written proposal should be as student-driven as possible.

In addition, applicants should have some previous research experience before they apply (e.g., Psych 498 credits) and they must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

Research grants of up to $750.00 will be awarded to defray costs associated with conducting the project. Applicants may request any amount of money up to, but not exceeding, $750.00. In their proposals, applicants should outline why the funds are needed to complete the project and provide a budget that specifies how the funds will be used. Grant recipients will be selected and announced annually in March and November. All recipients will present the results of their projects at the Department of Psychology’s Undergraduate Research Symposium, held each year in April. For this reason, projects funded in November must be completed by April of the following year. Those funded in March must be completed by April of the following year.

Applications for research grants are available in the Department of Psychology main office (Johnson Tower 233). Proposals are reviewed each fall and spring semester by the selection committee. Deadlines for submission vary from semester to semester, but typically occur in late Oct each fall semester and mid-March each spring semester. Students interested in applying for a research grant are encouraged to talk to their faculty research mentors about this opportunity.

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Initiated in 2002, the Undergraduate Research Initiative is designed to recognize and reward outstanding undergraduate research within the Department of Psychology. Each year, undergraduate students are invited to submit proposals for original research projects. Students design these projects with the assistance of psychology faculty. These projects reflect the diverse interests of our students and faculty, and include both basic and applied research. Each spring, the results of these projects are presented at Department of Psychology Undergraduate Research Symposium, an event open to the entire university and Pullman/Moscow community. Joining the grant recipients are other undergraduate presenters who are conducting psychological research under the direction of faculty mentors. This event has steady grown in size since 2002.

In conjunction with the symposium’s poster session, a guest speaker gives an invited presentation on his/her research within the field of psychology. Past guest speakers have included:

  • 2003: Dr. Robert Horner (WSU alumnus; Department of Psychology, University of Oregon)
    “Conducting Behavioral Science to Improve Our Schools and Communities”
  • 2004: Dr. Carl Swander (WSU alumnus; co-owner of Ergometrics and Applied Personnel Research, Inc.)
    “The Future of Hiring: Research Drives Exciting Advances in Job Simulation”
  • 2005: Dr. Gregory Belenky (research professor and director of the Sleep and Performance Research Center at WSU Spokane)
    “Sleep and Human Performance.”
  • 2006: Dr. Rand Walker (Clinical Services Director of the Center on Disabilities and Human Development)
    “The Real Scoop on the Role of Research in Clinical Psychology”
  • 2007: Dr. Timothy Smith (Department of Psychology; University of Utah)
    “Marriage and the Heart: Behavior During Marital Conflict Predicts Coronary Artery Disease”
  • 2008: Dr. G. Alan Marlatt (Department of Psychology; University of Washington)
    “Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention in the Treatment of Addictive Behaviors”
  • 2009: Dr. David Strayer (Department of Psychology, University of Utah)
    “Multi-Tasking in the Automobile: Are We Being Driven to Distraction?”
  • 2010: Dr. Maureen Schmitter-Edgecomb (Department of Psychology, Washington State University)
    “Aging and Dementia: Memory, Everyday Activities and Intervention”
  • 2011: Dr. Brady Duchaine (Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College)
    “Exploring Human Social Perception via Deficits and Disruptions.”
  • 2012: Dr. Scott Lilienfeld (Department of Psychology, Emory University)
    “Public Skepticism of Psychology: Why Many People Perceive the Study of Human Behavior as Unscientific.”

The following are quotes from past grant recipients about their experience conducting research as an undergraduate:

“My experience in research goes onto my resume as well as my transcript. I feel that it gives me an edge over other applications and shows my responsibility and determination to potential employers and graduate programs.”
(Kristie-Lea Kelley, ’04 Zoology BS)

“This experience strengthened my knowledge about psychology and I hope that the knowledge and experience gained will benefit my future goal of graduate school. I hope this experience, along with my previous experience with neuroscience research, makes me a first choice candidate.”
(Summer Sweet, ’04 Psych BS & Neuroscience BS)

“Being encouraged to produce and develop research proposals at the undergraduate level is very motivating and inspiring. It gives a student the chance to test out areas of interest in research and further helps to decide post-graduation plans.”
(Kelby L. Holtfreter, ’05 Psych BS & Neuroscience BS)

“My experiences involving research will aid me in my future goals of becoming a valued researcher in the field of behavior analysis. The opportunity to perform my own research will contribute to better performance and acclimation in any type of scientific environment. It promotes flexibility in problem-solving and critical analysis of theoretical concepts.”
(Shea Colleen Bower, ’04 Psych BS)

“I now feel that medicine without understanding the foundations of research is rather pointless. I hope to combine my knowledge of medicine and clinical psychology.”
(James Bales, ’04 Psych BS & Neuroscience BS)

“[Research] helped me to improve many skills such as time management, verbal and written communication and collaborative skills. Although my current research is not directly related to the field [I eventually hope to enter], it taught me many skills that will enable me to pursue my goals. Graduate school and Ph.D. programs require a lot of research and with this background, completing such projects should be a lot easier.”
(Emily Verbon, ’04 Psych BS)

“The best part about doing research is the extended interactions I have had with people I work with, both professors and graduate students.”
(Jeremiah Brown, ’03 Psych BS)

“The best part about undergraduate research is the chance to gain practical experience in your chosen field (or a related one) that can help you determine if you actually enjoy doing that type of work. It is also a great opportunity to make contact with researchers in the field and expand your knowledge of career possibilities.”
(Victoria Cussen, ’03 Psych BS)

Student Groups

Student Groups

The Psychology Club

Psychology Club is open to all students interested in psychology. It provides interaction and communication among undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty members, and actively promotes fellowship among members of the club. One of the more compelling functions of the club is the exciting community guest speakers who share their experiences with the club members and give first-hand information about the clinical and experimental fields. Students interested in membership are encouraged to contact the Department of Psychology main office for information about the club’s current president and faculty advisor.

Psi Chi

Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology. It was founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. Psi Chi serves two goals.
The first of these is the Society’s obligation to provide academic recognition to its inductees by the mere fact of membership. The second is the obligation of the Society’s local chapters to nurture the spark of that accomplishment by offering a climate congenial to its creative development. The chapters make active attempts to nourish and stimulate professional growth through programs designed to augment and enhance the regular curriculum and to provide practical experience and fellowship through affiliation with the chapter. In addition, the national organization provides programs to help achieve these goals, including national and regional conventions held annually in conjunction with the psychological associations, research award competitions, and certificate reconition programs. Also, the Society publishes a quarterly Psi Chi Newsletter which helps to unite the members as well as to inform and recognize their contributions and accomplishments.

Membership in Psi Chi is open to certified Psychology majors or minors that have completed 9 semester hours or 14 quarter hours of psychology courses. Undergraduate students must have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00 and rank in the upper 35% of their class in general scholarship. They must also demonstrate superior scholarship in psychology, earning a minimum GPA in psychology courses of 3.30. For graduate students, an average grade of “B” or better in all graduate courses, including psychology, is required.

Students qualified and interested in membership in the Washington State University Psi Chi Chapter are encouraged to contact chapter officers or the faculty advisor, Dr. Carrie Cuttler, JT 310, 335-0681. Induction of new members occurs during the fall and spring semesters.

Undergraduate FAQs

Undergraduate FAQs

Here you will find the most commonly asked questions regarding undergraduate studies in the Department of Psychology.

If you have advising questions please email: psych.advising@wsu.edu

What can you do with a Psychology Degree?

A: Listed below are just a few of the possibilities for employment once you receive your degree:
– Advertising Copywriter – Opinion Survey Researcher
– Advertising Manager – Personnel Administrator
– Affirmative Action Officer – Personnel Manager
– Alcohol Counseling – Police Officer
– Clergy Member – Placement Director
– Community Relations Officer – Prisoner-Classification Interviewer
– Consumer Affairs Director – Probation and Parole Officer
– Counselor – Psychiatric Assistant
– Customs Inspector – Public Relations Representative
– Daycare Center Supervisor – Public Statistician
– Director of Volunteer Service – Recreation Director
– Health Educator – Sales Representative
– Laboratory Assistant – Scientific Instrument Salesperson
– Management Trainee – Social Worker
– Manager/Employee Welfare – Technical Writer
– Market Research Analyst – Urban Planning Officer
– Media Buyer – Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
– Newspaper Reporter – Writer
Remember that this is just a brief list of the opportunities that abound! Talk with a Psychology Faculty Member about career options.

Is Psychology the right major for me?

Psychology degrees from Washington State University prepare students to enter the job market in a wide variety of fields when teamed up with an adequate minor. Keep in mind your future goals when choosing a degree. The program is designed for those who: (a) wish to study psychology as part of a liberal education; (b) plan to use their training in related vocations such as the professions, governmental organizations, business and industry, and psychological services; and/or (c) are preparing for graduate work in psychology.

What is the difference between clinical and counseling psychology?

Clinical and counseling psychologists engage in similar activities, including practice, research, teaching, consultation, and administration.Clinical psychologists tend to work with more severely disturbed populations, whereas counseling psychologists tend to work with less pathological populations and conduct more vocational assessments. Thus, clinical psychologists are more likely to work at settings such as inpatient hospitals and VA centers, whereas counseling psychologists are more likely to work in university counseling centers.

What should I do if I plan on going to graduate school?

To prepare for graduate school you should work closely with a faculty member. Graduate schools typically look for students who have: (a) research experience and clinical experience; (b) GRE scores above 1100; (c) grade point averages above 3.0. In addition, some students find it beneficial to get experience through a practicum (working in the community).

How can I find out about research and TA opportunities within the Psychology Department?

For research opportunities, almost all faculty members in the Psychology Department have undergraduate research assistants. Check out the faculty web pages for the interest areas and then talk to the faculty member whose research most closely matches your interest.For TA opportunities, check with your advisor, they will have a list of instructors who have mentioned they would like a TA. Also, check out the bulletin board on the second floor of Johnson Tower by the elevators, where some instructors post opportunities.

Are there summer internships for undergraduate students?

The Psychology Department does not offer internships during the summer. There are sometimes research and TA opportunities during the summer.

Advising – when and how does it work?

Before you can register each semester, you must meet with an advisor. Advising takes place in April (for Fall registration) and October (for Spring registration). Watch your email for more details. Please visit the Advising Signup Website for an advising appointment at any time.

What are the requirements to major in Psychology?

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology requires a minimum of 35 credits of Psychology. Students are required to take a minimum of 10 credit hours of psychology in residence at Washington State University and must maintain a cumulative and Psychology GPA of 2.0. If you intend to waive the foreign language requirement at the college level, you must provide the Psychology Department with a high school transcript showing 2 years of foreign language or junior high transcript with 3 years completion.

What are the admission to the major requirements?

For admission into the major, you must complete Psych 311 with a ‘C-‘or higher and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

What are the requirements to minor in Psychology?

The minor in Psychology may be added after you are admitted to your primary major. Psych 105 or Psych 198 is required. Students must complete 18 credit hours in Psych; of which at least 9 must be taken at WSU and at least 9 must be in letter-graded 300-400 level courses. Psychology courses must be taken for a letter grade, except for Psych 445, 497, 498 and 499. A minimum GPA of 2.00 or higher is required in all coursework used for the minor.

What is the University Writing Portfolio and when do I have to begin/complete it?

The Writing Portfolio is a mid-career diagnostic to determine if your writing abilities are ready to handle the challenges of your Writing-in-the-Major [M] Courses and other upper-division courses that assign writing. Please visit: the Writing Portfolio website for complete instructions on completing this requirement.

What is UCORE and how do I know if it applies to me?

UCORE requirements were developed to help students achieve WSU’s Learning Goals and Outcomes. Four broad categories are divided into ten requirements; only approved classes will fulfill them. Match courses in the WSU Catalog to UCORE requirements. Of the 34 total credits, only three, three-credit courses may be taken within the major. For complete details, please visit the UCORE Requirements handbook website.

UCORE applies to new freshmen students who enter WSU in fall 2012 and after.

Transfer students who enter WSU fall 2012 through summer 2013 will follow the current General Education Requirements.

By definition, transfer students are students who earned ANY amount of credits after high school, excluding summer. Students who earned credit while still in high school are freshman.

Current students will continue to follow the General Education Requirements as outlined in the 2011-12 catalog.

Where can I find information about Graduation and/or Commencement?

There are a number of steps undergraduates must take in order to graduate and participate in commencement. Please refer to WSU’s Commencement web page for more information.

University Contact

University Contact

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Contact Graduate Admissions
Graduate Admissions
Washington State University
French Administration, Room 324
PO Box 641030
Pullman, WA 99164-1030
Phone: 509-335-6424
Fax: 509-335-1949
gradsch@wsu.edu

Department Contact

adriana

Department Contact Information

Psychology Department

PO Box 644820
Johnson Tower 233
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-4820
(509) 335-2631 – Phone
(509) 335-5043 – Fax
 psychemail@wsu.edu

Psychology Department Chair

Dr. Maria (Masha) Gartstein 
PO Box 644820
Johnson Tower 233E
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-4820
(509) 335-4651
(509) 335-5043 – Fax

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