Psychology Resources

Undergraduate Resources 

This page provides an overview of some of the resources and experiences offered to Psychology Majors including:

• Research Opportunities
• Completing an Honors Thesis
• Internship Opportunities
• Becoming a Peer Advisor
• Becoming a Teaching Assistant
• Psi Chi Honor Society
• Psychology Awards and Scholarships

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Research Opportunities

There are many research opportunities available to undergraduate students. Research can be conducted on a volunteer basis, or students can earn academic credit by registering for a course that includes an independent research component.

These courses provide students with valuable learning experiences that are quite different from those found in the typical classroom. In these courses, students typically read background literature in a specific area, learn methods and experimental techniques associated with that area, and assist in the collection, summary and analysis of data.

To receive academic credit for their research activities, students must be registered for PSYC 397, 493, 494 or 499. PSYC 397 is graded pass/fail only. Registration in these courses requires the permission of the faculty member with whom the student will be working.

• How to register

  PSYC 397 - Independent Study

  Complete the PSYC 397 Independent Study Registration Form. You must be logged into your B-mail account in order for the form to work correctly.

  An email will be sent to the professor supervising your research, requesting confirmation for the position and for the number of credits you will receive. Once approved, you will automatically be registered for PSYC 397. 

  Prerequisites:

  • PSYC 111 with a grade of C or higher
  • PSYC 243 with a grade of C or higher
  • PSYC 344 with a grade of C- or higher
  • Permission of instructor

  PSYC 494 - ASD and Behavioral Assessment

  This course is about the examination and application of assessment research in Autism Spectrum Disorder. It focus on functional behavioral assessment and precise, objective, behavior observation as part of the assessment process in the context of applied behavior analytic practice. Students conduct numerous behavior observation and assessment activities. Emphasis on ethics and professional issues in applied behavior analysis.

  Prerequisites:

  • PSYC 355 with grade of B or better.
  • Consent of instructor required.
  • Attendance on the first day of class is required.

  Note: Submit these forms early! Students who want to register for 4 credits of independent study after the add/drop deadline will need to file a late add petition through Harpur, and pay the late add fee. See the Harpur Forms and Petitions page for information. It is possible to register for 2 credits of independent study a couple weeks after the regular add/drop deadline. Please email Psyreg@binghamton.edu to verify the deadline for 2 credit late registration. 

• Limits on Independent Study

   Although students are strongly encouraged to enroll in one or more of these courses during their college career, formal coursework is also an important component of an undergraduate education in psychology. To assure that students have a well-rounded background in psychology upon graduation, the following guidelines have been set for the amount of independent research that can be applied to the psychology major requirements:

  • No more than 12 credits of independent research (PSYC 395, 397, 490, 492, 493, 494 or 499) can count toward the major in psychology.
  • Of these, 8 credits may substitute for one of the required 400-level psychology courses, and an additional four credits may count toward the psychology electives section of the science and math electives.

  Additionally, Harpur College placed an overall limit on the number of independent research courses that may count toward the 126 total credits required for graduation. These limits also affect internships, teaching assistantships (PSYC 391) and PENR classes.

  Limits on Independent Research courses are explained below:

  • Independent Research (PSYC 395, 397, 490 and 492) - 16 credits
  • Internships - 8 credits
  • Teaching Assistantships (PSYC 391) - 8 credits
  • PENR courses - 8 credits
  • OVERALL LIMIT (Independent Research + Internship + Teaching Practica + PENR) cannot exceed 20 credits
    
    

  *Note: Students may not take more than 16 credits of Independent Research with the same faculty member. PSYC 493 and 494 (Assessment, Intervention and Evaluation II and III) and PSYC 499 (Honors Program credits) are not counted toward Harpur's limit on Independent Research.

• Binghamton's Undergraduate Research Center
  Students can explore the Undergraduate Research Center to learn more about the opportunities in their field for research, creative activity, and scholarly investigation. Undergraduates can explore the opportunities offered here at Binghamton, read profiles of our student and faculty researchers, artists and scholars, and learn how to become involved. Information about sources of funding for undergraduate research is also available.

Complete an Honors Thesis

Students completing PSYC 397 may also be interested in continuing their studies in the form of an Honors Thesis (PSYC 499). Learn more on this page. 

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Internship Opportunities

Undergraduates can take advantage of CDCI internship opportunities in the Binghamton area during the Fall or Spring terms, and perhaps closer to home over Summer breaks.

Your CDCI internship must be pre-approved by the Psychology Department in order for the internship to count for major credit. You must be registered for CDCI 385 or 395 before submitting your petition for pre-approval. 

Once pre-approved, your CDCI Internship credits can count towards your Section G Psychology requirements (8 credits of internship/research experience, or a 400-level seminar). 

You may take a paid or unpaid internship. Regardless of whether and how you are compensated, internships are a great experience and we highly encourage you to take advantage of them during your time at Binghamton.

*Be advised that Binghamton University only allows students to earn 8 credits maximum on internships throughout the course of their undergraduate careers.

*Students who wish to participate in an internship and who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that they will be asked about their prior criminal history. This may impede your ability to participate in certain internships. Students who have concerns about such matters, or are looking for additional information, are advised to contact the dean's office of their intended academic program.

• Where to look for internships
  • First, take a moment to explore the Fleishman Center's webpages.
  • Attend an employer information session or internship fair. For more dates and time for upcoming informational session, visit Fleishman's Credit Bearing Internship Program page.
  • hireBING - Log on to the hireBING site to see internship listings. Please attend to the deadlines to apply for CDCI sites. Please follow application instructions on each posting. You may also search for non-CDCI internships through hireBING and request credit by emailing CDCI@binghamton.edu.
  • Create your own! Contact employers you'd be interested in working for to determine if they'd be willing to accept an intern. Stay in contact with CDCI@binghamton.edu in order to help get your internship approved for credits.
  • Attend walk-in hours at the Fleishman Center (UU133) to see what other opportunities are available. Work on your resume and cover letter, or get help choosing an internship!
• How to apply for CDCI

  Email CDCI@binghamton.edu with questions pertaining to internship registration. 

  *A resume/CV, letters of reference, background checks, drug screening and immunization records may be required by your internship site.

• How to get CDCI credit to count towards major requirements

  As soon as your internship is approved for CDCI credit, and you can confirm that you have registered for CDCI 395 or 385, complete the Petition for Internship Credits Towards Psychology Major Requirements.

  If your petition is approved, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for a final paper. You will write and submit this paper near the end of the semester. If you receive a passing grade, your CDCI credit will be applied to the appropriate major requirements. 

  CDCI 385 (O) Professional Internships that will count for Psychology credit:

  Psychology Elective:

  • Credits: 4 credits 
  • Internship Length: duration of the semester
  • Hours at the Site: 120 hrs (10 hrs per week) in one semester for 4 crs.
  • Weekly 1 Hour Class with Assignments, which may involve journaling, papers, presentations, participation, peer feedback, mid-term and final evaluation by your site supervisor

  Select on-campus internships are offered for 2 crs (60 hrs during the semester; 5 hrs per week).

  Replace one Psychology Seminar (Section G in Degree Works):

  • In order to replace one psyc seminar, you will need a total of 8 credits of internship and/or independent study. For example, you could do 4crs of internship one semester, and then 4 credits of independent study another semester, and have both count towards Section G. 

  Alternatively, you may take any section of CDCI courses if you would like general upper-level credit but not psychology seminar credit.

If you have any further questions about applying CDCI credit towards the Psychology Major, email psyadvis@binghamton.edu, or schedule a meeting with one of our advisors through B-Successful. 

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Become a Peer Advisor

Help your fellow students in their academic journey by becoming a peer advisor!

Peer advisors typically work 8 to 10 hours per week in the Psychology Advising office, but may choose to work more or fewer hours depending on their schedule and financial aid award. Responsibilities include advising fellow Psych/IN majors about courses and requirements, helping students declare their major in Psychology or IN, and assisting with routine clerical tasks in the office.

• Qualifications and Application

  Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Enrolled as a matriculated Harpur Student, with a credit standing of sophomore or junior
  • Declared as a Psychology or IN Major
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Commitment of at least two semesters (Fall/Spring)
  • Eligible for Federal Work Study (this is where the paycheck comes from)
  • Must complete 2 hrs of training prior to the start of the semester. 
  • Must also have the following qualities: strong work ethic, passion for helping others, and the ability to empathize with others,

  How to apply:

  Applications are currently closed.

  Peer advisors are hired prior to the Fall semester of the academic year, and the position will be posted on hireBing. If you are interested in applying, contact ugpsyc@binghamton.edu. 

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Become a Teaching Assistant

Teaching assistants (TAs) are undergraduate students who assist professors and students in select courses. They are chosen by the professor, usually at the end of the semester preceding the one in which the course is offered.

The specific responsibilities vary from course to course but may include keeping office hours to assisting students with homework and other course materials, assisting with the conduct of laboratory experiments, and assisting at review sessions.

Because TAs have learned the course material more recently than the professor and their understanding of the material comes from the student perspective, they can often provide an especially useful perspective to fellow students, and may have suggestions and tips regarding study strategies, or helpful ways of thinking about the material.

• How to become a TA

  Qualifications:

  Students interested in being a TA should have done well in the course, be willing to review the course prior to the beginning of the semester, and be willing to devote 8 to 12 hrs per week to their responsibilities.

  However, a genuine desire to help others learn and the ability to treat all students with respect, regardless of their academic ability and motivation, are probably the most important requirements a TA can meet.

  Application and Registration:

  First, contact the professor who will be teaching the course that interests you during the semester before the course is offered.

  Once you and the professor reach an agreement on credit hours and work expectations, complete the PSYC 391- Practicum in College Teaching Registration Form. You must be logged into your B-mail account in order for the form to work correctly.

  An email will be sent to the instructor supervising your assistantship, requesting confirmation for your position and the number of credits you will receive. Once approved, you will automatically be registered for PSYC 391.

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Psi Chi International Honor Society

Psi Chi - The International Honor Society in Psychology - was founded in 1929 to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship and advance the science of psychology. Membership is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests and who meet the minimum qualifications. 

Learn more

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Academic Awards and Scholarships in Psychology

The Psychology Department offers several awards for Psychology/IN Majors. See our Undergraduate Awards Page for more information.