Psychology Opportunities

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
• Peer Advisor Positions
• Teaching Assistantships
• Psi Chi Honor Society Membership
• Psychology Awards and Scholarships

---

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 hands-on 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 professor supervising the research.

• How to register

  PSYC 397 - Independent Study

  Complete the PSYC 397 Independent Study Registration Form. You must be logged into your B-Mail in order to access the form.

  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:

  • Permission of instructor
  • It's recommended to have the following courses complete: PSYC 111, PSYC 243 and PSYC 344. 

  PSYC 494 - ASD and Behavioral Assessment

  This course is about the examination and application of assessment research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. It focuses 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. There is an emphasis on ethics and professional issues in applied behavior analysis.

  Prerequisites:

  • PSYC 355 with grade of B or better.
  • 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 Harpur Forms and Petitions 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, formal coursework is also a vital component of an undergraduate education. To ensure that students have a well-rounded background in psychology upon graduation, the following guidelines have been set for the amount of independent study/research that can be applied to the psychology major:

  • No more than 12 credits of independent study/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 4 credits may count toward the psychology electives section of the science and math electives.

  Additionally, Harpur College places 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 HWS/OUT classes.

  Limits on Independent Study/Research courses are explained below:

  • Independent Research (PSYC 395, 397, 490, 492, 498 and 499) - 16 credits
  • Internships - 8 credits
  • Teaching Assistantships (PSYC 391) - 8 credits
  • HWS and/or OUT courses (limit of two OUT credits) - 10 credits
  • OVERALL LIMIT (Independent Research + Internship + Teaching Practica + HWS/OUT) cannot exceed 20 credits
    
    

  *Note: Students may not take more than 16 credits of Independent Study/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.

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

---

Internship Opportunities

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

In order for your internship to be applied towards your psychology major requirements, your CDCI internship must be at a location approved by the CDCI Office and the Psychology Department, and your responsibilities must be related to a division of psychology. Contact CDCI@binghamton.edu for approved locations. 

CDCI Internship credits can count towards your Section G Psychology requirements (8 credits of internship/research experience to substitute one 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
  • 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 and  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 would be interested in working for to determine if they would 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

  CDCI 395 (O) Professional Internships that will count for Psychology credit:

  Psychology Elective:

  • Credits: 4-8
  • 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 research experience. For example, you could do 4 credits of internship one semester, and then 4 credits of PSYC 397 another semester, and have both count towards Section G. 

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. 

---

Peer Advisor Positions

Help your fellow students in their academic journey by becoming a peer advisor for Psychology and Integrative Neuroscience Academic Advising!

Peer advisors typically work 8 to 10 hours per week, but may choose to work more or fewer hours depending on their schedule and financial aid award.

Responsibilities include:

• Advising fellow Psyc/IN majors about courses and requirements
• Helping students declare their major in Psychology or Integrative Neuroscience
• Assisting with routine clerical tasks in the office

• Qualifications and Application

  Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Declared as a PSYC or IN Major
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Commitment of at least two semesters (Fall/Spring)
  • Eligible for Federal Work Study (This is a firm requirement)
  • Must complete 2 hours of training before taking appointments. 
  • Must also have the following qualities: strong work ethic, good communication skills, a passion for helping others, and the ability to empathize with others.

  How to apply:

  Applications are currently closed and will reopen near the start of the Fall semester. An announcement will be sent to the major listservs when the job is posted on hireBing. 

  You must upload a resume and a cover letter together in one PDF document. The cover letter must answer these two questions:

  1. Why do you want to be a peer advisor for PSYC/IN Advising?

  2. What skills will you bring to the position that will help you succeed?

  If you have any questions about the position or application process, contact psyadvis@binghamton.edu. 

---

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching assistants (TA's) are undergraduate students who assist professors 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.

TA's are a great help not only to faculty, but to student peers as well. Because a TA's 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.

Responsibilities vary but generally include:

• Student support (e.g., holding scheduled office hours or helping students work through problem sets and course readings)
• Review sessions (e.g., leading or co-facilitating exam review workshops or study groups)
• Laboratory demonstrations (e.g., running equipment, guiding students through experimental protocols)
• Course administration (e.g., grading homework/quizzes, maintaining Canvas materials)
• Other instructional tasks (e.g., preparing classroom handouts, proctoring exams, or coordinating guest lectures)

• How to become a TA

  Qualifications:

  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • You 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.
  • However, the most important requirement is a genuine desire to help others learn, and the ability to treat all students with respect.

  Application and Registration:

  1. Contact the professor the semester before the course is offered, and reach an agreement on credit hours and work expectations
  2. Complete the PSYC 391- Practicum in College Teaching Registration Form. You must be logged into your B-Mail in order to access the form.
  3. Office staff will send an email to the professor requesting confirmation. Once approved, office staff will register you for PSYC 391.

---

The 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

---

Academic Awards and Scholarships in Psychology

The Psychology Department offers several awards for Psychology and Integrative Neuroscience Majors. See our Undergraduate Awards Page for more information.