Psychology 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

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.

PSYC 397 - Independent Study

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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 Winter or 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!
  • 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.

  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 ApplicationApplicants 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.

    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 TAQualifications: 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.

    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.

    Academic Awards and Scholarships in Psychology

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