ORGANIZATIONAL/ACTIVITIES TO WHICH STUDENTS MUST APPLY:

PSI CHI

Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology. Membership is open to graduate and undergraduate students who major or minor in psychology, have completed 9 units of psychology, have a psychology GPA of at least 3.4 and an overall GPA of at least 3.0. In addition, service to the local chapter is required. There is a one time fee of $40.00.

Like PSA, Psi Chi sponsors various speakers, panels, and social events of interest to psychology students. Some are limited to Psi Chi members; others are open to all. One of Psi Chi's main goals is to help its members prepare for graduate school.

Faculty sponsors: Dr. John Jung & Dr. David Whitney

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN RESEARCH (CORE) FORMERLY MINORITY ACCESS TO RESEARCH CAREERS (MARC)

The Psychology Department is represented in a national program designed to encourage ethnic minority undergraduate students to enter graduate school. Students in the program have an opportunity to conduct independent research supervised by department faculty, plan for graduate school, and meet regularly to engage in additional activities designed to enhance their research skills. Students generally enter the program in their junior year. All students receive a stipend and tuition as part of the program.

Faculty contact: Dr. John Jung

PEER ADVISING

Anywhere between ten and twelve students are chosen to represent the department and provide planning assistance to their fellow students. Students generally work in the peer advising office four to five hours a week, attend class once a week, and complete a special project relevant to their interests and department needs.

In order to apply, a student must have completed both Psychology 200 (Research Methods) and Psychology 210 (Statistics) as well as nine upper- division units prior to the start of participation in the Peer Advising program. In addition, a student must have an overall GPA of 2.75 or better. Students chosen as peer advisors earn six units of credit in Psychology 406 A and B.

Faculty contact: Dr. Virginia Binder
 

MEMBERSHIP OPEN TO ALL:

PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT ASSOCIATION (PSA)

PSA is open to all psychology majors. It is responsible for organizing a variety of activities, both educational and social, for students and faculty in the department. For instance, guest speakers are invited on topics of student interest; workshops are held on such subjects as psychology careers and applying to graduate school; field trips are planned; and pizza parties are frequent. Watch for news of PSA events on banners and posters around the Psychology Building. Meetings are held in Spring 2000 on Mondays and Thursdays.

The following organizations are currently inactive, but could be resumed with sufficient student interest.

ASIAN AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, STUDENT CHAPTER (AAPA)

This organization was formed during Spring 1994 and has as its goal targeting psychological issues concerning the Asian community and supporting Asian excellence in the field of psychology.

BLACK PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT ASSOCIATION (BPSA)

As the name suggests, BPSA is open to black students who are interested in psychology. Activities are both educational and social in nature. Check for further information as the organization is being reactivated after a period of inactivity.

LATINO PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT ASSOCIATION (LPSA)

In the Spring of 1993, a number of students developed the Latino Psychology Student Association to generate interest in psychology among Latino majors and pre-majors. Activities are both educational and social including discussions with Latino psychologists and student-faculty mixers.

All of the student organizations work together to plan activities for "Psych Day," an annual event held during the spring semester to generate and foster student enthusiasm for psychology.  Psych Day in Spring 2000 is scheduled for April 5th.

All of the organizations maintain mailboxes in the Psychology Department. Requests for information can be routed to the organization mailbox. There is a student lounge in PSY 314 available for the use of all students and often used for meetings of the various organizations.