Get Involved with Exceptional Education Experiences
Research
Research is an invaluable way to develop your understanding of the scientific method and how it is applied in the study of psychology. There are 3 primary ways you can get involved in research at the University of Utah:
- Participate in a study through the Participant Pool.
- Become a research assistant in a lab. You can find opportunities for assistant positions with faculty here.
- Complete your own research project under the direction of a faculty mentor. Completing your own research project is often done as part of the Honors Track, or through the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) in pursuit of the Undergraduate Research Scholar Designation (URSD), or as part of an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). If carefully planned, it is possible to complete one project as part of the Honors Track and to earn the URSD while being funded by UROP.
If you are applying to graduate school, it is recommended that you have at least 2 semesters of research experience for a masters’ program, and 4 semesters of research experience for a PhD. Being a participant in a research study may count in some courses for credit, but it is typically not considered part of the research experience needed for graduate program applications.
Internships
Internships are the best way to gain experience in a particular field of work and can be an important factor in creating opportunities for employment and graduate school. Most internships are completed with an organization that is not part of the University of Utah. Internships may be found through the College of Social and Behavioral Science, through the Hinckley Institute, or on your own, however, internships will not count for credit toward your Psychology major or minor requirements. While earning credits toward the Psychology major or minor requirements is not available, you can complete psychology-related internships and earn general elective credit toward your degree through classes like SBS 4890 and others. Although the internship may not be reflected in your psychology major, it's encouraged as a part of building your resume.
The CSBS Internship page is a great source for more information about internships. Additionally, it houses an extensive database of internship opportunities.
Schedule an appointment with the CSBS Internship Team below for assistance with:
- General internship advising
- Help finding an internship that aligns with your interests
- Resume and cover letter support
- International student and CPT advising
- Support needs for students that are experiencing conflict with their internship supervisor
or colleagues
Jacqueline Broida
Associate Director – Internships
jacqueline.broida@utah.edu
Additional internship opportunities can be found with the following departments:
Student Groups
Student groups are a fantastic way to get involved with peers, faculty and staff at the University of Utah. Student groups can help you network, gain experience, and find new opportunities. The following are several student groups related to psychology here at the University of Utah:
Psi Chi - The International Honor Society in Psychology
Psi Chi is the University of Utah’s chapter of the International Honor Society in Psychology. Being a part of this group is fantastic way to get involved with peers, faculty and staff at the University of Utah. In addition, Psi Chi’s particular specialty is facilitating connections between students and research opportunities.
Systems 'n Coffee is a bimonthly reading group committed to interdisciplinary research using Dynamical Systems Theory. The group is designed to welcome new and more experienced folks alike based on the premise that the best way to learn and understand systems theory is through shared insight.
