This page includes information about research, community service, internships, teaching assistanceships, student clubs, & the Psychology Honors Program.
Why should I become involved in research as an undergraduate student?
Participating in undergraduate research provides students with the following benefits:
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- The chance to collaborate closely with a faculty member.
- Engaging in practical, hands-on learning and discovery beyond traditional classroom activities.
- Experience that enhances prospects for graduate school admission and future career opportunities.
Acquiring essential research skills necessary for eligibility in the Psychology Honors Program.
How can I get involved in research?
PSY 273 Research Opportunities
Explore the Department website to discover faculty research projects. Keep in mind that spots for student involvement in a particular faculty member's research may be limited, and availability may vary. Additionally, consider earning academic credit for research participation, such as EXP+ through PSY 273. This course involves working as a Research Assistant with a Professor (sometimes in collaboration with a graduate student in his/her laboratory) in the Psychology Department. Approval is required to work in a professor's laboratory, and enrollment is not automatic. Faculty and graduate students seeking undergraduate research assistants may advertise openings within the Department and on the Department's website. If you find an opportunity that interests you, reach out to the primary investigator to inquire about available positions.
For more information about Psychology Department specific research visit https://you.stonybrook.edu/psychologyresearch/
Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URECA)
URECA coordinates undergraduate research activities across all disciplines at Stony
Brook and offers competitive summer awards to support faculty-mentored research experiences
for undergraduates. URECA also offers travel awards for students participating in
off-campus conferences and sponsors a campus-wide research symposium in the spring.
Please see URECA website for more information.
How can I get involved in community service?
Visit the Center of Service Learning & Community Service's Volunteer Opportunities by Interest page.
An internship is the perfect way to gain experiential learning while preparing you for a career after graduation.
Visit the Internship Office located in the Career Center at Melville Library, Room W-0550. There, you can obtain a list of pre-approved psychology internships and learn about the requirements for receiving credit. Note that securing a faculty sponsor within the Psychology Department is necessary for the internship. Therefore, if you're considering an internship, it's advisable to begin planning at least one semester in advance to arrange for a sponsor. If you intend to pursue an internship not on the pre-approved list, you'll need approval from both the internship office and the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Psychology. For further information, visit the Undergraduate Psychology Advisors page.
Note that the University limits the total number of all internship credits to 12.
PSY 488 Internship
The PSY 488 Internship allows you to earn academic credit for career-focused experiences in psychology that are not primarily research-based. Students must secure acceptance into an internship experience before registering for credit. It's important to note that PSY 488 does not count toward the Psychology major, but it does fulfill the EXP+ SBC requirement.
For the internship, you must have a faculty sponsor within the Psychology Department. Planning should commence at least one semester in advance to secure a sponsor. If you choose an internship not on the pre-approved list, you need approval from both the internship office and Psychology’s Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Note: The PSY 488 contract (see EXP+ Contract for Department of Psychology) must be completed with faculty approval at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the semester.
EXT 488 Internship
Psychology majors who are engaged in a career-related internship outside the Psychology department may also apply for credit (e.g. a PSY major with a marketing internship). To receive academic credit outside the major department, students must still have a faculty sponsor but will register for a Career Center EXT course.
Students may enroll in the EXT 488 Internship through the Career Center (Melville Library, W-0550). The Internship Office will provide you with a list of pre-approved internships as well as a list of requirements for obtaining credit.
Registering for Internship Credit
Handshake is the Stony Brook University employer database, containing thousands of employer records. Handshake is the first resource you should use to identify employers and apply for internships. Hundreds of opportunities are posted every semester.
Handshake is used for ALL employment – part-time jobs, work-study, on-campus employment, community service positions, gap-year opportunities, and full-time post-graduation positions. For help using Handshake, stop by the Career Center during business hours.
What is an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (TA)?
Teaching is a valuable part of learning, and qualified juniors and seniors in the Psychology Department can gain hands-on experience as Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (TAs). Students can earn academic credit by recieving permission to enroll in a teaching practicum course (PSY 475 or 476), which is graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. An undergraduate can TA for a maximum of six credits & can't TA for a course more than one time. This opportunity is ideal for students who have excelled in relevant coursework and are eager to deepen their academic and teaching skills. You can learn more about Undergraduate Teaching Assistantships via the University Bulletin.
What clubs are relevant to the Psychology major, and how can I get involved?
This area contains information about Psychology Student Alliance (PSA), Psi Chi, & Neuroscience Axis.
Psychology Student Alliance (PSA)The Psychology Student Alliance is dedicated to providing members with opportunities to explore their interests in psychology. Our mission—“Building Research, Advocacy, Diversity, and Networking”—captures the essence of our organization. We aim to create a fun and educational environment where members can grow as student leaders, build lasting friendships, and gain valuable experience for their academic and career paths. Throughout the year, PSA offers opportunities to learn about research happening at Stony Brook and around the world. We are committed to supporting diverse demographics and promoting advocacy for a fairer society. Formerly known as “Minorities in Psychology,” PSA has a rich history of encouraging diversity and fostering an inclusive atmosphere for all students.  We also strive to provide networking opportunities for our members. Anyone is welcome to join! For more information please contact us at stonypsa@gmail.com and our SB Engaged page. |
Psi ChiPsi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology, established in 1929 to encourage excellence in scholarship and advance the science of psychology. Membership is open to both graduate and undergraduate students who are dedicated to the study of psychology and meet specific qualifications. Psi Chi is affiliated with the Association of College Honor Societies, the American Psychological Association (APA), and the American Psychological Society (APS). Its sister organization, Psi Beta, serves community and junior colleges. Operating through a network of chapters at over 1,000 colleges and universities across the USA, Psi Chi is governed by a National Council of elected Psi Chi members. To qualify for membership, psychology majors must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.3 in Psychology, complete at least 9 credits in Psychology, and submit a complete application by the membership deadline.  For more information, see https://you.stonybrook.edu/psichi/ or contact sbupsichi@gmail.com. Advisor: |
Neuroscience AxisOur mission is to foster interactions among undergraduate students from all disciplines interested in neuroscience. We offer extracurricular opportunities for neuroscience education both on and off the Stony Brook campus, along with professional development related to the field. Annual activities include neuroanatomy night, guidance on getting involved in research, Brain Awareness Week events in local schools, lectures, electrophysiology night, and more. Anyone interested in neuroscience is welcome to join!  For more information, please see https://www.facebook.com/sbuneuroscienceaxis or https://you.stonybrook.edu/neuroscienceaxis/ or email neuroscienceaxis@gmail.com Dr. Brenda Anderson – Integrative Neuroscience (brenda.anderson@stonybrook.edu) Dr. Craig Evinger – Neurobiology and Behavior (leslie.evinger@stonybrook.edu) |
For other clubs and organizations, see https://stonybrook.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations
Is there an Honors Program for Psychology?
Yes! The Psychology Honors Program offers senior Psychology majors the opportunity to complete a Senior Honors Thesis under the guidance of a faculty advisor. This program spans both the Fall and Spring semesters of the student’s senior year. Its primary purpose is to enable students to design and complete a research project with faculty supervision. Additionally, the program helps students refine their skills in writing and presenting research findings, which is excellent preparation for graduate studies in psychology. You can learn more about the honors program features & requirements on the dedicated Psychology Honors Program page.