The Department of Psychology offers instruction on research and many opportunities for undergraduate students to gain first-hand experience in research. Research experience is a great way to apply classroom teachings to real-world settings, build your resume/cv and determine if graduate school is the right fit for you.

The Department of Psychology's Poster Session is an opportunity for undergraduate researchers to share their hard work with fellow classmates. During the event, participants present their research projects in the areas of clinical, cognitive, social and school psychology. Attendees are able to network and ask questions regarding each research poster. Throughout the event, faculty and graduate student evaluators visit each research poster to assess whether the student has met the appropriate criteria for their area of research. 

The research fair is hosted by the Department of Psychology. Much like a college fair, lab representatives are available to answer questions undergraduate students may have about becoming a research assistant in the lab of their interests. 

Any student interested in earning course credit for research in psychology (PSY 291-291; 491-494) must obtain a Syracuse University faculty member sponsor to oversee these activities in conjunction with non-SU employees. A teaching or graduate assistant cannot serve as a sponsor.

It is the student's responsibility to identify a faculty member who is willing to serve in this capacity. Faculty sponsors are responsible for:

• Assisting the student in determining learning objectives, goals, activities and tasks of the internship.
• Providing guidance during the internship experience.
• Using assignments and evaluations to arrive at a final grade for the student's experience.

In each case, a faculty sponsor must sign a Research Experience Contract agreeing to supervise the work and specify the criteria upon which the undergraduate student will be graded. Please consult the Psychology Student Support Office for more information.

In the Department of Psychology most faculty are looking for research assistants in their labs! Reach out to the department to learn how you can apply to become a Research Assistant.

The Department of Psychology at Syracuse University offers two full-time, residential, mentored summer research experiences for undergraduate students.

Summer Program Advancing Research Careers (SPARC)

This SU-funded program is open to Syracuse University psychology majors and neuroscience ILM students who are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in a psychology discipline, including but not limited to: cognitive, social, or industrial-organizational psychology.

Summer Training in Alcohol and Health Research - Undergraduate (STAHR-U)

This federally-funded program is open to students from across the country who have strong interests in addiction science and behavioral/mental health research and pursuing a doctoral program in related disciplines.

For more information about these two summer undergraduate research programs, please visit our summer research page

Contact psychology@syr.edu.