Undergraduate Funding, Research & Internship Opportunities

(Psychology & Related Disciplines)

Interested in a research or clinical internship, summer program, or in finding funding for a research idea you have? Check out the eclectic list of opportunities below for some possibilities. Also, visit your college's career center for more resources. Muhlenberg students may want to check with Dr. Scuitto, and Dr. Tjeltveit about clinical and school psychology internships. Also be sure to  check the bulletin board across from the Psychology Office (227 Moyer). If you are interested in gaining experience by working in a community volunteer setting, visit Muhlenberg's community outreach office.  Have an opportunity you want listed here?  Contact Professor Wolfe at wolfe@muhlenberg.edu.

Research Funding & Programs at Muhlenberg

Travel Awards for Muhlenberg College Students
The College can now fund student travel to present scholarship, to exhibit artwork, or to perform.  Funding in the past has gone toward local, regional, and national venues of presentation. It is expected that awards will not exceed $250 and the awards are competitive. Students wishing to apply can get a form at this website: www.muhlenberg.edu/mgt/provost/academic/travel.html.

Summer Research Grants for Muhlenberg Students
These grants are intended for students who plan to engage in research or independent study that will lead to publication, presentation, exhibition, or performance. They are not normally granted for participation in formal coursework, formal study abroad programs, or internships. Each student who is awarded a grant will receive a $2,500 stipend for eight weeks of research during the summer and one course-unit of research or independent study at no cost to the student. Recipients who do research on campus will be provided with campus housing (based on double occupancy). Students may not have other obligations (work, course work, etc.) during the period of the grant. In addition, the student is expected to be enrolled at Muhlenberg the subsequent Fall. Students wishing to apply can get a form at this website: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/mgt/provost/academic/summer.html

Summer Faculty/Student Collaborations for Muhlenberg Students
In Summer Research Collaborations, a faculty member recruits a student as a research collaborator for the summer.  That is, the student assists in a substantive way with the faculty member’s scholarship.  A joint application must be submitted by the faculty member and the student. Each student who is awarded a grant will receive a stipend for either four or eight weeks of research during the summer. Optionally, the student may receive up to one course-unit of research or independent study at no cost. Recipients who do research on campus will be provided with campus housing (based on double occupancy). For more information, speak with a faculty member and visit: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/students/research/summerapp.html
 

National Summer Programs

APA Summer Science Institute for current freshmen or sophomores
A 10-day intensive program designed to immerse students in the science of psychology. The Institute gives students an opportunity to explore the intellectual, personal, and social processes of scientific inquiry and to experience cutting-edge psychological research through seminars and hands-on laboratory activities.. For rising sophomores or juniors. Website: http://www.apa.org/science/ssi.html

APA Summer Science Fellowship Program for current juniors (intending on grad school)
An expenses-paid, intensive summer training program, the purpose of SSF is to allow 12 talented students to be placed in the psychology laboratories of some of the most outstanding researchers in the Washington, DC area for up to 6 weeks. SSF offers promising students the opportunity to equip themselves with skills essential to succeed in graduate school, and gives students who plan to pursue advanced degrees in psychological science the opportunity to be mentored by nationally-known faculty. The program is expected to run from late June to early August. APA will pay students a summer salary, as well as cover all travel and living expenses. Eligibility is strictly limited to rising college seniors. Students from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Visit www.apa.org/science/ssf.html for complete details about the program and online application.

APA Advanced Statistical Training in Psychology for current juniors (intending on grad school)
Participants will receive 9 days of hands-on training in statistics and research methodology - with an emphasis on the skills that researchers actually use when conducting research. ASTP will target students from traditionally underrepresented groups in psychology. The definition of underrepresented groups is extremely broad and includes students who are members of ethnic minority groups, but also first generation college students and students who have had to overcome other kinds of social, physical or economic barriers on the road to academic excellence. Students will be asked to pay a tuition fee and secure their own travel. APA will pay for room and board as well as for research materials and instructional fees. We recognize that not all students will be able to afford tuition or travel, and thus we will provide scholarships for those with financial need. Website:  http://www.apa.org/science/astp.html

NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program ("REU") for current juniors
The National Science Foundation makes possible a number of opportunities for undergraduates to join research projects each summer. This allows students to experience first-hand how basic research is carried out, and to contribute consequentially. Note: As you search the web pages for more information, be aware that Grants in the field of psychology are listed under both Biological Sciences and Social, Behavioral, and Economic Research. Also note that you will have to contact each institution that is offering an REU experience individually to learn about their application requirements, deadlines and program activities. Website: http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/index.jsp Summer Research Opportunities Program in Psychology at the University of Utah for current undergrads (including seniors) and recent grads (intending on grad school)
SROP is aimed at enhancing the research careers of underrepresented students in psychology and to increase the number of underrepresented students who enter Ph.D. programs in psychology,  helping to diversify the field and broaden the range of perspectives. Program objectives are to provide students with the preparation to  become research scholars, stimulate serious consideration of Ph.D.  study, prepare students for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and pursue careers in university teaching and research. We accept 8 undergraduate and 4 pre-masters level graduate students into SROP. Travel, stipend (approximately $2,500 for undergraduates & $3,000 for graduate students), room & board, tuition  and Kaplan GRE preparation expenses are paid for all students  selected into the program. SROP is funded by the University of Utah  and the National Institute of Mental Health. During the summer semester, students conduct original research with a faculty mentor,  attend a weekly seminar on preparation for a research career in  psychology and related fields, attend a GRE preparation course, and other social events. For more information:  www.psych.utah.edu/srop.

CUR/APA Summer Fellowship Award
The Council on Undergraduate Research provides a unique opportunity for undergraduate students and their faculty mentors to engage in approximately ten weeks of full-time research in the laboratory setting at their home institution. Faculty members must be current CUR members (it is easy to join). Website: http://www.cur.org/apffellowship.html
 
Sources to Search

APA list of Psychology Research & Internship Opportunities
http://www.apa.org/science/undergradopps.html  

Research assistant positions for recent grads/current students
www.higheredjobs.com or check with Psychology Faculty to see if they have received emails about open positions. You can also check on the websites of universities for open positions.

Web GURU - Guide to Research for Undergraduates
More information and leads on funding, programs and research:  http://www.webguru.neu.edu/index.php
 
Internship Opportunities

(This list is NOT comprehensive, and it may not be up-to-date. Check with each organization for current information, and be sure to track down other leads via the Career Center, faculty, etc.)

Market Research Internship, Marketing Department - The Morning Call, Allentown PA
The internship responsibilities will depend largely on the active projects during the term of the internship, but examples of responsibilities include:  assist with tabulation and analysis of research using SPSS, analyze and assemble research data to create audience and marketing profiles, assist in developing a program of research to monitor the competition, assist with news content analysis, organize and conduct panel discussions. This is an unpaid internship.  For more information http://www.mcall.com/services/newspaper/internships/.  Kathy Harring in the Psychology Department can also assist you with information


Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hospital Elder Life Program, Allentown PA
This is a research driven initiative which may be of interest to Muhlenberg College students who want to work with older adults, but also an opportunity for other students to get more applied research experience.  Please contact Kathy Harring in the Psychology Department or Muhlenberg's Community Services Center if you want more information.  


Center for Children and Families - Summer Treatment Program, Buffalo, NY
A program for children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Conduct Disorder or Oppositional-Defiant Disorder. Applications for all positions are competitive, so students should obtain application materials and apply early. Position announcements and application materials are available at http://ccf.buffalo.edu/STP.php, and we encourage students to use our website to obtain the information. To request application materials by mail, please send a letter of interest and a self addressed stamped manila envelope, with postage of $0.92, to the Center for Children and Families - Summer Treatment Program, University at Buffalo, Diefendorf Hall Rm. 106, 3435 Main St., Bldg. 20, Buffalo, NY, 14214.

Additional Summer Treatment Program Sites (see above)
For information, contact these sites directly.


Wediko Children's Services in New Hampshire
Wediko is a non-profit agency located in Boston with 65 years of experience dedicated to children whose learning, social development and self-direction is lagging. During the summer months, Wediko operates its Summer Program 100 miles north of Boston in Windsor, NH. It is the nation's oldest short-term residential psycho-educational program, serving children and adolescents, ages 7-18, with serious emotional and behavioral disabilities (SED). Wediko offers eight week, paid positions for professionals and pre professionals. Much of our recruiting is conducted on the undergraduate and graduate level. Many applicants are interested in job and graduate school options for the future. One of the most exciting parts of working at Wediko is the diversity of professional training, including: special education, therapeutic recreation, counseling and school psychology, research, social work, psychiatric and community nursing, and psychiatry. Senior Wediko staff will talk about these professional growth opportunities in the summer. A strong Wediko reference travels well - both in job-hunting and in the graduate school application process. Students must have completed at least two years of college to meet and master the job demands of a direct care position. Other positions require relevant credentials. The ability to meet the physical demands of a rugged 450-acre campus is also required. We do not have a set application deadline. Hiring decisions are made on a rolling basis. For more information and to request an application, visit our web site at www.wediko.org


Davidson College Psychiatric Internship, North Carolina
Davidson College sponsors an eight-week summer program for undergraduates which includes coursework and an internship at Broughton Hospital in Morganton, N.C., a state psychiatric facility serving western North Carolina. Students complete two course credits in the areas of abnormal/clinical psychology including a practicum in which students work in the hospital 20-25 hours per week and meet weekly. Participants work with hospital professionals as observers and assistants in patient treatment programs. In past years placement options have included the Divisions of Adult Admissions, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Adolescence, and Geropsychiatry. Field trips to other institutions in the area are included and participation in research may be arranged for qualified students. For more information, visit the department webpage: http://www.davidson.edu/academic/psychology/psych.htm and link to Davidson-Broughton. The application form is also there.


University of Oregon Clinical Internship for Ethnic Minority Students
The University of Oregon Summer Research Training Program in Clinical Psychology is an internship that provides ethnic minority undergraduate students with training under the guidance of a faculty member. Funded in part by the National Institute of Mental Health, 6-week mentorship. The purpose of the program is to prepare students for graduate study in clinical psychology. In addition to learning about research with individual faculty mentors, students participate in a clinical research methods course and attend research presentations by other program faculty. Students write a paper on their research area and make presentations in a joint symposium at the end of the program. Participating students receive a tuition waiver, free on-campus room and board, a research stipend and 4 academic credits from the University of Oregon. Social activities including field trips will also be part of the experience. http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~gnhall/summer/index.html

   
Funding & Awards for Members of Psi Chi

Psi Chi sponsors a wide variety of award competitions and grants each year. For a general listing, see: http://www.psichi.org/awards/
For example: Check out the research grants at: http://www.psichi.org/awards/completelist_awards.asp#grants

Opportunities in Related Disciplines