Undergraduate Research for Course Credit (PY451 & PY 481)
PY 451 will give you the opportunity to get involved with various aspects of research, such as designing experiments, collecting data, and data analysis. This is a tremendous opportunity for students who plan to go to graduate school. Many graduate programs actually expect applicants to exhibit some degree of research experience.
PY 481 will give you the opportunity to take a much deeper dive into a topic of psychology through a systematic list of reading materials. This upper-level credit opportunity will help increase your knowledge and become more aware of groundbreaking and fundamental research on a given topic. A faculty member will help curate a list of research articles and often will have you write up a summary or reflection of what you have learned at the end of the semester.
For both PY 451 and PY 481, first, check the department office or website for a description of faculty research interests. Try to find someone who has interests that overlap with yours. But, all research experience is good, no matter what area of research you attempt. It is the student’s job to approach the faculty member about conducting research with them or getting help curating a reading list. It is best to contact them early during the registration period because most have a limited number of opportunities available each semester.
If you take these classes seriously, the reward will be twofold. You can include this experience in your graduate school application and the faculty members that you work with will likely write a good letter of recommendation for you.
Find faculty members who are accepting students for PY 451 and PY 481 in the department directory.
Please contact the instructor directly if you are interested in participating in Undergraduate Research (PY 451) or Undergraduate Readings (PY 481).
Experiential Learning
Some courses offer undergraduate students opportunities to work with local organizations to complete service projects or to go out into the community to meet and talk with organizations and individuals. For example, undergraduate students enrolled in one course met with local artists and community youth for a project on the plight of abused, abandoned, and feral animals.
Youth Villages
Youth Villages provides volunteer opportunities for those wanting to help troubled children and their families in several states across the southeastern U.S. including Alabama.
Brewer-Porch Children’s Center
Brewer-Porch Children’s Center is a social service program and teaching clinic of The University of Alabama. Brewer-Porch is a separate department at UA. The Center provides mental health services to children and adolescents. Undergraduates in the Department of Psychology often find volunteer and work opportunities at Brewer-Porch.
External Research Opportunities
Database of Research Opportunities currently listed by the Office of Undergraduate Research.