Psych Scoop, 12/30/25

Psychology Advising Announcements

Current majors are expected to know the announcements in the advising announcement section.

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Psychology Undergraduate Advising Office Hours 

During Winter Break, the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Office will have limited in-person hours, but will remain reachable via email ([email protected]) or by appointment. Our office will close early at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, 12/31/25. The University of Minnesota and our office will be closed on Thursday, 1/1/2026. If interested in scheduling a meeting with an advisor over break, fill out an appointment request form online. Happy New Year!

Psychology Engagement Award - Spring Application Now Open

Are you volunteering in your community this Spring? Or, participating in an unpaid internship here or abroad this semester? The Department of Psychology's Undergraduate Engagement is available to support you! The purpose of these awards is to encourage and support psychology majors who engage in unpaid learning experiences beyond the University campus and classroom environments (i.e., unpaid internships, volunteer experiences, study abroad containing a psych-related internship, etc.). Up to two awards of $500 will be offered for Spring 2026. The application deadline is February 4th at 12:00 PM (CST). For details about the awards and application materials, visit our webpage.

Research

To register for PSY 4993 or 5993 credit, view the registration requirements on the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Website.

*Credit or Volunteer* Machine Learning/AI in Bipolar Disorders Research Study

Dr. Snezana Urosevic, Assistant Professor at the UMN Dept. of Psychiatry and clinician investigator at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, seeks motivated and detail-oriented undergrads to contribute to a study identifying machine-learning/AI algorithms with phone app data predicting mood symptoms and functioning in adults with bipolar disorders. Credit and volunteer opportunities available. Position is 9/10-hrs/wk, 1-yr commitment. Responsibilities include recruitment, data collection/management, learning about digital phenotyping methods in psychopathology, and attending and presenting at lab meetings. Also, an opportunity to develop independent research questions based on available data. Past RAs authored poster presentations and manuscript submissions. Competitive applicants will have a strong interest in pursuing graduate-level education and an excellent academic record. Must be a US citizen to apply. To apply, email Isaac Thao ([email protected]) with an unofficial transcript, cover letter, and resume.

*Credit* Mazzocco Math and Numeracy Lab - Institute of Child Development

The Math and Numeracy Lab focuses on the role of cognitive development and function in numerical and mathematical thinking. Our research includes studies focused on early childhood and adulthood. Our current projects concern individual differences in the cognitive skills underlying mathematical thinking; influences on children’s attention to numerosity; and the potential influence of numerical and ordinality skills on word-level language comprehension and concepts. Undergraduate students interested in pursuing research in the Math and Numeracy lab are also encouraged to contact Dr. Mazzocco at [email protected] or apply online. Opportunities include supervised research experiences for academic credit or potential honors thesis projects. 

Courses of Interest

For more detailed information on psychology courses, refer to Schedule Builder.

Interested in youth work, social justice work, violence prevention, or social work?

Are you interested in youth work, social justice work, violence prevention, or social work? Take a 'YOST' or 'SW' class! Search for YOST and SW in ScheduleBuilder. Select courses also fit into the Youth Studies minor, Social Justice minor, and Family Violence Prevention minor. Reach out to Rae Dillon, academic advisor at [email protected] with questions.

LING 5462: Field Research in Spoken Language

• Course Time and Location: Mondays & Wednesdays - 11:15 am - 12:30 pm- Burton Hall 125
• Instructor:  Polly Szatrowski

This course takes you inside the fast-moving, richly layered world of everyday interaction, where meaning is created not only through language, but also through gaze, gesture, posture, timing, laughter, tone of voice, etc. You’ll study language in its natural habitat: real conversations as they unfold moment by moment in daily life. This is a hands-on, discovery-driven course. You’ll work directly with spontaneous conversational data, learning professional techniques for transcribing both speech and embodied action. The course draws on naturally occurring conversations from multiple languages—including English, Japanese, Spanish, and German—making it ideal for students interested in language, culture, social interaction, media, psychology, education, design, or any field that depends on effective human communication.

PSY 3896: Internship in Psychology

• Course Time and Location: Online - Asynchronous
• Instructor: Mike Houlahan

The purpose of this applied course is to integrate students' academic, personal, and career development in the context of an applied, community-based, concurrent internship. Students will explore their own interests and values, identify and build desired career readiness competencies, and synthesize their learning through the creation of a culminating internship "Final Reflection Project." While the field of psychology is broad in nature, the internship must be in the realm of psychology and directly related fields. To register for PSY 3896, you must be a declared or soon-to-be-declared Psychology BA or BS major and must receive instructor permission. Course is only offered for 3 credits - this requires online classwork in addition to your planned internship site work for 135 hours minimum (an average of 8-9 hours per week at your internship site). Contact the course instructor about late registration - students with an Internship position secured will be accepted into the class through Monday, February 2, 2026. A Handshake agreement with your Site is required to receive a Permission Number for registration.

PSY 3960: Undergraduate Seminar in Psychology - Work Motivation: Theory and Practice

• Course Time and Location: Tuesdays & Thursdays - 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm - Elliott Hall N639
• Instructor: Aaron Schmidt

Why do people put effort into their jobs, and what sustains (or undermines) that effort over time? This course will survey classic and contemporary theory and research on work motivation, its causes, and its consequences, as well as evidence-based interventions to bolster workplace motivation. We will discuss the What (defining motivation), Where (the factors that motivate), When (under what conditions motivation thrives or falters), Who (individual differences), and Why/How (the dynamic, reciprocal processes by which motivation and its outcomes unfold over time).

CPSY 4303: Adolescent Psychology

• Course Time and Location: Tuesdays & Thursdays - 9:45 am - 11:00 am- 216 Pillsbury Drive
• Instructor: Henriette Warren

This course will describe the overview of development in the teenage years and the second decade of life. This course will also review interactions of adolescents with family, school, and society. CPSY 4303 can count toward the psychology elective for the psychology major. 

PSY 5960: Topics in Psychology - Using Psychology to Address Societal Challenges

• Course Time and Location: Fridays - 10:10 am – 12:40 pm - Elliott Hall S204
• Instructor: Iris Donga Vilares

This course will describe the potential and actual use of psychology to address societal challenges, such as climate change, addiction, and health epidemics. This class will be discussion-based and interdisciplinary, combining decision-making and game theory with Biology, Economics, and Social and Cognitive Psychology. This class will consist of lectures (including guest lectures), discussion, paper presentation, and group work. This is an advanced undergrad or graduate class. Completion of PSY 3001W is recommended but not mandatory.

Learning Abroad 

For additional information about learning abroad opportunities, refer to the Learning Abroad Center’s website.

Language & Culture in Southern France 

Students will study in Montpellier, with a centuries-old history of intellectual advances and social tolerance. They will choose from beginning through advanced French language courses as well as courses in humanities, engineering, sciences, and business. Psychology faculty member, Dr. Bonnie Klimes-Dougan, will be teaching MONT 4303: Adolescent Psychology, which counts toward the Psychology major or minor! Application deadline for the Summer 2026 session is March 15th, 2026. 

May-June 2026 Global Seminar: Informational Session

• Date:  Monday, January 26th, 2025
• Time: 2:30 pm
• Cost: Free
• Location: Online

Learn about the May Term Mental Health & Well-being in Spain study abroad program. This program is open to all majors and fulfills the Global Perspectives Liberal Education requirement. It also fulfills major electives for Psychology and Developmental Psychology majors. Freshmen through seniors are welcome to participate in this program. At this info session, students will learn more about the program, meet the leader (Professor Seth Christman), and learn about resources for planning study abroad experiences. Registering in advance is required in order to receive virtual event login details. 

Graduate School

Scholarship Opportunity for Counselor Education

Earn a Master of Arts in Counselor Education! Prepare for a rewarding career as a licensed school counselor or work toward a career as a licensed mental health counselor (LPC/LPCC). Support individuals and groups across the lifespan academically, socially, and emotionally. Tuition dollars are available for the 2026-2027 academic year! Applications are due January 15th, 2026! Visit the University of Minnesota’s Counselor Education program website to learn more!

Marcus Autism Center Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Opportunity

The Social Neuroscience Research Core at Marcus Autism Center, in collaboration with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University, offers two-year predoctoral research fellowships in autism research. Aimed at college graduates, these fellowships provide intensive research opportunities with children with autism, mentorship from experienced faculty, and participation in various training seminars and meetings. Fellows are involved in clinical observation and research, funded to attend conferences, and are compensated with healthcare benefits. For inquiries, contact [email protected] or (404) 785-9554.

Resources 

Discover Dental School (DDS) Program Application Open

Applications are now open for the 2026–27 Discover Dental School (DDS) Program, a free, yearlong hybrid program designed to help students explore dentistry, build foundational skills, and gain confidence in pursuing a dental career. Running from June 2026 to May 2027, the program includes monthly virtual sessions, self-paced online learning, and a three-day in-person immersion at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. DDS is committed to expanding access to dentistry and strongly encourages applications from students from historically underrepresented, rural, first-generation, and lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Priority applications are due January 30, 2026, and final applications are due February 16, 2026.

Let’s Talk: Free Drop-in Consultations

Your mental health matters. Boynton Health’s Let’s Talk program is here to connect U with the support you need. Offering free, informal drop-in consultations, Let’s Talk counselors are available to meet with students Monday-Friday.

Job, Internship, & Engagement Opportunities

IMPORTANT: Organizations listed below are not necessarily affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Psychology or Psychology Undergraduate Advising. Please exercise the same discretion you would in viewing any other source. Looking for Psychology Internships? Get Started with Our YouTube Tutorials!

Paid Summer Research Experience - University of Pittsburgh

The mission of the Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) at the University of Pittsburgh is to advance the science of learning by bringing together leading researchers in the cognitive, social, computer, and educational sciences. Selected REU students will work on leading-edge learning science research. During the program, students will work alongside faculty, research staff, graduate students, and postdocs to create research questions they will explore during the program. LRDC faculty have primary appointments in the Department of Psychology, and the Schools of Education, Law, and Computing and Information. This application is due February 8, 2026. In addition, have two individuals submit a letter of reference on your behalf to [email protected] no later than February 8, 2026. One letter should be from a faculty member or instructor. The second letter can be from someone you know from school, work, or the community.

Orientation and Welcome Week Leaders Needed - Orientation & Transition Experiences

Orientation Leaders are responsible for creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for approximately 6,900 new first-year students and 1,200 new transfer students during New Student Orientation and Welcome Week. Both programs focus on providing a quality transitional experience for new students and their families. Welcome Week Leaders are responsible for creating a welcoming and inclusive environment during Welcome Week. Welcome Week Leaders will be responsible for preparing and staffing events during Welcome Week, with significant responsibility for supporting program logistics and ensuring new students have a smooth and successful Welcome Week experience. Applications for Orientation and Welcome Week positions are due by February 2nd. Apply on the Office of Undergraduate Education website.

Looking for a Summer Job? Housing and Residential Life is hiring!

Want to stay in the Twin Cities this summer? Housing & Residential Life is currently accepting applicants for our Conference & Event Services Hospitality Specialist and Hospitality Business Specialist positions for Summer 2026! Apply by Monday, February 2nd. 

Summer Internship with Columbia-WHO Center for Global Mental Health

Students participating in the Summer Internship Program will participate in a variety of didactic, career, and professional development seminars and will receive mentorship from 1-3 faculty members engaged in varied global mental health research and training initiatives. Students will gain exposure to networking within the healthcare research environment and develop the skills to apply an equity-informed lens to global mental health research and implementation. The summer internship typically starts in June and runs for 8 weeks, with students attending daily seminar sessions and working on their assigned projects from Monday through Thursday. Visit their website to download the full internship description for the 2026 Summer Internship cycle. Applications for the 2026 Undergraduate Summer Internship are now open and must be submitted by 5:00 PM EST on January 31, 2026, for consideration.

Yale Fellowship in Developmental Psychopathology and Social Neuroscience

Successful applicants will be involved in a 2-year training program involving clinical research experience in a developmental research lab. The primary training experience will be in daily activities related to behavioral, psychophysiological, eye-tracking, and neuroimaging (fMRI) studies involving infants and young children with and without autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. With research mentorship, the selected applicants will be expected to lead a research project to present at an international conference. Completed applications including cover page, CV, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements are due no later than January 23rd, 2026. Additional information about the fellowship opportunity and our lab can be found online. Questions regarding the Yale Fellowship in Developmental Psychopathology and Social Neuroscience may be directed to [email protected].