Psych Scoop, 4/14/26

Psychology Advising Announcements

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

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Help Us Name the New Psych Undergrad Website!

Our office has been working hard to create a new tool for declared majors. We have a new website with information all about the psychology programs, with information on courses, planning, internships, volunteering, research, and even post graduate planning. Let us know what we should call this new resource by filling out this Google Form!

Drop-In Hours: What To Expect

Psychology Undergraduate Advising holds designated virtual drop-in hours for 5 - 10-minute questions. Questions that may be addressed during drop-ins include quick course questions, policy verification, and resource referrals. If your question takes more than 10 minutes or requires a certain level of preparation (such as determining what classes you have left in your major), you will be asked to schedule an appointment with an advisor for a later date. Drop-in hours can be found on our website.

Reminder: Psi Chi Honors Cords Pick Up

Are you a graduating Psi Chi member this upcoming Spring or Summer 2026 semester? If yes, please arrange to pick up your Psi Chi Honor cord from Mary Simonsen. Email Mary at [email protected] to arrange a time to pick it up. Available Thursdays to pick up are April 16th and 23rd between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Are You Graduating Spring or Summer 2026? Check Your University Email!

• Date:  Friday, May 1st, 2026 
• Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Location: Coffman Student Union, Mississippi Room

Psychology majors who have applied for Spring or Summer 2026 graduation have received an email invitation to the 2026 Psychology Senior Spectacular Celebration. This psychology undergraduate event recognizes award recipients and graduating seniors in front of peers, staff, faculty, and family for all of their accomplishments! The event will be held on campus Friday, May 1st, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. If you are graduating this Spring or Summer and have not received an email from us to RSVP for the Senior Spectacular, please reach out to [email protected]. Students must register by Wednesday, April 29th. 

Psychology Student Group Announcements

All students interested in Psychology are welcome to participate in Psychology student organizations. To learn more, visit our website. Latinos for Psychology, Counseling Psychology Club, and Chinese Psychology Student Association are not formally affiliated with the Department of Psychology, as they are independent Registered Student Organizations with an academic focus in the field of psychology.

Industrial Organizational Psychology Club - Recruiting Leadership and General Club Members

The Industrial and Organizational Psychology Club (IOPC) is recruiting for new members and officers for the 2026–2027 school year! Whether you're interested in workplace psychology, leadership, or just interested in learning more, IOPC offers a supportive community to build your skills and make an impact. Fill out the form if you are interested in a leadership position or would like to join as a new member!

Psychology International Student Association - Board Applications Now Open

Psychology International Student Association (PISA) is recruiting board members! It will be an excellent opportunity to meet amazing people (e.g., fellow psychology students, faculty members, university leaders, etc.), build leadership within the Psychology community, and improve your understanding of psychology. We welcome both domestic and international students to apply. Current or previous student organization experiences are not required. Apply online! The priority deadline is April 10th, 2026. If you have questions or concerns, please email BOTH Anna Picini ([email protected]) and Vandita Gupta ([email protected]).

Chinese Psychology Student Association - Board Applications Now Open!

The Chinese Psychology Student Association (CPSA) is currently recruiting new members and potential leaders for the organization. Candidates from all years are welcomed. Members will be in charged in content creation (article compose/video editing), event planning and public relation management on social media. CPSA is an academic student association composed of Chinese students with a major in psychology at UMN. Our intention is to set a foundation to unite and provide a platform to communicate, share, and establish comprehensive information in the psychological field between alumni and students, including topics on academic discussions, research/graduate programs, career perspectives, etc. We are looking forward to having people who would love to learn and share psychology knowledge to join us. For more information, please email Yuwei Xia at [email protected].

Psych Club x National Alliance on Mental Illness: Recharge event

• Date:  Thursday, April 16th, 2026
• Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Location: Elliott Hall, Room N119

Want a break from studying? Join us in our collab event with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)! We will be taking time out of our busy and stressful school week to recharge and prepare for the last few weeks of the semester. We will be providing board games, coloring sheets, bracelet making supplies and Raising Canes! Feel free to bring friends and any activity that helps you relax! RSVP so we know how many people to order food for!

Psychology Club & Psi Chi - Psych Soirée and PSI CHI Induction Ceremony

• Date:  Friday, April 24th, 2026
• Time: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Location: Health Sciences Education Center (HSEC), Room 7-150/52

Join Psychology Club, along with other UMN psychology groups such as, Psychology International Student Association, Association of Black Psychology Students, Latinos for Psych, Psych Advising, Counseling Psych, and Developmental Psychology Student Organization, for a night of fun and the PSI CHI Induction Ceremony! The night will include a complimentary dinner, honoring inductees, and an opportunity to network within the psych community with staff, faculty, organizations, peers, and clubs. Questions about the event can be directed to [email protected]. Fill out the registration form by Monday, April 20 at 11:59 pm!

Courses of Interest

Review courses included in this section on Schedule Builder. 

PSY 4960 - Seminar in Psychology: Advanced Methods for Analyzing Psychological Data

This course serves as a second course in psychological statistics, designed to introduce upper-division students to advanced data analysis methods that have emerged alongside the computer revolution and now dominate contemporary research literature. It emphasizes practical understanding - what these methods are, how they relate, when to use them, and how to interpret their results, rather than the mathematical foundations behind them. Students will explore the wide range of data generated across psychological research and learn to distinguish between experimental and correlational designs, along with the statistical approaches suited to each. The course also examines various types of variables and progressively moves from analyzing pairs of data to more complex, multivariable analyses. Throughout, the focus remains on applying these methods effectively to understand research findings and to design and analyze psychological studies. Students interested in this class must have PSY 3801 complete or in progress to be eligible for this course. Details about this course will be updated on Schedule Builder within the next few days. 

Events

Fireside Chats - Let's Chat about the Science of Health Behavior Change

• Date:  Thursday, April 16th, 2026
• Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: Virtual

This virtual conversation will feature Alex Rothman, PhD, a social/health psychologist and distinguished University teaching professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Rothman’s research focuses on understanding the processes that underlie health behavior change and leveraging those insights to develop programs that support people as they work to change their behavior. Register for the event on Zoom.

Gender-Based Violence & Legal Systems: A Community Perspective

• Date:  Tuesday, April 21, 2026
• Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: Appleby Hall, Room 128

This session will be grounded in the Twin Cities context, and will explore how victims are treated within legal systems, the gaps that can deepen harm, and the community‑level strategies that promote healing and prevention. Participants will learn about local resources for victim‑survivors, the role constituents can play in advocating for policy change, and practical actions communities can take to interrupt cycles of abuse and support those impacted. RSVP for the event through the Google Form.

School of Social Work Community Open House

• Date:  Tuesday, April 21st, 2026
• Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: Peters Hall

Are you interested in adding a Youth Studies major, or a minor in Social Justice, Family Violence Prevention, or Youth Studies? Want to explore the Master of Social Work (MSW) program? Join us to learn more about our programs! At the Open House, you can meet our faculty and chat with our advisors, learn about programs, admissions, and/or declaration requirements, tour our building and classrooms, and get additional questions answered! Registration is required for the event! 

Careers in Action: Minneapolis City Hall Visit

• Date:  Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026
• Time: 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: Minneapolis City Hall

CLA Career Services is excited to invite students to a special Careers in Action site visit to Minneapolis City Hall,  hosted by CLA alumna and Minneapolis City Councilmember Aurin Chowdhury and members of her team. Councilmember Chowdhury and her staff are excited to welcome CLA students into their workspace to help demystify City Hall and share what it looks like to build a career in local government and public service. This off-site experiential visit will allow students to meet with Councilmember Chowdhury and members of her policy team (also CLA alumni) to learn about their career paths, the day-to-day work happening inside City Hall, and how liberal arts skills translate into roles in policy, constituent services, community engagement, and city government. Register for the event on Handshake. 

Homelessness in the Twin Cities

• Date:  Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026
• Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: Bruininks Hall, Room 123

This session will examine homelessness in the Twin Cities through a systemic lens, focusing on the structural factors, such as housing policy, economic inequality, and racial disparities that contribute to housing insecurity. Special attention will be given to community-based responses and the role of students in advancing sustainable, equitable solutions. The final project will invite the student to critically engage with the continuum of care, proposing ways to shift from short-term aid toward systemic change. RSVP for the event through the Google Form.

CLA Student Board’s Mental Health Panel

• Date:  Friday, April 24th, 2026
• Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: President’s Room in Coffman Memorial Union (3rd Floor)

The CLA Student Board is hosting a Mental Health Panel featuring Dr. Liza Meredith, Dr. Michael Walker, Dr. Tai Mendenhall, and Dr. Alex Ajayi. CLA students are invited to unplug and connect to learn more about mental health surrounding discussions of research, personal endeavors, and meaningful advice! Snacks and refreshments will be provided. All participants will receive a free College of Liberal Arts journal. If you’re interested in attending, register for the event. Feel free to reach out to [email protected] with any questions!

Spring 2026 Psychology Capstone Poster Session

• Date:  Monday, May 4th, 2026
• Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: Elliott Hall, 1st Floor Lobby

Psychology Undergraduates completing their Capstone in Psychology this Spring will be participating in the Capstone in Psychology Poster Session! Posters will change every 20 minutes. Psychology faculty, staff, and students are all encouraged to attend! This is a great opportunity for Summer or Fall 2026 Psychology Capstone students to see current project examples!

Research

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

Psychology Research Informational Session

• Date: Tuesday, April 21st, 2026
• Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: Elliott Hall, Room S204 

This informational session will focus on sharing resources on how to get started with research that relates to the Psychology Major. Students will learn how PSY 4/5993 research works in the department, discover how research can fit into the Psychology Major and overall enhance undergraduate experience. Students will leave this session with 2-3 ideas to explore for a research position. Interested students must register for the event. 

*Credit* DSCN Undergraduate Research Assistant Openings - Summer 2026

The Developmental Social Cognitive Neuroscience lab is looking for responsible, motivated, and detail-oriented students to volunteer in our lab for credit. Our research focuses on development of executive function skills including attention, working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and reflection in children. We have several studies looking for help with data management, survey and assessment administration, data analysis, literature reviews, and other tasks. There may be opportunities to assist with EEG data collection. In addition, students can attend weekly lab meetings. Refer to the application or email DSCN lab managers at [email protected] to be considered.

2026 Minnesota Undergraduate Psychology Conference (MUPC) - Registration Closes Tomorrow!

Augsburg University is hosting this year's Minnesota Undergraduate Psychology Conference! Students who are interested in submitting their research proposals to present as a poster or talk should save the date for MUPC! Registration is required for all attendees. All registration forms will close after April 15, 2026. For questions, please contact [email protected]. Full conference details, including the draft schedule and parking information, can be found on the MUPC webpage. 

Graduate School

Gopher Grad Workshop - Why Become Faculty? Exploring the Impact of Academic Careers

• Date: Wednesday, April 15th, 2026
• Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: Virtual 

This panel invites students to learn what it really means to become faculty and why many scholars choose this path. Faculty panelists will share how their work in research, teaching, and mentorship allows them to shape knowledge, support students, and create meaningful impact within and beyond the university. They will also discuss the personal and professional benefits of academic careers, how values and lived experiences shape their work, and what they find most meaningful about life as faculty. Register for the event on Zoom. 

Columbia Occupational Therapy Info Sessions

• Date: Tuesday, May 12th, 2026
• Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: Virtual 

The Columbia University Programs in Occupational Therapy offer an entry level Masters Program as well as an accelerated MS/OTD program for our students and a part time online Post-Professional OTD program for working occupational therapists. Students who are interested in learning more about our entry level program can attend one of our virtual information sessions or sign up to sit in on an in person class on campus in New York City. Sign up for a 1:1 meeting with an admissions officer to answer any questions you have about the program. Sign up for office hours with an admissions officer. Reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions.

Resources 

First Too Mentee Interest Form

The First-Gen Student Success Center invites third-year+ first-generation undergrads to join our professional mentoring program, First Too! First Too pairs you with a dedicated faculty, staff, or alumni mentor who understands what it means to be first-gen and is excited to support you as you approach graduation and prepare for what's next. If you're interested in building a meaningful relationship with a mentor who's here to support your growth, please complete the form to get started. 

Refresh Your Wardrobe - Free Professional Clothing Swap

• Date:  April 21st through April 23rd
• Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: Bruininks Hall, Room 411

CLA Career Services is hosting a free Professional Clothing Swap to help you feel confident and prepared for interviews, internships, and the workplace. Stop by CLA Career Services during drop-in hours (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) on April 21, 22, and 23 to browse available items. This event is open to all students. No donation is required to participate. 

Community Naloxone Training

• Date:  Wednesday, April 29th, 2026
• Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: St. Paul Campus - Ruttan Hall, B35 

Carrying naloxone saves lives. Mark your calendars and attend a free overdose response training on campus this spring! Learn how to recognize an overdose, watch a demo of naloxone administration, receive a naloxone kit, and more. Register today!

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!

Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research - Full-time Research Assistant Position 

The Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research (MCTFR) seeks to hire a Research Assistant (8351SM: Research Professional 1 - Social Sciences Multidiscipline) responsible for recruitment and assessment of study participants in a project examining the long-term impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalization. Assessments include clinical interviews, neuropsychological and personality-related testing. This role requires onsite work at Elliott Hall, and flexible scheduling, including remote work on some evenings and weekends. Salary range is $23.81 - $25 per hour, commensurate with experience.  For more information about the COMN study, visit the MCTFR website. Visit the University of Minnesota employee website to apply.

Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research - Lead Full-time Research Assistant Position 

The Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research (MCTFR) seeks to hire a Lead Research Assistant (8352SM: Research Professional 2 Social Sciences Multidiscipline) responsible for executing tasks in a project examining the long-term impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalization. This position will be directly engaged with participant recruitment and assessment, and work with the Principal Recruiter and Study Coordinator to oversee project recruitment, assessments and data quality. This role will work closely with MCTFR research participants and MCTFR co-investigators. This role requires onsite work at Elliott Hall, and flexible scheduling, including remote work on some evenings and weekends.  Pay is $25.16 - $26.44, commensurate with experience. For more information about the COMN study, visit the MCTFR website. Visit the University of Minnesota employee website to apply.

Housing Support Specialist

Looking for a unique and rewarding job? We are hiring part time Housing Support Specialists- a great opportunity to build experience in the mental health field! Oak Grove is a small company located in Minneapolis. Housing Support Specialists are direct care providers who provide shift coverage and individualized services to residents. We offer paid training as well. If you have a passion for mental health and want to gain lasting experience that transfers to any field, apply today!

Volunteers Needed for Medical Summer Camp

The Minnesota Juvenile Arthritis camps give kids with arthritis and related childhood rheumatic diseases a chance to make lifelong friends, gain a greater understanding of their own diagnosis, increase independence and self-confidence, and discover new skills and interests. Those interested in volunteering can contact Caitie Dailey directly at [email protected] or text 267-261-6642.