Psych Scoop, 6/4/25

Psychology Advising Announcements

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

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Summer Psych Scoop Schedule

The Summer Schedule for the Psych Scoop is bi-weekly. Announcements will be sent out every two weeks. 

Summer Session Courses Still Available

We still have a handful of summer courses available for enrollment at this time. Courses that still have summer availability include: PSY 1001: Intro to Psych, PSY 3001W: Intro to Research Methods, PSY 3031: Sensation and Perception, PSY 3051: Cognitive Psychology, PSY 3206: Health Psychology, PSY 3511: Counseling, PSY 3604: Psychopathology, PSY 3666: Human Sexuality, and PSY 4521: Stress and Trauma. As a reminder, all summer psychology courses, other than Capstone, are online and start on June 9th.

Psychology Engagement Award - Summer Applications Open

Are you taking Summer classes & also volunteering in your community? The Department of Psychology's Donor Awards for Psychology Undergraduate Engagement are available to support you! The purpose of these awards is to encourage and support enrolled psychology majors who engage in unpaid learning experiences beyond the University campus and classroom environments (i.e. unpaid internships, volunteer experiences, or a study abroad containing a psych-related internship). Up to two awards of $500 will be offered for Summer 2025. The application deadline is Monday, June 9th. For details about the awards and application materials, please visit our webpage.

Events

Sci Pride 2025

• Date:  Saturday, June 14, 2025
• Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm CT
• Cost: UMN Student (bring student ID) - Free; Community members - $13 - $15
• Location: Bell Museum, 2088 Larpenteur Ave W, St Paul, MN 55113

Celebrate Pride when we center the work of LGBTQIA+ scientists and allies at the Bell Museum! Meet researchers and experience their work through hands-on activities for all ages around the museum. This public program is open to all. Spotlight Science is a regular program that shines a light on current science conducted at the University of Minnesota and in our community. Drop in to join researchers, students, and special guests for conversations and unique interactive experiences. This is an in-person event at the Bell Museum. Activities and events will be held throughout the museum and are included in the cost of regular admission.

Non-Carceral Harm Reduction Seminar: Introduction to The Impacts of Carceral Systems and How We Can Do Better

• Date:  Sunday, June 22, 2025
• Time: 2:00 pm CT
• Cost: Sliding scale $50 - $110 - Some Scholarships Available
• Location: Virtual

Traditional mental health practices seek to keep people alive at all costs - on one hand, this makes complete sense, as lives have value and we want people to live those valued lives. On the other hand, interventions such as wellness checks and forced hospitalization often escalate mental health crises and increase trauma. How can we do better for each other? Learn with us! Questions may be directed to Ash Parker at [email protected].

Courses of Interest

For more detailed information on each of these courses, refer to Schedule Builder.

PSY 3960: Undergraduate Seminar in Psychology - 1 Credit

Psychology Research Preparation Course - a part of the Department of Psychology's Pathways Program. 

• Time: Second Half of Term Course - Mondays, 4:00 - 5:40 pm CT
• Location: Elliott Hall N639
• Instructor: Maya Rogers ([email protected]) and Emily Saks ([email protected])

Joining a research lab can be a fun way to enhance undergraduate education in psychology. However, getting involved is not always straightforward. This course is designed to help first- through third-year students with all levels of experience learn more about research and develop skills that will support success in future research placements, such as a PSY 5993 course. We will cover a broad range of topics, including different career paths in research, preparation of 5993 application materials, how to look for scientific articles, and different expectations that labs may have. Throughout these topics, we will emphasize issues of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in science. We hope to provide opportunities for students from all backgrounds to explore how personal identity can play a meaningful role in the research experience. Email Maya at [email protected] or [email protected] to request a permission number to enroll!

PSY 5960-001: Topics in Psychology - Intro to Data Mining Techniques for Psych Sciences - Fall 2025 

• Time: Mondays & Wednesdays - 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM CT 
• Location: Elliott Hall N668
• Instructor: Katerina Marcoulides

The goals of this course are to develop an understanding of various data mining approaches, assess the utility of each approach, evaluate the predictive power of each approach, and tailor models to obtain replicable results. Students should have completed PSY 3801H or equivalent to be successful in this class.

PSY 5960-002: Topics in Psychology - Drugs of Abuse - Brain and Behavior - Fall 2025 

• Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays - 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm CT 
• Location: Elliott Hall N119
• Instructor: Kurt Fraser

Drugs of Abuse - Brain and Behavior This course will provide an overview of the major behavioral and neurobiological aspects of drugs of abuse, how they function, why humans use and abuse drugs, and contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches to studying substance use disorders. This course is intended for upper-level undergraduates interested in neuropsychopharmacology, medicine, and psychiatry. No formal requirements, but one or more of PSY 3011, 3031, 3051, 3061, or NSCI 3101, 3102W or BIOL 3211 are recommended. Undergraduate students should register for PSY 5960-002. 

Research

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

*Volunteer* Undergraduate Research Opportunity: Youth Mental Health - Summer 2025

We are looking for undergraduate students to volunteer in Dr. Meredith Gunlicks-Stoessel’s research lab this summer. Students would primarily be working on a study evaluating youth and caregiver attitudes about mental health services, barriers, and preferences for types of services. Participation would involve collecting surveys from families attending county fairs in rural Minnesota communities and the Minnesota State Fair as part of the UMN Driven to Discover (D2D) Research Program. All expenses, including mileage, hotel, and food will be covered. There will be opportunities to continue to work on other research projects into the 2025-2026 academic year. To apply, please send a cover letter including GPA and resume to [email protected].

*Volunteer or Credit* CPSY 4994 Gunnar Lab Seeking Research Assistants

The Gunnar Lab at the Institute of Child Development is looking for research assistants to start summer or fall 2025 semester. Our research focus is on stress and effects of early life experiences in children, teens, and young adults. We have a few research projects seeking dedicated research assistants who can commit to 3-9 hours per week. Tasks may include recruitment, scheduling research visits, in-person data collection, and remote work. Students fluent in Spanish are encouraged to apply. Students can earn 1-3 credits for CPSY 4994. To learn more about this position, please send your CV/resume and a short introduction to Bao Moua at [email protected] to be considered.

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

Dr. Urosevic is seeking highly motivated and detail-oriented research assistants (RA's) (sophomore/junior standing) for a study using machine-learning/AI algorithms and smartphone app data to predict future mood and functioning in adults with bipolar disorders. Credit and volunteer positions available. Responsibilities include participant recruitment/retention, data collection/management, and learning about digital phenotyping methods in psychopathology research. RA's will also attend lab meetings and have an opportunity to develop independent research questions based on their interests and available data. Past RA's have authored poster presentations and contributed to manuscript submissions. Competitive applicants will have strong interest in pursuing graduate-level education and an excellent academic record. You must be a US citizen to apply. Contact Helen Frieman by email at [email protected] and attach an unofficial transcript, a cover letter, and a resume.

Resources 

Join the UMN Libraries Student Advisory Board

The University of Minnesota Libraries Student Advisory Board is the undergraduate student leadership team of the UMN Libraries. Board members represent the student body and share feedback on library spaces, collections, and services. Board members also work with librarians and library staff on student engagement and outreach projects. Please fill out the short application. Learn more about how to join the board on the U of M Libraries Website. 

2025–2026 LAC Seminar Program Open Applications 

The Learning Abroad Center are offering 13 Global Seminars between winter break and May session. Global Seminars are three-week, three-credit experiential study abroad programs led by UofM faculty and staff. They offer a way for students to explore interdisciplinary topics, and most are approved for liberal education themes and/or cores.

Pre-Law Modules to Explore this Summer!

Check out the Pre-Law 101 Module. This module is perfect for someone just starting to explore law school, and outlines how to explore, ways to gain experience, and a brief overview of the timeline and application process. The Applying to Law School module is intended for those who have completed the Pre-Law 101 module and want more details on the application process. It outlines every element of the application process and how to get assistance and support.

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!

Are you Interested in Volunteering at a Community Organization?

Volunteering offers many of the same potential benefits as other experiential activities, like interning, for example, or participating in research projects. Volunteering is yet another way you can continue developing the Core Career Competencies that signify career readiness. It also gives you a chance to explore various organizations, career paths, and work settings in a fairly low-key way. One way you can find Volunteer opportunities is through the Center for Community-Engaged Learning (CCEL). At the University’s Center for Community-Engaged Learning, staff members will ask you about your interests and then connect you with one or more of the 300 nonprofit community partners they work with. Additionally, you can often find volunteer positions posted on Handshake. Visit the CLA Undergraduate Studies website to view further instructions on how to navigate Handshake.

Americorps Opportunities

Kickstart your career with AmeriCorps! Americorps offer paid service opportunities for current students and recent graduates. If you want to boost your resume and take action in Minnesota communities, apply now! They offer positions lasting up to one year with benefits like professional development, training, money for tuition and student loans, and more! Positions are currently available in fields like conservation, public health, education, and affordable housing. Visit the Americorps website to learn more or find them on Handshake.                

Be The Change: Volunteer at Walk-In Counseling Center!

Walk-In provides free, no-appointment, anonymous counseling every weekday. It is also the only clinic in the world (that we know of) that uses volunteer professional clinicians and advanced graduate students to serve clients. We’ve been in operation since 1969, so we know what we’re doing. Best of all, during our counseling clinics we require no appointment. You can volunteer remotely as a Spanish Language Assistant on the Spanish-voicemail line! Spanish voicemail line assistants provide an important service to an underserved client population in the community! To learn more about the Spanish Language Assistant position or if you have any questions, please contact Pang Chang, Director of Volunteers, [email protected].

Direct Care Professional

ACR Homes is hiring psychology students to become Direct Care Professionals! Apply today for positions starting anytime in the next 6 months! You would work in a home setting alongside a co-worker to care for 4 people who have disabilities. You will get the chance to gain Direct Patient Care Hours by caring for the medical, emotional, and physical needs of the residents as well as enjoying fun activities with them on your shifts. ACR is flexible for students, we only ask for 2 shifts/week, but you could work more. Starting pay is $15.50-$21.50/hr depending on the shift you work. We have locations near campus, and you don't need to have a car! On top of all of that, we offer optional custom research-based internships that end with a letter of recommendation from our CEO who is a licensed psychologist. We are doing interviews 30 min Zoom interviews now to secure your spot. You pick your start date. Contact Kayla Wildes at [email protected] if you are interested in applying!