Psych Scoop, 8/4/26
The Psych Scoop is sent to all Psychology Undergraduate students and alumni each week throughout the academic school year.
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Psychology Advising Announcements
Current majors are expected to know the announcements in the advising announcement section.
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Psychology Engagement Scholarship - Fall Applications Open Soon!
Are you making Fall plans for 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 three awards of $500 will be offered for Fall 2026. The fall application will open on Monday, August 24th, and closes on Monday, September 21st at 12:00 pm. For details about the awards and application materials, please visit The Synapse!
Volume 26 of Sentience
Sentience is an online academic journal for papers describing research in Psychology that are written by undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota. Sentience provides opportunities for undergraduate students to gain first-hand experience in all phases of the scientific publication process. Published work is limited to papers written by undergraduate students (as first author). To review the Spring 2026 Sentience Vol. 30, visit the Sentience Website.
Courses of Interest
Review courses included in this section on Schedule Builder.
PSY 4960: Seminar in Psychology - Advanced Psychopathology - Fall 2026
This course examines how traditional diagnostic systems fall short and how modern, empirically driven models aim to improve the scientific understanding of mental disorders. Students evaluate alternatives like the HiTOP framework and explore how dimensional, transdiagnostic approaches reshape research and clinical thinking. The course also highlights how emerging technologies, including AI and intensive data‑collection methods, are transforming the study and treatment of psychopathology.
PSY 4960: Seminar in Psychology - Advanced Methods for Analyzing Psychological Data - Fall 2026
This course introduces upper‑division psychology students to advanced data‑analysis methods that shape modern psychological research. The course focuses on understanding when and how to use these techniques, how to interpret results, and how different research designs and variables guide statistical choices. Students progress from analyzing simple data relationships to complex multivariable models, applying these tools to evaluate and design psychological studies.
AHS 3401: Writing a Personal Statement for a Health Program - Fall 2026
AHS 3401 will keep you on track to write a compelling and unique personal statement. This course is designed for students who will be applying to a health professional degree program (i.e. medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, etc.). Students must be of junior or senior status. Students must have a competitive GPA and be within one year of submitting their application for a health professional degree program.
Events
Pre-Health Student Resource Center Interview Prep Workshops
- Date: Friday, September 11th
- Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
- Cost: Free
- Location: Zoom
The Pre-Health Student Resource Center is excited to once again offer health program Interview Prep Workshops this fall for UMN students and alumni. Participants will learn strategies for preparing responses, interview practice, tips for virtual interviews, and more. Registration is required.
Health Careers Fair
- Date: Wednesday, October 7th
- Time: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Cost: Free
- Location: Coffman Great Hall
The Health Careers Fair is a great opportunity for students interested in health careers to explore degree programs, valuable experiential opportunities, and pre-health clubs on campus to start building their network. Students can pre-register for HCF on Handshake. Same day registration will also be available.
Research
To register for PSY 4993 or 5993 credit, view the registration requirements on the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Website.
*Credit or Volunteer* Machine Learning in Bipolar Disorders Research Opportunity
Dr. Urosevic's Lab seeks undergrads to join a study identifying machine-learning algorithms with phone app data predicting mood symptoms and functioning in adults with bipolar disorders. Position is 9-hour-per week, on-site, 1-year commitment. See description of position for details. Direct questions/application to Isaac Thao: [email protected].
*Credit or Volunteer* Math and Numeracy Lab at the Institute of Child Development
We study cognition in early childhood and adulthood with a focus on individual differences in skills underlying mathematical thinking; influences on attention to numerosity; and how numerical skills are linked to word-level language comprehension and concepts. Contact Dr. Mazzocco at [email protected] for more info, or apply online.
*Volunteer Only* Minnesota Center for Eating Disorder Research
The Minnesota Center for Eating Disorders Research (MCEDR) seeks for students and recent graduates interested in clinical eating disorder research. Gain hands-on experience with diagnostic interviews, test meals, fMRI, data analysis, lab meetings, and independent research projects. Apply online using the google form. Questions: [email protected].
*Volunteer Only* Volunteer Position for Systematic Review
Dr. Carina Heller is seeking 1 undergraduate student to support a systematic review and extraction together with collaborators at UCSB, NYU, and Harvard, titled "Menstrual Cycle Irregularities and the Brain: A Systematic Review." The ideal candidate has interest in neuroscience and women’s health. Project overview and preregistration can be found online. Apply using the Google Form.
Think Like a Researcher Mini-Course
The Think Like a Researcher online mini‑course helps University of Minnesota undergraduates learn the skills and pathways for getting involved in research, including volunteering, taking courses, and applying to UROP. The free, self‑paced Canvas course takes about 2–3 hours and includes videos, short activities, and discussion posts, with a brief registration required. For questions, students can contact Kate Peterson at [email protected] or 612‑626‑3746. Keep in mind the course is not graded or recorded on transcripts.
Learning Abroad
For additional information about learning abroad opportunities, refer to the Learning Abroad Center’s website.
Winter Break Global Programs Available
The PHSRC will be leading three health-focused short-term global programs during the 2026-2027 academic year, two of which will take place over winter break: AHS 3002: Global Health in Thailand and AHS 3006: The Anatomy of Inequality - Health Disparities in South Africa. Students interested in learning more about our study abroad opportunities should fill out our global program interest form. Applications for winter break programs are due October 1.
Exploring the Origins of Humanistic Counseling in Greece - May 2027 Session
FSOS 4150: Exploring the Origins of Humanistic Counseling in Greece course explores the roots of humanistic psychotherapy through hands-on learning in Greece, including site visits, readings, and reflection. You’ll examine how Ancient Greek culture and environment shaped humanistic values and trace the development of humanistic theory from its philosophical beginnings to its modern role in counseling. By the end, you’ll be able to apply these ideas directly to your own counseling practice.
Holistic Health in France - May 2027 Session
AHS 3003: Holistic Health in France is a 4‑credit spring course that includes May travel to Montpellier to explore sustainable approaches to health. Students examine how culture and the UN Sustainable Development Goals shape health while participating in interactive excursions throughout Southern France. The program is open to all students, including freshmen, and more details are available on the Learning Abroad Center’s website.
Graduate School
Psychology PhD Virtual Admissions Information Sessions
Are you interested in pursuing a PhD in Psychology? Check out the Virtual Admissions Information Sessions offered by the Department of Psychology's Grad Studies Office. Sessions are offered monthly until October. Questions about these sessions may be directed to Psychology Graduate Admissions at [email protected].
Application Open for PhD in Behavioral & Community Sciences
The University of South Florida’s interdisciplinary PhD Program in Behavioral & Community Sciences is recruiting applicants for its Fall 2027 cohort, offering mentorship‑driven, research‑intensive training across areas such as behavioral health, mental health, substance use, developmental disabilities, and community‑based research. Since 2017, the program has enrolled over 40 students and graduated 30 scholars who gain substantial professional experience, and prospective applicants are encouraged to connect early with faculty whose research aligns with their interests. Applications open in December 2026, and additional program and faculty information is available on the program’s website.
Resources
Visit the Nutritious U this Summer
The Nutritious U Food Pantry will be open in the summer! Beginning this June, the Coffman Memorial Union location will be open Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and Thursdays, 2–6 p.m. Visit the Nutritious U website for the full schedule.
Pre-Law Advising in Summer
Check out the Pre-Law website for answers to many questions, including an overview of the application process. The Pre-Law office is OPEN over the summer - there are no drop-ins, but individual appointments available are open to anyone.
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!
Part Time Mental Health Worker Position
Oak Grove is hiring Mental Health Workers to support adults in long‑term care. This position is an excellent opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience in the field. This role allows you to apply psychological knowledge in a real‑world clinical setting while building foundational skills for future graduate study or mental health careers. Flexible scheduling is available for full‑time students. Interested applicants can find the posting on Indeed or email a resume to [email protected].
Writing Across the Curriculum Student Research Assistant
The Writing Across the Curriculum Student Research Assistant supports the WEC and TWW programs by helping integrate effective writing instruction across the University. The role offers hands-on experience with administration, qualitative research, and event logistics while working with faculty across campus. Responsibilities include collecting and organizing student writing samples, assisting with event coordination, and completing routine administrative tasks. Applicants must be UMN undergraduates with strong organizational and communication skills, and the position pays $15.50 per hour with an application deadline of August 17, 2026. Interested students should access the UMN Job System (Student Jobs) and search for job #374392.
Project Interviewer on a Bipolar Disorders Research Project
Seeking motivated, responsible, and detail-oriented applicants for a full-time, paid position on a research study examining digital phenotyping predictors of prospective bipolar symptoms and psychosocial functioning in Veterans with BD in Dr. Snežana Urošević’s lab at the MPLS VAMC. To apply, contact [email protected]. Full details are included in this document.
Psychology Peer Tutors Needed for Fall 2026
The Lindahl Academic Center is offering paid positions open to undergraduate and graduate students to host weekly recurring PSY content review tutoring sessions on campus. Schedules built around submitted availability and are extremely flexible. Those interested can apply online. Direct questions can be sent to Adam at [email protected].
