Psych Scoop, 9/8/26

Psychology Advising Announcements

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

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Welcome Back Students!

Happy first week of class! We hope that this fall semester goes smoothly. We are available virtually for drop-ins and appointments if you have any questions throughout the next few weeks. You can always email us at [email protected] as well!

Welcome Back! Coffee, Tea, and More

• Date:  Thursday, September 17th, 2026
• Time: 8:00 - 10:00 am CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: Elliott Hall Lobby

Join Psychology Advisors in coming back to campus and get some coffee, tea, and breakfast treats. No RSVP required.

Psychology Social

• Date:  Thursday, September 24th, 2026
• Time: 3:00 - 4:30 pm CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: Elliott Hall, Room N219 

Meet new psychology friends, hang out with advisors, eat snacks, and get artsy! This event is open to undergraduate students and registration is required.

Psychology Engagement Scholarship - Fall Applications Open 

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 is open, and closes on Monday, September 21st at 12:00 pm. For details about the awards and application materials, please visit The Synapse!

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.

Association of Black Psychology Student Officer Applications are Open!

The Association of Black Psychology Students (ABPS) is now looking for new officers! We are looking to fill the roles of the following positions: President, Vice President, and Funding and Grants Chair. Applications will be open until September 17th at 11:59 PM. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Events

BIG Seminar Series

• Date: Every Thursday
• Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
• Cost: Free
• Location: Elliott Hall, Room N219

Join the Brains, Individual Differences, and Genes (BIG) Seminar, a weekly in-person series highlighting current research from graduate students, postdocs, and faculty.

Student Job Fair

• Date: Wednesday, September 9th
• Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
• Cost: Free
• Location: Coffman Memorial Union, Mississippi Room

Join us at the 2026 Student Job Fair! This is your chance to connect with on- and off-campus employers and explore a wide range of flexible student job opportunities! Gain valuable resume and interview tips, build connections with campus employers and local community partners, and discover opportunities that match your interests and availability. Please reach out to Sophia Kuehn at [email protected] with any questions.

PAWS (Pet Away Worry & Stress) at the Wilson Library

• Date: Thursday, September 10th
• Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
• Cost: Free
• Location: Wilson Library, Studio (First Floor)

PAWS (Pet Away Worry & Stress) is back at Wilson Library for the ultimate West Bank study break!  Do you need a quick dopamine boost between lectures or just want to cuddle a furry (or feathered) friend? Drop in anytime to hang out with Boynton’s legendary registered therapy team. 

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. 

Pizza & Plans Kick Off Event

• Date: Wednesday, September 16th
• Time: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
• Cost: Free
• Location: Appleby Hall, Room 303

Want to start the semester off right? Come learn calendaring tips and tricks including Google extensions that can connect to your Canvas with the Tutoring & Academic Success Center (TASC)! We will also highlight academic resources that may be valuable to you across the academic year. Best of all? Free pizza!

UMN Business & Tech Career Fair

• Date: Friday, September 18th
• Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
• Cost: Free
• Location: Great Hall, Memorial Union

Intro to Career Fairs (September 16th) and Strategy for Career Fairs (September 18th) are Zoom workshops offering tips for navigating career fairs, talking with employers, and understanding work authorization. The first session supports students new to career fairs, while the second focuses on building strategic connections; details and registration are available in Handshake.

Research

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

*Volunteer* Addiction Research Lab Position

We are seeking a highly motivated volunteer for a project on addiction. Responsibilities may include literature searches, gaining experience with assessments through data entry, assisting with MRI scans, or data analysis. This role offers hands-on research experience, participation in lab meetings, and opportunities to contribute to manuscripts. Review lab details and how to express interest online. 

*Volunteer* Minnesota Tic and Compulsivity Lab Research

The MnTiC Lab at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain is seeking undergrad volunteers to edit research therapy session transcriptions focused on improving treatments for Tourette/tic disorders. Applicants must commit 4 hrs per week on-site for 2 semesters. Fill out the Google Form to apply. Email [email protected] with questions.

*Credit* Lifespan Social Development Research Opportunity - PSY 5993

The Lifespan Social Development Lab is recruiting 1-2 students to assist with a project on how social behaviors and resources change as we age. Students will gain hands-on research experience related to the development of a measure of social frailty and attend weekly lab meetings held on Tuesdays from 9:30-10:45AM. Interested students must apply through the form. Questions can be directed to [email protected].

*Credit* Seeking fMRI Research Assistants - PSY 5993

Research Associate Philip Burton seeks research assistants interested in studying brain function with MRI. This will involve background reading, attending meetings, conducting an fMRI experiment and analyzing the data, and writing a brief report. Please email Dr. Burton at [email protected] to discuss whether this project is a good fit and, if so, for more specific information about how to complete the research contract.

*Credit* Psycho-physical Abilities Research Lab - PSY 5993

The Ones’ I-O Psychology Lab is seeking conscientious students to volunteer for our project on psycho-physical abilities(e.g., fine motor skills, coordination) which are important for jobs in sports, healthcare, etc. Students will participate in identifying, retrieving, and organizing studies. Fill out the form to apply. 

*Credit* Seeking ML/AI Research Assistants - PSY 5993

Professor Helwig is seeking multiple RAs that are interested in applying machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) methods to research problems in psychology. This opportunity would be a good match for students that have interests in Psychology and Statistics or Data Science. Reach out to Prof. Helwig at [email protected] to discuss details.

Learning Abroad 

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

Winter Break Global Programs Available - Fall 2026

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.

Health, Sport, & Wellbeing in Buenos Aires & Patagonia - Spring 2027

Students take classes in Buenos Aires focusing on health, sport and wellbeing that include local field visits.  The program also features a 9-day study tour to Patagonia, contrasting high-energy urban life with nature-integrated wellness through outdoor activities. For Spring 2027 the Learning Abroad Center is offering a $3,000 fee reduction for students who serve as a program evaluator by providing feedback during and after the program.

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].

Resources 

National Student Exchange

Now is the time to plan your NSE exchange for Spring 2027, Summer 2027, Fall 2027, or Spring 2028! Through NSE, you can study at another school in the U.S., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands for a summer, semester, or year. Check out the 160+ NSE campuses available for exchange. NSE is affordable and accessible, and credits transfer back easily into your degree. Learn more at an NSE Info Session or email [email protected]. 

Find Space for Studying, Zooming and Relaxing

Need a good place to study? Our eight campus libraries are a great place to relax between classes, reserve a study room, print, meet with a peer tutor, try the Makerspaces, VR Studio or get a cup of coffee at the Wise Owl in Walter Library.

Apply for the Pre-Law Mentor Program

In partnership with the UMN Law School, we are pleased to continue the mentoring program pairing pre-law students with current law students on campus. The application deadline is Friday, September 25th. Students must be of junior or senior standing with a strong interest in law school, and able to complete 3 meetings with a mentor.

Service Opportunity for Pre-Health Students

Synapse, a national organization supporting individuals with brain injury, is accepting applications for new undergraduate chapters through October 19th, 2026. An informational webinar will be held on September 20 at 3pm CST for students interested in learning more about the mission, chapter structure, and application process. Learn more about the application timeline and details online.

Health Profession Pathways Application Open

Health Profession Pathways supports first‑year UMN–Twin Cities students from diverse backgrounds who are interested in health careers, with accepted students enrolling in the required AHS 1104 course in Spring 2027. Eligible students can apply by October 21, 2026, and will be notified of decisions on November 2, with priority given to Minnesota residents who meet the program criteria. You can find more information about the program and the application process on the Pathways website.

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!

Department of Political Science Communications Associate Opening

The Department of Political Science is hiring a Communications Associate (Marketing & Communications Professional 1) who will lead communications and marketing for the department and CSPP, with an anticipated start date of November 2, 2026. The priority application deadline is September 20, 2026, and candidates can review the full posting on the UMN job site. Apply on the University of Minnesota Employee website using Job ID #375650.