Research Opportunities & Internships | University of Illinois Springfield

Research Opportunities

Conducting Research

Faculty members of the UIS Department of Psychology are expected to be active scholars and mentor undergraduates in the generation of new scientific knowledge by means of scholarship. In an attempt to facilitate such scholarship the Department has established a participant pool of available research participants. All faculty and students who wish to have access to the Department’s Participant Pool are required to follow the Procedures for accessing Psychology department participant pool.

Students in Principles of Psychology and Research Methods in Psychology have the opportunity to participate in real psychological research happening in our department by fellow students or faculty. This provides a hands-on approach to learning about the research process from the perspective of a research participant.

Students have the opportunity to assist with faculty research (e.g., by helping collect, score, or analyze data). Students interested in conducting research should contact a faculty member with whom they share research interests.

Students can elect to conduct an independent study project under the supervision of a faculty member. Our psychology majors have even presented their projects at regional professional conferences!

Students interested in learning more about research or conducting research may opt to take Advanced Research Methods & Statistics wherein the class designs and learns about the research process in-depth.

Participating in Research

Fulfill Course Requirements

Students who are enrolled in PSY 101: Principles of Psychology or PSY 302: Research Methods in Psychology are required to participate in research or complete an alternative assignment (approved by the instructor). Please refer to our departmental policies regarding participating in research as a course requirement for more information.

Receive Extra Credit

During some semesters, students in Psychology courses may volunteer for and participate in approved research projects in order to receive course-related extra credit points (at the instructor’s discretion). Please refer to our departmental policies regarding participating in research for extra credit for more information.

Internships

Internships offer off-campus learning experiences that are unique opportunities for undergraduates to apply knowledge and explore career options in the “real” world. Information about the internship program and how to apply for an internship is located on the Internships and Prior Learning Program’s web site.

What Our Students Say

After being at my placement for several months, I was able to see the highs and lows of Schizoaffective Disorder. I was also able to recognize the alterations in behavior due to medication. The residents connected with me as an individual they can speak with in a low pressure situation. They talk about their past, their struggles with their mental illness, and what they would like to discuss at their next doctor’s appointment. In the end though, the residents have taught me much more than they will ever know. They exemplify that mental illness is a part of a person, but does not define a person
Brianna Werner: Mt. Gilead Shelter Care (adult inpatient mental health facility)