UMass Boston

Service Learning:  Learning through community outreach

The Psychology Department offers three different internship opportunities in which undergraduate students can gain experience in "real world" settings within the community. Each of these internships have both a classroom component and a service learning component allowing students direct experience in the application of psychological principles. Students participate in specified community settings for 10-15 hours per week as well as attend a weekly classroom seminar. The three opportunities provide students with exposure to different aspects of the field of psychology. While these experiences are not required for our majors, many students find these internships to be an excellent culminating undergraduate experience. Students interested in these courses should contact the course instructors for more information about the specific internship and the process of application.

Psych 430:  Internship in Psychology - Instructor:  Kathy Kogan

Psych 431: Psychology Internship: Community-Based Organizations - Instructor: Karen Suyemoto

Psych 484:  Psychology Internship:  Field placement in early child development - Instructor: Abbey Eisenhower

Research Training:  Learning through laboratory experience

The department provides many opportunities for students to participate in research.  Faculty maintain active research labs that often include undergraduates as observers and assistants and coordinators.  Undergraduates may work with faculty by volunteering in their labs or by arranging to do course work through the two research apprenticeships (Psych 286 or Psych 486). Students interested in exploring research opportunities might want to look at faculty research interests identified on the faculty page for the department. Inquiries about available research slots can be made directly to the faculty member whose research interests the student. More information can be found on the Research Opportunities for Students page.

Student Organizations

The Psychology Department has several active student organizations which provide extra-curricular life for students interested in psychology and related fields. Application materials are available in the office of the Psychology Department. Click on the name of the organization below to reach its home page.

Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology. Every semester, Psychology students are invited to apply to the UMass Boston Psi Chi chapter. In order to join, you must qualify for membership. You can learn more about the requirements for and benefits of membership here. If you do qualify, you need to complete the online application and, once approved by the faculty advisor, pay the one-time lifetime membership fee of $55 to Psi Chi. Please contact the Psi Chi faculty advisor, Dr. Susy Gallor, for information about this semester’s application deadline as well as other application requirements.

Psychology Club: Open to all students. Learn about careers and campus events related to psychology. Faculty advisor: Susanna Gallor

Neuroscience Club: Open to all students. Learn about research in the expanding area of neuroscience. Faculty advisor:  Vivian Ciaramitaro

University-wide clubs and organizations can be found here: https://umb.campuslabs.com/engage/

Mentoring by Graduate Students

Sometimes it is helpful to have someone to guide you as you think about careers and further educational opportunities. One source of help might be a graduate student mentor.  Undergraduates can request a graduate student mentor by filling out a mentoring request form located on the Psychology Connections Committee's website. Undergraduates are paired with available graduate students. Undergraduates can have as much or as little contact with the mentor as they would like.  Sometimes one conversation will help to guide an undergrad to an important "next step" decision.  Sometimes mentors and mentees meet several times or are in contact by email.

University Resources for Behavioral and Educational Skills Training at UMass Boston

UMB-UR-BEST is a group of faculty members and graduate students in the Clinical Psychology PhD Program at UMass Boston that provides coaching, workshops, assessment and consultation to members of the University community during the academic year, with an emphasis on providing culturally responsive services that are sensitive to contextual factors and promote health and well-being. Services are provided by request and through referrals from faculty and staff across several offices and departments.