Undergraduate Research Courses
PSY 279, PSY 485, PSY 486C
Undergraduate students interested in joining a faculty research lab can apply to take up to 3 credits of PSY 279 or 485 a semester. After successfully completing one semester of PSY 485, a student may continue, with faculty permission, with PSY 486C (Advanced Undergraduate Research). PSY 486C also fulfills the capstone requirement for the major.
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PSY 279, 485 and PSY 486C partner undergraduate students with a faculty member to work on faculty-led or student-led research projects. Conducting research provides students with skills and abilities that employers and graduate programs seek. NAU Psychology students who have completed undergraduate research experience report multiple benefits, not the least of which is preparation for graduate school and the development of specific skills employers are seeking. Above all, students’ participation in research gives them first-hand experience with how psychological knowledge is generated, enabling them to have even greater insight into the relevance of research methods and statistics to this endeavor. Further, writing, presentation, and professional development skills are also enhanced and refined with this experience.
However, research is time consuming, intensive, and hard work. Students can sign up for 1–3 credit hours of PSY 279 or 485 per semester. However, only a total of 6 credit hours of individualized instruction (e.g., PSY 279, 485, 486C) can count toward the psychology major. When determining how many credit hours to sign up for in any given semester, students should understand that about 3 hours a week are required per credit hour (e.g., 1 credit hour = 3 hours a week; 3 credit hours = 9 hours a week).
Application process
Our department follows an application procedure in order to sign up for PSY 279 and 485 credits. Enrollment in PSY 486C is generally discussed with your PSY 485 faculty mentor after completion of at least one semester of PSY 485. If a student wishes to work with a specific faculty member, it is advised that he or she speak with that faculty member before applying for entry into the program. The application will allow students to provide their preferences for faculty research labs. In order to be eligible to apply for PSY 279, students should have successfully completed PSY 101 or 101H. For PSY 485, the selection of students is competitive; faculty generally seek students who have met the course prerequisites and have a 3.0 GPA or higher, interest and skills that are relevant to research, and the ability to commit their time and energy to the research lab.
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Link to Fall 2020 Application
The application available through the link above is designed for new students who do not have a lab placement, or for current students who would like to change labs.
Application deadlines
Application deadline is 11:59 pm on Friday, April 10th.
Faculty and student interview invitations will be sent the week of April 13th.
Students will be notified of placements by Friday, May 1st.