Opportunities (PSY) - Berea College

Opportunities (PSY)

Psychology is the study of behavior and mental experience. Psychologists may conduct research on the causes of behavior in humans and animals, teach at colleges and universities, help individuals grow in psychological health, or use psychological principles to solve problems in applied settings such as schools, businesses, and other organizations. The Psychology major provides a firm foundation for students who seek graduate training leading to a professional career in psychology and other fields as well as for students who wish to work upon graduation in psychology-related areas of business and social service.

Opportunities

Summer Research is a distinctive prospect in that students have the opportunity to learn how to use specific equipment (like an EEG device). It is a wonderful learning opportunity to become familiar with all of the aspects of empirical research, which will serve you well in classes here and graduate school later on. Another benefit is you get to know your professors very well, and in turn, they get to know you too!

PSY 424, or senior research, is a unique opportunity that most undergraduates do not have, due to the fact that it’s not a required part of curriculum. This class requires students to carry out a research project from start to finish, as well as present it in front of your peers (and perhaps conferences, if all goes well). Senior research gives Berea College psychology majors an edge that’s unique in the world of undergraduate studies.

Being a TA in this department is an invaluable experience. Psychology TA’s have a significant amount of work in the department, they are encouraged to sit in on classes, sometimes they lead a class discussion, make quizzes and assignments, and grade them. It is a truly invaluable experience to work here, students learn a great deal.

Being an office assistant is an amazing job! The office is full of surprises, (granted it isn’t as exciting as jumping out of airplanes) but being an office assistant is rewarding. One of the duties is to write the monthly newsletter, The InΨder, that details not only news within the department, but also research right off the press, internships that are available, graduate school tips, along with fun facts about history. More duties include keeping the offices clean, organized, and prepared for whatever activity arises.

Not only do students go to present their own research at conferences, but classes are also offered (sometimes) where students go to conference to hear renowned psychologists speak. Past conferences that psychology majors have attended were Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) and South-Eastern Psychological Association (SEPA). These conferences provide a wonderful opportunity to network and get to know professors from other universities. These conferences also offer programs that discuss getting into graduate school, taking the GRE’s and future planning.

Psi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to undergraduate and graduate men and women who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests and who meet the minimum qualifications.

Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) and is an Affiliate of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Psychological Society (APS).

Membership

Membership is open to undergraduate and graduate men and women who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests and who meet the minimum qualifications. Students who meet the minimum qualifications will be contacted and asked if they want to become a member. If they accept, they will be inducted into the Berea College chapter in a formal ceremony.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for Psi Chi membership students must:

Have completed 3 psychology courses
Have registered as a major in psychology
Rank in the upper 35 percent of their class in general scholarship and must demonstrate superior scholarship in psychology by earning an average of “B” or higher in psychology (i.e. 3.0 GPA)

Benefits

The intrinsic value of membership is rewarding to the achiever in that the recognition of excellence leads to self-fulfillment and thus to self-realization. Concrete advantages of membership include:

A membership certificate and card which give tangible evidence of membership
A braided cord which is worn at graduation as a mark of both scholarship and membership in the society
The recognition of achievement and scholarship on references (i.e. resume`s and letters of reference)
Opportunities for professional growth such as promoting students’ research, receiving national and international recognition, meeting and interacting with leaders in the field, and meeting with other Psi Chi members who will also be future leaders

Contact Information

Email: williamsw@berea.edu

Phone: 859-985-3629