3 answers
Kensley
Student
Parksville, SC
9
Questions
Updated
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What research opportunities are available, such as faculty labs or getting your research published?
Clinical psychology #fall25
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3 answers
Brian Swain
Mechanical Engineer
62
Answers
Modesto, California
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hi Kensley,
Usually those are done at research universities. If you are currently enrolled in a research university I recommend reaching out to whatever department is in charge of your major.
Usually those are done at research universities. If you are currently enrolled in a research university I recommend reaching out to whatever department is in charge of your major.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Kensley
Shawn Jordan
Admissions coordinator
9
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Shawn’s Answer
Getting research experience in college is exciting and rewarding. You can join a professor's research lab, take part in independent study or research courses, or apply for programs that match you with mentors. Many departments offer research assistant roles where you can work on data, surveys, or literature reviews. You can present your findings at campus events or conferences, and some students even publish in journals or co-author papers with professors. To start, reach out to a professor whose work you find interesting and ask about ways to get involved.
1. Faculty Research Labs
Colleges have professors leading research in fields like business, psychology, public health, and more. To join:
- Check your school’s faculty directory.
- Read about their research interests.
- Email a professor to express your interest and ask if they need student assistants.
- Offer to help with tasks like data collection or analysis.
Professors appreciate enthusiastic students, making this a great first step.
2. Independent Study or Research Courses
Many schools offer options like directed study or senior thesis, where you work closely with a professor on your own topic. This can lead to conference presentations or publications.
3. Undergraduate Research Programs
Some universities have programs that pair you with a mentor, offer training, and sometimes provide a stipend. These programs help you present your research at symposiums. Check with your academic advisor to see if your school offers something similar.
4. Research Assistant Positions
Departments may hire students to conduct surveys, code data, review literature, or help prepare manuscripts. These roles can be paid or volunteer.
5. Conference Presentations
You can present your research at regional or national conferences, student symposiums, or campus research days. Presenting boosts your resume and connects you with other researchers.
6. Getting Published
Students can publish in undergraduate journals, student-led journals, or even peer-reviewed journals with a professor’s help. You can achieve this by joining a professor’s project, conducting a solid independent study, or turning a class project into a formal paper.
7. Join Research Clubs or Honor Societies
Clubs and societies like Psi Chi or Sigma Theta Tau often fund research, sponsor presentations, and connect you with mentors.
8. Start With a Simple Research Question
Begin with a focused question. Many successful student papers use surveys, interviews, or data analysis. A clear, strong question is more important than complex methods.
Practical Advice
- Talk to a professor whose work interests you.
- Don’t delay—research takes time.
- Keep your writings; they can become research ideas.
- Ask about available funding.
- Remember, students get published every semester, so don’t be afraid to try.
1. Faculty Research Labs
Colleges have professors leading research in fields like business, psychology, public health, and more. To join:
- Check your school’s faculty directory.
- Read about their research interests.
- Email a professor to express your interest and ask if they need student assistants.
- Offer to help with tasks like data collection or analysis.
Professors appreciate enthusiastic students, making this a great first step.
2. Independent Study or Research Courses
Many schools offer options like directed study or senior thesis, where you work closely with a professor on your own topic. This can lead to conference presentations or publications.
3. Undergraduate Research Programs
Some universities have programs that pair you with a mentor, offer training, and sometimes provide a stipend. These programs help you present your research at symposiums. Check with your academic advisor to see if your school offers something similar.
4. Research Assistant Positions
Departments may hire students to conduct surveys, code data, review literature, or help prepare manuscripts. These roles can be paid or volunteer.
5. Conference Presentations
You can present your research at regional or national conferences, student symposiums, or campus research days. Presenting boosts your resume and connects you with other researchers.
6. Getting Published
Students can publish in undergraduate journals, student-led journals, or even peer-reviewed journals with a professor’s help. You can achieve this by joining a professor’s project, conducting a solid independent study, or turning a class project into a formal paper.
7. Join Research Clubs or Honor Societies
Clubs and societies like Psi Chi or Sigma Theta Tau often fund research, sponsor presentations, and connect you with mentors.
8. Start With a Simple Research Question
Begin with a focused question. Many successful student papers use surveys, interviews, or data analysis. A clear, strong question is more important than complex methods.
Practical Advice
- Talk to a professor whose work interests you.
- Don’t delay—research takes time.
- Keep your writings; they can become research ideas.
- Ask about available funding.
- Remember, students get published every semester, so don’t be afraid to try.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1185
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Kensley,
The good news is that research opportunities are much more accessible than most students believe if you want to major in psychology, particularly clinical psychology. Getting practical experience doesn't have to wait until graduate school, and early exposure can help you stand out when it comes time to apply for clinical programs.
These are the main channels that you can use:
1. Faculty Research Labs
Almost every psychology department has faculty-led labs focused on areas like:
- clinical intervention
- trauma
- child/adolescent development
- neuropsychology
-psychopathology
- health psychology
- emotion regulation
- social or personality psychology
How to get in:
Make use of office hours. Explore the research interest pages of the faculty. Send them a brief email outlining your goals and the reasons you are interested in their work. Most labs take undergraduates as research assistants starting sophomore or junior year.
2. Independent Study or Research Practicum
Once you’re in a lab, you can often transition into:
- your own mini research project
- honors thesis
- capstone project
- supervised study
This is where you start taking ownership: collecting data, running participants, and analyzing results. It’s a power move for your CV.
3. Undergraduate Research Assistants (URAs)
Many departments offer paid or credit-based RA roles.
You may help with:
- literature reviews
- participant recruitment
- administering assessments
- data entry or coding
- qualitative analysis
These roles are highly respected by clinical grad programs.
4. University Research Programs & Fellowships
Common programs include:
- McNair Scholars
- Summer Research Institutes
- Psychology departmental fellowships
- Diversity in Research programs
- NSF REUs (Research Experiences for Undergraduates)
These programs fund you to do research, often full-time in the summer.
5. Cross-department Research
Clinical psychology intersects heavily with:
- public health
- neuroscience
- social work
- criminology
- business/organizational behavior
- biomedical sciences
Don’t sleep on labs outside the psychology department; they expand your network and your skill set.
6. Getting Published
Undergraduates do get published, but here’s the truth: it’s usually through collaboration with faculty.
Common pathways:
- co-authoring a poster at a research conference
- supporting data analysis on a paper your lab is writing
- writing a section of a manuscript
- completing an honors thesis with publishable components
You don’t have to be the primary author to be published, any authorship builds credibility.
7. Presenting at Conferences
Often easier than publication and still incredibly valuable:
- APA Convention
- APS Annual Meeting
- Regional psychology conferences
- University research symposia
Presenting a poster or talk signals academic maturity to graduate admissions committees.
8. Clinical & Community Research Opportunities
Hospitals, community mental health centers, and nonprofits sometimes offer:
- clinical trials assistant roles
- data collection in treatment programs
- program evaluation work
- mental health research internships
These can be gold for students interested in clinical pathways.
You're not meant to be an expert at everything right now. Curiosity, initiative, and the ability to raise your hand are what count. The majority of students believe that they must wait until they are "ready," however once you get started, you may truly grow.
Best wishes!
The good news is that research opportunities are much more accessible than most students believe if you want to major in psychology, particularly clinical psychology. Getting practical experience doesn't have to wait until graduate school, and early exposure can help you stand out when it comes time to apply for clinical programs.
These are the main channels that you can use:
1. Faculty Research Labs
Almost every psychology department has faculty-led labs focused on areas like:
- clinical intervention
- trauma
- child/adolescent development
- neuropsychology
-psychopathology
- health psychology
- emotion regulation
- social or personality psychology
How to get in:
Make use of office hours. Explore the research interest pages of the faculty. Send them a brief email outlining your goals and the reasons you are interested in their work. Most labs take undergraduates as research assistants starting sophomore or junior year.
2. Independent Study or Research Practicum
Once you’re in a lab, you can often transition into:
- your own mini research project
- honors thesis
- capstone project
- supervised study
This is where you start taking ownership: collecting data, running participants, and analyzing results. It’s a power move for your CV.
3. Undergraduate Research Assistants (URAs)
Many departments offer paid or credit-based RA roles.
You may help with:
- literature reviews
- participant recruitment
- administering assessments
- data entry or coding
- qualitative analysis
These roles are highly respected by clinical grad programs.
4. University Research Programs & Fellowships
Common programs include:
- McNair Scholars
- Summer Research Institutes
- Psychology departmental fellowships
- Diversity in Research programs
- NSF REUs (Research Experiences for Undergraduates)
These programs fund you to do research, often full-time in the summer.
5. Cross-department Research
Clinical psychology intersects heavily with:
- public health
- neuroscience
- social work
- criminology
- business/organizational behavior
- biomedical sciences
Don’t sleep on labs outside the psychology department; they expand your network and your skill set.
6. Getting Published
Undergraduates do get published, but here’s the truth: it’s usually through collaboration with faculty.
Common pathways:
- co-authoring a poster at a research conference
- supporting data analysis on a paper your lab is writing
- writing a section of a manuscript
- completing an honors thesis with publishable components
You don’t have to be the primary author to be published, any authorship builds credibility.
7. Presenting at Conferences
Often easier than publication and still incredibly valuable:
- APA Convention
- APS Annual Meeting
- Regional psychology conferences
- University research symposia
Presenting a poster or talk signals academic maturity to graduate admissions committees.
8. Clinical & Community Research Opportunities
Hospitals, community mental health centers, and nonprofits sometimes offer:
- clinical trials assistant roles
- data collection in treatment programs
- program evaluation work
- mental health research internships
These can be gold for students interested in clinical pathways.
You're not meant to be an expert at everything right now. Curiosity, initiative, and the ability to raise your hand are what count. The majority of students believe that they must wait until they are "ready," however once you get started, you may truly grow.
Best wishes!