Student research involvement is a fundamental educational goal for the Psychology Department. We believe that students cannot learn about psychology without opportunities to experience all aspects of the research process. Students serve as participants in research studies, and may have opportunities to assistant with faculty research and to present and publish with faculty members in the department. As a culminating experience, qualified students may also pursue a Senior Honor's Thesis option, wherein they design and carry out their own research project.

Students enrolled in our Introductory Psychology course learn about research by participating in research studies. Research participation provides students an important first-hand view of psychological science. After completing basic courses in Psychology, many students collaborate on faculty research as research assistants. Many of our research assistants’ contributions have been recognized with authorship credit on papers presented at Psychology conferences and published journal articles.

In 2003, over fifty students earned co-authorship credit with department faculty on conference presentations and journal articles. We believe that the opportunities we offer for student participation in research are unique for a university of our size.