Current Undergraduate Student Resources

All Western Michigan University psychology majors have the option to complete a three-credit practicum which provides students an opportunity to use their knowledge in an applied setting. You do not sign up for these through the normal registration process, you must apply for a practicum position, as described below. 

Practicum opportunities

Most practicum sites have limited openings. Students in the Department of Psychology interested in enrolling in a practicum experience should start the application process at least one semester prior to the semester in which you plan to enroll.

See the list of practicum opportunities here: 

• Practicum Opportunities

Planning your experience

1. Go through the practicum opportunities and select practica based on prerequisites and interest.
2. See the undergraduate psychology advisor if you have general questions.
3. Contact the faculty member listed in the "contact" line of the practica list.
4. Contact the practicum site given to you by the faculty member.
5. Fill out a PSY 3970 Permission to Elect form.
6. Attend the interview for the practicum site if required and bring the permission to elect form.
7. Complete any required background checks.
8. Have the on-site supervisor at the practicum sign the permission to elect form.
9. Have the faculty member sign the permission to elect form.
10. The faculty member will email the completed permission to elect form with all signatures to the Department of Psychology administrative assistant.
11. You will receive instructions on how to register for PSY 3970, PSY 1403, or PSY 3780. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully and check your schedule to make sure you have registered for the correct number of credits.
12. A minimum of 135 hours or approximately 10 hours per week is required to complete a practicum.

Background check

According to state law if your selected practicum or research experience will put you into direct contact with any children under 18, you must have a Central Registry Check completed to screen your background for prior history of child abuse or neglect. Please contact the coordinator of the program or organization of the specific practicum site to submit the appropriate paperwork for the background check before completing the permission to elect form.

Practica evaluation to receive your grade

Complete the PSY 3970 student evaluation form and return to your faculty advisor by the final week of the semester or session.

The Department of Psychology at Western Michigan University offers many opportunities for undergraduates to help with research projects, either by participating as subjects or as research assistants. See the project descriptions below and contact information for researchers in the department.

Research involvement

Participate as a subject

• Often, researchers will come to various undergraduate classes to announce that they are seeking potential participants.
• Seek out opportunities on your own by looking for psychological research flyers. Studies are posted on the bulletin board by 3700 Wood Hall.

Assist with a research project

Many investigators are looking for undergraduates to serve as research assistants each semester. In some cases, students may earn credit through PSY 3990: Research Apprenticeship.

• Check bulletin boards in Wood Hall for advertisements.
• Contact faculty members or graduate students in the psychology department to see if they are currently looking for assistance.

Credit for research opportunities

Serving as a research assistant for credit gives you the opportunity to work with a research team and receive feedback and supervision while developing critical research skills. You do not sign up for this course through the normal registration process; you need to be approved by the coordinator of the research project for a research assistant position. Follow these steps:

1. Contact a faculty member or graduate student in the psychology department who is conducting research in an area that interests you. To find out what kind of projects are currently in progress, stop by a faculty member's office during their office hours, talk to your graduate student instructors, attend the research fair held each semester, check your email for opportunities, or talk with your fellow students. 
2. Once you have met with coordinator of the research project, discussed your role, and are approved for a research assistant position, fill out the top portion of the Permission to Elect form for PSY 3990.
3. Obtain the necessary signatures.
4. The faculty member supervising the research lab will give the form to the Department of Psychology.
5. You will receive instructions on how to register for PSY 3990. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully and check your schedule to make sure that you have registered for PSY 3990 for the correct number of credits. 

Start early

Getting the paperwork done will alleviate any problems with tuition bills, financial aid and last minute panic. If you have any questions, contact the undergraduate advisor.

• Learn more about the field.
• Develop critical skills for graduate training.
• Make connections with department faculty and graduate students.

While each instructor sets their own criteria for a teaching assistant, it is generally expected that you have taken the course that you are interested in working with and have passed the course with a high grade (usually an A). As with any position, whether it is research, teaching or working at a practicum site, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior.

PSY 3550 Teaching Apprenticeship

Serving as a teaching assistant gives you the opportunity to work with an instructor to receive feedback and supervision while developing critical teaching and organizational skills. You do not sign up for this course through the normal registration process; you need to be approved for a teaching assistant position. Follow these steps:

1. Contact the instructor who is teaching a class that you have taken and excelled in. To find out if there are opportunities available during the upcoming semester, stop by a faculty member's office during their office hours, talk with your current instructor or email the instructor of record listed in the course offerings.
    
   This can be somewhat intimidating if you are not used to approaching instructors about these kinds of opportunities. However, be assured that our faculty and instructors are uniquely interested in helping undergraduates develop these skills and welcome your interests. Realize, however, that teaching opportunities are quite limited and fill up quickly. Do not be discouraged if there are no opportunities currently available and try again next semester.
2. Contact the instructor early, as some teaching assistant positions require a formal application to be turned in before a deadline. Other instructors will informally offer the position to top ranked students. The best way to find out how a particular faculty member handles the selection of teaching assistants is to contact him or her.
3. If you have been selected to serve as a teaching assistant, fill out the top portion of the PSY 3550 Permission to Elect form.
4. Obtain the necessary signatures.
5. The faculty member will give the form to the Department of Psychology.
6. You will receive instructions on how to register for PSY 3550. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully and check your schedule to make sure that you have registered for PSY 3550 for the correct number of credits.

Start early

It is a good idea to start this process early. Getting the paperwork done will alleviate any problems with tuition bills, financial aid and last minute panic. If you have any questions, contact the psychology advisor.