UMBC Psychology Department

• 1: General Info
  • 1.1: Directory
  • 1.2: Academic Calendar
  • 1.3: Contact Us
  • 1.4: Mission Statement
  • 1.5: Welcome From the Chair
• 2: News & Events
  • 2.1: Newsletter
  • 2.2: Job Openings
  • 2.3: Lecture Series
  • 2.4: Photo Gallery
  • 2.5: Calendar of Events
• 3: People
  • 3.1: Emeritus Faculty
  • 3.2: Faculty
  • 3.3: Faculty on Administrative Assignment
  • 3.4: Graduate Students
  • 3.5: Part-Time Faculty
  • 3.6: Research Associates
  • 3.7: Staff
• 4: Research
  • 4.1: Pediatrics Psychology Lab
  • 4.2: The Habits Lab
  • 4.3: CCAD Lab
  • 4.4: Laughter Lab
  • 4.5: Social Development Lab
• 5: Undergraduate Program
  • 5.1: Academic Advising
    • 5.1.1: Curriculum Information
    • 5.1.2: Advisor List
    • 5.1.3: Role of the Advisor and Advisee
    • 5.1.4: Resources
  • 5.2: Honors Program
  • 5.3: Major/Minor Requirements
    • 5.3.1: B.A. Checklist
    • 5.3.2: B.S. Checklist
    • 5.3.3: Minor Program in Psychology
    • 5.3.4: PSYC/SOCY Major
    • 5.3.5: PSYC/SOWK Major
  • 5.4: Concentrations
    • 5.4.1: Developmental Psychology
    • 5.4.2: Human Services
    • 5.4.3: Biopsychology
    • 5.4.4: Personnel and Industrial Psychology
  • 5.5: Independent Research
  • 5.6: Research Opportunities
  • 5.7: Undergraduate Admissions
  • 5.8: Career Information
  • 5.9: Graduate School Preparation
  • 5.10: Psi Chi
    • 5.10.1: Membership Benefits
    • 5.10.2: How to Join
  • 5.11: Life After UMBC
  • 5.12: Courses
• 6: Graduate Program
  • 6.1: General Information
  • 6.2: Graduate School
  • 6.3: Applied Behavior Analysis
    • 6.3.1: Program Admission
    • 6.3.2: Program Requirements
    • 6.3.3: Sample Program
    • 6.3.4: Faculty
    • 6.3.5: Contact Information
  • 6.4: Applied Developmental Psychology
    • 6.4.1: Program Requirements
    • 6.4.2: Careers in ADP
    • 6.4.3: Faculty
    • 6.4.4: Financial Assistance
    • 6.4.5: FAQs
    • 6.4.6: Contact Information
  • 6.5: Human Services Psychology
    • 6.5.1: Program Admission
    • 6.5.2: Program Requirements
    • 6.5.3: Resources
    • 6.5.4: Outplacement Success
    • 6.5.5: Faculty
    • 6.5.6: Financial Assistance
    • 6.5.7: FAQs
    • 6.5.8: Contact Information
  • 6.6: Courses
  • 6.7: Request Information
• 7: Alumni
• 8: Contact Us

Independent Research

We encourage students who are especially interested in psychology to do independent research with a faculty member. You can get credit for this by registering for PSYC 397 or PSYC 490.

PSYC 397 (Research Experience in Psychology) provides opportunities for research experience under direct supervision of a faculty member. The student serves as a research assistant in an ongoing project, but generally is not responsible for the entire scope of an experiment (e.g., design, execution, data analysis, and preparing a manuscript). PSYC 397 can only be taken pass/fail, and may be repeated for up to 6 credits; it is an excellent way to learn about research “from the inside.” If you find this course of interest, be sure to check out the Undergraduate Research Opportunities section of this site.

Students taking PSYC 490 (Independent Research Project or Independent Reading in Psychology) play a more active role in every phase of a research project, and students often take primary responsibility for an entire experiment. PSYC 490 can be repeated for up to 9 credits, but only 6 credits can be used for meeting major requirements; you can take a maximum of 3 credits per semester with a given instructor. Details of course requirements must be worked out in advance with the instructor; typically, PSYC 490 activity involves research with a faculty member, but alternatives (e.g., extensive library reviews) have also been successful.

Students taking either PSYC 397 or PSYC 490 usually start by taking a course with a faculty member, and then asking him or her about the possibility of independent research. The instructor must authorize registration before you are able to register for either PSYC 397 or PSYC 490.

Students may also receive academic credit for structured practical experience in psychology by taking either PSYC 398 (Applied Psychology Internship) or PSYC 399 (Cooperative Education in Psychology). Check the catalog for details, and then discuss the possibilities with your advisor.