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Resources

Welcome! We created this page to help inform the Hunter College community of opportunities to get and stay involved in some of our school’s social and academic life, which we believe are robust if you know where to look. Opportunities in the psychology department are emphasized. We also have listed mental health resources, both on and off campus.  

Hunter Department of Psychology

Interested in learning more about Hunter’s psychology department, course offerings and major requirements? Or research opportunities? Visit the department’s website.

Psych Collective

The collective consists in three undergraduate organizations at Hunter College, all of which focus on psychology. Our chapter of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, coordinates membership and events on campus. Psych Club attracts students who are passionate about psychology, and hosts events for them. Psych News publishes a semesterly newsletter on matters of psychology, runs a blog relevant to students we serve, and hosts events in tandem with Psi Chi and Psych Club. Dr. Dawn Dugan is faculty advisor to all three clubs. 

INDEPENDENT STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY: 

 

A number of classes are open to students who wish to pursue internships and independent studies in the psychology department. PSYCH 201 is flexible and allows students to work with particular faculty sponsors. The course may entail independent readings, tutorials, work as an advising assistant or peer counselor, field placement, an individual research project, or participation in ongoing faculty research, any of which culminate in a written report. Career Development Services can help with finding an internship. 

 

PSYCH 395 is designed to meet the needs of individual students under the direction of a particular instructor at a more advanced level than PSYCH 201. 395 is thematically similar to 201 but is different in notable ways. For instance, it culminates in an APA-style research report (or literature review) rather than a written report. Separately, field placement generally does not count for credit. 

HONORS IN PSYCHOLOGY: PSYCH 396 is a one-semester course that enables students to conduct independent, sponsored empirical research, and attend a regularly scheduled seminar. An APA-style research report is typically required by the close of the semester. Students may enroll in PSYCH 398 if their work requires an additional semester. 


SEMINARS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES:

 

PSYCH 306 and 307 offer an integration of personality and abnormal psychology, the helping process and the role of the helper. One can take either one or both of these classes. They consist in a seminar and a one day per week placement in mental health or community service settings. The courses are popular among students who wish to explore clinical or counseling psychology. They are taught by our wonderful faculty advisor, Dr. Dawn Dugan. Note that you must apply and interview to gain acceptance to these classes; seats are competitive. More detailed information on the application process will be emailed by Maria Helena Reis and shared by the Psych Collective on our Discord when the application next opens. Email Dr. Dugan for details (see just below).

RESEARCH: 

 

Psychology is a science and research studies are its backbone. Almost all graduate programs in psychology expect applicants to have research experience. Students who wish to conduct research while at Hunter College, either with Hunter College faculty members or outside labs, are encouraged to complete PSYCH 248 and PSYCH 250 (Experimental Psychology: General) as soon as possible. Faculty prefer to work with students who have some background in statistics and research methods. 

 

Finding a lab at Hunter can be challenging—it is a competitive pursuit. To learn about the different labs, see the psychology department website and navigate to the faculty listings. Interact with the page to learn more about labs that intrigue you. You might reach out to professors to request more information or ask if there are any openings. (Approach professors conscientiously- see the handbook below for more information.) Additionally, make sure to monitor the Psych Collective and psychology department’s feeds; both hold events to help students navigate the world of research. And reach out to psychology department advisors for assistance if need be. 

 

It should be emphasized that research in lab settings, while cultivating invaluable experience and skills, requires much time and effort. Ideal research assistant candidates have strong, demonstrated academic records, and good time management skills—a typical time commitment at a psychology lab is ten hours weekly. Students will also be expected to write a report at the end of their research experience. If this sounds tedious, consider the payoff: research experience offers a rich learning opportunity that enhances classroom knowledge, equips students to identify the kind of problems that often arise in psychological research, and helps students acquire new skills that are useful in approaching issues systematically. Plus, for the cynical among us, it bolsters your standing in the academic and professional spheres. 

PSI CHI

Founded in 1929 to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship, and advance the science of psychology, Psi Chi is the international honor society in the field of psychology. Membership is a lifelong honor and confers a number of benefits including community at Hunter College and across the country, and eligibility for exclusive scholarships, grants, and national convention opportunities. Membership also looks great on transcripts and resumes. For more information, check out our website. 

Want to learn more about Psi Chi?

Ready to join Psi Chi?

Dr. Dawn Dugan

Faculty advisor to Psych News, Psi Chi, and Psych Club, and instructor of PSYCH 306

 

E-mail Address: DD552@HUNTER.CUNY.EDU

Maria Helena Reis

Director of Student Academic Advising, Psychology Program

Check your inbox for emails from Maria, the Director of Student Academic Advising in the psychology department. She frequently sends emails with intel on events and opportunities for students. Moreover, she is a kind, extremely helpful person!

Email Address:

MREIS@HUNTER.CUNY.EDU

 

CDS can help you with a variety of professional or vocational needs, including resume consultation and internship discovery. This office offers many events including career fairs and workshops. You can use their online job search system, CareerHunter, to search for jobs and internships. If you are looking for an internship, either for PSYCH 201 or otherwise, reach out to Paula Wicklow, the internship coordinator at CDS. It is wise to check in with CDS often during your undergraduate career. Check out their website to learn more about how CDS can help you. 

 

CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

Emotional Support

On Campus:

Times have been tough for us all lately, but you don’t have to suffer alone. Hunter College offers free and confidential short-term counseling services to all Hunter College students. These services consist in individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, and referral to other services. Click the button below for more information and contact information. 

 

Off Campus:

There are a number of resources and services that provide or link you to emotional support free of charge. These include NYC Well, your connection to free, confidential mental health support. Contact NYC Well to speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health services, 24/7/365. Please visit their website (see below) for more information and contact options. Also bookmark the National Suicide Hotline’s phone number: 800-273-8255. The hotline is staffed 24/7/365 by trained operators and offers crisis support. For those who prefer to text, the Crisis Text Line is an excellent service that connects you with a volunteer Crisis Counselor. Their number is 741741. Reference the Office of Counseling and Wellness’s list of counseling resources for a range of further resources and services by clicking the “OCW” button below.

Psychology News

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