Psychology Student Opportunities
Students studying psychology at Carthage have many opportunities to enrich their education.
Undergraduate Research
Giving students opportunities to conduct original research, guided by faculty, is a priority at Carthage. In the Psychological Science Department at Carthage, faculty emphasize research methods and involve students in their research projects. Most psychology majors will participate in collecting and analyzing data during their time at Carthage. There are fieldwork opportunities for students who wish to experience the application of psychology in the community. The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) provides students with opportunities to work one-on-one with a faculty mentor. SURE offers Carthage students the opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty during the summer conducting research. Students receive a stipend, room and board on campus, and a small research budget.
Students interested in conducting research should contact Professor Kateryna Sylaska, chair of the Psychological Science Department.
Field Placements/Internships
Integrate theory and practice, translate abstract concepts into human experiences, and evaluate theories of human behavior in an applied setting. Fieldwork offers you an excellent opportunity to determine if a career in psychology is compatible with your interests and skills. Fieldwork enhances marketability in the professional world — in today’s competitive job market internships are a must.
Fieldwork requires you to complete 150 hours of work in an applied setting such as a counseling center, school, hospital, community center or private treatment facility and attend a weekly seminar. It culminates in a single subject study and a professionally written report.
To obtain a field placement, students should contact Professor Sara O’Brien.
Prerequisites To enroll in Fieldwork
- 3.0 GPA and/or instructor approval.
- 20 hours of coursework completed in psychological science.
- Satisfactory references from faculty — at least one reference must be from a psychology professor.
Pre-Health
Carthage offers many ways for students to prepare for medical school or graduate programs for the health professions. The College serves students who are interested in dentistry, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, veterinary, and public health. Pre-health students are assigned a faculty advisor who will assist them in determining which courses they should take and which career best suits their interests and ultimate goals.
Learn more about pre-health at Carthage
Dual Degree 3+2 Occupational Therapy Program
Occupational therapists utilize many psychology tools in their assessment, observation, and treatment of special needs children, elderly, and other patients. For this reason, many psychology majors are interested in Carthage’s 3+2 Occupational Therapy program. Students spend three years at Carthage to earn a bachelor’s degree, and then continue their education at Washington University, where they can obtain a master of science or clinical doctorate in occupational therapy.
Learn more about the 3+2 Dual degree program
J-Term
J-Term is a month-long period of study in January in which Carthage students are invited to delve into a single subject on campus, or explore a topic in a study tour to another country. The Psychological Science Department offers such J-Term courses as:
- Art and Psychology
- The History of Psychology
- The Psychology of Stress
- Social Psychology of Creative Expression: Musical Creativity and Improvisation
- Psychology of Magic
Conferences & Competitions
Psychology students are encouraged to present their research findings at regional and national conferences. This exposure is especially valuable for students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology or a career in research. “It gives students an advantage when they’re applying for graduate school or medical school,” says Professor Dan Miller.
Every spring, the Psychological Science Department takes a group of students to the Midwest Psychological Association meeting in Chicago.