Independent studies are typically student research projects that are conducted in collaboration with a faculty member. In some cases, these projects grow out of a student's work on a faculty research project, and in other cases, students generate the research rationale from their personal interests in psychology. Either way, once a student wishes to pursue an independent research project, they should approach a member of the department to plan their next steps, e.g., further project development and requesting institutional approval. These projects can last one or more semesters and typically involve collecting and analyzing data as well as writing up and presenting the findings.
There are times when students have interests in areas that aren’t covered by the department’s courses. In this case, students can work with a faculty member to create a directed reading course, which typically includes a reading list and assignments, as well as weekly meetings to discuss the material. These courses typically culminate with a literature review or other paper that demonstrates the student's knowledge about the area of interest.
For students who wish to get real-world experience in the local community, we offer a large number of internship opportunities. In these courses, students spend between 120 and 150 hours per semester volunteering in a job relevant to their interests in psychology. Students are evaluated based on their feedback from supervisors, journal entries about their experiences, and a final report of their experiences. Recent internship placements include:
Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Delaware Speech and Hearing Center, Woodward Elementary School, Smith Elementary School, OWU Academic Skills Center, Conger Elementary School, Delaware City Schools – Occupational Therapy, OWU Academic Skills Center, Job and Family Services, HelpLine, Inc., Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, Maryhaven Delaware, and Delaware Public Health District
The Student Board members are elected each spring by the psychology majors and minors to represent their interests. The student board is the primary liaison between the students and the faculty and their tasks include: the annual evaluation of department faculty members, establishing tutoring sessions for upper-level psychology classes, overseeing student/faculty lunches, and planning departmental events.