Students in front of the Rubenstein building

Faculty in the UVM Department of Psychological Science are dedicated to helping connect students with supervised research experience of mentored clinical internships for which they can earn credit. These programs provide real-world learning opportunities linking classroom theory with practical experience.

Supervised Research  Experience

This is a course designed to provide you with research experience tailored to fit your specific interests. Common examples include: working on a research project in a faculty member's laboratory or working on an extensive theoretical paper in psychological science. Undergaduate Research Application Form (PSYS 198).

Mentored Clinical Internship (MCI)

This course offers students opportunities to apply their academic learning experiences to a wide variety of clinical psychology-based professional placements. The course connects you to agencies that fit your interests and/or future goals. Second, the weekly seminar is an opportunity for all interns to share experiences, appreciate the importance of ethics and confidentiality in clinical psychological work, and offer advice about how to handle thought-provoking, sometimes perplexing placement situations. The seminar is a kind of “think tank,” a way to discuss situations, cases, and specific concerns in a safe and confidential environment. Guest experts from around the state and as supplemental readings provide a deeper understanding of broader clinical psychology professional options. See the list of organizations in which students are currently enrolled in the right sidebar on this page. For more information.

Recent MCI Collaborations

  • Baird School (Howard Center Department of Children Youth and Families)
  • Bellcate School
  • Champlain Valley Head Start
  • Chittenden Regional Correctional Center (serving women)
  • Converse Home Memory Care Program
  • Howard Center Adult Developmental Services:  Person Centered Thinking Program
  • Howard Center Department of Children Youth and Families, Winooski Family Center
  • Howard Center Comprehensive Care Programs (Jarrett House serving children and Transition House serving adolescents)
  • King Street Youth Center
  • Lund Family Center
  • Mansfield Hall (Residential:  Young adult students with social interactional and learning challenges)
  • Phoenix House Drug & Acohol Treatment:  Chittenden Correctional Center
  • Phoenix House Drug & Acohol Treatment:  RISE Supported Living Program
  • Spectrum Youth and Family Services
  • Turning Point Substance Abuse Recovery Center
  • UVM Athletic Dept. of Sports Psychology & Counseling Program
  • UVM Dept. of Psychiatry, Vermont Center on Behavior and Health
  • UVM Dept. of Psychological Science, Vermont Psychological Services (out-patient clinic)
  • UVM Living Well - Step-Up Program
  • UVM Living Well - Catamount Recovery
  • Winooski Family Center 
  • Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center

 

  • Emily Young

    Exploring the science of stress

    Rising senior Emily Young applied what she’s learned in her developmental psychology and neuroscience courses through a summer research project investigating how children respond to stress. Drawing on an analogy coined by Dr. Thomas Boyce of the University of California, San Francisco, she describes how children can be classified as “dandelions” (those who are fairly resilient in the face of adversity), or “orchids” (children who are sensitive and strongly reactive to their environment, whether positive or negative). “I took data from an earlier study where interviewers talked with parents, asking them how their kids responded to stress, and how they might help them develop coping strategies,” Young explained. “The best response would consider the dandelion/orchid question. A big part of what I’m looking at is peer victimization, like bullying.” She’s conducing her research project, titled “Is Your Child Even Listening to You?: Relationship between Socialization of Coping and Coping Behavior, Moderated by Stress Reactivity,” through Professor Dianna Murray-Close’s Social Development Lab. 

    Read more of Emily's story

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Participate in a research study

Researchers are always looking for individuals to participate in studies they are conducting under the guidance of faculty members of the Department of Psychological Science, and most studies will compensate you for your time and equate to course credit.Learn more about participating in a research study.

Get involved

UVM has an active psychology club which sponsors activities including colloquia, movie nights, volunteer opportunities in local mental health organizations, and “What's Happening in Research” nights, which feature exciting news in the psychological sciences presented by faculty and grad students in the department. UVM also belongs to Psi Chi, a national psychological sciences honor society; students with a GPA of 3.3 are inducted into the chapter during the second semester of their senior year.