Psychology Special Programs
Internship Opportunities
Students may enroll in a psychology internship to gain valuable experience in the work world. North Park University psychology majors have interned at a variety of organizations and institutions in the greater Chicago area. Internship opportunities include Jumpstart, Chicago Public Schools, Swedish Covenant and Ravenswood Covenant Hospitals, Chicago Counseling Center, Lydia House, Cornerstone Counseling Center, Tuesdays Child, and Augustana Home.
Directed Research
Students with an interest in a special topic in psychological research may enroll in PSYC 4930 (2-4 semester hours) and work under the direction of a faculty mentor on a novel research project. Permission of the faculty mentor and the department chair is required prior to enrollment in Directed Research. Students must be psychology majors, in their final year, with a minimum psychology GPA of 3.0. Past student research projects have examined alcohol use and academics, physiological arousal and cognitive functioning, interpersonal attraction, and pain tolerance in athletes.
Honors
For Departmental Honors in Psychology, 4 semester hours of PSYC 4000 are required in addition to the 34 semester hours for the B.A. degree. Students are encouraged to make an oral presentation of their research at a professional meeting. Application for admission should be made the second semester of the third year.
Psychology Club
The Psychology Club was established in 2004 to promote knowledge and awareness of psychology as well as offer psychology-related events for North Park University students. Each year the Psychology Club hosts a variety of philanthropic, social, and professional events. Recent events include fundraising for Lydia House, participation in the Community Suicide Prevention Walk, Psychology movie nights, and volunteering at Just Harvest soup kitchen. All students are welcome to participate in the Psychology Club.
Psi Chi
Psychology students may be eligible to join Psi Chi, the Psychology National Honors Society. Psi Chi was founded in 1929 for the purpose of promoting excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Membership in Psi Chi is an honor as well as a recognition of academic excellence that is recognized by graduate schools and employers.
Psi Chi has the following requirements:
- Completion of at least 3 semesters of college
- Completion of at least 9 semester hours in psychology
- Declaration of a major in psychology
- A minimum psychology GPA of 3.00
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.00
- Rank in the top 35% of your class (sophomores, juniors, seniors)