CPSY 4994 (undergraduate directed research)
Each semester we seek undergraduate Research Assistants (RAs) to participate in our lab for directed research credit (CPSY 4994) or, occasionally, as volunteers. We’d love to consider you for our team!
Fall 2025 update: We have filled all undergraduate research positions for the Fall 2025 semester.
How to apply
Undergraduates interested in working with Drs. Elison, Swanson, or Burrows and the CNS Lab may fill out and submit the undergraduate interest form linked below. This link will take you to a secure survey to submit some information. The form will open in a new window, and after you submit your responses, you can simply close the new window.
Undergraduate directed research description:
- Undergraduate research assistants will become familiar with the literature, learn about clinical assessments, assist in participant recruitment, assist with data entry tasks and study organization, observe behavioral testing, and may conduct behavioral and standardized data analysis.
Undergraduate requirements:
- Undergraduate students usually get involved by serving as research assistants for course credit (Child Psychology 4994: Directed Research) or by volunteering.
- Students should have taken/be enrolled for at least one undergraduate course in one of the following domains: Child Psychology or Developmental Psychology, Research Methods in the Social Sciences, Cognitive Psychology, Neuropsychology, or Neuroscience.
- A strong interest in developmental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, computer science, or statistics/mathematics is preferred.
- Previous experience working with young children is preferred but not required
- Students must enroll for either 2 credits (6 hours / week) or 3 credits (9 hours / week)
- Due to the training that we provide to all new undergraduates, preference is also given to students who are interested in volunteering/directed research for more than one semester (i.e. two semesters or one semester plus a summer session).
- Generally we will not supervise the capstone and / or thesis project of a student until they have been with the lab for more than 1-2 semesters.