Opportunities for Psychology Students -
Individualized Instruction Experiential Learning

Individual experience in psychology can be beneficial in many ways. Students learn to independently seek and obtain personal knowledge in psychology. These activities can take you far deeper into psychology than any textbook. You will learn practical knowledge about what goes on in your field, and what you can do to increase your chances of future success. The experiences described in this section will also complement any job or graduate school application.

Community Service: Experiential Learning (400:02)

Community Service/Experiential Learning is an excellent opportunity for learning via hands-on experience as well as to enhance your future resume. Each student is allowed to determine the number of hours they volunteer. There is a 3:1 ratio for the number of hours you volunteer to how many credits you receive (e.g. - 3 hours volunteering per week = 1 credit hour).

Pre-Clinical Practicum (400:190g)

A pre-clinical practicum will give you first hand experience in mental health and social service settings. Pursuing this option will help you decide if this is the career path you wish to follow. Not only is this an excellent opportunity to learn, but it will highlight your future job and/or graduate school applications.

Practicum in Teaching Psychology (400:192g)

This is an opportunity to gain experience by working closely with a professor to help facilitate learning in the psychology classroom. This is also a path to gain knowledge in an area of interest or practice psychology related skills. This may enhance your potential for getting a teaching assistantship to help pay for graduate school should you choose this option.

Research Experience (400:193g)

Research experience provides a student with the opportunity to work closely with a professor in his or her area of interest. Individuals gain valuable knowledge about potential areas of specialization. You also gain experience designing, conducting, and interpreting research. You may assist a professor on his or her research, or conduct your own research under the supervision of the professor of your choice. Ask a professor if he or she has room for you in a research position more than a semester before you hope to work with him or her. Professors may limit these positions to a few per semester, so you will want to reserve a spot as soon as possible. After approval you should meet with your professor on a regular basis to plan and organize your project.

Students who are interested in doing research should consider applying for The CSBS Undergraduate Research Award to help cover costs they may incur during their research (See Undergraduate Scholarships for more information). The annual Social Science Research Conference, hosted by the psychology club, offers students the opportunity to present their research.

Cooperative Education (400:179)

This a unique opportunity to earn college credit while gaining work experience in your field. Some of the benefits include making contacts with members of your field, increased confidence and maturity, pay, and practical experience applied to your major. Participants must meet the following requirements.

Student Classification:

You must have sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate classification at time of placement. Transfer students must have completed one semester at UNI prior to seeking entrance into the program. Graduate students must be officially accepted into a graduate program and have completed one semester.

GPA:

A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA is required.

Department Requirements:

A written summary of the intern/co-op experience is required for the academic project. Faculty co-op supervisors are Dr. John Williams (clinical emphasis), Dr. Mike Gasser (I/O emphasis), and Dr. Linda Walsh.  General elective credit is granted on a graded or credit/no credit basis.

Minimum Hours of Work:

Positions must be at least 10 hours per week.

Credit:

Co-op is not only a job, it is an academic course. Co-op course registration is required for all positions. If you obtain a position using Co-op services, you must register for course credit.

Volunteer Organizations

Being a volunteer will help you gain valuable knowledge in your field of interest. Giving up your free time without pay also indicates a high level of commitment and interest. The following list of organizations in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo and surrounding areas welcome voluntary participation.

Adults Incorporated - Working with adults (mental retardation, mental illness, or both)
3420 University Ave., Waterloo
236-0901
Americana Nursing Home - Alzheimer's Unit
201 W. Ridgeway, Waterloo
234-7777
Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa
235-9397
Boys and Girls Club of Waterloo - delinquency prevention programs with 6-18 year olds
515 Lime St., Waterloo
234-2839
Bremwood-Lutheran Children's Home Society - Residential psychiatric treatment center for teenagers
106 16th St. SW
P.O. Box 848
Waverly, IA
352-2630
Cedar AIDS Support System - Buddy to an HIV positive person; Rural Outreach Program
CASS
Suite 200
200 E. Ridgeway
Waterloo, IA 50702
292-2437
Cedar Valley Hospice - various grief programs
2101 Kimball, Waterloo
292-1450
Conestoga Council of Girl Scouts
2530 University Ave., Waterloo
232-6601
Covenant Hospital - Volunteer Services
291-3303
Crisis Services - 24 hour phone counseling, suicide hotline, sexual assault center
233-8484
Contact for training schedule
Compeer - Buddy to a mentally ill person
Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center
3251 West 9th St., Waterloo
234-2893
Exceptional Persons
760 Ansbourgh Ave., Waterloo
232-6671
Family Children's Council of Black Hawk County
500 E. 4th St., Waterloo
234-7600
Contact for training schedule
Grout Museum Science Imaginarium
503 South St., Waterloo
234-6357
Juvenile Court Services - working with youth under age 18; supervising first time of young offenders
312 E. 6th St.
P.O. Box 1468
Waterloo
291-2506
Northeast Council on Substance Abuse
2222 Falls Ave., Waterloo
235-6571
Quakerdale
140 S. Barclay, Waterloo
233-2554
Tri-County Head Start
800 Milwaukee Ave., Waterloo
235-0383
United Way
3420 University Ave.
Suite C.
Waterloo, IA 50702
235-6211
Waterloo Public Library Waterloo Museum of Art
415 Commercial, Waterloo
291-4521
Young Life
9204 University Ave.
Cedar Falls
277-6818


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