A. Begin by checking out each faculty member’s statement of research interests. (Click the link for faculty and staff at the upper left-hand corner of the Psychology Department’s web page to see the list of faculty with their interests, office hours, and contact information.) Make an appointment to talk to each faculty member whose interests relate to your own. It's a good idea to be prepared to discuss your research training and any experience you’ve already had. Faculty members will be happy to tell you about the projects they have in progress and planned, and to explore the possibility of your joining a research team.

Q. How do I go about selecting an advisor?

A.  Until you are ready to form a thesis committee, advising relationships are informal and based on mutual interests. Click the link for faculty and staff at the upper left-hand corner of the Psychology Department’s web page to see the list of faculty with their interests, office hours, and contact information. Then make an appointment to talk with each faculty member whose interests relate to your own. When you feel a sense of rapport, ask the faculty member if s/he would be willing to serve as your advisor. Note: When you begin to develop your thesis project and form a committee, the Chair of your thesis committee is your advisor.

Q. Will I get to visit the department and faculty before I make the decision to attend SFSU?

A. Although you may receive a request to schedule a telephone interview while your application for admission to graduate study is being evaluated, an interview on the campus is not required . However, you are welcome to visit the campus and get acquainted with both faculty and current graduate students, either before or after you receive an offer of admission.

Q. Do I have to be in a research lab?

A. Participation in a research lab is voluntary, and is arranged on an individual basis with the faculty supervisor. Students who anticipate a career that includes research are strongly advised to participate in at least one of our research laboratories, and most students discover that research experience is important to round out their graduate training even if they don't expect to continue in research professionally.

Q. What are the characteristics of students who apply and/or are accepted to this program?

A. Successful applicants must have an undergraduate degree with sufficient background in Psychology to prepare them appropriately for graduate study. Coursework in Social Psychology is expected, as is training and experience in psychological research and data analysis. Applied experience is highly valued, along with a strong academic record and evidence of motivation, creativity, initiative, and effective teamwork.

Q. How many course hours are too many to take per semester?

A. At the graduate level, a full course load is considered to be three courses (normally nine units). The student whose ability and other commitments, including employment, make it realistic to do so may take more than nine units.

Q. Are field placements chosen or selected?

A.

Q. Does a subject pool exist for conducting research?

A. Yes. The Psychology Department encourages all undergraduate psychology students to serve as research participants, and many courses have a research participation requirement or offer extra credit for research participation.

Q. Can I be a paid research assistant in my selected laboratory?

A. Limited funds are available to pay research assistants, but most students engage in research as part of a supervised individual study arrangement with a faculty member.