I am in Honours Psychology. How do I obtain the research and/or applied experience necessary for applying to graduate school in psychology?
Research/Lab Experience If you are planning to apply to a graduate program that is research oriented (many graduate programs in Psychology are), research experience inside and outside the classroom while you are doing your undergraduate degree will be important. Click here for details regarding how to obtain research experience. Experience Working With People Some graduate programs are looking for applicants who have had experiences in areas related to the helping professions. Volunteer or paid work experience, for example, at group homes, the Alzheimer’s Society, the Canadian Mental Health Association, agencies that provide home support for the elderly or physically or mentally challenged, or telephone crisis/help lines, are valuable for developing interpersonal skills and for demonstrating empathy towards others. Refer to Volunteer/Community Opportunities on the Psych UG website for leads. Psych 465 (Appled Apprenticeship) might also provide relevant experience.
Research/Lab Experience If you are planning to apply to a graduate program that is research oriented (many graduate programs in Psychology are), research experience inside and outside the classroom while you are doing your undergraduate degree will be important. Click here for details regarding how to obtain research experience. Experience Working With People Some graduate programs are looking for applicants who have had experiences in areas related to the helping professions. Volunteer or paid work experience, for example, at group homes, the Alzheimer’s Society, the Canadian Mental Health Association, agencies that provide home support for the elderly or physically or mentally challenged, or telephone crisis/help lines, are valuable for developing interpersonal skills and for Volunteer/Community Opportunities for leads. Psych 465 (Appled Apprenticeship) might also provide relevant experience.
