Department of Psychology
The Ph.D. is a research degree, and thus research training and experience are central to the educational mission of the graduate program in Psychology. All students are expected to be engaged in research over the course of their graduate careers, regardless of the major area of study.
The faculty now requires that students do research with more than one member of the faculty for at least two semesters, preferably consecutive, and in two separate areas of psychology. There are many options for how this research requirement can be met. For example, experience as a research assistant can be substituted for research credit and credits earned while working on the master's and doctoral thesis count towards this requirement as well. This research requirement can be met at any time during the student's graduate career, but must be met before the Ph.D. degree is granted.
Students are not restricted in any way to working only with faculty from the Psychology Department to satisfy the research requirement. Students with interests in areas outside the boundaries of Psychology Department faculty interests are encouraged to pursue their research interests with appropriate faculty from other departments and colleges. This is frequently done by Psychology graduate students, and many excellent research opportunities exist with faculty from other departments. Also, with the approval of the student's doctoral committee, research completed for a minor outside the department may be used to satisfy part of this research requirement.
Students may apply for research support by submitting the following: (1) An application form available in the main office, signed by the faculty advisor; (2) a typed summary description of the proposed research; and (3) an itemized budget page. The application should be returned to the main office. Applications are reviewed by the Department Head and the Awards Committee.
Requests for support in any amount may be submitted, but awards rarely exceed $200, and most awards are around $100 to $150. Research supplies, copying charges, and other expendable items are more appropriate budget items. Travel for the purpose of collecting data may be supported if it is necessary to completion of the research. The cost of duplicating one's thesis or dissertation will not be supported. Students should request funding before the research is underway, but requests for support for ongoing or completed research will be considered if funds are available.
1) Students are eligible for funding for one trip (during their graduate career) to a conference at which they appear on the program as the author or co-author of a paper.
2) Students who are the first author or primary presenter of a conference paper are eligible for funding for a second conference trip.
3) Students who wish to attend a conference but do not appear on the program will be considered for funding at a reduced level.
Funding in categories (1) and (2) is generally limited to $300 per trip. Funding for conference travel beyond two trips will be considered if the student is presenting a paper and if funds are available. Funding in category (3) will generally be in the area of $50 per trip; these awards are designed to encourage groups of students to attend nearby conferences within driving distance of Penn State.
Students requesting travel funds should submit an application form available in the main office, together with a photocopy of their listing in the program or a letter indicating that a presentation has been accepted. Eligibility for travel funding is limited to students who are enrolled as full-time graduate students at the time of the conference and who are in good standing and making satisfactory progress (as indicated, for example, by timely completion of the Masters thesis).
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