The best way to learn about psychology and education is to do psychology and education. As an expression of this philosophy, the department maintains a strong commitment to engaging our students in research.
Facilities include modern computers and laboratories in several areas, and the Gorse Children's Center at Stonybrook, a laboratory preschool and kindergarten in its own building, serving as an observation and study site for our undergraduate students.
Everyone can apply to do research! Many courses at the 200 and 300 level in the psychology major are specifically designed to train you to conduct cutting-edge research.
If you are interested in learning more about research opportunities outside of the classroom, learn about the various research topics our faculty are studying.
Students across all classes get involved in research. Some faculty are looking to recruit first-year or sophomores while others request you wait until your junior year or take a specific course before engaging in research in their lab.
It turns out you probably do - conducting research is a skill you learn and often relies heavily on qualities and characteristics similar to other jobs.
Faculty are looking for students who:
Faculty in specific labs are also looking for other more specific skills depending on the research this may include a love of animals, strong grasp of a particular language (English, Spanish, etc.), ability to defuse conflict during arguments, etc.
Many courses in the major at the 200 and 300-level include research skills in student learning. These are great ways to explore the world of research. Be sure to include the skills and activity you learned from these research opportunities on your resume and cover letter to show how our program has prepared you for research.
Psych-204, Research Methods
No, but every faculty member looks for different skills or requirements in a student researcher. Sign up to receive emails when faculty are next looking to hire research assistants and learn more about who they are looking for. Or, you can email a faculty member in the department directly and ask them what they look for in a research assistant.
Happening at Mount Holyoke
Becky Wai-Ling Packard, Mary E. Woolley professor of psychology and education, has been recognized as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Three Mount Holyoke alums had their Lynk-funded research on COVID-19 and collective memory published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Mount Holyoke alums Kira Banks ’00 and Charisse Pickron ’08 are researching race’s and racism’s impact on young children. During a recent visit to campus, they spoke about transformational faculty, stepping into who you are and being true to yourself.
The Psychology & Education Department offers courses that cover developmental psychology, social psychology, personality & abnormal psychology, perception & cognition and bio bases of behavior. Options for teacher licensure in education are also offered.
