Psychology Department

• Psi Chi: The International Honor Society

  The SUNY Plattsburgh chapter of Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology is a nationally recognized honor society that recognizes excellence in the field of psychology. By paying a one-time membership fee, you become a Psi Chi member for life and are eligible for numerous benefits associated with membership.

  Who is eligible to join Psi Chi?

  Psi Chi is open to undergraduate psychology majors and minors who are committed to the field of psychology by completing multiple psychology courses and who have demonstrated academic excellence by having a strong GPA (the specific GPA criterion varies by semester). Each semester, eligible students will be invited to apply, so please keep a lookout for an email invitation to apply for Psi Chi membership!

  Why join Psi Chi?

  Psi Chi membership looks great on your resume! Even more, being a member of Psi Chi gives you access to numerous opportunities, including:

  • Member-exclusive events run by the chapter
  • Serving as a chapter officer, taking a leadership role in the chapter’s progress
  • Access to Psi Chi grants and scholarships
  • Publishing your research in the Psi Chi Journal

  Past events

  • One-on-one meetings with faculty members to gain advice on career and graduate school goals
  • Graduate school preparation tips
  • Social events
  • Graduate school, career, and alumni panels

  Contact information

  More information about Psi Chi can be found on the main honor society website: https://www.psichi.org/

  Stay updated on our chapter of Psi Chi by following us on Instagram: @psichiplattsburgh

  If you have any questions about SUNY Plattsburgh’s chapter of Psi Chi, please contact the Psi Chi faculty advisor, Dr. Preeti Samudra ([email protected]).

• Psychology Club

  The SUNY Plattsburgh Psychology Club is a student-run club funded by the Student Association. The club is discussion-based and meets biweekly, focusing on many interesting aspects of the field of psychology. 

  Who is eligible to join the Psychology Club?

  All SUNY Plattsburgh students are welcome to join. We welcome all majors and all year levels — the best conversations come when different points of view are presented. You can show up to one meeting or all of them — we are always happy to have you there!

  What do we do?

  Past meetings have focused on topics ranging from the psychology of fear during Halloween to the interaction of love and psychology in mid-February. Other times, we have looked at the personalities of serial killers, studied OJ Simpson with the Criminal Justice Club, and conclude semesters with de-stress events. We have played Kahoot games, given out prizes, and hosted pizza parties! 

  Contact information

  Stay updated on our club activities by following us on Instagram (@suny_plattsburghpsychologyclub) and Facebook (SUNY Plattsburgh Psychology Club).

  If you have any questions about the SUNY Plattsburgh Psychology Club, please contact our faculty advisor, Dr. Richard Durant ([email protected]).

Departmental Awards & Scholarships

• Award for Academic Excellence in Psychology

  Purpose: This award recognizes senior-level psychology students who have demonstrated superior academic achievement in psychology.

  Eligibility and Criteria

  • Full-time or part-time matriculated students who are completing their senior year (eligible to graduate, 120 credits minimum) majoring in psychology.

  • A minimum major GPA of 3.9 in psychology.

  • A minimum of nine credits completed in the major at SUNY Plattsburgh.

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.

  All students meeting these criteria will be considered for this award, including December graduates.

  Deadline: First Friday after spring break.

• Outstanding Psychology Student Award

  Purpose: This award recognizes junior and senior level psychology students who have demonstrated excellence in academics as well as commitment to the discipline through participation in activities that enhance the field of psychology.

  Eligibility and Criteria

  • Full-time or part-time matriculated students in their junior or senior year who are majoring in psychology. This will include December graduates.

  • A minimum major GPA of 3.5 in psychology.

  • A minimum of nine credits completed in the major at SUNY Plattsburgh.

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3.

  • Evidence of scholarship and/or involvement with the discipline.

  • Faculty or staff nomination in writing (to the attention of the Chairperson of the Psychology Awards Committee).

  Deadline: First Friday after spring break.

• Dr. William Tooke Sophomore Award for Excellence in Psychology

  Purpose: This award recognizes academic excellence and financial need for deserving psychology undergraduates in their sophomore year. This $3500 award will be directed towards tuition reimbursement for the student selected by the Psychology Awards Committee. The award will be presented at the annual School of Arts and Sciences spring awards ceremony coinciding with the spring semester of the recipient’s sophomore year.

  Eligibility and Criteria

  • Declared psychology major
  • Completion of sophomore year (four full semesters at SUNY Plattsburgh, minimum of 9 credits in psychology)
  • Minimum GPA: 3.80 overall, 3.80 psychology as assessed by transcript or Degree Works (Any GPA closely approximating the minimum requirement will be considered by the Psychology Awards Committee at their discretion).
  • Financial need as determined by Psychology Awards Committee in consultation with Student Financial Services
  • Full-time, matriculated student
  • Not a transfer student from another academic institution
  • Nominated by a faculty member with a letter of nomination and at least one additional letter of recommendation

  Deadline: First Friday after spring break

• Dr. William Tooke Senior Award for Excellence in Psychology

  Purpose: This award recognizes academic excellence and financial need for deserving psychology undergraduates in their senior year. This is a $3500 cash award for the student selected by the Psychology Awards Committee. The award will be presented at the annual School of Arts and Sciences spring awards ceremony coinciding with spring semester of the recipient’s senior year.

  Eligibility and Criteria

  • Declared psychology major from first semester
  • Completion of senior year (eligible to graduate, 120 credits minimum)
  • Minimum GPA: 3.80 overall, 3.80 psychology as assessed by transcript or DegreeWorks
  • Financial need as determined by Psychology Awards Committee in consultation with the Student Financial Services
  • Full-time, matriculated student
  • Not a transfer student from another academic institution
  • Nominated by a faculty member with a letter of nomination and at least one additional letter of recommendation
  • Participation in experiential educational opportunities will be considered (e.g., research assistantships, teaching apprenticeships, independent studies, participation in scholarly conferences, etc.)

  Deadline: First Friday after spring break

Redcay Awards & Scholarships for Student–Faculty Collaboration

• Redcay Research Apprenticeship

  Description: A research apprenticeship carries a student stipend of $500 and provides support for research-related costs. The apprenticeship program is designed to foster productive student/faculty collaboration in scholarly endeavors. Application for a Redcay Research Apprenticeship must be made by a student in conjunction with a faculty sponsor. The ideal time for a student to submit a proposal is when the student is a second semester sophomore, junior, or first semester senior in order to allow sufficient time to complete and present the research. Students who receive the award are encouraged to present their findings at a campus symposium or professional conference. Students who receive a Redcay Research Apprenticeship may also apply for a Redcay Ad Hoc Award to defray travel expenses.

  Application: The student should submit the following to the chair of the Redcay Committee:

  • A cover letter that describes the specific empirical research project that is planned. This project should be focused on an issue relevant to the behavioral sciences. This cover letter should also address the nature of the student-faculty collaboration.
  • Unofficial transcript or Degree Works form
  • If the research project entails expenses, the application should also contain a detailed budget including appropriate justification for expenditures.
  • A letter of support from the faculty sponsor. This letter should describe the proposed research project as well as the nature of the collaboration between the faculty member and the research apprentice.

  Deadline: Rolling application; Please allow 3 weeks for the committee to review the request.

• Redcay Outstanding Student Scholarships

  Description: This one-time award is designed to recognize and stimulate excellence in the behavioral sciences and includes a scholarship of $500. In most cases, this award will be applied to upcoming tuition for returning students. The nominee must be a full-time student, with first-year, sophomore, or junior standing (includes transfer students with at least two semesters at SUNY Plattsburgh) and a declared major in the behavioral sciences (anthropology, sociology, or psychology). Faculty who nominate a student for this award are expected to encourage the student to pursue research collaboration.

  Application: The nominating faculty member should submit the following materials (electronically) to the chair of the Redcay Committee:

  • A letter of nomination that addresses the students’ potential for excellence in research or scholarship
  • A second faculty member’s endorsement of the nomination
  • A copy of the student’s unofficial transcript or Degree Works

  Deadline: Friday before Thanksgiving for fall awards and Monday after March break for spring awards.

• Redcay Award for Excellence in the Behavioral Sciences (Redcay Senior Award)

  Description: Awarded to students with senior status, the Redcay Senior Award is designed to recognize distinguished performance in scholarship and academics during a student’s undergraduate career and carries a monetary award of $500. The nominee must be a senior in the behavioral sciences (anthropology, sociology, or psychology).

  Application: The nominating faculty member should submit the following materials (electronically) to the chair of the Redcay Committee:

  • A letter of nomination that includes an explanation of how the “evidence of successful completion of scholarly work” demonstrates the student’s success in research or scholarship
  • A second faculty member’s endorsement of the nomination
  • A copy of the student’s unofficial transcript or Degree Works (suggested major GPA above 3.5)
  • Evidence of successful completion of scholarly work (e.g., final research project, conference poster abstract, conference acceptance with abstract, etc.)

  Deadline: Nominations are due on the Friday before Thanksgiving for students graduating in December and the Monday after March break for students graduating in May. More than one award will be given if funding is available.

   

• Redcay Ad Hoc Grants for Ongoing Programs for Faculty-Student Collaborative Research

  Ad-hoc Travel Awards

  Students: Travel support is available to present a student-faculty collaborative research project at a conference within 12 months after graduation (funding priority is given to current students). Faculty-student collaborative research projects can receive travel support of up to $500. Travel that is based on the outcome of a Research Apprenticeship Award can be funded up to $1,000.

  Faculty: Travel support ($500 maximum) for faculty who are attending a conference where the faculty-student collaborative research is being presented. The faculty member does not need to be a presenter but may attend with student presenters. The Ad Hoc form requires an indication that outside funding sources were exhausted before applying for Redcay funding. 

  Application: Students and faculty should complete and submit the Ad Hoc Funding Request form (section 1), including all specified attachments.

  Deadline: Rolling application; Please allow 3 weeks for the committee to review the request.

  Ad-hoc Awards for Research

  Funds are available to support faculty-student research collaboration expenses ($500 maximum).

  Application: Students should complete and submit the Ad Hoc Funding Request form (section 2), including all specified attachments. This includes a description of the research goals and methods.

  Deadline: Rolling application; Please allow 3 weeks for the committee to review the request.

Awards for Psi Chi Members

• Psi Chi Awards

  Description: Psi Chi offers many possible awards and scholarships to students who are Psi Chi members. Please visit their Awards and Grants page for details.