Gain skills and experience in our clinics and research facilities.
Psychology Department
Welcome to the SUNY Plattsburgh Department of Psychology. We offer an undergraduate
major or minor in psychology and a graduate program in school psychology.
In our undergraduate program, you will learn about psychology as a scientific discipline,
preparing you for work or graduate study in a diverse range of fields. Please visit
our psychology major page to learn more.
School psychology graduate students earn the M.A./C.A.S. in school psychology. Our
NASP-accredited program provides carefully focused knowledge and training in school psychology,
following the scientist-practitioner model. You will work closely with individual
faculty members, and become eligible for certification as a school psychologist in
New York state. More information can be found on our school psychology graduate program page.
During the college’s open house events, prospective students can attend a psychology-specific information session. You are
also welcome to visit our department during any time of the year — please contact the department chair if you would like to arrange a visit.
Services & Community Outreach
The psychology department hosts the campus-wide Center for Neurobehavioral Health, which provides numerous services to the community. Both graduate and undergraduate
students gain invaluable community service and research experience through assisting
with these programs. Affiliated clinics include:
Neuropsychology Clinic and Psychoeducational Services
Traumatic Brain Injury Center
Nexus Program for children with autism spectrum disorders
Resources
Psychology majors can find answers to many common questions in the student handbook.
This handbook provides detailed information about classes, expectations, internships,
career options, graduate school, and more. Hard copies are also available in the psychology
department main office.
We are pleased to announce that senior psychology major Kassandra “Kass” Doran is
among 127 students across the SUNY system to receive The Chancellor’s Award for Student
Excellence, an honor given annually to exceptional students across the state who demonstrate
integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives including leadership,
campus involvement, athletics and service.
Kass plans to attend Brandeis University for her master’s in psychology, which will
dovetail into a doctoral program.
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
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]).
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!
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).
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We are pleased to announce that senior psychology major Kassandra “Kass” Doran is
among 127 students across the SUNY system to receive The Chancellor’s Award for Student
Excellence, an honor given annually to exceptional students across the state who demonstrate
integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives including leadership,
campus involvement, athletics and service.