Why do research in psychology?

Conducting research develops your ability to pose good questions, think logically, problem solve, write concisely, speak before an audience, and work on a team: abilities highly valued by employers. Collaborating within a research group at Avila enables you to work closely with a faculty member, who can put your particular talents to best use (and write those all important letters of recommendation!). With our apprenticeship model of research, the specific tasks you will work on will be commensurate with your current level of experience and knowledge.

If you are interested in applying to Ph.D. programs in Psychology, research experience is mandatory. Most programs are highly competitive, and nearly all of your competition will have had research experience of some sort.

And yes, research can be FUN! It's all about making new discoveries, about finding answers to questions that puzzle you. Best of all, you can take advantage of opportunities to present your research at regional, national, or international conferences. There's no better way to make contact with professors and other students who share your interests.

As an undergraduate or master's level student at Avila, you will learn to do research from professors who do research.

We currently have four active research groups:
Dr. Amy Bucher's Laboratory for the Study of Language Use and Behavior Change

Dr. Maria Hunt's Laboratory for the Study of Mindfulness, Well-being and Related Phenomena

Dr. Marcia Pasqualini's Social Neuroscience Laboratory

Dr. Jordan Wagge's Cognition Laboratory

Click on individual faculty members' laboratories above to learn more about their research.

Work on research projects at Avila: Undergraduate Students

Avila undergraduate students from any discipline may work on a psychology research team with the permission of a faculty research supervisor.

Non-psychology majors, and psychology majors who have not yet completed Statistics (PY 230) and Research Methods (PY 397) should sign up for Applied Experimental Methods (PY 297). This course is taken for ONE credit hour at a time, and can be repeated.

Psychology majors (from any area of concentration) who have completed PY 230 and PY 397 should sign up for Applied Experimental Methods II (PY 497). This course is also taken for ONE credit hour at a time, and can be repeated.

Psychology majors in the Research Concentration will additionally complete PY 498, Senior Thesis (2 credits per semester; normally taken for two semesters).

Work on research projects at Avila: Graduate Students

Students in the Master's in General Psychology and Master's in Counseling Psychology may work on a psychology research team, with the permission of a faculty research advisor.

Students interested in gaining research experience should enroll in PY 647, Applied Experimental Methods, which is offered for ONE credit hour at a time.

Students in the General Psychology program will additionally complete PY 699, Master's Project, which can involve working on a research or service-learning project. Students in the Counseling Psychology program can take PY 699 as an elective.