Program Overview

OVERVIEW
This program provides concentrated research experience in which each student plans and executes an independent project, and works with a faculty mentor and their research team on existing research projects. Students will develop knowledge and skills in all phases of psychological research, including hypothesis development, research design, data analysis, and scientific writing. Faculty will guide REU students through the process of formulating a research hypothesis, designing and implementing the project, and analyzing and summarizing the findings. Students will present their research at the Baruch REU conference and potentially at regional or national conferences in psychology. REU students will complete a year-long graduate school preparation course taught at Baruch College. Students will learn about the graduate school admission process,  how to build one’s credentials through research and practicum experiences, the GRE, soliciting letters of recommendation, and applying for fellowships. This course will assist students in planning advanced education in the areas that best match their interests.

This program is supported by the National Science Foundation under grant award number 1263179.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Students must have a sophomore standing, have at least a B average in their undergraduate courses, and must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. All students who meet these initial requirements are encouraged to apply, although preference will be given to those who are majoring in psychology and those who belong to an historically disadvantaged group (e.g., Asian, Hispanic, African American, disabled, first generation college student). Each student must be able to commit to at least 10 hours each week to work at the Baruch campus. Efforts will be made to accommodate students’ class and other work schedules. Student must have completed a course in research methods and statistics or must be willing to take such courses during the REU year.
RESEARCH TEAMS
The four research teams are described briefly below. Each team will consist of one faculty member, undergraduate and graduate lab members and three REU students. Students will work with the same research team throughout their training. Students will be asked to indicate the teams with which they would most prefer to work. Although every effort will be made to accommodate students’ preferences, high demand for certain research areas may necessitate assigning students to their second or third choices.
ACTIVITIES

  • Each REU student will complete an independent research project supervised by an REU faculty mentor
  • Each REU student will spend at least 10 hours each week during the fall and spring semesters at Baruch College working as part of a faculty-led research team
  • Each REU student will contribute to ongoing research projects by collecting and analyzing data
  • All REU students will enroll in a year-long graduate school preparation course taught at Baruch College

AREAS OF RESEARCH
Students may work in one of the following research areas at Baruch:

STIPEND
Each student will receive $1960 for each 14-week semester as compensation for time working in the research lab.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please call Dr. Engle-Friedman at 646-312-3815 or email mindy.engle-friedman [at] baruch.cuny.edu.