Special Programs

Psychology students at Dominican University have many opportunities to feel that they are important members of the department. These experiences are shared with fellow students and faculty who are committed to the study of psychology.

The Psychology Club

The psychology department welcomes all psychology majors and minors to the Psychology Club, which has been honored as one of Dominican University’s outstanding student organizations. The Psychology Club offers a forum for general discussion of many topics in psychology and provides information, assistance and resources, such as guest speakers related to areas of psychology students’ interest, internship, volunteer and job opportunities, career planning, networking and graduate school.

The Psychology Club also is actively involved in personal and academic enrichment, social, and recreational events on campus, and service projects in the community at large. Charitable events have included food, toy, clothing and educational supply drives for needy children, adolescents and adults. Educational events include topics on substance use/abuse, depression, anxiety, suicide, eating disorders and violence.

Psi Chi Honor Society

The psychology department also sponsors a chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology. Like the Psychology Club, Dominican University’s Psi Chi chapter has been honored for its outstanding achievements and contributions as an academic organization on campus.

Facilities

Dominican University’s newest building, Parmer Hall, will be home to psychology and the natural sciences. The psychology wing of this $36 million state-of-art facility will include two research psychology laboratories, a neuroscience laboratory, six observation/research rooms, student areas and faculty offices. Parmer Hall will open in August 2007.

Internships

All psychology majors have the option to pursue an off-site undergraduate internship during their junior and/or senior years. Student internships are strongly recommended and encouraged. Internships provide unique and invaluable learning experiences within real-work settings that prepare students for graduate study and/or professional employment. Internships can be customized to meet the specific needs and interests of the psychology student. They include opportunities in research, academic, clinical, medical, mental health, social service, educational and business settings. Students are jointly supervised by internship site staff and psychology faculty, and they can earn one to eight credit hours for the internship experience.

Organizations where psychology students have completed internships include:

• Community Support Services, Inc.
• Cook County Circuit Court
• Cook County Jail
• Hephzibah Children’s Association
• Lovaas Behavioral Intervention Program for Children and Adults
• Maryville Academy
• Mother’s House, shelter and services for homeless children and adults
• Oak Park Arms Retirement Community
• Sarah’s Inn, domestic violence hotline and shelter
• University of Illinois Research Program: Prevention of Teen Dating Violence