Course Options
Research Practicum are offered at the third and fourth (Honours) year level.
Activities could include combinations of the following: literature reviews on specific research questions; creating psychological instruments or experimental materials; gathering data from animals or humans; following specific research protocols; organizing data for data analysis; conducting data analysis; and writing reports.
A detailed overview of how the student will be evaluated and a schedule of student contact/research hours must be completed by the faculty supervisor and approved by the Department Chair before registering for the course. At least 40% of the final grade in the course will come from written work, and an average of five to seven contact/research hours per week is required over the 12-week term. The contact/research schedule will be arranged between each supervisor and student.
PSYC 3801H and 3802H - Third year Research Practicum:
A course designed to allow students in the third year of their psychology honours degree program to pursue research activities under the direction of a department faculty member, normally within that person’s ongoing research program. Prerequisites: 8.0 university credits including 75% or higher in both of 2018H and 2019H, successful completion of at least 3.0 Psychology credits, specific course prerequisites depending on the faculty supervisor, and permission of the department. Consult the Faculty and Research web page to review participating faculty members.
PSYC 4801H, 4802H- Fourth year Research Practicum:
A course designed to allow students in the fourth year of their psychology Honours degree program to pursue research activities under the direction of a department faculty member, normally within that person’s on-going research program. Prerequisites: 75% or higher in PSYC 3015Y, at least 1.0 other Psychology credit at the 3000- or 4000-level, specific course prerequisites depending on the faculty supervisor, and permission of the department. Consult the Faculty and Research web page to review participating faculty members.
*Please note: A maximum of 2.0 course credits consisting of research practicum (Psychology 3801H, 3802H, 4801H and 4802H) and/or reading (Psychology 3900Y, 3901H, 3902H, 4900Y, 4901H and 4902H) courses may be counted toward a Psychology major or joint‑major degree.
How to apply
Step 1: Identify a Supervisor
Visit our Faculty and Research page to see which professors are currently available to supervise students. Take some time to explore the research being conducted by potential supervisors and consider whether it aligns with your interests.
Step 2: Contact Faculty
Reach out to the faculty member you are interested in working with by sending an email, connecting after class, or setting up a meeting. Discuss what a practicum in their lab will involve.
Step 3: Complete and Submit Application
Once a faculty member has agreed to supervise you, complete the following two forms (both you and your supervisor will need to sign both pages).
Form 1 - Registration Form
Form 2 - Practicum Course Form
Please return the signed form, electronically or in-person, to:
- Peterborough - psychology@trentu.ca or the Psychology department office LHS C104.
- Durham - psychologydurham@trentu.ca or the Psychology department office DRA A148.
Step 4: Department Review and Enrollment
The department coordinator will review your forms and transcript. If there are no concerns, the department will enroll you into the course. You do not need to enroll yourself.
*The number of students permitted to enroll in Research Practicum courses depends on the number of faculty willing to serve as supervisors in a given year and on the number of eligible students who satisfy prerequisite requirements.
Additional information can be found in the Academic Calendar.