Experiential Learning Opportunities in Psychology (ELOPsy) engage students with psychological theory, research, and application. We firmly believe that all students benefit from these opportunities, and we encourage all Psychology majors to complete at least one ELOPsy course prior to graduation. These courses will teach you job-related skills, prepare you for graduate school, and help you develop a close mentoring relationship with a faculty member.
Types of ELOPsy Courses:
- PSY 390/492 – Collaborative Research: Lab Learning
- PSY 391/393/493 – Independent Study/Independent Research
- PSY 394/494 – Psychology Thesis I and II
- PSY 397 – Learning Assistantship
- PSY 398/399/487 – Internships (*PSY 398, formerly PSY 383, does not count towards the ELOPsy max; PSY 487 was formerly PSY 499)
Counting ELOPsy Courses toward the Major
Students may take ELOPsy courses up three times for major credit, with the exceptions of:
- PSY 394 and 494 which may only be taken once each, and
- PSY 397, which may only be taken twice and must be associated with different courses).
ELOPsy courses can be applied toward the Psychology major in three different ways:
- as one (but only one) of three specialized (3xx) courses,
- as a Senior experience (4xx), and
- as a Psychology Elective requirement.
In addition, students can take as many ELOPsy courses for elective credit as they can fit into their schedules.
*Please refer to specific Psychology specialization requirements for more information about which courses apply towards Specializations.
**Some ELOPsy courses may be taken for variable credit: PSY 391, PSY 397, and PSY 399 may be taken for less than one unit.
Timeline for Application Submission
Applications for all ELOPsy courses besides 390/492 (Collaborative Research: Laboratory Learning) are due by 4pm on the last day of classes in the semester preceding the course. Applications for an ELOPsy course in the Fall semester are due on the last day of classes of the preceding Spring. Applications for an ELOPsy course in the Spring semester are due on the last day of classes of the preceding Fall.