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Department of Psychology Faculty of Health
Home » Current Students » Research Opportunities for Undergraduates

Research Opportunities for Undergraduates

Undergraduate students seek research experience for many reasons. It can be particularly important if you are thinking about going to graduate school in psychology or a related field.  However, not everyone needs research experience. It is not required for course-based or practical graduate programs (e.g., psychotherapy or occupational therapy) or for career paths that do not involve research. Other types of experience may be more appropriate to those goals. See Psychology Major Maps for examples of other valuable experiences.  

If you are interested in gaining research experience, there are many ways to get involved in the Department of Psychology.

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Getting Started in Research

The ways you can get involved in research, and what your experience looks like may depend on where you are in your degree and the skills or knowledge you’ve gained so far.   

First Steps

If it’s your first time, here are some ways to get started:  

  • Talk to professors about their research areas and whether they have labs you can get involved with. 
  • Connect with peers or UPSA or BSIP mentors for tips. 
  • Explore opportunities such as volunteering as a research assistant (RA) or joining the REDI program. 

Early research experience can vary, but often include activities such as:  

  • Attending lab meetings and journal clubs  
  • Shadowing graduate students and more senior lab members  
  • Data entry  
  • Helping with logistics of running a study  
  • Learning about different stages of the research process  
  • And more!
Student working in MRI lab
Psychology professor speaking to student about their research project

Tips for Your First Outreach

When reaching out to research labs:  

  • Keep track of skills gained to add to your resume or CV. 
  • Highlight your skills and interests 
  • Be open to different opportunities; building research experience takes time and your first opportunity may not involve leading an independent project.
  • Don’t limit yourself to particular labs or topic areas, even if you think you have a good idea what you want to do – the transferable skills you gain will help you land other positions, and you might find out that you like something new! 

Building Experience

If you already have some experience, consider: 

These opportunities offer more independence and can strengthen graduate program application

Why Get Research Experience   

The Career Exploration and Skill Development sections of the Psychology Major Maps offers helpful guidance on the types of research experiences to pursue at different stages of your academic journey.   

Research experience is essential if you plan to apply to research-based graduate programs, including Clinical Psychology. Gaining hands-on experience can also help you determine whether a research-focused career path is a good fit for you.   

When to Start 

  • You can begin exploring in your first or second year, but it’s often hard to find a position in first year. A good time to look is near the end of winter term.  
  • Secure key experiences in third and fourth year if you have a goal to pursue a graduate research program.  
  • Opportunities are competitive, so plan early. 

Types of Opportunities

REDI program 

  • Low-commitment introduction to research (“foot in the door”) for students from marginalized groups. 
  • Activities may include shadowing, attending meetings, or article discussions. 
  • Hands-on experience working in a research lab, which gives you an opportunity to network with graduate students and professors.   
  • You can expect a minimum of 5 hours/week commitment 

Most often extended to students with a CGPA of 7.0 (B+) or higher who are at least in their second year.  

  • These positions are limited and highly competitive, usually requiring prior volunteer experience. 
  • Positions are posted on Experience York 
  • Also available at other institutions, such as hospitals and research centers (for example, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health). 
  • Offered through Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).  
  • USRAs are extremely competitive and largely based on grades.  
  • Some of these awards are offered exclusively to Black student scholars. 
  • Deadlines for applications are typically in January or February.  
  • Note that awards are sponsored by a faculty member. Start networking with faculty well before the deadline.  
  • An IRP is a supervised research project completed for course credit with a professor. 
  • Involves literature reviews, environmental scans, or data collection. 
  • You must find your own supervisor, and availability is not guaranteed.  
  • IRPs are usually not a first research experience. They are relatively rare and competitive opportunities.  

The Specialized Honours program is application-based. Applications are accepted between May 1 and May 15, typically after completing 54 credits (around second year). See the Customize your Psychology Degree page for more details.   

  • Includes research training and Honours Thesis. 
  • Prepares you for a research-based graduate program.  

Tips for Becoming a Volunteer RA  

  • Identify 3–6 professors whose research interests you 
  • Check the Faculty Research and Teaching Interests to learn more about their research areas and visit their profiles on Discover York Academics to learn more about their recent publications and projects.  
  • Email a personalized message including: 
    • Your interest and time commitment 
    • Why their lab interests you 
    • Resume and transcript 
    • What you would bring to the opportunity (e.g., high GPA, skills or experience you have, etc.) 
  • Check their website for any specific information about how to apply 
  • Email before a new term and follow-up after 1 – 2 weeks if you don’t hear back. Professors are used to receiving these emails, so don't be shy—reach out.   
     

Making a Strong Impression as an RA 

Successful RAs: 

  • Are punctual, professional, and detail-oriented 
  • Take initiative and work well independently or in team
  • Maintain a positive attitude and reliability 
  • Build strong relationships with lab supervisors

Practical Tips and Considerations: 

  • Confirm whether research experience is necessary for your goals. 
  • Use networks, student groups, and professors to learn about openings. 
  • Highlight research skills gained from courses like PSYC 2030 or 4180. 
  • Attend info sessions on USRA and graduate applications each spring. 
  • Keep applying even if you face rejections. Many labs receive high volumes of requests. 

Affiliated Research Centres at York

York Keele campus