Undergraduate Program
Other Important Honors and Awards
URI Honors Program
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a cumulative quality point average of 3.20 or higher, and freshmen who either have graduated in the top 10 percent of their high-school class or have submitted a letter of recommendation from their high-school principal or guidance counselor are eligible to take honors courses. In order to receive the transcript notation, "Completed the University Honors Program," a student must begin honors work no later than the beginning of the sophomore year and must complete a minimum of 15 honors course credits that meet the following requirements: (a) three credits at the 100 level; (b) three Honors Colloquium credits, i.e., HPR 201 or 202; (c) three credits at the 300 level, i.e., tutorial; (d) six credits at the 400 level, which may be either six credits of the Senior Honors Project, i.e., HPR 401, 402, or three credits of the Senior Honors Project, i.e., HPR 401, and three credits of the Senior Honors Seminar, i.e., HPR 411; and (e) a 3.20 quality point average for honors courses and a 3.20 cumulative quality point average.
Psi Chi, the Psychology National Honor Society
This student organization provides another means of acquiring impressive credentials during your undergraduate career. Membership in Psi Chi is earned for life and the only charge is a one-time registration fee of $40. Requirements for membership include: (a) completion of PSY 113, PSY 300, and PSY 301 or completion of two of these courses and current registration in the remaining course; (b) a declared major or minor in psychology; (c) a 3.00 cumulative quality point average; (d) high standards of personal behavior; and (e) 75 percent affirmative vote of those present at a regular meeting of the local Psi Chi chapter. Interested students may contact their faculty advisors, or
click here for more info.
Psychology Club
This group meets frequently with members of Psi Chi. All of our psychology students are welcome to join the Psychology Club, regardless of cumulative quality point averages or academic ranks. See Professor Su L. Boatright-Horowitz, or
click here for details regarding the Psychology Club.
Independent Study Projects.
One of the best means of supplementing your undergraduate training is to arrange an independent study project (Psy 489 or Psy 499) under the supervision of a faculty member or graduate student in the Psychology Department. This permits students to acquire hands-on research experience in topics or areas related to their personal interests and career goals. Independent study projects also allow students to get to know faculty or graduate students on an individual basis, increasing the likelihood of obtaining strong letters of recommendation at graduation. Additional benefits include the possibility of acquiring small grants to conduct research, and presenting research findings in professional conferences or departmental colloquia. Some undergraduate students also receive departmental awards for their work (see below) and present their research as posters in the departmental Undergraduate Award Ceremony. If you are curious about undergraduate research in psychology, then join us for this event every spring. (Please call the Psychology Department for exact date and location.)
