The Department of Psychology offers enriching and exciting research opportunities to students at every level, providing students with valuable experience and advanced critical thinking and research skills.

Faculty research labs encourage undergraduate involvement, leading to unique experiences and the opportunity to present at local and national conferences. Among our research facilities are labs that specialize in virtual reality, neurofeedback, alcohol use/abuse, post-traumatic stress, coping skills, personality, working memory and expertise.

At the graduate level, our students consistently find success publishing and/or presenting their research at regional and national conferences. There are many opportunities for service activities in local, regional and national mental health organizations in areas related to their research, discipline or communities they serve. Through the mentor model, we provide graduate students with close advising and mentoring so our students gain an in-depth understanding of research while learning from experts in the field.

The Building Bridges Conference, established as a grass roots initiative among the Students of Color in Psychology (SCIP) student leadership in 1997, has become a recognized regional conference with a primary focus on topics relating to Native Americans in higher education.

The Building Relationships, Integrating Diversity and Growth in Education (BRIDGE) Conference Committee is comprised of clinical students and faculty who participate in the implementation of the Building Bridges Conference.

USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including Psychology Club/Psi Chi. This group holds both social and educational events throughout the school year, including a kick-off ice cream social open to all students interested in psychology.

Psi Chi is a local chapter of the National Honor Society for psychology, promoting student involvement in ongoing department research and in developing their own research projects and sponsoring psychology-related events throughout the year.

Join Now

Advocacy Coordinating Team (ACT)

The ACT consists of students and faculty who are committed to advocating for the profession of psychology at the local, state, regional and national level. The APA Graduate Student Association designates students to regional coordinators who assist in the development of state and departmental program-based committees. 

Ally Group

Human Factors and Ergonomics Student Chapter

This is a student chapter of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Its mission is to further human factors and ergonomic education, both academic and applied, to create a rich environment promoting original ideas that generate quality research and increase communication and interaction between chapter members and professionals in the field.

Join Now

Students of Color in Psychology (SCIP)

Since 1994, the program's Students of Color in Psychology (SCIP) mentoring program has provided opportunities for students of color in psychology to explore issues of race and ethnicity in their developing professional identity. The SCIP program sponsors social activities for its members and for the program as a whole. They also sponsor/co-sponsor presentations on the topic of diversity. 

Join Now

Health and Wellness Committee

The Wellness Committee consists of a group of clinical psychology students who coordinate, plan and fundraise for social activities within the clinical training program and Department of Psychology. Annual activities include a fall welcome picnic, winter party and year-end potluck picnic lunch and farewell to interns.