Student Research Opportunities
Students of COCC's Psychology degree have many opportunities to explore and refine newly learned skills, such as conducting research and presenting studies, all while being part of an engaging community.
In addition to courses that outline scientific methods and co-op work experiences,
students can attend guest lectures and workshops, conduct their own undergraduate
research, join the Central Oregon Psychology Enthusiasts (COPE) club for networking
and added discovery, and help with the coordination and hosting of an annual campus-wide
student learning showcase.
COCC has made student research-readiness a priority, particularly for transfer degree students preparing to enter a university. As part of this, the Psychology program created an extracurricular academic opportunity called the Psychology Immersion Experience (PIE). Students involved in PIE can hone leadership, research, and communication skills in an environment that focuses on high-impact learning in a safe, supportive setting.
Farther afield, the Indonesia Field Study, a unique travel abroad experience that's held in collaboration with the Primate Research Center of Bogor Agricultural University in West Java, Indonesia, provides field-based research experience for individuals interested in conservation psychology, animal behavior, and environmental science.
The COCC Psychology degree also offers a for-credit Undergraduate Research Lab. Here, up-and-coming student researchers can participate in the Collaborative Replications and Education Project, a crowdsourced venture that challenges undergraduates to rerun much-cited psychology research. They examine their own conclusions against original findings, putting published work to the test. Participants have attended the Western Psychology Conference and presented research during the poster session — a rare occurrence for community college students.
The COCC Psychology program provides more than an education: It champions personal development and encourages students to be independent thinkers.