Prospective Students

Applying the Lab - Graduate Students

Graduate students who are admitted to the M.S. Program in Applied Psychology can request to join the ConnectWell @ Work Lab for their thesis work and other research collaborations. Only admitted students are eligible for consideration.

Check out the SDSU Department of Psychology website to learn more general information about the M.S. Program in Applied Psychology application procedures, typical admission requirements, and frequently asked questions regarding admissions. The office can also put you in touch with a current graduate student ambassador to talk more about their experiences in the program. 

Successful applicants have a strong academic background in research methods and quantitative-related courses (statistics and tests and measures), as well as content courses related to I-O psychology (or closely related fields like human resource management, organizational behavior, leadership, etc.). It is also recommended that you complete additional psychometric, statistics, and/or research methods courses beyond the minimum requirements for psychology majors, especially if you do not have other research or data-oriented experiences in laboratory or work settings.

Research experience and topic interest are an important part of the selection process. This is a research writing-intensive program with the thesis requirement. Therefore, please take time to carefully tailor your statement of purpose toward our program (and your faculty mentor). You should also write with your authentic voice without AI assistance (this is also a thesis requirement). Effective statements of purpose emphasize your familiarity with faculty members' published research. Identify what specific research questions within the lab topics you would like to pursue during your time in the program and why, based on your qualifications. 

Lab Training Values & Goals

Graduate students can expect the following training values and goals as part of their commitment to the lab (2-3 year program).

• Scientist-Practitioner-Humanist Values: Conducting research with scientific-practitioner-humanist values, which emphasizes social justice and worker dignity alongside rigorous research methodology and practical implications for organizations. Students are trained to consider whether practices are the right and humane thing to do, not just whether it is scientifically sound or cost-effective for the organization. 

• Evidence-Based Research Applications: Using theories and building from prior empirical research related to occupational health psychology, organizational psychology, and social psychology applied to telework and e-work communications. Students learn to apply theories related to work stress/recovery, motivation, and self-regulation to solve work problems that are important to organizations. 

• Quantitative Survey Development & Analysis Skills. Developing quantitative research skills in survey methodology, psychometrics, data management/organization, and advanced statistical analyses. Students often work with archival datasets for their thesis projects to practice sophisticated data analysis and scientific writing skills. They also help with ongoing or new projects to help build research planning/design and data collection skills.

• Human-Centered Skill Development: Building independent writing and critical thinking skills related to consuming scientific research papers in I-O psychology without the use of generative AI use (or AI minimalism). Students are trained to be healthy skeptics of automating tasks (using generative AI or other tools), especially as part of their learning process. They also learn about the unique value of human-centered social relationships in writing/thinking, along with ethical and deskilling limitations of using generative AI for research and communications.

• Research-to-Practice Translation: Practicing applied presentation skills related to translating scientific findings from psychological research to non-expert audiences. Students learn how to provide recommendations to employees and organizations in plain (and engaging) language that is backed by solid research evidence and theories. 

Applying the Lab - Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate student positions in my lab are limited to SDSU students who can enroll in PSY 499 (Special Study) to complete a research report in addition to assistance with other lab tasks. Please check out this lab application to learn more and apply. 

PSY 499 in my lab is an independent study project that is usually offered during the spring semester and occassionally in the fall. There are no summer options, or volunteer positions.  PSY 499 requires assigned graduate-level readings plus a paper/presentation based on your independent library research (literature review) on a specific topic. This project is a good fit for students who seek additional preparation for research-oriented master's or doctoral graduate programs after completing their 300-level psychology major requirements (PSY 301, PSY 370) along with the foundational I-O psychology course (PSY 319). It is also best for students who can self-manage their schedule to work independently on research tasks to complete a special study project.  Taking PSY 499 in conjuction with PSY 420 (Advanced Industrial Psych) or PSY 421 (Advanced Organizational Psych) is highly recommended.

If lab positions aren't available, check out these other advanced research/statistics skill development options at SDSU.

PSY 410 (Advanced Research Methods Laboratory) is an excellent alternative that provides similar research training within a formal course structure. Additionally, PSY 470 (Intermediate Statistics) is also a fantastic course to take to boost your statistical skills. Students who take these courses beyond the regular psychology major requirements are also competitive for graduate school. For example, our graduate program accepts students with these types of courses, even if they don't have independent study research experiences. In my experience, other I-O psychology programs do the same. So, don't sweat it if research assistant/lab positions aren't available because you do have some other great options to improve your skills for graduate school!