Last revised by B. Cain on 7/8/15
Process for Applying for a Research Assistant (RA) Position in Psychology
(Please read thoroughly!)
1. View the list of current Research Assistant (RA) positions by visiting the following webpage:
http://www.kent.edu/psychology/undergraduate-research-assistant-opportunities
*You may also get to this webpage by visiting the Department of Psychological Sciences webpage (http://www.kent.edu/psychology), click
on “Undergraduate Programs” tab, click on “Research Experience” tab, and then click on “Positions Available.
2. If interested in any of the opportunities listed, contact the individual(s) listed in the “Contact Information”
column to express your interest in the research assistant position, learn more about the specific details of the
lab and research assistant responsibilities/requirements, and to determine whether you qualify and/or are
eligible for the position.
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Note: Make sure to e-mail the faculty member and/or graduate assistant in a professional manner (e.g., professional
greeting, use proper grammar/punctuation, etc.). Indicate that you are interested in becoming a Research Assistant (RA)
in their lab and want to learn more about their lab’s application process.
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Note: Each lab has a different application process, so it is important to find out each lab’s specific process.
3. If you are offered a Research Assistant (RA) position FOR CREDIT by the faculty member or graduate
student, see Tina Inks, Undergraduate Secretary, in Kent Hall 144 (main office) to pick up a
“Research Request Form.” Tina will explain the rest of the registration process to you and answer any
questions that you might have about the form. See below for minimum number of lab hours needed to earn
credit for your lab experience.
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1 credit = 45 lab hours
2 credits = 90 lab hours
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3 credits = 135 lab hours
4 credits = 180 lab hours
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5 credits = 225 lab hours
6 credits = 270 lab hours
Additional Notes:
 You DO NOT have to be a Research Assistant for credit. Registration for credit is at the sole discretion of
the supervising faculty member.
 When in doubt, always consult with your academic advisor before enrolling in a for credit Research
Assistant lab experience as there are limits on how many combined credits of internship (PSYC 41492),
research (PSYC 31498), and individual investigation (PSYC 41498) can count towards graduation,
depending on one’s major (i.e., BA or BS), minor, and Catalog Year.
 A 1-credit hour lab experience as a Research Assistant will satisfy the Experiential Learning Requirement
(ELR) for students belonging to a Catalog Year requiring it. Please note that some labs will only approve a
higher credit hour requirement and this is at the sole discretion of the supervising faculty member.
 A Research Assistant experience will not substitute for your Writing Intensive degree requirement.
 Contact Tina Inks with any general questions regarding the Research Assistant process at
tinks@kent.edu, 330-672-8346, Kent Hall 144. Contact the Department of Psychological Sciences
Academic Advisor, Bryce Cain (bcain9@kent.edu), or your assigned academic advisor with questions
related to how a for credit Research Assistant experience will count towards your degree program.