Department of Psychology
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855-5301
906-227-2935
FAX: 906-227-2954
Web site: psychology.nmu.edu
Applications Materials for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship in the Psychology
Department
The Psychology Department at Northern Michigan University provides teaching
assistantships to a limited number of full-time graduate students. Graduate teaching assistants
instruct laboratory sections selected undergraduate courses, which are listed below. Graduate
teaching assistantship positions are granted for one year with a second year generally awarded to
graduate assistants who satisfied the conditions of the assistantship, maintained at least a 3.0 GPA
for each semester of the assistantship, and provided quality instruction. Please review the general
requirements and responsibilities in the Graduate Assistant Handbook posted at
http://www.nmu.edu/graduatestudies/node/23.
To apply for a graduate teaching assistantship in the Psychology Department, please
provide the following materials:
1) The general graduate assistantship application posted at
http://www.nmu.edu/graduatestudies/node/53
2) A curriculum vitae
3) An academic transcript (if one was not already supplied during the graduate school
application)
4) A letter that includes
a. A brief description of previous academic and relevant professional
experience
b. A description of future academic and/or career goals that a Masters degree in
Psychology will contribute to
c. A ranking of your preferred laboratory sections to teach (see listing below).
We cannot guarantee that you will be assigned to your preferred laboratory
sections, but your preferences will be helpful as we make our scheduling
assignments.
5) Three recommendation letters
Please submit all materials by March 15, 2015 to
Office of Graduate Education and Research
Northern Michigan University
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855
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Courses with laboratory sections in the Psychology Department
PY 100L Psychology as a Natural Science with Laboratory
Introduction to the natural science of behavior and to the scientific principles and content areas of
psychology. This course includes a focus on the philosophy and methodology of science, using
selected problems from psychology as examples for application and demonstration. Includes
laboratory experience.
PY 204 Physiological Psychology
Study of the biological bases of behavior with emphasis on central nervous system anatomy and
physiology and its relation to various psychological functions, drug effects and
neuropsychological disorders, with structured laboratory experience.
PY 211 Learning
The study of basic learning processes from simple conditioning to thinking and understanding,
with laboratory replication of important animal and human learning phenomena.
PY 305 Psychological Statistics
The interpretation and application of basic descriptive statistics and an introduction to statistical
inference, including chi square and analysis of variance. Computer laboratory experience
included when appropriate.
PY 335 Social Psychology
A focus on social facilitation, interpersonal attraction, group processes, leader behavior, attitude
measurement and attitude change, inter-group conflict, helping behavior and environmental
psychology with both field and laboratory research.
PY 400 History and Systems
Examination of the philosophical and historical roots of psychology culminating in an analysis of
major theoretical perspectives leading to modern scientific psychology.
PY 410 Sensation and Perception
Scientific exploration of sensory and perceptual phenomena with emphasis on relevant
psychological laws, neurological mechanisms, the relationship between brain function and mental
experience, and the practical implications of each. Laboratory investigation of methods and
phenomena.
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