Community for Achievement in Psychological Sciences (CAPS)

About CAPS

Community for Achievement in Psychological Science (CAPS) is designed to connect psychology students with on-campus resources relevant to helping them complete their degree or pursue a career in psychology. We offer office hours with peer mentors (Senior Fellows) who can answer your questions about topics such as "what is this professor's class like?" to "what is APA format?!"

We also offer a wide range of fun activities and events throughout the semester. We also have a physical space in room Sierra Hall 362 for a space to hangout, charge your device, work on a computer, meet new friends, or see what's new in the psychology department. During Virtual learning, we are serving you via Slack, Zoom and email. Team CAPS hopes to help you find your psychology family!

Psychology Resume and CV Peer Mentors

• Personalized feedback on resumes and Curriculum Vitae (C.V.s)
  • Feedback consists of reviewing existing drafts of resume/C.V., providing comments on the draft, and reviewing follow up drafts as needed.
  • Feedback does NOT include creating an entire resume/C.V. for a student from scratch. Student should provide a draft that the mentor can provide feedback on
• Explaining/suggesting templates for students to begin resume/C.V.
• Assisting in development stages of C.V./resume by brainstorming with student on relevant experiences/opportunities to include.
  • A resume mentor will not write out your resume or tell you exactly what to include. Planning is to be in the form of brainstorming session(s) only.
• How to access the services:
  • Step 1: Review these resources from Dr. Plunkett (including templates and guides)
  • Step 2: Attend Drop-in hours for Mentoring Services: CAPS hours in SH 362: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. OR
  • Step 3: email caps@csun.edu for questions! The title of your email should include “Request for C.V./Resume Mentorship: [YOUR NAME]”

Peer Mentor (Senior Fellow) Office Hours!

Visit a psychology peer mentor anytime during our open hours Monday Through Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. via Slack, or email (all times listed). If you've logged onto CAPS' Slack before, then please access our chat space through slack.com or the Slack app.

Fellowship-Mentoring Program

APPLICATION OPEN FOR FALL 2024 for SENIOR FELLOWS AND FELLOWS

Mentoring options for in-person and hybrid (virtual/in-person) available! 

See links below to apply.

• Wanting to meet new friends?
• Wanting to help others navigate the psychology major?
• Wanting opportunities to volunteer and help others? Want opportunities for professional development?
• Need elite access to on-campus printing?
• You may be interested in CAPS' fellowship mentoring program!

There are two tiers to the program.

1. Join as a freshman, sophomore, 1st semester transfer student, or a Moorpark student to become a "FELLOW". To apply, please complete the Fellow Interest Form.
2. Join as a junior or senior CSUN student to become a "SENIOR FELLOW." You must first check if there is availability to join. Note: You will need a recommendation form from a faculty member, and will enroll in PSY 499 (1unit), B (2 units), or C (3 units). To view further information, and apply, please fill out the Senior Fellow Interest Form.
3. NOTE: All students need to save Friday, August 30th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the training day. Senior Fellows are REQUIRED to attend this to stay enrolled in the program. Fellows should plan to arrive at 2 p.m., and if you cannot make it please email .
4. If you're a faculty member that is completing a form of recommendation for a CAPS senior fellow, please fill out our online Faculty Recommendation Form.

If you don't hear back from a representative within a few days after completing the above surveys, please email caps@csun.edu, or omar.ruvalcaba@csun.edu to receive further information.

Get Involved in Research

Check out our Instagram @CSUN_CAPS for research opportunities!

Interesting in joining a research lab? Check out our list of full-time faculty here. Click on each faculty's name, read through their bios or click on their websites to get a sense of the type of research they work on and find out if they're accepting students! Some faculty may not have information on their websites or bios about accepting students. Please feel free to email any faculty to get more information! Faculty expect that students reach out, or stop by office hours, to get more information about their research, so please don't hesitate to reach out. Here is a sample email that you might send to a faculty member to see if they're accepting students:

"Dear Professor XXXX,

I am a [fresh/soph/junior/senior] psychology major. I recently read your bio(or website), and found your research on XXXX interesting. I especially found XXXX interesting! 

I was wondering if you're currently accepting research students into your lab. If so, how may I go about applying? 

Thank you for your time,

Your Name"

Resources

Health and Well Being Resources:

• University Counseling: Many students experience stress and challenges during their university years. University Counseling Services (UCS) provides free and confidential consultations to help students deal with academic stress, relationship problems, family or roommate conflicts, personal growth and crisis events (e.g., divorce, assault) and other mental health issues (e.g., anxiety, depression). Visit UCS in Bayramian Hall 250 or call them at 818-677-2366 or 818-677-7834 (TTY).
• Student Success Allies (no web page available): Students helping students! This is a group of masters in social work students that want to help YOU succeed. The CSBS Student Allies team are MSW Students who provide immediate response to support students in crisis and case management as needed under the direct supervision of a Faculty LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). In addition to being a near-peer support, the allies can also help those students who need more intensive services connect to off campus programs. For information contact Tiffany Brooks at tiffani.brooks@csun.edu or (818) 677-6460.
• Oasis Center: The Oasis is a welcoming destination where CSUN students can find serenity and relaxation amid the rush and activity of campus life. It offers nutrition counseling, meditation, massages, acupuncture, nap pods and workshops focused on wellness and managing stress — all intended to promote student academic success

Learning Resources:

• Student Success Resources on Campus 
• Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES): If you have a disability or need accommodations for your learning, you can register with the Center on Disabilities and the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES; Bayramian Hall, Room 110; 818-677-2684) or the National Center on Deafness (NCOD; Jeanne Chisholm Hall; 818-677-2611). 
• Learning Resource & Writing Center: Need help with MATH 140? Looking for help with writing or grammar tips? Here is your spot! The Learning Resource Center (LRC) and the Writing Center at the LRC are available to help students improve their writing, critical thinking, and communication. Visit the LRC in Bayramian Hall room 408, or call them at 818-677-2033.
• College Student Success Team: The CSBS Student Success Team works with YOU to ensure you are on track for successful graduation.
• CSBS Statistics and Writing Tutors: Many psychology students that are enrolled in PSY 320/L or PSY 321/L find this resource useful! A place to find help with statistics and writing. Drop in during their hours, listed on their website!
• Campus Mentorship Program
• How to read a scientific paper

Financial Resources: At this link you'll find a list of several resources to help with finances, including paying your tuition, living expenses, or financial planning.

DACA Resources

Graduate School, Internships, and Careers in Psychology

• "What can you do with a Psychology Degree?" Infographic
• 200+ Careers for Psychology Majors by Dr. Drew Appleby 
• Health Workforce Initiative: Career Exploration Tool for Mental and Behavioral Health
• Dr. Martinez and Health Workforce Initiative: Career Options in Mental and Behavioral Health
• Dr. Martinez and Health Workforce Initiative: Resource Guide for Careers in Mental Health
• User Experience Research Career Pathways and M.A. Program - Claremont Graduate University
• Applied Social Psychology Career Pathways and M.A. Program - Claremont Graduate University
• Careers in Applied Psychology: Law and Psychology Webinar from American Psychology-Law Society
• Career Readiness Competencies from National Association of Colleges and Employers
• Micro-Internships available to CSUN Students
• Six "Superpowers" earned by Psychology Majors
• What can I do with my B.A. in Psychology? Spotlight on Applied Behavior Analysis
• The American Psychological Association's (APA) website:Psychology and science in action. 
• FAQs for Careers in Psychology
• Specialty Areas in Psychology
• Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Outlook Website
• Career Areas in Psychology - Dr. Plunkett
• APA Guidebook for career exploration.
• Careers with a B.A. in CA
• Career Areas in Psychology (Dr. Plunkett)
• Guide for choosing a Master's program in sports psychology
• Sport Psychology career guide
• APA student resources for internships and getting into graduate school.
• List of Psychology Graduate Programs and Research Labs Accepting Applications
• APA Guide for Applying to Graduate School
• Psychology Graduate Programs in CA
• Dr. Plunkett's Guide to Getting into Graduate School
• Dr. Huynh's Graduate School Guide (Everything but the first tab)
• Dr. Shiffrar's "Kisses of Death" in Graduate School Apps
• Dr. Otten's Time Management Tips
• Graduate School Interviewing Tips
• Interviewing Guide Packet
• Research-based (science) PhD Programs Practice Interview Question List
• PsiChi Student Society (Lots of resources on applying to grad school and much more!)
• Applying to Graduate School in Clinical Psychology
• Psychology 411 Careers with a Psych BA
• Dr. Plunkett's page with information about job resources, applying to graduate school, and much more.
• Our career center has unique resources for you, including various on-campus job and internship fairs!
• Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology & Neuropsychology by Dr. Razani
• Videos about CSUN's Study Abroad Programs:
  • Introduction to our programs and steps for students to learn more (~2 ½ min)
  • Introduction to Study Abroad and Exchange with the CSUN IESC (~15 min)
  • CSUN Study Abroad & Exchange Information Session (~45 min)

• Explore webinars designed to introduce psychology majors to unique career paths and graduate school information

1. 1. Positive Organizational Psychology 
   2. "What to do with a Psychology B.A.?" Webinar: Jon Katz 
   3. "What to do now to get into Graduate School?" With Dr. Shiffrar