Duke Psychology & Neuroscience

Duke Psychology Majors Union

The Duke Psychology Majors Union is open to all students with an interest in psychology. This organization seeks to encourage interaction between students and faculty in an atmosphere that is informal, social, and fun. We invite distinguished researchers in psychology to speak at Duke each semester, sponsor graduate school information sessions as well as other department events, and offer transportation to local psychology conferences.

To be included in the mailing list, send an e-mail to Karen Murphy at with your name, e-mail, and expected year of graduation.

Psi Chi

Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology. Membership in Psi Chi recognizes your academic achievement and interest in psychology and is an honor recognized by prospective graduate programs and employers. Founded in 1929, Psi Chi is one of the largest honor societies in the United States with over 990 chapters. Duke has been a chartered member for over 40 years. The purposes of Psi Chi are to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship of members in all fields, particularly in psychology, and to advance the science of psychology. To achieve these goals, Psi Chi offers a wide range of local, regional, and national programs (http://www.psichi.org) including awards to fund research, conventions where undergraduates can present research, and the opportunity to publish research in its journal, Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research.

Who is eligible for Psi Chi membership?

You must:

  1. be at least a second-semester sophomore
  2. be a major or minor in Psychology
  3. have completed at least three psychology courses
  4. have at least a 3.5 overall GPA and 3.5 GPA in Psychology

Note: the grade levels of 3.5 must be without upward rounding. Also: the grade levels established by the Psi Chi national office are minimum levels. Duke (and other institutions) may set these levels somewhat higher.

To apply for membership

Please:

  1. Complete the membership form (available online at http://www.psichi.org). Copies are also provided on the bulletin board across from the Undergraduate Studies Office (245 Soc/Psy).
  2. Attach an official copy of your academic history so that your overall GPA and Psychology GPA can be verified.
  3. Attach a $35 check made out to the Department of Psychology for the one-time membership fee (this fee can be waived if it represents an economic hardship. Indicate that with your application).
  4. Seal all materials in an envelope marked "Psi Chi Application."
  5. Deliver the envelope to the Psi Chi Faculty Advisor, Professor Ruth Day (223 Soc/Psy). It is OK to put it in the envelope marked Psi Chi on the door or slip it under the door
  6. Email to indicate delivery date/location of your application.
  7. Due dates are provided toward the end of every semester. You can submit your application at any time; however if it arrives after the due date for a given semester, you cannot be inducted into the Society until following semester (see exception for graduating seniors below).

Notification

You will be notified about the status of your application shortly after submission (normally within a few days). If you have any questions, please contact the Psi Chi Faculty Advisor (ruthday@duke.edu), rather than the Undergraduate Studies Office.

Induction Ceremory

We hold an Induction Ceremony for new members at the end of each semester. Current members -- you are encouraged to attend the Induction Ceremony to help welcome new members. Please watch for future announcements concerning the date for this semester.

Questions?

For more information about Psi Chi, please visit http://www.psichi.org.

For applications and/or information about the Duke Chapter, please contact the Duke Psi Chi Faculty Advisor,Professor Ruth Day (, 660.5694).

Note: Inquiries sent to the Undergraduate Studies offices will be redirected to the Psi Chi Faculty Advisor.

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