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 304 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!

If something isn’t working on Canvas/Help with Technology:

• IT Help
• CSUN Keep Learning Website

Help with classwork or writing:

• Learning Resource Center and Writing Center
• SBS Tutoring

Campus Resources or Policies

• On-campus resources, including USU, DRES, General Academic Advisement please visit: https://www.csun.edu/covid-19/covid-19-information-students

Social, Emotional, and Other Support:

• List of providers offering (temporarily) free internet
• CSUN Psychology Peer Mentors (Senior Fellows): Email caps@csun.edu to get connected.
• CSUN Student Success Allies: email studentsuccessallies@csun.edu to connect.
• CSUN Anxiety & Mood Clinic: is offering free, brief (4-8 50-minute) virtual sessions of individual psychotherapy to help you learn new ways to cope with these dramatic changes and unprecedented times we are living through. Treatment will be provided by graduate students from the Clinical Psychology master's program, currently providing individual psychotherapy to clients from the community under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist. For more information, please contact the clinic at (818) 677-5085. 
• Mitchell Family Counseling Center is offering 4 free virtual counseling sessions to CSUN students. Contact: Deborah Buttitta, MFCC Director, if you have questions. deborah.buttitta@csun.edu
• Strength United is offering a 24/7 hotline to students who are experiencing anxiety related to COVID 19 and to survivors of domestic and sexual violence who are experiencing additional anxieties at this time. Their hotline numbers are 818-886-0453/661-253-0258.
• University Counseling Services (UCS) has now shifted all mental health services to a virtual format; they are providing telemental health services (counseling services – assessment and short-term counseling; psychiatric services – assessment and medication management) remotely via Zoom Health (phone and video).  While they have suspended for several weeks our wellness workshops and groups, they intend to resume our workshops and some of our groups via Zoom.  As always, they have urgent care/crisis services by phone 24/7 for students at (818) 677-2366, Option 3. Check the UCS homepage for further information and helpful links.

• COVID-19 EOP Dream Center Resources (including undocu-specific resources for COVID-19)
• Dial “211” on your phone or visit https://www.211la.org/ for health and human services offered through LA County. This includes info on free activities for kids, local food banks, shelter, etc.
• Federal Disaster Loan Assistance Program
• Racial Profiling During COVID-19: If you have been the victim of or witness to an act of violence, bullying, harassment, threat, or other act motivated by hate, please fill out this Hate Incident Report Form or call 2-1-1 to file a report and be connected to support services. 
• Tenant protections for rent: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/Tenant%20to%20Landlord%20notice%20form.pdf

Psychology Department:

• Psychology department office staff will remain available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. M-F via email "> or phone: 818-677-2827
• Psychology Academic Advisement: https://www.csun.edu/social-behavioral-sciences/student-services-center-and-eop-satellite

Access to computers and Internet:

• Laptop Loaner Program
• List of providers offering free internet for students
• Free iPads for first-time freshmen
• Free course materials for first-time freshmen

Reliable online sources for information about COVID-19

•   CDC Website
•   WHO Website
•   LA County Public Health Department Website

Step 1: Reflect. List out your priorities for the next few months, including all categories of importance to you (e.g., personal, professional, academic, spiritual, etc.). 

Step 2: How would you prioritize these priorities? Review your list from Step 1, and next to each priority you listed write one of four options: Essential to survival (e.g., pay the bills, childcare), critical short-term to accomplish long-term goals (e.g., pass classes, exercise routine, go on a date with your partner), not critical for short-term but important, not very important to you (you may be surprised what you find in these last two categories!).

Step 3: Create a time-blocked schedule based on your answers to Step 2. If you want something to get done and it’s essential, you’ll need to put time in your calendar to do it! 

• Example of scheduling for class-specific tasks only [pen and paper only]
• Example of scheduling for all tasks in a week [pen and paper only]
• Alternatively, use your google cal app, or any other planner you have access to.

Step 4: Be flexible and give grace to yourself and others. Don’t expect that things are going to be perfect the first time you try out your schedule. Test, modify, reschedule!

Step 5: Finish strong! Remember that the work you are doing here at CSUN will help you contribute to your community later. Keep up your good work, and let’s get through this together!

Visit a psychology peer mentor anytime during our virtual visiting office hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. - 2 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. 

Applications for Senior Fellows Fall 2021 and Moorpark Fellows are open!

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 for Fall 2021, 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 for Fall 2021, please fill out the Senior Fellow Interest Form.
3. NOTE: ALL students need to save Friday, September 10th 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.
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 elise.fenn@csun.edu to receive further information.

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

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:

• 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

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

• "What can you do with a Psychology Degree?" Infographic
• Career Readiness Competencies from National Association of Colleges and Employers
• Micro-Internships available to CSUN Students
• Six "Superpowers" earned by Psychology Majors:
• 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)
• 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
• "Kissed of Death" in Graduate School Apps Dr. Shiffrar
• 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!
• Explore webinars designed to introduce psychology majors to unique career paths and graduate school information

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

Community for Achievement in Psychological Science

Statement of Support and Action Plan

The Community for Achievement in Psychological Science​, in the Psychology Department at California State University Northridge condemns explicitly the racism against and oppression of Black lives in America. We mourn and lament the tragic and unjust loss of so many Black Americans, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmuad Arbery, and Tony McDade. There are no words that can provide appropriate comfort or grief for such tragedies.

We condemn police brutality and condemn the racist systems that protect the police from reprimand of their unjust actions. We acknowledge and condemn that such effects of systemic oppression are exacerbated for people who experience discrimination based on other aspects of their identity, such as sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, gender identity, social class, religion, and immigration status. 

As a community, we pledge to listen, learn and act. Our long-term goal is dismantling systemic racism and race-based structural oppression that impacts the lives of some in our community more than others. We will address white privilege and structural oppression within our community and broadly. We will celebrate the contributions of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and other underserved groups. We will hold ourselves accountable by monitoring our actions, continuing to have conversations, finding and creating outlets to learn and grow in knowledge, accepting feedback, and listening to the wonderfully diverse voices that comprise the psychology major at CSUN.

Our specific commitment this Fall and Spring is to listen to the voices within our community through hosting coffee and pizza listening hours, and educating ourselves more on anti-racist advocacy. In Summer of 2021, we will reflect on what we learned and create next steps. We implore that the CSUN and Psychology community holds us accountable to these steps.  

We believe that psychological science is one tool that can support dismantling systemic racism and oppression. We commit to pursuing social justice reform and addressing systemic racism through psychological science and creating more support for students to join us.

Black lives matter.

In Solidarity,

The Community for Achievement in Psychological Science