Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SPA?
The SPA is a student-run organization affiliated with the Department of Psychology at NIU. This organization offers opportunities for undergraduate students to learn more about psychology through providing educational and career advice, service and outreach activities, and social gatherings.
How do I get involved with the SPA?
Easy... come to our meetings! SPA has meetings every other Monday, 5-6pm, Psychology Building room 412 throughout the fall and spring semesters. You can find our full meeting schedule on our home page. You can also join our email list by sending a message to us at [email protected].
Who is eligible to join the SPA?
The SPA is open to all majors and all years (freshmen through seniors). Anyone with an interest in our group is welcome to attend our meetings and join the organization.
What does SPA cost?
Currently, SPA does not charge any dues to maximize the number of students who can be involved in the organization.
How do I pay the SPA dues?
NA
Why should I become a member of the SPA?
SPA is a great way to meet other students with an interest in psychology. Our meetings cover useful topics such as navigating college, careers in psychology, graduate school, skills needed for being successful as a psychology major, and research and internship opportunities. We also organize service and public outreach events, which are great way to help the community and feel good doing it. Being a member of SPA also demonstrates to potential employers or graduate schools that you are making an active effort to be engaged in the field of psychology (outside of taking classes), and therefore it is great activity to list on your resume or curriculum vita.
What are some of the things that SPA does?
SPA is focused on doing what YOU - the members - want to see and learn. Our meeting topics are designed around the interests of the members. Our public outreach activities are also generated from ideas that the members suggest. For example, recently we have had meeting topics focused on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), career opportunities in psychology and what degrees are necessary, making a curriculum vita (academic version of a resume), and research and internship opportunities for psychology students. Recent service activities have included participating in the Ben Gordon Center Dodgeball Tournament to raise money to support mental health treatment, making Valentine's Day cards for residents of Oak Crest Retirement Center in DeKalb, and creating gift bags with health and wellness items to donate to the Hope Haven shelter in DeKalb. Each fall semester, SPA also collaborates with Psi Chi to plan a Meet the Faculty event, where undergraduate students can meet and mingle with psychology professors (and eat free food!) in a casual setting.
What is the governance structure of the SPA?
SPA is run by undergraduate students. Currently, SPA is organized by a President and Vice President/Treasurer. SPA is seeking to fill the role of Secretary and Public Relations Representative. SPA has a Faculty Advisor, who is a faculty member within the Department of Psychology. SPA is also affiliated with the NIU Student Association, which governs student organizations on campus.
If I am new to NIU or have not decided my major, should I still join the SPA?
Absolutely! Joining the SPA is a fantastic way to learn more about the field, meet students with similar interests, and explore opportunities within psychology and related mental health disciplines.
How do I learn more information about the SPA?
A great way to stay up to date on all SPA activities is by joining our email list. Send an email to us at [email protected]. You can also check out our Facebook page at this link (or search "NIU SPA" when you are logged into Facebook). Our bulletin board is in the NIU Psychology Building on the first floor, across from the elevators. We post materials relevant to the organization as well as campus and community announcements that may be of interest to students.
The SPA is a student-run organization affiliated with the Department of Psychology at NIU. This organization offers opportunities for undergraduate students to learn more about psychology through providing educational and career advice, service and outreach activities, and social gatherings.
How do I get involved with the SPA?
Easy... come to our meetings! SPA has meetings every other Monday, 5-6pm, Psychology Building room 412 throughout the fall and spring semesters. You can find our full meeting schedule on our home page. You can also join our email list by sending a message to us at [email protected].
Who is eligible to join the SPA?
The SPA is open to all majors and all years (freshmen through seniors). Anyone with an interest in our group is welcome to attend our meetings and join the organization.
What does SPA cost?
Currently, SPA does not charge any dues to maximize the number of students who can be involved in the organization.
How do I pay the SPA dues?
NA
Why should I become a member of the SPA?
SPA is a great way to meet other students with an interest in psychology. Our meetings cover useful topics such as navigating college, careers in psychology, graduate school, skills needed for being successful as a psychology major, and research and internship opportunities. We also organize service and public outreach events, which are great way to help the community and feel good doing it. Being a member of SPA also demonstrates to potential employers or graduate schools that you are making an active effort to be engaged in the field of psychology (outside of taking classes), and therefore it is great activity to list on your resume or curriculum vita.
What are some of the things that SPA does?
SPA is focused on doing what YOU - the members - want to see and learn. Our meeting topics are designed around the interests of the members. Our public outreach activities are also generated from ideas that the members suggest. For example, recently we have had meeting topics focused on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), career opportunities in psychology and what degrees are necessary, making a curriculum vita (academic version of a resume), and research and internship opportunities for psychology students. Recent service activities have included participating in the Ben Gordon Center Dodgeball Tournament to raise money to support mental health treatment, making Valentine's Day cards for residents of Oak Crest Retirement Center in DeKalb, and creating gift bags with health and wellness items to donate to the Hope Haven shelter in DeKalb. Each fall semester, SPA also collaborates with Psi Chi to plan a Meet the Faculty event, where undergraduate students can meet and mingle with psychology professors (and eat free food!) in a casual setting.
What is the governance structure of the SPA?
SPA is run by undergraduate students. Currently, SPA is organized by a President and Vice President/Treasurer. SPA is seeking to fill the role of Secretary and Public Relations Representative. SPA has a Faculty Advisor, who is a faculty member within the Department of Psychology. SPA is also affiliated with the NIU Student Association, which governs student organizations on campus.
If I am new to NIU or have not decided my major, should I still join the SPA?
Absolutely! Joining the SPA is a fantastic way to learn more about the field, meet students with similar interests, and explore opportunities within psychology and related mental health disciplines.
How do I learn more information about the SPA?
A great way to stay up to date on all SPA activities is by joining our email list. Send an email to us at [email protected]. You can also check out our Facebook page at this link (or search "NIU SPA" when you are logged into Facebook). Our bulletin board is in the NIU Psychology Building on the first floor, across from the elevators. We post materials relevant to the organization as well as campus and community announcements that may be of interest to students.