This area of our website provides info on the organizations available to ETSU psychology students.
Contact the appropriate advisor listed below.

Psi Chi at ETSU -- Psychology Honor Society, established at ETSU in 1979

"Life deals us a set of cards, and then says, "Here, see what you can do with them." To take an unbalanced or mediocre hand and play it brilliantly, -- this is what makes the game exciting."
--Dorothy Hopper - 20th Century American Civic Activist

Purpose:   To advance the science of psychology and to encourage, stimulate, and maintain a high level of general scholarship and a high level of scholarship in psychology.

Minimum Requirements:

-- Completion of twelve hours of psychology at East Tennessee State University.
-- Registration for major standing in psychology or for a program in psychology which is equivalent to such standing.
-- Undergraduates must have a 3.5 grade point average in psychology and a 3.0 average in general scholarship.
-- Graduate students must have a 3.5 grade point average in psychology and a minimum of nine hours completed in graduate work at East Tennessee State University.
-- High standards of personal behavior.

The organization may admit to active status anyone who has been a member of any other Psi Chi organization which meets the requirements for this organization. Faculty members who are Fellows, Members, or Associates in the American Psychological Association or the American Psychological Society may become active members. They shall have the same rights and privileges, and the same financial and other obligations as student members. Alumni members are persons who were formerly active members who are no longer associated with the university. Also, persons who were graduated from the university prior to the establishment of this organization may be elected to alumni membership if they met the minimum qualifications listed in this Chapter's Constitution when they were students. Alumni members may not vote or hold office unless admitted to active status by the organization.

Activities:   The organization sponsors educational programs including local, regional, and national speakers. It participates in charity projects and raises funds in support of student trips to professional meetings in psychology. It initiates new members each semester, sponsors academic awards, and organizes social activities.

Interested? Email Faculty Advisor, Otto Zinser:  zinsero@etsu.edu

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Psychology Club -- is open to all students, regardless of field of study, with an interest in psychology.

Purpose:   to encourage student interest in the field of Psychology, to provide programs which expand knowledge of specific areas of Psychology, and to provide a means of social interaction where interested students can meet those with similar interests.

Activities:    The Psychology Club provides members the opportunity to become involved in a wide range of activities. Professional activities include participation in regional and national conferences, as well as department provided academic activities. Through the Psychology Club, members participate in fundraisers that greatly assist in covering the cost of conference participation. Membership in the Psychology Club also provides students the opportunity to perform community service through volunteer activities.
Additionally, the Psychology Club allows members opportunities to participate in many social activities throughout the year, such as the annual holiday party and Spring cookout. Other activities are informal gatherings such as trips, dinners, and parties.

Interested? Email Faculty Advisor, Lausanne Renfro-Fernandez:   renfrofe@etsu.edu

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GSAP -- (The Graduate Student Organization) has an open admissions policy. All students admitted to the graduate programs are eligible and encouraged to join.

Purpose:    GSAP is a nonpartisan student educational association whose primary objective is to orient and organize students for participation in the psychology graduate program. GSAP promotes the professional growth of members through encouraging and aiding in the understanding of graduate programs in psychology, professional organizations in psychology such as APA, SEPA, and the Society for Neuroscience, ethical issues, research and publications, and proposals and grants. GSAP maintains an ongoing dialogue and working relationship with the professional community to promote employment opportunities for graduates.

Membership:   Membership shall be open to all graduate students actively enrolled in East Tennessee State University's department of psychology. To be considered actively enrolled one must be enrolled in either the general or clinical psychology graduate program and be taking at least three credit hours because the university requires that 51% of organization membership be full-time students (enrolled in at least 9 credit hours). Membership of those carrying fewer hours will be subject to review pending current compliance with the university requirement. Involvement in GSAP activities shall be open to undergraduates in psychology, although they may not be members of the organization.

Activities:   GSAP provides members the opportunity to become involved in a wide range of professional, social, and community activities. Professional activities include participation in regional and national conferences, as well as department academic activities. Through GSAP, members participate in fundraisers that greatly assist in the cost of conference participation. Membership in GSAP also provides students the opportunity to perform community service through volunteer activities assisting organizations like the homeless shelter, women’s shelter, and Ronald McDonald House. Additionally, GSAP allows members opportunities to participate in many social activities throughout the year. Some social activities are sponsored by the department , such as the annual Christmas party and Spring cookout. Other activities include informal gatherings such as trips, dinners, and parties.

Interested? Email Faculty Advisor, Chris Dula:  dulac@etsu.edu

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