Student Organizations in Graduate Psychology
Graduate Psychology Association
The Graduate Psychology Association (GPA) is the student organization for UIndy's graduate psychology students. All MA and PsyD students are automatically members of GPA, though the level of participation in GPA is voluntary.
GPA has three goals:
- Serve the graduate psychology students by offering practical information as well as social, recreational and volunteer opportunities
- Facilitate communication between students, faculty and staff
- Develop proposals for modifications to the graduate psychology programs
Many graduate students are active in GPA. The following are just a few examples of the benefits of participating in GPA.
- GPA's Peer Mentor Program offers incoming and returning students a mentor who can provide guidance from a student's perspective. GPA also offers annual workshops on curriculum vita development and interviewing prior to the practicum application process.
- GPA provides many opportunities for fellowship (holiday parties, happy hours, Indianapolis Indians baseball games), volunteerism (Habitat for Humanity, programs at a domestic violence shelter) and humanitarianism (food, clothing and blood drives).
- A designated faculty member serves as a liaison to GPA in order to gain student input and address any student concerns. Members of GPA also represent graduate psychology students by serving on various faculty committees. The bridge between students and faculty has resulted in positive changes for the graduate programs. For example, the graduate curriculum now includes 1 to 2 credit hour elective courses, which afford students more opportunities to further diversify or specialize their training.
- GPA provides students with leadership experience through positions on the executive committee, faculty committees and as class representatives.
- In addition to organized events and programs, GPA also offers students much informal support, education, and well-deserved diversion!
American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS)
The American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) strives to advocate for and establish the best training experience for graduate students in psychology. As a graduate student of psychology, you can be automatically enrolled as a member of APAGS by becoming a student affiliate of the American Psychological Association (APA). Undergraduates may join APAGS for a small fee.
APAGS mission
Enriching and advocating for graduate student development is at the forefront of APAGS' mission. APAGS therefore offers all members opportunities to enhance professional development and to help shape the future of psychology.
Benefits of joining APAGS
APAGS serves as the voice for graduate students within APA. As such, APAGS aims to create, endorse and disseminate relevant information to students about legislative issues, education and training issues, and changes in the field that can ultimately impact the future of psychology. Other opportunities created for APAGS for students include advocacy work, development activities, and scholarships and awards.
Active Minds
Active Minds is a registered student organization that empowers students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking. Active Minds is open to the entire campus community and involves both undergraduate and graduate students. The goal of Active Minds is to change the culture on campus and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and training.
Active Minds accomplishes these goals by:
- Creating displays that raise awareness of mental health issues
- Inviting speakers to share about their experiences
- Collaborating with other student organizations and promoting events that fight stigma
- Encouraging students to seek help for psychological distress
- Encouraging student wellbeing during stressful times