Project Outreach connects psychological theory to service experiences in authentic settings. Students volunteer under professional supervision to provide direct service to individuals and groups. Their service benefits placement sites and their clients by meeting identified needs. By applying classroom learning to service experiences, students create deeper understandings of the real-world constraints, consequences, and challenges of human behavior.
Lecture Section (211.001): All students volunteer with off-campus agencies for four hours weekly over ten weeks during the term. These placement sites require commitment, confidentiality, and professionalism. Weekly hours are arranged in the first weeks of class, and include orientation, prep work, and participation in site activities. Some placements require COVID and Flu vaccinations and TB testing, and for work with children, UM background checks and Code of Conduct certification. Placements are assigned by the site coordinators and instructors, and depend on student preferences, site availability, students’ schedules, and transportation needs. For sites not in walking distance or on bus routes, UM vehicles can be scheduled for small groups with drivers completing required training.
Discussion Sections (211.002 to 211.007): Students also enroll in one section (listed below) with a specific service focus. In weekly section meetings, students interact with professionals, review psychology principles, receive training, and reflect on learning through weekly small group discussions. Weekly assignments include placement timesheets, readings (averaging 20 pages), service reflections (1-2 pages), and a small-group or individual project.
Sections:
002: Early Childhood Care Experiences during early childhood care are critically important to the future well-being of a child. How do young children learn to navigate the world on their own? Students in this section volunteer as mentors to children ages 2-5 in community preschools and daycare centers. First-hand interaction with preschoolers, teachers, and parents requires patience, presence, and commitment. Students observe change and growth as they support their mentees in cognitive and social development.
003: Mental Wellness Most people experience mental health issues at some point in their lives, but many are unable to access treatment. Students in this section learn about evidence-based treatments designed for greater accessibility. For their placement hours, students participate in a novel mental health program developed at UM. Working in small groups, students are trained and rotate through member, assistant, and facilitator roles. In a future term, students are eligible to become facilitators working with the public.
004: Psychology and Criminal Justice One in two adults has had an immediate family member incarcerated in jail or prison, with even higher rates for Black and Indigenous people. How are psychological concerns (e.g., substance abuse, violence, mental health, racial bias) addressed in legal settings? In this section, students work directly with juvenile or adult offenders as volunteers in field placements. These service experiences expose psychological concerns within the legal and criminal justice systems.
005: Health Psychology Psychological, behavioral, and cultural factors contribute to physical and mental health and illness. In this section, students gain direct service experience with patients in a variety of supervised residential and outpatient healthcare settings. Students contribute social contact, attention, and emotional and practical support to improve the quality of patient experiences. Section meetings cover the interaction of psychological concerns with physical health and illness.
006: Psychology at Work Psychology is everywhere, so students pursue a wide variety of career directions. To explore psychology in the professions, students volunteer service in field placements related to psychology. Section meetings develop “soft skills” for navigating the workplace, including communication, networking, presentation, teamwork, conflict resolution, and negotiation. Students also develop resumes, conduct mock interviews, and create professional profiles.
007: Health Psychology Psychological, behavioral, and cultural factors contribute to physical and mental health and illness. In this section, students gain direct service experience with patients in a variety of supervised residential and outpatient healthcare settings. Students contribute social contact, attention, and emotional and practical support to improve the quality of patient experiences. Section meetings cover the interaction of psychological concerns with physical health and illness.
CODE OF CONDUCT TRAINING (COC): the University of Michigan requires that all students enrolled in a course that attends a site where minors are present, complete the Code of Conduct (COC) module through the Children on Campus program. Students are required to submit their certificate of completion via the Code of Conduct & FERPA Training Certificates Form.
BACKGROUND CHECKS: Site placements with minors and the University of Michigan requires all students enrolled in this section pass a background check BEFORE they will be allowed to interact with minors at the site. The UM background check will be administered by HireRight. In addition, most sites perform their own background checks during the orientation process, including a Department of Human Services (DHS) clearance required by the sites. Please check your junk folder, the initial email may go there.
FLU SHOT AND TB TEST: Some site placements require students to obtain a flu vaccination and a TB test with negative results prior to attending the site. Most sites will accept results less than one-year-old and which covers the entire time the student will be at the site. Plan to bring a copy of the letter and vaccination documentation with you the first time you go to the site. See below for the sections for which this is required.
NOTE: The TB test and Flu Vaccination fees are not covered by the course or the University. You may have them done through your own health care provider. Flu vaccinations are typical
Intended Audience:
The purpose of Project Outreach is to allow students to learn about themselves and psychology by becoming involved in community settings. Outreach students engage in real work in the community, designed to meet community needs.
Class Format:
This course includes lecture, in class discussion, and fieldwork placement each week.