Psychology 199 A & B: Directed Independent Research in Psychology

Course Description

Psychology 199 is a 4-unit course that can be taken on a P/NP (Psych 199A) or letter-grade (Psych 199B) basis. This course offers students the opportunity to design and conduct independent research under the direction of a Psychology Department faculty sponsor, who will guide them through each phase of the research process. Psych 199 is not intended for Research Assistants who are aiding others in research and students can instead look at our Psych 196A and Psych 196B options.

Students are required to:

• Find a Psychology Department faculty member with an Academic Senate Member title who will serve as their faculty sponsor (faculty sponsor must be in the Psychology Department) (Please see the Site Supervisor’s Responsibilities section below for additional details).
• Submit a final research paper to their faculty sponsor by Friday of Finals Week.
• Participate in 2 research studies through SONA. Students must complete 2 SONA credits, and 1 must be fulfilled through an in-person study. Further instructions will be provided after enrollment.

Enrollment Instructions

1. Review the Eligibility & Enrollment Guidelines. If you do not meet these guidelines, you will be unable to enroll in the course.
   • ELIGIBILITY & ENROLLMENT GUIDELINES 🔗
2. Obtain a Faculty Sponsor who is a Psychology Department faculty member with an Academic Senate Member title
3. Create a Psych 199A or Psych 199B Course Contract under your faculty sponsor. Download a PDF copy of the contract and obtain your faculty sponsor’s signature.
   • CREATE COURSE CONTRACT VIA MYUCLA 🔗
   • You ONLY need a signature from your faculty sponsor
   • Ensure you create the contract for the correct quarter or summer session; otherwise, it will not be processed.
4. Fill out the Learning Contract and obtain your faculty sponsor’s signature.
   • PSYCH 199 LEARNING CONTRACT 🔗
5. If your major is not in the Psychology Department (Psychology, Psychobiology, Cognitive Science), you must fill out the Non-Departmental Major Petition Form and obtain your faculty sponsor’s signature.
   • NON-DEPARTMENTAL MAJOR PETITION FORM
6. Submit your signed Course Contract, signed Learning Contract, and signed Non-Departmental Petition Form (if applicable) to the Psychology Department via Message Center. Students do not self-enroll in the course, which is why it appears closed. After you submit your signed forms, you will be enrolled by the department.
   • SUBMIT FORMS VIA MESSAGE CENTER 🔗
   • Summer 2026 Form Submission Deadlines: Wednesday, June 24, at 4:00 pm for Summer Sessions A6 and A10 2026 and Wednesday, August 5, at 4 pm for Summer Session C6 2026
   • Students will be enrolled by Friday of Week 2.
   • Forms submitted after the deadline will NOT be reviewed
   • Processing may take up to 10 business days after submission. Please do not send multiple messages, as this slows down processing for all students.