College of Social Sciences

Will I be the professor’s student assistant?
You will support the professor on a research, creative, or community outreach project. But, you will not be responsible for any tasks not related to the project.
What will I be doing?
Depending on the project, you may be of support in a variety of ways such as:
-Recruiting for the research project.
-Collecting, analyzing, or organizing data.
-Contacting community organizations on behalf of the professor.
-And any other tasks related to the project.
Are there set hours?
You will work with your mentor to discuss particular hours and tasks.
What kind of time commitment could I expect?
This program is intended to support you as a student, not take away from your studies. You and your mentor will work together to develop what tasks you will do and how long they should take. You can then receive course credit depending on the amount of time you worked on the project.
Will I get academic credit?
Yes, anywhere from 1-3 credits per semester.
Can I participate remotely or only in person?
There are various ways you can support the project. Some might require in-person work but it all depends on the project.
Is this on-campus employment?
No, and it will not affect your eligibility for campus employment.
When will I receive the scholarship award?
At the beginning of each semester you are selected for the program.

What can I expect to get out of this experience in addition to supporting faculty?
If selected, you will be part of a research scholar network that actively participates in workshops, builds professional development skills, and creates venues to share their experiences such as conference presentations.
How will this experience benefit me as a student and after graduation?
This program provides experience that will add to your research, organizational, and communication skills.
Participation in this program may increase your competitiveness for other opportunities like scholarships, graduate school, and employment.

I am an AB-540, CA DREAM Act student, can I still apply?
Absolutely!
I am an international/global student, can I still apply?
Most definitely!
Is financial need considered in the application process?
No.
Do I need to be in an Honors program to participate?
Not at all. This program is open to all COSS majors in good academic standing (2.0 GPA and above).
Do I need to have taken research courses to participate?
No. While some projects prefer some research experience, all projects will help you develop research skills.

Quick Links