Sociology students may enhance their academic experience by participating in faculty-guided research. Qualified sociology students can engage in faculty research through a variety of financially-supported mechanisms, including the Rains Research Assistant Program, the Summer Undergraduate Research Program, and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. In addition to these programs, the Undergraduate Research Symposium offers students the opportunity to share their research with the LMU community.
Rains Research Assistant Program
The LMU Rains Research Assistant Program supports faculty research by providing financial support for full-time tenured & tenure-track faculty to hire a student research assistant. Students typically become a Rains Research Assistant by invitation from a faculty member. Interested students area also encouraged to contact faculty members to inquire about the availability of assistantship positions.
Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) enhances undergraduate education by providing financial support for students wishing to engage in faculty-guided research opportunities and creative activity during the summer. SURP is a program designed to provide students with insight into the research process. Further, it provides students an academic alternative to nonacademic summer employment. Throughout the summer, students are involved in an intellectual community of learners in which leadership, critical inquiry, and communication (written and oral) skills are enhanced. Students write a proposal based on the formulation of research questions, conduct the research, analyze data, and publicly communicate the results to the academic community through a presentation at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, a publication, or other professional opportunities. For more information and dates please visit here.
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)
The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) provides financial support for students who wish to engage in faculty-mentored research. Financial support includes funds for research stipends, supplies and travel. Over the years, we have funded a broad range of research projects in all disciplines. "Research" is broadly defined and includes disciplines in the arts, grounded in a study of history, theory, or practice. Participation in UROP is an intense and intentional program designed to provide students with insight into the research process. Research through UROP takes place under the guidance of a LMU faculty mentor. For more information and dates please visit here.
Undergraduate Research Symposium
The Undergraduate Symposium is a unique opportunity for undergraduates to share their research with the LMU community. In order to participate, students must apply by submitting an abstract describing their research. Abstracts are typically due early in the spring semester. Presentation formats include paper presentations, panel discussions, poster sessions, and presentations of creative endeavors. For more information and dates please visit here.