Join the Lab
Our Mission
Training future clinical scientists and scientifically-informed mental health professionals in alcohol research. We fulfill this mission through opportunities for graduate and undergraduate student research assistant involvement. We also consider post-baccalaureate individuals with interests in gaining experience to prepare for graduate school as research assistants.
Prospective Graduate Students
The University of Arkansas Clinical Training Program uses a mentorship model for graduate training, in which students are assigned a faculty mentor. The most important qualification is interest in and enthusiasm for understanding alcohol use and misuse using mixed research methods. In particular, understanding, preventing, and treating alcohol-related harms, the interplay between alcohol misuse and anxiety/stress, and/or the relations between alcohol and sexual violence. Though previous experience with research in these areas is preferred, prospective students with quality psychology research and academic backgrounds may be considered. Also important is an interest in or experience with mixed methodology approaches to research (e.g., qualitative and quantitative research; using experimental and non-experimental designs).
All graduate students become full members of the Alcohol Research Laboratory upon entering the Clinical Training Program. As a scientist-practitioner Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program, all students receive well-rounded training in both research and clinical practice. Research is emphasized throughout the program, and students in the Alcohol Research Laboratory have a strong research focus. Graduate students are actively engaged in numerous research projects beyond the required master’s thesis, Concentrated Area Project (CAP), and dissertation, and are encouraged to disseminate their work at professional conferences and through scientific journals. Graduate students also become actively involved in mentoring undergraduate research assistants.
To apply for admission to the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at the University of Arkansas, see the links below. You are also encouraged to contact Dr. Ham (Lham@uark.edu) and current Alcohol Research Laboratory graduate students.
Helpful links for applicants:
Department of Psychology homepage for information about the Department of Psychology at the University of Arkansas
Learn more about the Psychological Clinic were clinical psychology doctoral students receive part of their training here, and in this YouTube video.
Graduate Applicant information for the University of Arkansas from the Department of Psychology webpage. This link contains paths to explain the application process for the Clinical Psychology program.
Also see the Fayetteville, AR and our own Snapshot of Fayetteville for more information about the area and what we have to offer!
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate research assistants play a vital role in the Alcohol Research Laboratory. Research assistants (RAs) are involved in all aspects of lab research, including preparing materials, implementing research protocols, being research confederates, and entering and coding data. Advanced students are often involved in training new research assistants and may seek opportunities to complete an independent research project in the form of a thesis, conference presentation, or publication.
We are currently looking for talented and motivated undergraduate students with an interest in gaining research experience. Students with an interest in alcohol use and misuse and/or learning about using the bar-laboratory to study the effects of alcohol are particularly encouraged to apply. The first step in becoming involved in the lab is to complete an application here. We will contact potential applicants for an interview. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Ham (Lham@uark.edu).