Scholarships & Awards

In memory of Dr. Frank Payne, Professor of Psychology and former Chair, two scholarship will be awarded to Psychology majors or Psychology graduate students. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 overall and 3.5 in Psychology, and have plans to pursue a career that includes psychological research. In their personal statements, students must describe how they plan to pursue a career that includes research in psychology.

Dr. John MacRae was deeply devoted to his students and served as a faculty of our department from 1954 to 1980 and as Department Chair. Thanks to a generous gift in honor and memory of John and Vivian MacRae, an annual scholarship (it will vary based on the yearly balance) will be awarded to one current SJSU Psychology undergraduate or graduate student who is succeeding in their education in spite of great personal challenges.

This award has been established to recognize Dr. James L. McGaugh's (SJSU BA 1953 Psychology and Faculty member of the Department of Psychology from 1957 - 1961) significant contribution to research and education in psychology and neuroscience.  Eligible candidates will be SJSU Psychology undergraduate or graduate level students whose research is being presented (or has been presented) at an annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association.  In considering worthy candidates, preference is encouraged but not required for students whose research involves advancing society’s understanding of learning, memory and/or biopsychology.  Financial need is not required.

This award has been established in memory of Dr. Loy S. Braley. Dr. Braley was a Psychology Professor at SJSU for approximately 30 years with a primary focus in personality theory and cognition. Dr. Braley was known for stimulating lectures and high expectations for his students. He was also well known for the support he gave his students, both in his classroom and in his office.  A knock on his office door was greeted with his wonderful smile and a commitment to student-centered learning. This $2000 annual scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate entering their last year at SJSU or a graduate student. The applicant must be a first generation college student, have a disability of any type, OR have financial need (preferably be able to show that without this scholarship, the student will not be able to complete the expected course of studies). 

This scholarship is in memory of Maralee J. Hicks (SJSU BA 1956 Philosophy) and Robert A. Hicks, PhD. (SJSU MA 1960 Psychology and Emeritus Faculty member of the Department of Psychology).  Eligible candidates will be SJSU Psychology undergraduate or graduate level students whose research is being presented (or has been presented) at an annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association.  In considering worthy candidates, preference is encouraged but not required for students whose research involves advancing society’s understanding of motivation.  Financial need is not required.

This scholarship is to provide reimbursement for future or past convention/conference expenses for graduate Psychology students. Recipients will present a paper/poster in an annual convention/conference of a national or international organization (regional, state, and local organizations and conferences do not qualify). The student must be the first or sole author of the paper/poster or the person giving the presentation.

In memory of Dr. Brant Clark, who joined the Psychology and Philosophy Division at San Jose State College (as it was then known) in 1936. During World War II, he left the faculty to serve in the US Navy, where he was a Navy Psychologist studying motion sickness and perceptual disorientation in pilots. Dr. Clark returned to San Jose State after his military service and later began a funded collaborative program of research with NASA scientists at NASA Ames Research Center. Dr. Clark retired from the San Jose State faculty around 1975 but continued to collaborate with NASA scientists until his death in 1980. The collaborative research model that Dr. Clark developed at NASA Ames, bringing faculty, students, and NASA scientists together, was continued by Dr. Kevin Jordan (Emeritus Professor), who established this scholarship. The Department of Psychology maintains collaborative relationships with scientists at NASA Ames. Applicants must be outstanding graduate students serving in a student research assistantship in the Human Systems Integration Division at NASA Ames Research Center. The amount of the scholarship will vary based on available funds. Financial need is not required.

Annual scholarship awarded to one or more Psychology graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding research activities in any area of Psychology while students at SJSU. In their personal statements, students must describe how their research activities meet the criterion of “outstanding research” and provide supporting documentation. Relevant information includes descriptions of awards for research activities; first-author publications, presentations, or posters; or any other evidence of outstanding research-related activities. Supporting documentation includes published articles, conference programs, and so on.

Annual scholarship awarded to one or more Undergraduate Psychology majors who have demonstrated outstanding research activities in any area of Psychology while students at SJSU. In their personal statements, students must describe how their research activities meet the criterion of “outstanding research” and provide supporting documentation. Relevant information includes descriptions of awards for research activities; first-author publications, presentations, or posters; or any other evidence of outstanding research-related activities. Supporting documentation includes published articles, conference programs, and so on.

Annual scholarship awarded to one or more Psychology students who have demonstrated exceptional service to the University and/or the community while students at SJSU. In their personal statement, students must describe how their activities have demonstrated exceptional service. Relevant information includes descriptions of volunteer work inside and/or outside of the University, participation in service learning courses, participation in community programs, work on University committees, participation in student governance (e.g., Associate Students), mentoring activities, participation in honor societies, and so on.

This scholarship is for students in the Psychology Department. More details to follow.

This annual lecture is supported by an endowment from Alan E. Kazdin, PhD in grateful acknowledgement of the impact that the faculty in Psychology has had on his career and no doubt on the careers of many others.  Kazdin is Sterling Professor of Psychology and Child Psychiatry at Yale University and an alumnus of the SJSU Psychology Department (1967).

Edward W. Minium, Professor of Psychology, taught at SJSU from 1948 until his retirement in 1982.  Both he and his wife, Juanita, shared a love and respect for the university.  This gift from Dr. and Mrs. Minium was made in deep respect and fond memory of Robert L. Baron (SJSU '51, '57) to assure annual support for programs or projects that foster interchange among students, faculty, and significant workers in the field of psychology.

This scholarship is for students majoring in psychology who are enrolled full time and qualify for financial aid.