The VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans (CoE) at the Doris Miller VA Medical Center, annually hosts Tarleton State University students for a 2-semester (require minimum) undergraduate research internship designed to aid students with preparation for graduate school or to gain a foundation of work experience as they apply for jobs following graduation.

The internship class begins in the Fall semester and require a 10-hour per week commitment, 8 hours of which is spent gaining hands-on research experience, another hour dedicated to attending didactic trainings, and another hour devoted to reading and writing activities.

Current studies at the CoE focus on the assessment, functioning, and treatment of mental health problems in returning war Veterans.

Investigators have a particular interest in:

• the assessment and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder
• traumatic brain injury
• suicide prevention
• substance use disorders
• trajectories of functioning over time.

Students will be filmed by doctoral-level researchers and trained in several aspects of research including:

• data entry
• data management
• screening participants
• conducting literature searches
• assembling research materials
• observing diagnostic assessments
• participating in weekly staff meetings

Through an educational component, research assistants will learn critical reading and analysis skills in weekly discussion groups on current literature related to COEHD studies. In addition, interested students can gain mentorship in preparing graduate school applications by creating curriculum vitae and writing personal statements.