Mission Statement and Outcomes Assessment Plan
Department of Psychology
May 18, 2006
Harold Herzog, Chair
Psychology Department Outcomes
Assessment Committee
Psychology Department Mission Statement
The Department of Psychology provides the state, region, and university with a
center of scholarship in the psychological sciences. The most important expression of this
scholarship occurs through effective instruction in the undergraduate and graduate degree
programs in psychology, service courses for programs in education and other areas of
study, and liberal studies courses open to all undergraduates. The Department of
Psychology sees collaborative research activities with students as an integral part of its
teaching mission and funded and unfunded faculty research as an important means for
faculty development. Although less central to the Department's mission than teaching and
research, service that provides faculty members with opportunities to share their
scholarship and skills with the university and the larger community is valued and
encouraged. The Department of Psychology supports the College of Education and
Allied Professions mission by offering courses required for education students at the
undergraduate and graduate levels and by preparing masters level psychologists to serve
in school systems and regional organizations. The Department supports the university
mission by creating a community of scholarship in teaching and learning.
Outcomes Assessment Plan
Part II.
Procedures:
Implementation Plan
Outcomes
Assessment
Goals,
Strategy,
and
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Provide effective instruction in undergraduate degree programs in Psychology:
Objectives:
WCU students who receive a BS in psychology should:
1. Understand the primary questions underlying modern psychology and the
theoretical perspectives that psychologists bring to them. (To be assessed by
Procedures I.C.1 and 2.
2. Have an understanding of selected content areas such as biological psychology,
developmental psychology, social psychology, psychopathology, personality
theory and assessment, learning and cognition. (To be assessed by Procedure III)
3. Understand methods used to investigate the thinking and behavior of humans and
other animals, including the principles of experimental design, non-experimental
methods, and basic descriptive and inferential statistics. (To be assessed by
Procedures I.B; C.2; and III)
4. Be able to access the research literature in psychology and communicate relevant
research findings according to the principles specified in the Publication Manual
of the American Psychological Association. (To be assessed by Procedure I.B)
5. Be able to discuss ethical issues associated with psychological research and its
applications. (To be assessed by Procedure I.C.3)
6. Be exposed to a variety of perspectives on human knowledge other than
psychology. (To be assessed by Procedure I.A)
7. Show evidence of a long-term plan for future education and employment. (To be
assessed by Procedure I.D)
Goal 2: Provide departmental instruction and activities that satisfy short-term and longterm needs of students majoring in Psychology.
Objectives:
WCU students who receive a BS in psychology should:
1. Be satisfied with their educational experience in the Psychology Department at
WCU. (To be assessed by Procedures II.A; II. B.)
2. Find their educational experience in the Psychology Department at WCU helpful
in employment opportunities. (To be assessed by Procedure IV)
Outcomes Assessment Procedures
I.
Students taking Psychology 495 will develop a portfolio which will include:
A. A copy of the student's research proposal which will be prepared as
a course requirement for Psychology 495
B. Two essays to include discussions of a controversial issue in
psychology and discussions of a ethical problems involving either
psychological research or application
D. A resume
II.
Indicators of students' satisfaction with their educational experience in the WCU
Psychology Department
A. Survey of graduating seniors (through the WCU Outcomes
Assessment Office)
B. Focus group responses - to be done in the context of the Senior
Seminar with the instructor and an additional faculty member
III.
IV.
Objective test - to be given outside of the senior seminar or at the beginning of the
course.
Analysis of three-year follow-up data from graduates.