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: Outcomes Assessment Goals, Strategy, and
Implementation Plan
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 long-term 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.