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Psychology Program Mission Statement Introduction
In light of the University mission statement, the psychology discipline adopted a mission
statement in January 1993, and as updated in 2011:
The Lake Superior State University (LSSU) Psychology program recognizes that
interest in human behavior is universal. An understanding of human behavior is
critical to successful living and to satisfying careers. Both nationally and locally,
psychology electives are the most frequently electives on college campuses and
the most frequently required outside-major courses.
As the program focusing on the scientific study of human behavior, LSSU
Psychology has four relatively distinct audiences. The psychology program at
LSSU is committed to providing a quality psychological education to its four
audiences:
1.
2.
3.
4.
psychology majors
psychology minors
general education students
majors and minors in other fields with required psychology
coursework
Our Mission Statement addresses all of our roles:
Psychology Program Mission Statement
The LSSU Psychology program believes that an educated adult should appreciate
environmental and biological influences on the development of the individual.
Psychology’s emphasis on scientific study of human behavior can provide
knowledge to students at various levels of discourse. As a research-based
discipline with strong philosophical roots, it is both a liberal arts discipline and a
science.
Psychology believes in the worth and dignity of the individual student. Through
student-faculty relationships, peer relationships, and student groups, the discipline
seeks to provide a supportive relationship for intellectual growth well as role
models of committed professional life.
For psychology majors and minors, the discipline seeks to increase knowledge of
the methodology of psychological inquiry and develop analytical, critical
thinking. Psychology is not committed to a set of answers but to the continuing
ability to generate ethical, socially responsible questions that can be empirically
assessed.
The academic skills crucial to success in Psychology include writing, critical
reading, quantitative analysis, problem solving, and oral communication.
Students develop a sense of perspective from which to view their own behavior
and to select better personal goals.
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For the applied student, Psychology offers skill training in interpersonal
interviewing and in conceptualizing personal and interpersonal dynamics.
Psychology promotes student efficacy through success in demanding course
activities, personal self study, and learning experiences designed to challenge
student assumptions.
Part 2. The LSSU Mission Statement (in bold) and Related Psychology Mission
Statements(in italics)
1) Our principal mission at Lake Superior State University is to help students
develop their full potential.
The LSSU Psychology program believes that an educated adult should appreciate
environmental and biological influences on the development of the individual.
Psychology’s emphasis on scientific study of human behavior can provide knowledge to
students at various levels of discourse. As a research-based discipline with strong
philosophical roots, it is both a liberal arts discipline and a science.
2)We do this by providing high-quality, academically rigorous programs
Psychology promotes student efficacy through success in demanding course activities,
personal self study, and learning experiences designed to challenge student assumptions.
3) in an engaged, personal and supportive environment.
Through student-faculty relationships, peer relationships, and student groups, the
discipline seeks to provide a supportive relationship for intellectual growth well as role
models of committed professional life.
This combination 4) nurtures potential and sets students on paths to rewarding
careers and productive, satisfying lives.
An understanding of human behavior is critical to successful living and to satisfying
careers.
5) We also serve the regional, national and global communities by contributing to
the growth, dissemination and application of knowledge.
the discipline seeks to provide a supportive relationship for intellectual growth well as
role models of committed professional life.
Part 3 Goals and Objectives
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LSSU’s Psychology Program has adopted as the foundation of its objectives the 10
learning goals of the American Psychological Association’s “ Guidelines For The
Undergraduate Psychology Major as Presented By The American Psychological
Association” (2007) http://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/about/psymajor-guidelines.pdf
The first five of these goals focus on specific outcomes for the psychology major, and the
second five on psychology’s contribution to general education.
Part I. Knowledge, Skills, and Values Consistent With the Science and
Application of Psychology
Learning Goals
Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives,
empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
Goal 2: Research Methods in Psychology
Students will understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including
research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
Goal 3: Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology
Students will respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when
possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental
processes.
Goal 4: Application of Psychology
Students will understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and
organizational issues.
Goal 5: Values in Psychology
Students will be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect
other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
Part II. Knowledge, Skills, and Values Consistent With Liberal Arts
Education That Are Further Developed in Psychology
Goal 6: Information and Technological Literacy
Students will demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and
other technology for many purposes.
Goal 7: Communication Skills
Students will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
Goal 8: Sociocultural and International Awareness
Students will recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and
international diversity.
Goal 9: Personal Development
Students will develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes
and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.
Goal 10: Career Planning and Development
Students will emerge from the major with realistic ideas about how to implement their
psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of
settings.
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These ten goals are linked to specific sample learning outcomes for psychology courses
in a separate Excel document, Psychology_major_outcomes_Feb_2011.
Part 4
The Psychology Program has used a wide variety of techniques to evaluate the outcomes
of these objectives, including some, but not all, of those suggested by the American
Psychological Association:
Task Force on Learning Goals & Outcomes
Board of Educational Affairs, American
Psychological Association (2002)
Assessment Method
Classroom/Course Data
Objective Tests
Essay Tests
Embedded Questions and/or Assignment
Classroom Assessment Techniques (cf. Cross &
Angelo)
Individual Projects/Performance Assessment
Written Products (e.g, term papers, lab reports,
critiques)
New Oral Presentations (e.g., speeches, role plays)
Graphic Tests and Displays
Poster Presentations
Structural/Situational Assessments
Summative Performance Assessment
Standardized Tests
Locally-Developed Exams
Capstone Experiences
Internships
Portfolios
Assessment Center Methods (e.g, in-baskets)
Case or Longitudinal Studies
Self-Assessment/Reflection
Student Journals
Self-Critiques
Collaboration
Research Teams
Group Projects (e.g., written and oral)
On-Line Group Activities (e.g., chat room traffic)
Interviews and Surveys
Satisfaction Measures (e.g., alumni, seniors,
employers, etc.)
Alumni
Seniors
Employers
LSSU
comments
Yes
Yes
Yes
Almost all classes
Most classes
Some classes
Yes
Some classes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Some classes
Some classes
Some classes
Some classes
MFAT, GRE,
GRE Psych
No
PSYC498/495/499
Some classes
No
No
No
Some classes
Some classes
Some
Few
Not recently
Almost yearly
No
Not every year
Required for all
majors
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Performance Reviews
Exit Interviews
External Examiner Interviews
Focus Groups
Follow-up Alumni Interviews
Archival Measures
Transcript Analysis
Analysis of Transfer Patterns
Syllabus Audit
Demographic Data Analysis
Alumni Database
Library Use Statistics
No
Yes
Not recently
Not yearly
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No