Learning Goals/Outcomes
PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Program Objectives
The goal of the psychology program is to promote lifelong personal and professional
learning, which may include continuing graduate education and employment. The
program combines theoretical, methodological, and applied topics enabling students to
acquire knowledge and skills that enrich their personal lives and careers. The following
program objectives were developed based on criteria recommended by the American
Psychological Association with modifications consistent with the College mission and
specific requirements of Fitchburg State College.
1.
Knowledge Base
Students will be familiar with the major psychological theories, concepts, and
principles of the discipline.
Students will have a basic understanding of human behavior that draws upon key
areas of psychology.
2.
Thinking Skills
Students will be capable of using critical thinking and reasoning skills. They will
be able to employ these skills to question and evaluate existing assumptions,
explanations, and theories related to psychology.
Students will have developed the ability to recognize their own long-held
assumptions and biases, and be willing to re-examine them in the light of newly
gained information.
3.
Information Gathering and Synthesis Skills
Students will know how to use library resources to obtain general information
about the science and profession of psychology. Additionally, they will be able to
access information pertinent to the discipline through appropriate reference
resources (e.g., Psych Info, and references relevant to providers of psychological
services).
Students will be able to read, analyze and interpret the primary literature of the
discipline (i.e. journal articles).
4.
Computer Literacy
Students will be able to use a computer for basic word processing and Internet
research, and to perform statistical analyses and graphing using SPSS.
Learning Goals/Outcomes
5.
Research Methods and Statistics
Students will be able to design and conduct empirical research, analyze the data,
and report the results in accordance with the standard requirements of the
profession (i.e., APA Publication Manual).
6.
Interpersonal/Language Skills
Students will be able to communicate effectively in both technical and nontechnical writing and speech.
Students will be able to interact sensitively with other individuals. In addition,
they will be able to present an oral argument coherently and persuasively in a
group setting.
Students will have developed an appreciation of gender, cultural, and ethnic
diversity issues.
Students will have an understanding of their limitations of their ability to directly
aid others with psychological problems. Students will develop an awareness of
appropriate referral options for people with psychological distress.
7.
History of Psychology
Students will be aware of the historical roots of psychology.
Students will have an awareness of those social and cultural forces that influence
the direction of psychology as a profession.
8.
Ethics and Values
Students will be able to apply ethical standards relevant to academic and
scientific conduct in both personal and professional encounters with others.
9.
Applied Experiences
Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and
ethical sensitivities that they have developed in a capstone experience.
Appropriate capstone courses may take the form of a research practicum, an
independent study, an internship with a community agency or business, or an
advanced seminar in research.