Matrix of Program Student Learning Outcomes*
MA Experimental Psychology
Course/Number/Section:
Program Learning Outcome - Must
be aligned with program outcomes
listed in the catalog; For each
learning outcome, identify year
adopted and/or revised, source.
1. CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
Students will be able to critically
review and discuss the strengths
and weaknesses of psychological
research articles in the
conceptualization of the research
problem(s); the formulation of
hypotheses; the formulation and
execution of the research
strategies; the analyses of data,
and interpretation of the results of
research studies.
Semester/Academic Year:
Core Learning
Outcomes – Which
Core Learning
Outcomes are
consistent with the
Program Learning
Outcome?
Inquiry Skills
(Critical Thinking)
Evidence – To include how you
assessed (specify assessment
instruments);
Specific outcome related activities
(assignments, presentations,
projects, exams, portfolios, etc.)
will be assessed throughout the
course in
PSYC 555; PSYC 575
Grading rubrics will be applied
where appropriate.
# & % of students completing
the course who have
satisfactorily achieved the
outcome (Met or Exceeded
your expectations)
Target Percentage:
Actual Percentage:
At least eighty (80) percent of
students who complete
identified course(s) will earn a
grade of B or higher in
activities designed to assess
competency in the outcome.
Use of Results - Suggestions to improve
student outcomes
1. Data from the completed course will
guide revisions of the course content and
syllabus for the following semester in
which the course is offered, if students do
not reach the targeted level of
competency.
2. A new target of competency will be set
for the next session of the course, if
students achieve or exceed the expected
target. The new target will require
modifications of the syllabus and content
to ensure achievement of the learning
outcome.
2. INQUIRY AND ETHICAL SKILLS
Reasoning Skills
(Critical Thinking)
Students will be able to identify
and formulate specific research
question(s) and hypothes(is)(es);
identify and retrieve the
appropriate literature and data;
evaluate the importance of
information related to the
research question(s); design and
propose a strategy for addressing
the question(s); propose the
analyses to be conducted on data
collected, and discuss the
anticipated data as they relate to
the research question(s); they will
demonstrate competency in the
identification of ethical problems
in their investigation of research
questions.
3. QUANTITATIVE REASONING
SKILLS
Students will be able to
demonstrate competency in the
use of appropriate statistical
analyses and procedures that fit
specific research designs;
accurately use statistical software
to analyze data; demonstrate
competency in the interpretation
of results, and evaluate research
findings.
Specific outcome related activities
(assignments, presentations,
projects, exams, portfolios, etc.)
will be assessed throughout the
course in
PSYC 505
Grading rubrics will be applied
where appropriate.
Scientific Literacy
Specific outcome related activities
(assignments, presentations,
projects, exams, portfolios, etc.)
will be assessed throughout the
course in
PSYC 500; PSYC 509
Grading rubrics will be applied
where appropriate.
4. COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Communication
Skills
Students will demonstrate the
ability to comprehend, and analyze
spoken and written
communication related to content,
terminology, empirical findings,
and effectively write, cite
resources, and use appropriate
grammar and style that conform to
the APA style; they will be able to
design a lesson plan and present
information to students to
demonstrate their teaching skills.
5. GLOBAL LITERACY
Students will show understanding
and appreciation of the global
diversity of cultures, values, and
belief systems, and the common
principles that guide all humanity
and are expressed in biological,
social, and cognitive aspects of
behavior.
Specific outcome related activities
(assignments, presentations,
projects, exams, portfolios, etc.)
will be assessed throughout the
course in
PSYC 516; PSYC 652; PSYC 693
Grading rubrics will be applied
where appropriate.
Global Literacy
Specific outcome related activities
(assignments, presentations,
projects, exams, portfolios, etc.)
will be assessed throughout the
course in
PSYC 515; PSYC 640
Grading rubrics will be applied
where appropriate.
* All learning outcomes from previous academic years have been revised since August 2011. The Evidence, Target, and Use of Results are uniform for all learning outcomes.