Program Goals and Objectives

  • Content Knowledge and Applications: Students demonstrate comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical or evidence-based findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavior and mental processes. Students are able to discuss psychological science’s integrative themes and the respective sociocultural and historical backgrounds of those themes.
    • Describe key concepts, principles, and theories in psychological science. 
    • Develop a working knowledge of psychology’s major subfields.
    • Portray significant aspects of the history of psychological science. 
    • Apply psychological content to solve practical problems. 
    • Provide examples of psychology’s integrative themes.
       
  • Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking:  The skills in this domain involve the development of scientific reasoning and investigation, including developing proficiencies in research methods and statistics. Research skills reflect knowledge of and respect for diversity-related issues when targeting samples in study design. Research practice also includes an evaluation of the extent to which research findings can be generalized as applicable to groups beyond the research sample.
    • Exercise scientific reasoning to investigate psychological phenomena. 
    • Interpret, design, and evaluate psychological research. 
    • Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific research practices.
    • Use statistics to evaluate quantitative research findings.
    • Differentiate among the research methods used in psychology and apply the designs in evaluation or development of a research study.
    • Demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret quantitative psychological data using statistics, graphs, and data tables.
       
  • Values in Psychological Science: This goal promotes the development of ethical and socially responsible values and behaviors in personal, professional, organizational, and institutional settings. The goal includes ethical reasoning and practices, interpersonal and intercultural responsiveness, and strategies that promote and sustain strong communities and equitable opportunities. 
    • Employ ethical standards in research, practice, and academic contexts. 
    • Develop and practice interpersonal and intercultural responsiveness. 
    • Apply psychological principles to strengthen community and improve quality of life.
       
  • Communication, Psychological Literacy, and Technology Skills: The skills in this category address the ability of students to build and maintain effective communication skills in processing and expressing information. Students develop psychological literacy, including applying knowledge of research skills necessary to be an informed consumer of research or a critic regarding unsupported claims about behavior. 
    • Interact effectively with others. 
    • Write and present effectively for different purposes. 
    • Provide evidence of psychological literacy. 
    • Exhibit appropriate technological skills to improve communication.
       
  • Personal and Professional Development: The skills in this domain refer to abilities that sharpen students’ readiness for the workplace whether the student’s future involves graduate school or a job following the associate or baccalaureate degree. 
    • Exhibit effective self-regulation. 
    • Refine project management skills. 
    • Display effective judgment in professional interactions. 
    • Cultivate workforce collaboration skills. 
    • Demonstrate appropriate workforce technological skills. 
    • Develop direction for life after graduation.
    • Show evidence of knowledge and appreciation for cultural diversity and relativity in human experience and for the complexity of human behavior and interactions.