The BS program in Psychology provides students with a broad base of basic knowledge in the various fields of psychology.
Objective
Students demonstrate broad knowledge base
Students who complete the BS program in Psychology will demonstrate knowledge of core concepts in the various subdisciplines of Psychology.
Indicator
Broad base knowledge assessed
Course grades in four core courses, as well as grades in the three course blocks will be assessed.
Criterion
Acceptable level of broad based knowledge in psychology
75% of graduating seniors will receive a grade of C or better in their core courses and in their required block course.
Finding
Broad-based knowledge
For the academic year 2007-2008, the percentage of graduating seniors with C or better in core psychology courses ranged from 89 to 100 with a mean of 95. Of the remaining block courses, the percentage of graduating seniors with a grade of C or better ranged from 88 to 100 with an overall mean of 95. For a course by course evaluation, please see the attachment.
Action
Broad-based knowledge
The criteria were met, and no further action is deemed necessary at this time.
Goal
Generate Scientific Knowledge of Psychology
The BS program in Psychology provides students with the ability to understand and interpret scientific knowledge.
Objective
Students generate scientific knowledge
Students who complete the BS program in Psychology will demonstrate knowledge of the scientific tools necessary for conducting and interpreting research.
Indicator
Ability to generate scientific knowledge assessed
The ability of students to conduct and understand research is assessed by means of the research rubric developed in the department which serves as a final lab exam for Psychology 317--Statistics lab. This instrument asses student ability to choose research designs, compute statistic and interpret outcomes. Objectives 1 and 2 are the relevant items for this assessment.
Criterion
Aceptable level of ability to generate scientific knowledge
80% of psychology majors will receive a score that is at least acceptable (25 or higher) according to the departmental rubric, which was developed by a faculty committee.
Finding
Generate scientific knowledge
86% of students received a score of 25 or higher.
Criterion
Student Perception
On the IDEA student evaluation forms, at least 75% of students having taken Elementary Stats will report that they made large or outstanding gains in applying the scientific method to thinking, problem solving, and decision making, indicating a 4 or 5 on a 5-point Likert scale, to a. apply course material to improve thinking and problem solving; b. apply course material to critically evaluate ideas and arguments.
Finding
IDEA Scores
83% of students indicated that they had made either substantial or exceptional progress in applying course material to thinking and problem solving. 68% reported substantial or exceptional progress with respect to learning to analyze and evaluate ideas and arguments.
Action
Generate Scientific Knowledge
Although no actions are deemed necessary at this time, departmental faculty will continue to raise the percentage of students who show mastery of this item.
Action
IDEA application
Students appear to have more trouble analyzing and evaluating ideas and arguments, so we will place more application to real-life examples in the course.
Goal
Apply and Communicate Scientific Knowledge
The BS program in Psychology prodvides students with the ability to apply and communicate the scientific knowledge of their discipline.
Objective
Students apply and communicate scientific knowledge
Students who complete the BS program in Psychology will be able to apply the results of scientific investigations and communicate their implications.
Indicator
Assessment Of Ability To Apply And Communicate Scientific Knowledge
The ability of students to apply and communicate research is assessed by means of an instrument which is a portion of the final exam for Psychology 317--Statistics lab. Objective 3 and 4 are the relevant items for this assessment.
Criterion
Acceptable level of ability to apply and communicate scientific knowledge.
80% of psychology majors will receive a score that is at least acceptable (27 or above), according to a departmental rubric.
Finding
Ability to apply and communicate scientific knowle
95% of psychology majors received a score that was at least acceptable, according to a departmental rubric.
Action
Apply scientific knowledge
We will attempt to better align the course material with real-life applications. We also will attempt to offer this course as a synthesis of Stats and Research Methods.
Goal
Provide High Quality, Challenging Academic Experience
Faculty will provide a high quality, challenging academic experience for students in the BS program in Psychology
Objective
Provide high quality, challenging academic experience
Students who complete the BS program in Psychology will have an academic experience that is challenging and of high quality.
Indicator
Academic challenge and experience assessed.
Department administers an exit survey to graduating seniors that employs a 1-5 system of assessing student perception related to their academic experience and a 1-4 system to assess their involvement in the academic experience.
Criterion
Acceptable level of academic experience
75% of graduating senior should rate their psychology classes as 4 or higher in academic challenge. 75% of graduating seniors should rate the quality of their experience as a psychology major as a 4 or higher.
Finding
Academic Experience
80% of graduating seniors rated their psychology classes a 4 or higher in academic challenge. 80% of graduating seniors rated the quality of their experience as a psychology major as a 4 or higher.