Students devlop increased competence in research methodology and statistical analyses.
Objective
Research Competency
Students demonstrate competency in research methodology and statistical analyses.
Indicator
Research Competency
Students production of original research. The faculty consider this program to be a research-oriented program. Yet students in this program can graduate without completing a thesis but instead taking extra classes. In order to ensure that students are demonstrating research competence, the faculty would like all students to complete an original research project.
Criterion
Research Competency
100% of students completing the program will either complete a thesis or enroll in PSY 588, Experimental Design, which requires the students to complete a research project.
Finding
Research Competency
2 of the 3 students graduating (67%) produced a thesis. One additional student took a course deemed equivalent to Psychology 588. Thus, the criteria was met as all graduates produced original research.
Action
Research Competency
The criterion was met. At this time we are concerned about maintaining a research-oriented program. Therefore, as each new-student cohort enters the program, the students will be given information on the research interests of each faculty and presented with research possibilities. This will occur upon their arrival on campus. They will be strongly encouraged to not only write a thesis but to also enroll in the Experimental Design course at the graduate level. Thus, more students will have both taken a research design course and completed a thesis.
Goal
Foundation Competence
Students develop broad-based knowledge and competence in the scientific, theroretical, and conceptual foundations of general psychology.
Objective
Foundational Competency
Students demonstrate competency in the areas of general psychology through synthesis and integration of scientific, methodological, and theoretical foundations.
Indicator
Comprehensive Exams
Students demonstrate through a written comprehensive examination their ability to integrate the areas of general psychology. The students are asked to write on five questions that include some of the following areas: Research, statistics, developmental psychology, history, physiology, cognitive psychology, and/or social psychology.
Criterion
Pass Comprehensive Examination
100% of students must pass the comprehensive examination on the first try. Comprehensive exams are graded on a pass/fail basis.
Finding
Comprehensive Exams
Five total took the exam, three passed (60%) and graduated, two (40%)failed and are currently preparing to retake the exam. The two students that failed did not have problems with just a small section of the exam but instead demonstrated difficulties throughout all of the areas.
Action
Pass Comprehensive Examination
Since the students that failed had problems with all areas, the graduate advisor met with each student to ascertain what happened. Students admitted that they did not study for the exam nor did they prepare in any way for the exam. Based on this, the faculty have decided to provide workshops on study skills, hold study sessions for the exams, and have the graduate advisor contact students preparing for the exams to suggest ways to study for the exam. In addition, the faculty is re-examining the type of exam administered and under what circumstances the test is administered to determine if changing the exam in any way would better assess the students' skills.
Goal
Enrollment
Increase the number of students within the General Psychology MA Program.
Objective
Enrollment
Using various recruitment strategies, increase enrollment in the General Psychology MA Program.
Indicator
Enrollment
Increased number of applicants to the General Psychology MA Program.
Criterion
Enrollment
100% increase in student applicants.
Finding
Enrollment
We had a 125% increase in applicants for the general program.
Action
Enrollment
Criteria were met. With the increase in applications, program faculty will be able to select the academically strongest students to increase overall program quality. Program faculty have also changed the decision date for acceptance to increase our chances of securing the most qualified students.