Assessment of Undergraduate Psychology Curriculum: The Practices

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Assessment of Undergraduate Psychology
CurriculumThe Practices Experiences of Three
Psychology DepartmentsCase 1- Mansfield
University

• Francis Craig Brian Loher
• Department of Psychology
• Mansfield University

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Mansfield Psychology Department

• A small, comprehensive, rural university in
  northern Pennsylvania
• 140 psychology majors
• 75 in a psychology concentration
• 25 in a human resource management concentration
• 8 full-time faculty
• A commitment to planning collaboration

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APA vs. Mansfield Assessment Categories
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The Assessment Model in Context
PSY 1101, Introduction to Psychology
PSY 1151, First Year Seminar
Core Requirements of Psychology Major
Courses identify outcomes projects suitable for
portfolio
Portfolio submissionExit examinationPublic
presentations
PSY 4490, Senior Seminar
Assessment of Outcomesand Program Revision
Results reviewed at retreatProgram changes
considered
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The Ignition Liftoff Connection
Refocusing on Success After the B.S. Degree
Initial Experiences in the Program

• First Year Seminar
• Exploration of career options w/ psychology
  degree
• Goal planning
• Course planning
• Beginning skills assessment
• Ethics introduction
• Presentation in class
• Community service/citizenship
• Portfolio initiation

• Senior Seminar
• Investigating educational/employment interests
• Goal planning/assessment
• Job skills/preferences assessment
• General knowledge examination
• Learning ethical analysis
• Presentation to MU community
• Community service/citizenship
• Portfolio completion/submission

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Contents of Student Portfolios

• Personal Reflections
• Forward, values statement personal strategic
  plan
• Career exploration report
• Academic Competencies
• Critical thinking and writing skills
• Research methods
• Applied Skills Capstone Experience
• Internship, independent study, research
  apprenticeship
• Community Service
• Awards and Recognition

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Program Successes

• Better Consistency of Focus on Outcomes
• Open Faculty Discussions
• Flexibility to Deal with Agreed-Upon Issues
• Research Methods Course
• Presentation Assessment Teaching
• Opportunities for student display/effort

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Problems

• Coordination/Ongoing Administration
• Academic Freedom Issues
• Discussion with particular classes/profs
• Sense of Personal Control over content/time
• Heavy Lifting Equity Issues
• Stretched Faculty Adjuncts
• University Changes
• Class size regulations

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Utilizing Assessment Results

• Clarifying expectations of each other and our
  students
• Improving consistency in APA style
• Identifying program areas that need development
• Ethics, diversity, research methods
• Curricular Changes
• Adding introduction to research methods course

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Future Efforts/Directions

• Adapting to a changing student population
  (student demographics motivations)
• Exit Examination
• Timing
• Construction Validity Issues
• Data Coordination
• Time
• New Faculty Orientation/Acceptance