Academic Programs

The BA and BS in the social and behavioral sciences, with a concentration in psychology, are liberal arts degrees emphasizing the study of human behavior and mental processes. Upon graduation, students pursue careers in the human services fields, unrelated fields, or enter graduate programs in psychology or other professional disciplines. The program also provides the educational foundations for entry into UHV’s MA program in Applied Psychology.

Objectives

   To have a broad knowledge base and appreciation of the history and scope of psychology as a discipline;
   To think critically and to communicate effectively in the field;
   To be able to employ research and statistical methods effectively;
   To understand the ethical problems in psychology and the ethics codes of psychology;
   To increased psychological understanding of self, individual differences, and group differences.

Methods of Assessment

Completion of the national normed ACAT psychology test will be required of all students prior to graduation. The test assesses the areas of abnormal, developmental, experimental design, history and systems, human learning/cognition, personality, physiological, and statistics.
Every other year the alumni from the last three years will be surveyed. The survey will ask specific questions regarding objectives above.

Assessment Results

(Attachment)

Use of Results

After collecting the assessment information, the core psychology faculty will write a report to the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences summarizing the results (including strengths, and weakness), In addition, recommendations for improvement will be written and a specific follow-up plan to address the recommendations will be drafted and implemented.

Graduate Program

Goal

The purpose of the MA Psychology degree program is to provide students with a well-rounded education in applies psychology. Satisfactory completion of the degree program qualifies the student to take the state board exam of Psychological associates (PA), and may include extra course work toward qualification for the Licensed Professional Counselor’s (LPC) exam.

Objectives

   Students are expected to understand and adhere to scientific and professional ethics and legal standards.
   Students are expected to understand and apply statistics, research design, and methodology.
   Students are expected to understand the biological, social, cognitive-affective, and individual bases of behavior.
   Students are expected to understand the statistics, methodology, and application of psychological measurement. The application will include proficiency in administering, scoring, and projective personality tests and other related psychological tests. Proficiency will also be expected in psychological report writing.
   Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in application of psychological interventions across the life-span of individual including those in clinical populations.

Methods of Assessment

   Comprehensive exams taken will be examined for general patterns of strengths and weakness.
   Psychology State Board test scores will be obtained every year so that the pass rates of the professional exam and the jurisprudence exam may be determined.
   Every other year current students will be surveyed. The survey will ask specific questions regarding objectives above.
   Every other year alumni from the last three years will be surveyed. The survey will ask specific questions regarding objectives above.

Assessment Results

(Contact IR)

Use of Results

After collecting the assessment information, the core psychology faculty will write a report to the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences summarizing the results (including strengths, and weakness), In addition, recommendations for improvement will be written and a specific follow-up plan to address the recommendations will be drafted and implemented.