Assessment of Student Learning Department of Psychology
Stage 1 Identify the Department’s Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) Several years ago, a draft set of SLOs was created by the Psychology Department for the B.S
and B.A. undergraduate degrees. This set included 15 core competencies (see Appendix A) consistent with IUPUI’s Principles of Undergraduate Learning (PULs) and the American Psychological Association’s Competencies for Undergraduate Psychology Majors.
A major focus of assessment-related efforts within the Department during the 2010-2011 academic year was on revising the undergraduate SLOs and identifying SLOs for the Department’s graduate programs as well. The latter include the M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, the M.S. in Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology, and the Ph.D. in Psychobiology of Addictions. SLOs identified for these programs are as follows:
Undergraduate B.A./B.S. in Psychology:
Students graduating with the B.A./B.S. in Psychology from IUPUI will demonstrate competence in the following domains:
1. Content of Psychology: to show familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. In particular, students should understand:
• Psychology is a science aimed at describing, explaining, predicting, and changing behavior.
• Behavior is influenced by person variables, environment variables, and their interaction. B = f (P + E + PE).
• Psychology has evolved in a socio-historical context and it is characterized by a variety of theoretical perspectives.
• Our experience of the world is highly subjective and influenced by our cultural heritage.
2. Research in Psychology: Understand and use basic research methods in psychology, including design, data analysis, and interpretation
3. Application of Psychology: Understand and generate applications of psychology to individual, social, and organizational issues
4. Ethics in Psychology: Understand and abide by the ethics of psychology, including those that encourage the recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of socio- cultural and international diversity
5. Personal Development, Relationship Building, and Career Planning: Understand themselves and others, acquire effective collaboration skills, and develop realistic ideas about how to pursue careers in psychology and related fields
6. Communication Skills, Information Competence, and Technological Proficiency: to write and speak effectively, demonstrate information competence, and utilize technology for many purposes
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7. Critical and Creative Thinking and Problem Solving: to use critical and creative thinking in the scientific approach to problem solving.
Ph.D. in Psychobiology of Addictions:
Graduate students earning a Purdue University Ph.D. in Psychobiology of Addictions will demonstrate the following abilities in keeping with the research focus of the degree:
1. Knowledge of key concepts in the psychological and brain sciences, including the
methods, history, and theoretical and empirical foundations, with special emphasis on the neuroscience of addiction.
2. Knowledge and skills necessary to conduct, analyze, interpret, and communicate original research and scholarship in behavioral neuroscience, particularly in addiction
neuroscience.
3. Understanding of the neural mechanisms and processes associated with the causes and consequences of substance abuse, including integration across genetic, neurobiological, developmental, and behavioral levels.
4. Ability to think critically and creatively to solve problems and generate new knowledge in behavioral neuroscience, with focus on and application to problems of drug abuse and addiction.
5. Conduct research in the behavioral and addiction neurosciences in an ethical and responsible manner.
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology:
Graduate students earning the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology will demonstrate:
1. Knowledge in the breadth of scientific psychology, including historical perspectives of its foundations and development.
2. Knowledge in the theory, methodology, and data analytic skills related to psychological research.
3. The ability to generate new scientific knowledge and theory related to the field of psychology.
4. Knowledge and skills in the assessment of individual strengths and weaknesses, as well as the diagnosis of psychological problems and disorders.
5. Knowledge and skills in the conceptualization, design, implementation, delivery, supervision, consultation, and evaluation of empirically-supported psychosocial interventions for psychological problems and disorders.
6. Sensitivity, knowledge, and skills in regard to the role of human diversity in the research and practice of clinical psychology.
7. Working knowledge of the APA ethical code and will demonstrate their ability to apply ethical principles in practical contexts.
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M.S. in Clinical Psychology:
Graduate students earning the M.S. in Clinical Psychology will demonstrate:
1. Knowledge in the breadth of scientific psychology, including historical perspectives of its foundations and development.
2. Knowledge in the theory, methodology, and data analytic skills related to psychological research.
3. The ability to synthesize and to critically evaluate new scientific knowledge and theory related to the field of psychology.
4. Knowledge and skills in the assessment of individual strengths and weaknesses, as well as the diagnosis of psychological problems and disorders.
5. Knowledge and skills in the conceptualization, design, implementation, delivery, supervision, consultation, and evaluation of empirically-supported psychosocial interventions for psychological problems and disorders.
6. Sensitivity, knowledge, and skills in regard to the role of human diversity in the research and practice of clinical psychology.
7. Working knowledge of the APA ethical code and will demonstrate their ability to apply ethical principles in practical contexts.
MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology:
Graduate students earning the M.S. in I/O psychology will demonstrate:
1. Knowledge of the historical foundations of I/O psychology.
2. Knowledge of the theory, methodologies, and data analytic procedures used to conduct research in organizational settings.
3. Ability to synthesize and critically evaluate psychological theory and research as they relate to human cognition and behavior in organizations.
4. Knowledge related to the two core content domains within the field: personnel
psychology (e.g., selection, training, and performance management) and organizational psychology (e.g., motivation, leadership, job attitudes, and group/team performance).
5. Knowledge and skills related to the conceptualization, implementation, and evaluation of scientifically based interventions intended to improve organizational functioning.
6. Awareness of, and appreciation for, the many aspects of human diversity in the workplace.
7. Knowledge of the American Psychological Association’s code of ethics and the ability to apply ethical principles in the conduct of research and the application of knowledge in workplace settings.
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Stage 2 Link SLOs to Specific Components of Department Curriculum