Learning Outcomes

Our discussion of the goals and objectives for the psychology major begins with a list of the skills and abilities that we view as being particular to students of this discipline. This list of skills and abilities is followed by a description of the particular content areas that we see as being essential to those who graduate from our program.

Skills and Abilities

Students who successfully complete a major in Psychology should be able to:

  • Evaluate and use current theoretical and research trends in psychology;
  • Design and implement a research study including the development of hypotheses that are testable within the context of acceptable research strategies;
  • Recognize the ethical aspects and implications of psychological research and practice;
  • Synthesize information arising from different sub-areas of psychology;
  • Understand the application of psychology to personal and social issues;
  • Recognize and understand the complexity of sociocultural diversity.

Content

It should be recognized that skills and content are inseparable. The skills mentioned above must be taught within the context of some content. Nevertheless, it is possible to distinguish between the material that is learned (content) and the processes used to learn and apply the material (skills). Students who successfully complete a major in Psychology should demonstrate:

  • An understanding of the various models of behavior (e.g., psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, biological, etc.);
  • Knowledge of the sub-areas of psychology;
  • Knowledge of various strategies for developing knowledge in psychology;
  • Knowledge of recent trends in psychology;
  • Knowledge of theory in at least one sub-area of psychology