Student Learning Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes

          The proposed outcomes are consistent with those outlines by those established as Learning Goals and Outcomes for Undergraduate Psychology by the American Psychological Association. This format was reviewed and adopted by the Morgan State University Psychology Department in December of 2003. The general learning outcomes and assessment measures adopted from the APA are listed below:

Learning Outcome 1: Theory and Content of Psychology

• Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.

Learning Outcome 2: Research Menthods in Psychology

• Students will understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.

Learning Outcome 3: Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology

• Students will respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.

Learning Outcome 4: Application of Psychology

• Students will understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.

Learning Outcome 5: Values in Psychology

• Students will be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.

Learning Outcome 6: Information and Technological Literacy

• Students will demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes.

Learning Outcome 7: Communication Skills

• Students will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of formats.

Learning Outcome 8: Socio-cultural and International Awareness

• Students will recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of socio-cultural and international diversity.

Learning Outcome 9: Personal Development

• Students will develop insight into their own and others' beheavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.

Learning Outcome 10: Career Planning and Development

• Students will emerge from the major with realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings.

Assessment Measures

When appropriate, specific assessment measures are utilized for selected student learning outcomes and are explained in detail below. The remaining student learning outcomes are assessed using the following tools:

• Students are evaluated using problem sets, term papers, exams, and internships.
• All courses and instructors in the department are evaluated each term by the students. These evaluations are discussed with the faculty by the department chair.

Learning Outcome 1: Theory and Content of Psychology

• Evaluated through successful completion of the Senior Comprehensive Examinations

Learning Outcome 2: Research Methods in Psychology

• Assessed and evaluated through successful completion and presentation of the Senior Research Project (Specific courses required for registration are Psychology 399 Junior Seminar and Psychology 497 Senior Seminar)
• Successful completion of foundational research courses
• Successful completion of Psychology 108 Scientific Methods

Learning Outcome 3: Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology

Learning Outcome 4: Application of Psychology

• Participation in internship, service learning, and community service activities (Specific courses available as a departmental elective or a core Liberal Arts requirement is Psychology 480/481 Psychology Internship/Service Learning, GENL 399/499
• Satisfactory completion of project within each course that allows them to apply and demonstrate their knowledge of psychology

Learning Outcome 5: Values in Psychology

• Students will possess the knowledge, skills, and values in consistent with Liberal Arts Education that are further developed in Psychology

Learning Outcome 6: Information and Technological Literacy

• Utilization of BLACKBOARD as a course management tool
• Utilization of library resources for literature
• Utilization of on-line data collection system

Learning Outcome 7: Communication Skills

• Completion of presentation in classroms
• Completion of writing proficiency
• Completion of oral proficiency

Learning Outcome 8: Socio-cultural and International Awareness

Learning Outcome 9: Personal Development

Learning Outcome 10: Career Planning and Development

• Successful completion of academic major allowing for gainful employment within the field or advancement to graduate studies by participating in the following:  

1. Preperation for employment opportunities through registration and orientation with Center for Career Development
2. Participation in job fairs sponspored by the University and surrounding institutions
3. Participation in Graduate and Professional School Fair sponspored by the University's Center for Career Development
4. Successful completion of course specifically required and available for students: Orientation 101 for Psycholosy Majors