27 Program-level Assessment Methods, Results, and Interpretation:

Describe how program student learning outcomes are assessed.

Course-level outcomes are aligned with program-level outcomes, and as such success in Psychology courses serves as one form of assessment regarding whether students are meeting expectations. “Introduction to Research in the Behavioral Sciences” (PSYC-218) is, generally speaking, the last Psychology course taken by students in our program (though some students may be concurrently enrolled in other 200-level courses). As such, student achievement on activities in that course serve as a means of assessing program outcomes. Within the course, students complete a Research Report project that makes up 45% of their final grade. The comprehensive nature of this project makes it an excellent measurement of the first two program outcomes (Demonstrate a base of knowledge about representative theories, concepts, and empirical studies in the field of Psychology; Implement critical thinking skills by evaluating the empirical basis of historical, theoretical, or conceptual constructs in psychology). Student achievement on two separate lab activities (one concerning Ethics in Research and another focused on Internal threats to Validity) are combined to create a measure of the third program outcome (Analyze cognitive, behavioral, and socioemotional domains from an ethical framework that underscores individual differences and collective tendencies). The data for this assessment includes all students in the course (not specifically psychology students).  The introduction to psychology course also has instructional components dealing with basic theories in psychology, concepts and empirical studies.  This information is also reviewed in the 200 level courses (PSYC205, PSYC 210, and PSYC211).  In the introductory course, students are also exposed to the historical roots of the science of psychology.

We are currently mapping assignments and course outcomes to program level outcomes within the new institutional program outcomes assessment system.  Program outcome rubrics are downloaded into the Canvas gradebook. As each assignment is graded, students received a corresponding score on the program outcome rubric to denote whether the student “does not meet” or “meets” the associated program outcome. Data is then collected and shared via BI Power Program Outcomes Dashboard where additional variables can be explored in relation to student outcome attainment.  We anticipate having a more robust data set to help guide program decisions in the coming years.

Provide screenshots of your program learning data (see dashboards)

Since the program outcomes assessment system was only recently implemented the Psychology program does not have any data from the most recent iteration.

Based on the program assessment data, what learning improvements have you made?

We anticipate data will be available for the next program review.