The department is committed to student outcome goals in each of four areas:

Students will understand psychology as a scientific discipline. Essential to this, students will understand a core set of statistical and methodological knowledge regarding how psychologists critically evaluate, creatively test, and scientifically defend psychological claims. They will also understand a core set of content knowledge addressing the biological, cognitive/behavioral, social/personality, and developmental aspects of behavior.  

2.  Application

Students will be able to critically apply psychological principles and research to explain social issues, inform public policy, solve problems, understand themselves, and achieve career goals.

 3.  Values/Ethics

Students will share key values adopted by psychologists, which include (but are not limited to) skepticism and intellectual curiosity, tolerance of ambiguity, respect for human diversity, appreciation of their civic, social, and global responsibilities, and humility regarding the limits of their psychological knowledge and skills. Students will also grasp the spirit of the APA Code of Ethics, follow its guidelines, and recognize the necessity of ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and practice of psychology.

 4.  Communication

Students will exhibit skills to professionally communicate their understanding of terms, concepts, research, and theories of the discipline to others via written and oral formats. Students will also have interpersonal and collaborative skills necessary to effectively work in groups with others who hold diverse opinions, beliefs, and attitudes.