Psychological Sciences Assessment Results

• Mission Statement

  Mission Statement
  The mission of the WSU Department of Psychological Science is to enhance student knowledge and application of the science of psychology. We are committed to student-centered teaching and high-impact educational opportunities that foster critical thinking, career readiness and social responsibility. Our faculty promotes access and belongingness for individuals from all backgrounds and empowers students to apply psychological science to serve and enhance the university and greater community.
  
  Vision Statement
  The Department of Psychological Science at Weber State University aspires to be a recognized leader in undergraduate education. The department will work to enhance the field of psychology by empowering students to achieve their personal, academic, and career goals and to produce professionals who serve the local and greater communities. We will achieve this goal by continuing to engage in student-centered high impact teaching, mentoring, and scholarship.

• Student Learning Outcomes
  • Certificates 

    At the end of their study at WSU, students completing an Behavioral Health Tech Certificate will meet the following goals:

    • Goal 1: Introduction to Mental Health
    • Goal 2: Professional resiliency and well-being
    • Goal 3: Ethical, legal, and professional issues
    • Goal 4: Applied Therapeutic communication skills
    • Goal 5: Case management and clinical documentation
    • Goal 6: Child, Family and Adult Advocacy
       
  • Associate Degrees 

    At the end of their study at WSU, students completing an AS in Psychological Science will meet the following goals:

    • Goal 1: Content Knowledge and Application: Describe key concepts, principles, and theories in psychological science; develop a working knowledge of psychology’s major subfields; portray significant aspects of the history of psychological science; apply psychological content to solve practical problem; provide examples of psychology’s integrative themes
    • Goal 2: Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking: Students will exercise scientific reasoning to investigate psychological phenomena; interpret, design, and evaluate psychological research; incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific research practices; use statistics to evaluate quantitative research findings
    • Goal 3: Values in Psychological Science: Students will employ ethical standards in research, practice, and academic contexts; develop and practice interpersonal and intercultural responsiveness; apply psychological principles to strengthen community and improve quality of life
    • Goal 4: Communication: Students will interact effectively with others; write and present effectively for different purposes; provide evidence of psychological literacy; exhibit appropriate technological skills to improve communication.
    • Goal 5: Personal and Professional Development: Students will exhibit effective self-regulation; refine project management skills; display effective judgement in professional interactions; cultivate workforce collaboration skills; demonstrate appropriate workforce technological skills; develop direction for life after graduation.
  • Bachelor Degrees

    At the end of their study at WSU, students completing a BS in Psychological Science will meet the following goals:

    • Goal 1: Content Knowledge and Application: Describe key concepts, principles, and theories in psychological science; develop a working knowledge of psychology’s major subfields; portray significant aspects of the history of psychological science; apply psychological content to solve practical problem; provide examples of psychology’s integrative themes
    • Goal 2: Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking: Students will exercise scientific reasoning to investigate psychological phenomena; interpret, design, and evaluate psychological research; incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific research practices; use statistics to evaluate quantitative research findings
    • Goal 3: Values in Psychological Science: Students will employ ethical standards in research, practice, and academic contexts; develop and practice interpersonal and intercultural responsiveness; apply psychological principles to strengthen community and improve quality of life
    • Goal 4: Communication: Students will interact effectively with others; write and present effectively for different purposes; provide evidence of psychological literacy; exhibit appropriate technological skills to improve communication.
    • Goal 5: Personal and Professional Development: Students will exhibit effective self-regulation; refine project management skills; display effective judgement in professional interactions; cultivate workforce collaboration skills; demonstrate appropriate workforce technological skills; develop direction for life after graduation.

     

    At the end of their study at WSU, students completing a BS in Psychological Science Teaching will meet the following goals (degree to be phased out in 2027):

    • Goal 1: Content Knowledge and Application: Describe key concepts, principles, and theories in psychological science; develop a working knowledge of psychology’s major subfields; portray significant aspects of the history of psychological science; apply psychological content to solve practical problem; provide examples of psychology’s integrative themes
    • Goal 2: Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking: Students will exercise scientific reasoning to investigate psychological phenomena; interpret, design, and evaluate psychological research; incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific research practices; use statistics to evaluate quantitative research findings
    • Goal 3: Values in Psychological Science: Students will employ ethical standards in research, practice, and academic contexts; develop and practice interpersonal and intercultural responsiveness; apply psychological principles to strengthen community and improve quality of life
    • Goal 4: Communication: Students will interact effectively with others; write and present effectively for different purposes; provide evidence of psychological literacy; exhibit appropriate technological skills to improve communication.
    • Goal 5: Personal and Professional Development: Students will exhibit effective self-regulation; refine project management skills; display effective judgement in professional interactions; cultivate workforce collaboration skills; demonstrate appropriate workforce technological skills; develop direction for life after graduation.
       
• Curriculum Grid

  Update in Progress 
  We are currently transitioning to a different format. Please contact oie@weber.edu to request a copy of the current curriculum grid for this program.

  Note: Teaching Majors must meet the Teacher Education admission and licensure requirements (see Teacher Ed. Dept.) and are required to take PSY 4000 (preferred) or 4090 for their capstone course.

• Program and Contact Information

  Studying Psychological Science at Weber State Psychological science has widespread applications and many fields rely on the understanding of human mental activity and behavior. We are dedicated to training students to be psychologically literate citizens who can engage in scientifically- and ethically- informed judgments, decision-making, and actions.  As such, our curriculum emphasizes students acquiring knowledge about the discipline, applying that knowledge to real world situations, adopting scientific and ethical values, attitudes, and beliefs, and gaining interpersonal and communication skills and developing personal and professional skills.  With a degree in psychological science, students can explore a number of different career paths, from counseling and healthcare to law, business, and more. Our department offers a bachelors and associate degree, as well as a certificate in behavioral health technician. 
  
  The psychological sciences department offers small class sizes and is committed to student-centered teaching and high-impact educational opportunities that foster critical thinking, career readiness, research skills, and social responsibility. Our award-winning department faculty
  are active in their fields, regularly pursuing research grants and publishing their findings.

   

  Contact Information

   

  Department
  psychologydept@weber.edu
  801-626-6247
  LH 379

  Department Chair
  Shannon McGillivray
  smcgillivray@weber.edu
  801-626-8743
  LH 378

  Department Advisor
  Margarita López
  margaritalopez@weber.edu
  801-626-6243
  LH 394

  Administrative Specialist
  Alicia Guthrie
  aliciaguthrie1@weber.edu
  801-626-6247
  LH 379

  Psychology Department Website

• Assessment Plan

  Year 1:

  • One of my primary goals is to work with faculty to better align program outcomes to assignments in Canvas, this effort is underway. A majority of the assessments will be done utilized aligned outcomes in Canvas. I would like to work with faculty to identify certain assignment types in specific courses to include
  • Work to create more consistency is assessment
  • Assess outcome 1 and 2 in entry level (1010, 2010), mid-level (targeted 3000 level required courses), and capstone courses (exam questions and papers, performance on standardized psychology knowledge test). 
  • Goal – 80% of students will meet or exceed 75% or higher; on the standardized psychology knowledge test our graduating seniors will score at or above national averages.
     

  Year 2:

  • Submit biennial report
  • Analyze data for outcomes 1 and 2 and discuss with faculty changes that need to be made
  • Assess outcome 3 and 4 in entry level (1010, 2010), mid-level (targeted 3000 level required courses), and capstone courses (exam questions and papers, presentations where applicable). Assess outcome 3 in PSY 2000 for Associates degree. Assess outcome 4 particularly in PSY 3600, 3605, and/or 3615/16 (and performance on tasks that require working with statistics software).
  • Goal – 80% of students will meet or exceed 75% or higher on outcomes 3 and 4 
     

  Year 3:

  • Analyze data for outcomes 3 and 4 and discuss with faculty changes that need to be made
  • Analyze impact of changes to outcome 1 and 2 assessment to determine impact (if necessary)
  • Assess outcome 5 in PSY 2010, mid-level (targeted 3000 level required courses), and capstone courses (exam questions and papers, presentations, building their CV where applicable). 
  • Goal – 80% of students will meet or exceed 75% or higher on outcome 5
     

  Year 4:

  • Submit biennial report
  • Analyze impact of changes to outcome 3 and 4 assessment to determine impact (if necessary)
  • Analyze data for outcomes 5 and discuss with faculty changes that need to be made.
  • Continue to update and review assessment data in and expand to elective courses 
  • Goal – 80% of students will meet or exceed 75% or higher on outcomes
     

  Year 5:

  • Submit biennial report
  • Analyze impact of changes to outcome 5 assessment to determine impact (if necessary)
  • Continue to update and review assessment data in and expand to elective courses 
  • Goal – 80% of students will meet or exceed 75% or higher on outcomes
     

  Year 6:

  • Submit biennial report
  • Analyze assessment data for all learning outcomes in preparation for program review
  • Continue to update and review assessment data for all outcomes in courses
  • Goal – 80% of students will continue meet or exceed 75% or higher on outcomes
     

  Year 7:    

  • Organize, summarize, and compile data for program review
  • Submit self-study
    
• Assessment Report Submissions

  To view assessment report submissions prior to April 2026, please visit our assessment archive here. 

• Program Review

  2023-24

This information is part of the cyclical program review process. Details such as mission statements, learning outcomes, etc., are updated as part of the biennial assessment reporting process, an integral component of program review.