Learning Goals and Outcomes

Learning outcomes for the SMSU Psychology degree (adapted from APA Guidelines 2.0, 2013)

Upon completion of SMSU’s Psychology degree, students will:

1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge base in psychology, including being able to describe key concepts, principles, overarching themes, and relevant applications for psychology’s major content domains.
2. Demonstrate capacities for scientific inquiry and critical thinking, including using scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena, designing and conducting basic psychological research, incorporating sociocultural factors into scientific inquiry, and exhibiting information literacy.
3. Demonstrate the capacity to apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice, placing high value on social responsibility as exhibited through building and enhancing interpersonal relations at local, national, and global levels.
4. Demonstrate effective writing and presentation skills for various purposes, capacity for interacting effectively with others, and capacity for cross-cultural competency.
5. Develop a meaningful professional direction for life after graduation, including engaging in ongoing professional development, applying psychological content and skills to career goals, exhibiting self-efficacy and self-regulation, and enhancing project management and teamwork capacities.

Learning outcomes for the SMSU Community Psychology and Health Promotion degree (adapted from APA Guidelines 2.0, 2013 and APA Division 27 Community Research and Action, 2018)

Upon completion of SMSU’s Community Psychology and Health Promotion degree, students will:

1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge base in psychology, including a) being able to describe key concepts, principles, overarching themes, and relevant applications, and b) going beyond an individual focus and integrating social, cultural, economic, political, environmental, and international influences to promote positive change and health at individual and systemic levels.
2. Demonstrate capacities for scientific inquiry and critical thinking, including information literacy, using scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena and to understand multiple influences of the social environment on health and wellness, and engaging in various forms of action-oriented research to develop, implement and evaluate programs.
3. Demonstrate the capacity to apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice, placing high value on social responsibility, working to reduce social inequalities, and empowering marginalized people.
4. Place high value on and demonstrate a capacity to build collaborative relationships with community members, groups, and organizations to solve social problems and promote wellness at local, national and global levels.
5. Demonstrate effective writing and presentation skills for various purposes, capacity for interacting effectively with others, and capacity for cross-cultural competency.  
6. Develop a meaningful professional direction for life after graduation, including engaging in ongoing professional development, applying psychological content and skills to career goals, exhibiting self-efficacy and self-regulation, and enhancing project management/team capacities as they relate to community–based health promotion and wellness.