Mission Statement and Vision

The Undergraduate Psychology Department recognizes and supports the overall mission of Husson University by providing students the requisite education for entry-level employment in the field. The Department also recognizes and supports the mission of the American Psychological Association (APA) which is "to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives" [APA. (2008). APA Mission Statement. Retrieved October 8, 2008, from http://www.apa.org/about/].

Additionally, in recognition of the diversity of the field itself as well as the diversity of the students and their needs, psychology majors are afforded the option of designing a psychology curriculum that will prepare them for graduate level study in psychology or a related field.

Regardless of one's path through the Psychology Department, whether as a psychology major or minor or as a student in another discipline taking a psychology course to supplement their discipline specific education, the Psychology faculty are committed to:

• Introducing students to the breadth of the field. Students are exposed to the diversity of the field through:
  -"Survey" courses (e.g., general psychology, human growth and development)
  -Discipline specific courses (e.g., physiological psychology, research methods, gerontology)
• Teaching students how to develop and master the tools, techniques, and methodologies of the field including:
  -Writing a competent paper in APA style
  -Utilizing and evaluating basic statistical techniques used in psychological research
  -Understanding basic psychometrics (psychological tests and measurements)
  -Employing the basic principles of sound research design and methodology
  -Being able to locate, read, and evaluate the primary literature in psychology and related disciplines.
• Helping students develop critical thinking skills.
  -Students are challenged to develop an independent approach to thought and inquiry that is transferable to any discipline or situation.
  -Students learn to approach data with an open mind and appreciate that "truth" is not always simple, good minds often disagree, and even the best ideas are open to criticism.

Vision Statement

In order to maintain and improve the quality of the program, the Psychology Department recognizes that periodic assessment of its goals and curriculum is both necessary and desirable. The department will monitor pedagogical and curricular developments in higher education in general and Psychology in particular in order to maintain and improve the quality of the program.