An Innovation in Higher Education: The Penn State Applied Psychology Degree Henry O Patterson, Ph.D.

Your College Experience? 1. Most classes utilized lecture (“sage on stage”) format. 2. Most class work & assignments were done individually rather than in groups or project teams. 3. Field experiences & internships related to your major were not expected or required. 4. Few formal opportunities for seniors to integrate & synthesize college experience.

Your College Experience? 5. Few opportunities to provide feedback on the effectiveness of your major (No exit interview). 6. Your major department consulted with experts outside of the college on curriculum & program issues. 7. Faculty & administration were highly sensitive to student needs & wishes. 8. There was a “sink or swim” atmosphere.

Current Trends in Higher Education Teaching  Learning Teacher-centered  Student-centered Passive learning  Active learning Classroom learning  Experiential learning Disparate curriculum  Integrated curriculum

More Trends in Higher Education Low accountability  High accountability Isolation of student  Integration into community Insensitivity to student needs  Heightened sensitivity to student needs “Sink or swim”  Coaching & mentoring

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity -- Create a New Degree 1997 Reorganization of Penn State Commonwealth Education System Berks & Lehigh Valley Campuses merge forming B-LV College 3 Psychology degrees in PSU System – all traditional Psych faculty created new degree B.A. in Applied Psychology

Traditional Psychology Programs Focus on graduate school preparation Require lecture courses in basic scientific psychology Emphasize development of research skills Offer little or no assistance with internships Provide little career exploration assistance Offer few opportunities to network with working professionals

Needs of Most Psychology Majors Employment in social service or business position upon graduation Preference for applied psychology courses Desire for experiential learning--internships Assistance securing internships Marketable skills Help with career choice

What Is Applied Psychology? Specialty fields in the practice of psychology dealing directly with solving human behavioral problems & improving human welfare and performance. Excludes areas of psychology that generate basic scientific knowledge & theories about behavior with no application intended.

Major Fields of Applied Psychology Clinical & Counseling Psychology Community Psychology Forensic Psychology Industrial/Organizational Psychology Rehabilitation Psychology School Psychology

Major Fields of Basic Scientific Psychology Abnormal Cognitive Cross-Cultural Developmental Educational Experimental Physiological & Biological Social & Personality

How Applied Psychology Degree Meets Student Needs Prepare grads for either employment & grad school Focus on applied courses and experiential learning Emphasize development & practice of marketable skills Assistance securing 12 credits of internship experience Provide multiple networking opportunities & career exploration

8 Unique Components of Applied Psychology Program 1. Sophomore Field Experience 2. Focus on marketable skill development credit Internship requirement 4. Internship Seminar requirement 5. Program Portfolio requirement 6. Senior Capstone Course requirement 7. Advisory Council of community professionals 8. Ongoing program assessment

1. Sophomore Field Experience Requires 30 hrs. onsite shadowing mental health or human resource professional Forces early serious consideration of career paths Facilitates transition into internship experience Attendance at Internship Seminar required N etworking with advanced interns Awareness of workplace politics Sensitivity to ethical issues Preparation for internship

2. Marketable Skill Development Oral & written communication skills Critical thinking skills Personal effectiveness skills (professionalism) Interpersonal effectiveness skills Basic computer skills (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

3. Internship Requirement 12 credits (525 hours onsite) required during both junior & senior years Multiple sites encouraged Goal Statements, Journals & Summary Reports required Formal oral presentation required at conclusion of each experience

4. Internship Seminar Requirement Attendance required twice per week Opportunities for networking, mentoring, & coaching Students give regular updates of onsite work Students share successes, problems, and issues Emphasis on integration of classroom & experiential learning

5. Program Portfolio Requirement Program-based beginning with field experience Contents – Personal/Professional Resume Personal Mission Statement Career Goal Statement Self-assessments of interests, personality, skills Academic records

5. Program Portfolio – Field Experience goals, contract, journals & summary – Internship goals, contract, journals & summary – Selected course materials – Synthesis statement

6. Senior Capstone Course Part 1 – Overview/synthesis of major areas of applied psychology – Faculty and practicing professionals present modules in their specialty

6. Senior Capstone Course Part 2 – Students make Oral Presentations to faculty, peers, & guests Review, analysis, & synthesis of entire college experience and Applied Psychology Major Presentation critiqued by all attendees & immediate feedback given

6. Senior Capstone Course Part 3 – Final Portfolio evaluation occurs – Psychology faculty conduct Exit Interview – Students receive anonymous Program Assessment Questionnaire

7. Advisory Council Members are 14 prominent mental health & human resource professionals Give advice and recommendations on all aspects of program Assist faculty in program evaluation Serve as adjunct teaching faculty

8. Program Evaluation Ongoing evaluation conducted each semester Exit interview given all graduating seniors Anonymous Program Evaluation Questionnaire given all graduating seniors Advisory Council reviews Portfolios and videos of internship presentations

How Is It Working? “This program prepares you for the real world” “I feel extremely fortunate I ended up here in this major” “The program was intimidating at first due to the extent of the work & internships required, but it proved to be very valuable”

Student Comments “It is a very challenging major—surviving it really causes you to feel a great sense of accomplishment.” “Internship experiences allowed for great deal of pride & opportunities for personal growth.”

Student Comments “It’s a great experience & you walk away with a vast amount of knowledge.” “It’s a wonderful program.”

Future Trends in Higher Education Increased accountability & assessment of students, faculty, & programs Continued focus on active & experiential learning Increased attention to student needs (consumerism) More integration of classroom & real world More integration of curriculum

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Everyone gets an “A” !!

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Psychology-related Degrees at Penn State B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS)— College of Health & Human Development B.S. in Rehabilitation Services— College of Education B.A. & B.S. in Psychological & Social Sciences-- Abington College B.S. in Applied Behavioral Science— Capital College Harrisburg / Schuylkill