An Innovation in Higher An Innovation in Higher Education: The Penn Education: The Penn

State Applied State Applied Psychology DegreePsychology Degree

Henry O Patterson, Ph.D.

Your College Experience?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?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 Current Trends in Higher EducationEducation

Teaching LearningTeacher-centered Student-centeredPassive learning Active learningClassroom learning Experiential learningDisparate curriculum Integrated

curriculum

More Trends in Higher More Trends in Higher EducationEducation

Low accountability High accountabilityIsolation of student Integration into

communityInsensitivity to student needs Heightened

sensitivity to student needs“Sink or swim” Coaching & mentoring

A Once-in-a-Lifetime A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity --Opportunity --

Create a New DegreeCreate 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 Traditional Psychology Programs Programs

Focus on graduate school preparationRequire lecture courses in basic scientific

psychologyEmphasize development of research skillsOffer little or no assistance with internshipsProvide little career exploration assistance Offer few opportunities to network with

working professionals

Needs of Most Psychology Needs of Most Psychology MajorsMajors

Employment in social service or business position upon graduation

Preference for applied psychology coursesDesire for experiential learning--internshipsAssistance securing internshipsMarketable skillsHelp with career choice

What Is Applied Psychology?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 Major Fields of Applied PsychologyPsychology

Clinical & Counseling PsychologyCommunity PsychologyForensic PsychologyIndustrial/Organizational PsychologyRehabilitation PsychologySchool Psychology

Major Fields of Basic Major Fields of Basic Scientific PsychologyScientific Psychology

AbnormalCognitiveCross-CulturalDevelopmental

EducationalExperimental Physiological &

BiologicalSocial &

Personality

How Applied Psychology How Applied Psychology Degree Meets Student NeedsDegree 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 8 Unique Components of Applied Psychology ProgramApplied Psychology Program

1. Sophomore Field Experience2. Focus on marketable skill development3. 12-credit Internship requirement4. Internship Seminar requirement5. Program Portfolio requirement6. Senior Capstone Course requirement7. Advisory Council of community professionals8. Ongoing program assessment

1. Sophomore Field 1. Sophomore Field ExperienceExperience

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

Networking with advanced interns Awareness of workplace politics Sensitivity to ethical issues Preparation for internship

2. Marketable Skill 2. Marketable Skill DevelopmentDevelopment

Oral & written communication skillsCritical thinking skills Personal effectiveness skills

(professionalism)Interpersonal effectiveness skillsBasic computer skills (Word, PowerPoint,

Excel)

3. Internship Requirement3. Internship Requirement12 credits (525 hours onsite) required

during both junior & senior yearsMultiple sites encouragedGoal Statements, Journals & Summary

Reports requiredFormal oral presentation required at

conclusion of each experience

4. Internship Seminar 4. Internship Seminar RequirementRequirement

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. 5. ProgramProgram Portfolio Portfolio RequirementRequirement

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. 5. ProgramProgram Portfolio Portfolio

– Field Experience goals, contract, journals & summary

– Internship goals, contract, journals & summary– Selected course materials– Synthesis statement

6. Senior Capstone Course6. Senior Capstone CoursePart 1

– Overview/synthesis of major areas of applied psychology

– Faculty and practicing professionals present modules in their specialty

6. Senior Capstone Course6. Senior Capstone CoursePart 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 Course6. Senior Capstone CoursePart 3

– Final Portfolio evaluation occurs– Psychology faculty conduct Exit Interview – Students receive anonymous Program

Assessment Questionnaire

7. Advisory Council7. Advisory Council

Members are 14 prominent mental health & human resource professionals

Give advice and recommendations on all aspects of program

Assist faculty in program evaluationServe as adjunct teaching faculty

8. Program Evaluation8. Program Evaluation

Ongoing evaluation conducted each semester

Exit interview given all graduating seniorsAnonymous Program Evaluation

Questionnaire given all graduating seniorsAdvisory Council reviews Portfolios and

videos of internship presentations

How Is It Working?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 CommentsStudent 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 CommentsStudent Comments

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

“It’s a wonderful program.”

Future Trends in Higher Future Trends in Higher EducationEducation

Increased accountability & assessment of students, faculty, & programs

Continued focus on active & experiential learning

Increased attention to student needs (consumerism)

More integration of classroom & real worldMore integration of curriculum

Thanks for being a good Thanks for being a good audience!audience!

Everyone gets an “A” !!Everyone gets an “A” !!

Questions???Questions???

Psychology-related Degrees Psychology-related Degrees at Penn Stateat 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