title: Undergraduate study in psychology: Curriculum and assessment.
abstract: The undergraduate curriculum in psychology profoundly reflects and shapes the discipline. Yet, reliable information on the undergraduate psychology curriculum has been difficult to acquire due to insufficient research carried out on unrepresentative program samples with disparate methods. In 2014, APA launched the first systematic effort in a decade to gather national data on the psychology major and program outcomes. We surveyed a stratified random sample of department chairs/coordinators of accredited colleges and universities in the United States that offer undergraduate courses and programs in psychology. A total of 439 undergraduate psychology programs (45.2%) completed the survey. This article summarizes, for both associate and baccalaureate programs, the results of the Undergraduate Study in Psychology. Current practices concerning the introductory course, the courses offered, core requirements, the psychology minor, and tracks/concentrations are presented. The frequency of formal program reviews and program-level assessment methods are also addressed. By extending prior research on the undergraduate curriculum, we chronicle longitudinal changes in the psychology major over the past 20 years.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Scranton.
authors: John C
authors: JC
authors: Norcross
authors: American Psychological Association.
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Hailstorks
authors: Department of Psychology, Arizona State University.
authors: Leona S
authors: LS
authors: Aiken
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Scranton.
authors: Rory A
authors: RA
authors: Pfund
authors: Center for Workforce Studies, American Psychological Association.
authors: Karen E
authors: KE
authors: Stamm
authors: Center for Workforce Studies, American Psychological Association.
authors: Peggy
authors: P
authors: Christidis
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D011584:Psychology / Q000193:education*