Behavioral Sciences Outcomes

Alignment of Harding University's Undergraduate Psychology Program with APA Guidelines
Harding University’s undergraduate psychology program, structured around a 36-credit-hour core major and a 47-credit-hour Liberal Arts framework (including PSY 2010), systematically aligns with all 22 performance indicators across the five goals established in the American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major.

Goal 1: Content Knowledge and Applications

1.1 Describe key concepts, principles, and theories in psychological science: Core coursework
in PSY 2010 (General Psychology), PSY 2400 (Developmental Psychology), PSY 3800 (Psychology
of Personality), PSY 4070 (Social Psychology), and PSY 4380 (Cognition and Learning) establishes
foundational mastery across theoretical domains.

1.2 Develop a working knowledge of psychology’s major subfields: Breadth of knowledge
across primary subfields is ensured through required focus on developmental (PSY 2400 –
Developmental Psychology), social (PSY 4070 – Social Psychology), and biological pathways (PSY
4250 - Neurophysiology).

1.3 Portray significant aspects of the history of psychological science: Historical foundations,
theoretical evolution, and foundational figures are explicitly analyzed in PSY 3920 (History and
Systems) and also to some extent in PSY 3850 (Counseling)

1.4 Apply psychological content to solve practical problems: Applied methodologies are
operationalized in PSY 3850 (Counseling), PSY 4010 (Group Processes), and PSY 4120
(Techniques of Counseling) to address human behavior challenges.

1.5 Provide examples of psychology’s integrative themes: Cross-disciplinary integration is
demonstrated in PSY 4200 (Psychology and Christianity) and through biological-psychological
synthesis in neuroscience coursework.

Goal 2: Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking

2.1 Exercise scientific reasoning to investigate psychological phenomena: Quantitative
reasoning and scientific investigation methods are introduced in PSY 3200 (Research Methods)
and PSY 3350 (Statistics).

2.2 Interpret, design, and evaluate psychological research: Methodological execution,
experimental design, and empirical interpretation are developed through PSY 3200 (Research
Methods) and PSY 4150/4150L (Data Analysis).

2.3 Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific research practices: Social context and cultural
variables in research design are evaluated in PSY 4070 (Social Psychology) and SWK 4100
(Human Diversity).

2.4 Use statistics to evaluate quantitative research findings: Statistical literacy and analytical
evaluation are developed through PSY 3350 (Statistics) and applied data modeling in PSY
4150/4150L (Data Analysis).

Goal 3: Values in Psychological Science

3.1 Employ ethical standards in research, practice, and academic contexts: Institutional ethics,
research governance, and psychometric evaluation standards are embedded in PSY 3200
(Research Methods) and PSY 4000 (Psychological Testing).

3.2 Develop and practice interpersonal and intercultural responsiveness: Intercultural
awareness and group dynamics are cultivated in PSY 4070 (Social Psychology), PSY 4010 (Group
Processes), and SWK 4100 (Human Diversity).

3.3 Apply psychological principles to strengthen community and improve quality of life:
Community impact and applied practice are delivered via PSY 3850 (Counseling), PSY 4010
(Group Processes), PSY 4120 (Techniques of Counseling), and psychological internships in PSY
3671/3672 (Psychology Internship).

Goal 4: Communication, Psychological Literacy, and Technology Skills

4.1 Interact effectively with others: Interpersonal communication and collaborative skills are
cultivated through group dynamics coursework in PSY 4010 (Group Processes) and individual
interaction focused coursework in PSY 4120 (Techniques of Counseling).

4.2 Write and present effectively for different purposes: Scientific writing, literature synthesis,
and oral presentations are executed across PSY 3200 (Research Methods), PSY 4150/4150L
(Data Analysis), and PSY 3501 (Research Practicum).

4.3 Provide evidence of psychological literacy: The entire curriculum of departmental
coursework equips students to explain, synthesize, and apply psychological concepts across
personal and professional settings.

4.4 Exhibit appropriate technological skills to improve communication: Technological
competency is built through the use of statistical analysis software in PSY 4150/4150L (Data
Analysis).

Goal 5: Personal and Professional Development

5.1 Exhibit effective self-regulation: Self-directed study, research execution, and project
autonomy are reinforced in PSY 4350 (Advanced Research).

5.2 Refine project management skills: Multi-phase project design and completion timelines are
managed through PSY 3200 (Research Methods) and upper-level electives such as PSY 3501
(Research Practicum) and PSY 4350 (Advanced Research).

5.3 Display effective judgment in professional interactions: Professional standards and
decision-making are practiced experiential courses such as PSY 4010 (Group Processes) and PSY 4120 (Techniques of Counseling), and they are employed in real-world settings in our Psychology
Internship (PSY 3671/3672) opportunities.

5.4 Cultivate workforce collaboration skills: Teamwork and collaborative problem-solving are
integrated through group assignments in PSY 4010 (Group Processes) and in our Psychology
Internship (PSY 3671/3672) placements.

5.5 Demonstrate appropriate workforce technological skills: Applied software skills relevant to
empirical inquiry and data management are developed in PSY 4150/4150L (Data Analysis).

5.6 Develop direction for life after graduation: Career readiness and post-baccalaureate
transition planning are integrated into capstone options and field experiences in PSY 3671/3672
(Psychology Internship). Additionally, each student is assigned a faculty advisor within the
department who can provide guidance and feedback about career preparation, readiness, and
direction.

This mapping demonstrates that Harding University's curriculum comprehensively fulfills the academic, empirical, and professional outcomes mandated by the APA guidelines.

Competency Assessment Data

Social Work Program Yearly Outcomes Assessment Repor (PDF)
This form is used to assist the COA in the evaluation of the program’s compliance with accreditation standards.

Accreditation

Harding University's Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education for the bachelor of social work degree. CSWE accreditation assures prospective students and employers that the program has met the minimum standards of undergraduate education as established by the Commission on Accreditation. Graduation from an accredited program could assist a student in gaining advanced standing in master of social work programs.

HARDING BACCALAUREATE SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES WAS LAST COMPLETED ON JULY 2, 2015

This form is used to assist the COA in the evaluation of the program’s compliance with the accreditation standards below:

4.0.2 The program provides summary data and outcomes for the assessment of each of its competencies, identifying the percentage of students achieving the benchmark.

4.0.4 The program uses Form AS 4 (B) and/or AS4 (M) to report assessment outcomes to its constituents and the public on its website and routinely updates (minimally every 2 years) these postings.

All Council on Social Work Education programs measure and report student learning outcomes. Students are assessed on their mastery of the competencies that comprise the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education. These competencies are dimensions of social work practice that all social workers are expected to master during their professional training. A measurement benchmark of 4.0 has been set for each competency. An assessment score at or above that benchmark is considered by the program to represent mastery of that particular competency. The following summary data are based on student field placement final evaluations for 2014.