Proposal 76-21

PDF

The University Senate of Michigan Technological University
Proposal 76-21

(Voting Units: Academic)

A PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A CONCENTRATION IN COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
within the degree
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY
(Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences)

1) Date: March 8, 2021

2) Contact: Kedmon Hungwe, Professor, Cognitive & Learning Sciences (khungwe@mtu.edu); Kelly Steelman, Associate Professor & Interim Department Chair, Cognitive & Learning Sciences (steelman@mtu.edu)

3) Interdisciplinary Program Approval – Not Applicable

4) General Description and Program Characteristics

1. The Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences at Michigan Technological University proposes Cognitive Psychology as a new concentration of the BS in Psychology degree program. The concentration is one of three that are being introduced to enhance the quality of the program and in response to a program review conducted by faculty. The goal is to provide tailorable but constrained coursework foci for students. The changes leverage existing faculty and resources in Psychology to create a contemporary and robust program of study that will provide Psychology majors with a competitive edge when entering the professional work environment or in preparation for advanced studies at the graduate level.
2. This is one of three proposed concentrations being introduced in separate proposals. The concentrations add to coursework options for students and do not replace the existing Bachelor in Science in Psychology program.
3. Coursework in the Cognitive Psychology concentration focuses on brain, perception, attention, memory, thinking and decision making with additional courses in the application of cognitive theory to work (e.g., industrial/organizational psychology), social media, and design (e.g., human centered design, cognitive task analysis). The learning outcomes associated with the concentrations are defined by the American Psychological Association for undergraduate programs in Psychology.

5) Title of Program
Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Concentration in Cognitive Psychology

6) Rationale
The program in Psychology at Michigan Technological University was first introduced as a minor in 2000. The BS degree in Psychology followed, with approval in 2004. The program offers a great deal of flexibility, both in terms of coursework and career options. The Department seeks to serve undergraduates with a diverse set of goals by providing concentrations that give students an additional identity within psychology if they choose.

Current priorities have focused on recruiting strategies for Psychology majors, increasing program visibility through targeted advertising and recruitment of students, and reviewing course offerings for alignment with guidelines of the American Psychological Association, as well as trends in students’ professional interests. Creating concentrations will enhance the department’s ability to meet these priorities. Some students seek to prepare themselves for graduate or professional school, others plan to apply for jobs in industry, and yet others see coursework in Psychology as interesting and valuable intellectually, but do not base their future vocational plans upon it. The Department seeks to more clearly articulate the available options by formally defining concentrations as an additional option to the current course of study. In choosing a concentration, students take a required set of core courses, leading to a more focused study of a subarea of Psychology that includes advanced coursework in the specialized area of interest.

7) Related Programs
The creation of the areas of concentrations in Psychology has been informed by two main sources:
(1) definitions of specializations outlined by the American Psychological Association; and (2) Psychology programs from a range of universities including Northern Michigan University, Harvard University, University of Colorado, Boulder, University of Michigan, and the University of Virginia.

8) Student Enrollment
As of Spring 2021, there were 52 majors enrolled in Psychology (+12 from Fall 2020), and 54 Minors (+4 from Fall 2020). Table 1 indicates the enrollments in Psychology courses for the period Fall 2015 through Fall 2020.

Table 1: Enrollment trends (All courses) Fall 2015 - Fall 2020

The department has introduced enhanced strategies for student recruitment with positive results. As of 01/25/2021 there were 183 applications, and 143 admits (+83% over 2020).

Eight faculty (6 full-time T/TT faculty, 1 split appointment T/TT faculty, 1 lecturer) currently support a psychology major (N= 52), a psychology minor (N= 54), graduate programs in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors (N=26), and courses on the general education list. The proposed concentration does not require new faculty lines.

9) Curriculum Design
Table 2 indicates the current requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. The concentration in Cognitive Psychology will comprise 18 credits of Psychology electives drawn from the 21 Psychology electives in the current program.

Table 2: Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Psychology

**The number of free electives will be reduced to 28 via the binder process.

++Course will be included in the Human Factors program to be submitted by the department

10) New Courses
HF 2000 Intro to Engineering Psychology
This course will examine the capabilities and limitations of human perception and cognition and the application of theories and principles of human performance to design.
Text: to be determined. Open source materials

11) Schedule
Students will be able to schedule coursework to complete the degree program on a 4- year course of study. The proposed schedule is indicated in the appendix.

12) Library/Other Resources
No additional library resources required.

13) Needed Equipment
There are no additional equipment needs required to implement this concentration.

14) Program Costs
No additional costs are required to implement this concentration.

15) Accreditation Requirements
The curriculum changes align with the American Psychological Association goals for the undergraduate degree in Psychology.

16) Planned Implementation
Fall, 2021

Appendix 1: Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The suggested plan with concentrations will be available to students entering in the Academic Year 2021- 2022.

Total PSY Concentration = 18 credits.
Total free electives = 30 credits as in Table 2, or as amended through binder process.
*May be taken as variable and/or repeated credit.

*Course Add Proposal is in the PDF linked above