There are many exciting updates to the BS Psychology program to report! First off, all of the core courses will be updated, and some of the updates went “live” this quarter. Psyc 1001, Introduction to Psychology, replaces both Psyc 1002 and Psyc 1003 and has new features, including a case study that builds each week, a blog, and cool videos that demonstrate important course concepts. Psyc 3002, Introduction to Basic Statistics, has also been updated to be more student friendly, including a more manageable work load, videos that explain how to use SPSS, and more assignments and quizzes to test knowledge rather than traditional discussions. Psyc 3003, Methods in Psychological Inquiry, has been newly streamlined as well. Psyc 2002, Childhood and Adolescence, recently underwent revisions and the shiny new course also started this spring. Many other courses will also be undergoing revisions in the coming months. The revisions are largely based on student feedback via the surveys you fill out at the end of each term. Thank you for the feedback and ideas!
Two brand new courses debuted this spring as well: Psyc 2000, Psychology Seminar, and Psyc 2100, Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Behavior. The Psychology Seminar course will be required of all new majors. In the course, students assess their marketable skills, career needs, and career goals. Students also learn to make informed choices and plans regarding possible graduate training in psychology or other related fields of study, as well as job-seeking skills in psychology. Additional topics covered are critical thinking, information literacy skills, and writing in the format and style of the discipline. Lastly, students also reflect on how their chosen major of psychology relates to Walden’s mission of social change. The new Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Behavior course is part of the new Industrial and Organizational Concentration, which replaces the Workplace concentration for new students. In this course, students are introduced to the field of industrial organizational psychology where the principles of psychology are applied within the workplace. Key topics will illustrate how industrial organizational psychology applies at three levels: the individual, group, and organizational levels. Students also explore each side of the field: the industrial side and the organizational side. On the industrial side, students examine job analysis, selection, training, and performance measurement. Focusing on the organizational psychology side, students explore motivation, teams, communication, and leadership in organizations. Lastly, ethics, culture, and legal implications will be integrated throughout the course. If you are looking for an elective, consider taking this new course! More information on IO Psychology here.
In related news, the Addictions concentration in the BS Psychology program at Walden University was recently designed as a Preferred Provider by NADAAC, the Association for Addictions Professionals. This means that students enrolling in this concentration can be assured that the curriculum has met NADAAC standards. Students are encouraged to sit for the various NADAAC exams upon graduating in order to practice in the addictions field. More information on this can be found here.