Assessing a New Psychology Department Capstone Requirement
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
12-4-2022 10:00 AM
End Date
12-4-2022 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Psychology
Student's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor's Name
Emily Stark
Mentor's Department
Psychology
Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description
Recently the Department of Psychology changed the capstone requirements for undergraduate psychology majors in order to ensure that students were gaining information about preparing for careers and/or graduate school. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of these new capstone materials in preparing undergraduate psychology students to use the skills and knowledge gained in their undergraduate experience after graduation. The new capstone materials contain career and graduate school modules where students interact with readings, mini-lectures, and assignments relevant to their personal goals. This poster presents an online survey that was sent to 96 students who completed a Psychology capstone course in Fall semester, 2021. The survey included a number of open-ended questions about their memory of the capstone materials, skills and knowledge they gained from the materials, and which aspect of the materials was most beneficial to them. We will examine whether capstone materials are effectively preparing undergraduate students to enter the workforce or graduate school after graduation. Results may also show that capstone materials are not helping students prepare to enter the workforce or begin graduate school, indicating that the Department of Psychology should change their presentation of capstone materials or the materials themselves. Understanding the impact of capstone materials on undergraduate psychology students is important in order for the Department of Psychology to best prepare their students for the future.
Assessing a New Psychology Department Capstone Requirement
CSU Ballroom
Recently the Department of Psychology changed the capstone requirements for undergraduate psychology majors in order to ensure that students were gaining information about preparing for careers and/or graduate school. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of these new capstone materials in preparing undergraduate psychology students to use the skills and knowledge gained in their undergraduate experience after graduation. The new capstone materials contain career and graduate school modules where students interact with readings, mini-lectures, and assignments relevant to their personal goals. This poster presents an online survey that was sent to 96 students who completed a Psychology capstone course in Fall semester, 2021. The survey included a number of open-ended questions about their memory of the capstone materials, skills and knowledge they gained from the materials, and which aspect of the materials was most beneficial to them. We will examine whether capstone materials are effectively preparing undergraduate students to enter the workforce or graduate school after graduation. Results may also show that capstone materials are not helping students prepare to enter the workforce or begin graduate school, indicating that the Department of Psychology should change their presentation of capstone materials or the materials themselves. Understanding the impact of capstone materials on undergraduate psychology students is important in order for the Department of Psychology to best prepare their students for the future.
Recommended Citation
Weinberger, Halley; Megan O'Connor; and Anastasila Antonova. "Assessing a New Psychology Department Capstone Requirement." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 12, 2022.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2022/poster-session-01/6
