Profiles of Undergraduate Programs in Psychology

Michael Stoloff and Nicole Sanders
James Madison University

Maureen McCarthy
American Psychological Association

Introduction
Educational Characteristics of Undergraduate Faculty (Full-time and Part-time Faculty)
Faculty Degree Specialty
Course Offerings
Facilities (Percentages Reporting Laboratories)
Number of Hours Required for BA Level Programs (Psychology Majors/Minors)
Research Opportunities
Methods of Assessment
Formal Program Evaluation Cycle
Department Size and Faculty Salary
Courses Taught by Part-time Faculty
Teaching Load

Over the course of 2 years (2003-2005), undergraduate departments of psychology were invited to participate in a survey* designed to derive information that is specific to programs of undergraduate psychology. Invitations were mailed to all programs registered with the APA Office of Research. Although the number of programs did change during the mailing cycle, 1098 two-year programs, 1149 four-year programs, and 435 undergraduate programs with graduate programs were surveyed. Responses to specific items were further delineated by undergraduate programs situated within doctoral and masters level programs.

Overall response rate was 17% with a total of 463 schools submitting usable responses. Departments with graduate programs in psychology replied at a much higher rate (48%). Departments without graduate programs (15%) and two-year programs (7%) resulted in a much lower rate of return. Overall response rate for 4-year programs reached an acceptable level of 24%. Response rate for community colleges was low and these results may not be generalizable.

*Items were derived bycompiling requests from teachers and departments of undergraduate psychology. Items were also reviewed by members of the Society for Teaching of Psychology (Division 2).