Enhancing student retention

The challenge: Many psychology programs experience significant attrition between introductory courses and degree completion. Strengthening student engagement and commitment to the major can offset enrollment declines while improving educational outcomes. Retention in graduate programs is also a significant priority for students and faculty.

1. APA Introductory Psychology Initiative
   Why it’s valuable: This comprehensive resource provides strategies for transforming introductory psychology courses to better engage students and demonstrate the discipline’s relevance. Use the sample syllabi, learning outcomes, and assignments to redesign your gateway course as a powerful recruitment and retention tool.
2. APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Majoropens in new window
   Why it’s valuable: These guidelines provide a framework for developing a coherent curriculum that builds skills progressively. Use them to map your program’s courses and identify gaps or redundancies that may be contributing to student attrition.
3. Project Assessment Repositoryopens in new window
   Why it’s valuable: Contains proven assignments like “Possible Self Day” that help students visualize their future in psychology. Implementing these activities in strategic courses can strengthen student identity development and commitment to the discipline.
4. Psychology Student Network (PSN) and Graduate Student Spotlight
   Why it’s valuable: These free newsletters provide students with information tailored to their specific interests and needs. PSN includes articles on career options and opportunities in psychology. Graduate Student Spotlight provides information of relevance to graduate students, including resources, information on upcoming grants and awards, and leadership opportunities. Encouraging students to subscribe connects them to the broader psychology community and reinforces the value of their educational path.
5. APA Guidelines on Equitable and Respectful Treatment of Students in Graduate Psychology Programsopens in new window
   Why it’s valuable: This document provides guidance to graduate psychology programs seeking to review and improve their policies and practices in the service of treating all students equitably and respectfully. Creating an inclusive environment may improve student retention and promote student success.

1. Curriculum mapping exercise: Use the APA Guidelines to create a visual map of how skills develop across your program. Identify and address gaps that may contribute to student confusion or disengagement.
2. Psychology student organization: If your campus doesn’t already have one, launch a psychology club to connect students with shared interests. Partner with student affairs to navigate the setup process, or consider establishing a chapter of one of the honor societies, such as Psi Betaopens in new window for students at community colleges or Psi Chiopens in new window for students at 4-year institutions. To boost engagement, run focus groups with current students to tailor activities and events to their interests.