Mission Statement

The Mission of the Psychology program at Butte College is to enable students to evaluate the major concepts, theories, and perspectives in psychology; demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving, and summarize basic research methods and ethics in psychology and apply psychological knowledge to individual experience, human diversity and the social realm.
 

Program Description

The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer degree creates a transfer pathway for students who plan to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at a California State University. With the completion of this program, students will possess foundational knowledge and skills that comprise the core content of the first two years of many baccalaureate and higher degree programs in Psychology.

Butte College Psychology also offers a
- Fully Online PSY AA-T pathway 
- Zero Textbook Cost option for most courses
- Concurrent enrollment course 
 -Honors PSY1: Principles course is scheduled in conjunction with the Honors Program needs

Accountability for Previously Funded Items

Student Learning/Administrative Unit Outcomes

Completed SLO Unit Outcomes:
Faculty discussed and documented the course changes that are most personally important to them this semester
Faculty then discussed why they want to make those changes – what is the “outcome goal” of the proposed change the faculty intrinsically want to make?
These goals were then connected (matched) to both course SLO’s and PLO themes
PSY1 SLO E. Draw the distinction between scientific and non-scientific methods of understanding and analysis.
SLO H. Demonstrate critical thinking skills in acquiring knowledge and evaluating research.
ALL PSY courses for PLO/GELO discussion of critical thinking assignments.
PSY Program Learning Outcome #2- Critically evaluate research reports and synthesize a body of research findings.
General Ed Learning Outcome (GELO) for the Social Sciences #2.
RESULTS: Faculty analyzed assignments and course exercises that provided opportunities for students to apply critical thinking skills to the material. Observations were discussed at the SBS Department meeting.
 

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (Instruction Departments)

The Psychology Department helps the college meet the Vision for Success goals in the following ways:
Degrees - Psychology has increased its awards in degrees from 55 in 2015-15 to 100 in 2018-19. Overall, we have confered 289 degrees from 2015-2018. We attribute the marked increase in degrees awarded to our focus on developing online courses, offering more Open Educational Resources (zero cost textbooks) in more classes and an option to obtain the entire degree in Psychology online.
Certificates - The department has placed a high level of focus on the degree programs and as such, our certificate numbers have dropped and continue to drop by design as we encourage students to earn primary degrees.

Success - Our success rates have improved from 74% in 2015-16 to 80% in 2018-19. We have taken measures to improve instruction and add more universal design into the coursework.
Retention - Our retention rates average 92% over the past four years. The Psychology Department has made a concerted outreach effort to our students. In our department meetings, we focus on professional development to enhance our skills in cultivating student engagement and success.

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (All Other Departments)

N/A

Strategic Direction

The Psychology Department supports the college in meeting its Strategic Directions and Priorities by:
Implementing Guided Pathways and Strategic Scheduling: We support our pathway majors by providing online course opportunities, evening courses, and, as a department, we are one of the first at Butte College to offer a fully online degree option.
Hobsons Starfish: We have implemented hosting bi-annual Psychology major recruitment and information events and have had a Psychology club that links our club’s students with Chico State Psychology club students. This also serves to broaden successful transitions as our students prepare for CSU transfer.
Closing Equity Gaps: Our students have the option to receive an AA-T degree in Psychology completely online. The department also offers zero cost textbooks in most of our course offerings. Further, to assist in the stability of our students mental health needs, our department works in conjunction with Chico State’s Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate program to offer all of our students no cost counseling during the semester.
Meeting enrollment targets: 95% of our classes are at 85% or better enrollment and we carefully manage the number of sections we offer for efficiency and student need. Our goal is to have more recruitment events in the community and high schools to grow our enrollments over time.
Meeting student achievement goals: Offering alternative solutions for students to be able to afford the materials they need (low cost options) in addition to OER (zero cost) options. All faculty provide advice and guidance during office and other hours. The department, as a whole, provides opportunities for students to interact with Chico State for greater transfer success.
Fostering a Culture of Inclusiveness: We encourage students to attend (and faculty participate in) Diversity Days as well as other workshops and presentations that take place on campus. Additionally, our course offerings offer theoretical concepts across global domains (such as PSY 36). We connect students with resources such as CAS, the Queer Resource Center, the Culture and Community Center and Safe Space. Faculty are current in trainings that support students first such as UndocuAlly and Safe Zone trainings.
Improving Processes
Data and Reporting: We consistently provide departmental professional development for faculty to contribute to Unit Plan and SLO planning. We have a specially designated SLO meeting every year to engage in deep dive discussions and are currently gathering data for the upcoming Program Review.
Internal Communications: Full time faculty meet regularly and interface weekly to make progress on our goals as a department and are exploring options for funding to increase course offerings.
Strengthening Professional Development: We support faculty to attend as well as facilitate workshops and trainings on and off campus.
 
 
 

Program Review

The Psychology Department has the following Program Review recommendations outstanding:

Increase the department budget to provide relevant instruments for our neuropsychology students as well as new laptop computers for full time faculty to better serve student needs and communications. We have requested and will continue to request more funding to support our department.


Develop a way to support and track AA and AA-T majors. To address this we are in the planning stages of creating a pyschology fair event that we will take to the local high schools for outreach and recruitment.

Department Goals

The Psychology Department has the following goals this year:
 1. Grow the neuroscience program of psychology
2. Collaborate with and develop new courses to aid the transfer process to the CSU system
3. Develop a SBS web page
4. Regular outreach program for PSY majors with an annual event
5. Recruitment events
6. Develop resources for career prospects

Future Development Strategies

Requested Non-Financial Resources

Current Financial Resources

Augmentation Requests