Designing and Managing an Undergraduate Practicum Course in Psychology

Abstract

am concerned that the use of undergraduates may eventually put graduate students and perhaps even professors out of work. I also wonder whether it is good to try to improve teaching in giant lecture courses or whether we might be better off just using our energy to fight against teaching under these conditions. But for now I have decided that the disadvantages and dangers of teaching an introductory psychology course as outlined above are outweighed by the opportunities made available for providing information about psychology, access to important ideas about the world, skills, self-understanding, training in critical thinking, and enjoyment to large numbers of students. I hope that we can increase the attention given to discussions about what constitutes good teaching and the number of attempts made to share ideas about methods that have been used to improve the teaching of psychology.This is a comprehensive report of procedures, problems and values in a broadly based program from a department with 10 years' experience.The faculty-supervised, off-campus learning experience, known by a variety oi names including internship, clinical, and practicum, is not a new teaching methodology It has been afamrliar part of Bachelor's level programs in education, engineering, and nursing for decades It is also a wellestablished component of graduate-level psychology programs But the rnclusron of practrcum as part of undergraduate coursework In psychology IS relatively recent In most institutions For example, In 1969 undergraduate practlcum was one of the least frequently offered psychology courses, but by 1975, forty-flve percent of four year colleges taught undergraduate practicum (Lux & Daniel, 1978) A more recent report (Mlnk, 1979) indicated over 70% of colleges and unrversrties surveyed provided undergraduate internshrps in psychology Tradit~onally, most undergraduate coursework has been theory-oriented rather than skrll-oriented, and has been a preparation for graduate tra~nrng or part of a general lrberal arts curriculum lather than a preparation for a post-BA job In psychology. With the increase In the use of para-professronals In agencies such as commun~ty mental health centers, there are new opportunities for the BA psychology graduate A survey of F'ryrear (1 979) of sunbelt clties showed that 38% of communrty soclal agencres employed people wlth BA degrees hhost of these agencies required experience prior to entry into the job. Psychology practica provide just that type of experience.

Teaching Undergraduate Community Psychology: Integrating the Classroom and the Surrounding Community

“…This caveat is especially Teaching of Psychology pertinent d one's university or college does not have an established community service program to be of assistance. However, the available literature offers suggestions on the logistics of internships (Femald et al, 1982;Moffett, 1975;Morris & Haas, 1984;Prerost, 1981;Scogin & Rickard, 1987;VandeCreek & Fleischer, 1984) and confirms that the benefits derived from such placements justify the effort (Glenwick & Chabot, 1991;Jason, 1984;McLean et al, 1977;Saxon & Holt, 1974;Scogin & Rickard, 1987;Shulman, 1986).…”

Enriching Child Psychology Courses with a Preschool Journal Option

“…Various techniques for enriching the education of undergraduates through practical experience have been reported; some involve entire courses (e.g., Fernald et al, 1982;Sherman, 1982), whereas others have been more limited in scope (e.g., Fox, Lopuch, & Fisher, 1984;Saxon & Holt. 1974).…”

Students’ Basic Philosophical Assumptions in History of Psychology: A Measure and Teaching Tool

“…This is indicated by an increasing interest in teaching ethical issues (e.g., Fernald et al, 1982;Hogan & Kimmel, 1992;Matthews, 1991) as well as enhanced concern about how this material is best presented to undergraduates (e.g., Haemmerlie & Matthews, 1988). We have an obligation to present this information clearly and to ensure that students understand its content and import.…”