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The mission of the Department of Psychology at West Chester
University is to advance the discipline of psychology as an area of scholarly,
professional, and scientific endeavor. Psychology is the scientific study of the
principles governing behavior and mental processes in humans and other animals,
and the application of these principles for improving the well-being of both. In
keeping with the mission of the University, our primary focus is to provide high
quality education in psychology at both undergraduate and graduate levels. As a
part of our educational mission, our faculty engages in teaching, research, and
service, all of which are integral to the success of the University as well as
our discipline. We are actively engaged in the discovery and dissemination of
knowledge in the behavioral sciences, and we provide encouragement for research
and scholarship by both the faculty and the student body. We provide general
education courses for the entire University as well as service courses for many
disciplines across the University. Through these courses we play an active role
in preparing nurses and elementary and secondary school teachers for service.
Our curriculum provides diverse educational opportunities, including
psychological theory, research in laboratory and natural settings, and the
ethical use of behavioral science principles in applied contexts. We prepare
students for specific careers within psychology, including those in teaching,
research, and the delivery of clinical services, many of which require graduate
study beyond the baccalaureate. Our programs are designed to prepare students
for lifelong self-education and participation in an increasingly diverse
society. Members of the Department of Psychology are uniquely able to
collaborate with those in other disciplines where information and expertise from
behavioral science are necessary for the success of their enterprise, such as
education, business and health sciences. In addition, we provide resources for
making decisions that require behavioral science knowledge, both at the
institutional level and in the public sector, and we provide many other forms of
service to the community. |
