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Program Change:
P00572
Program Title: Gerontology Major
Undergraduate
Describe the proposed degree program change(s) in terms of how the changes differ from the program as currently approved and published in the latest WOU catalog (specify the latest catalog date).
The Psychology Division is proposing a new major entitled Gerontology. This interdisciplinary major will prepare students to work in fields that interface with older adults. As the name implies, the proposed major will include coursework in the interdisciplinary field of gerontology. Coursework will draw from the following areas; psychology, health, political science, communications, and business. The major reflects a degree of flexibility allowing students to customize a program that not only provides a solid foundation in gerontology but also allows for course choices that will assist them in preparing for a specific career or future post-graduate education. For example, students could take up to three classes in business (i.e., accounting, marketing, and human resources), which can help them prepare for the many career opportunities that require background and training in gerontology and business. The proposed major and new coursework has been endorsed by the WOU Faculty Senate.
Please see attached file (New Program Template) to view program requirements and objectives. I have been unable to submit all of the information due to receiving "database" and "WOU Portal" errors many dozens of times.
Describe the reasons for making this change:
In Spring 2010 the Psychology Division at WOU surveyed graduating Psychology Majors about their interest in courses related to older adults and employment opportunities associated with the field of gerontology and geropsychology. Despite very limited advertising for our new minor in Geropsychology (approved Summer 2010), 43% of graduating seniors indicated great or very great interest in taking Geropsychology courses, and 31% showed great or very great interest in minoring in Geropsychology. Additionally, seniors were interested in a variety of employment opportunities associated with the field, with the greatest interest shown for Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Recreational Therapy, Social Work, public and private institutions that provide health, education, and social services to older adults, and public policy and advocate work for older adults. We didn¿t survey these students about an interest in majoring in gerontology, but clearly there is an interest in this field, which is fabulous given the needs that industry has for people trained to work with older adults.
Please see attached file (New Program Template) to view additional information justifying the need for this new program. I have been unable to submit all of the information due to receiving "database" and "WOU Portal" errors many dozens of times.
For Dean Review only:
How and when will the effectiveness of these changes be determined?
We will develop a pre and post-test assessment of majors. Students taking an introductory course will be given a short (e.g., 20 question) pretest assessment related to the major¿s objectives and expected outcomes. Gerontology majors will be asked to take the post-test version of the test close to their anticipated graduation date, which will allow us to determine the effectiveness of the program in meeting its objectives.
Approval Queue
| Step |
Approver |
Decision |
Timestamp |
|
1 - Department |
Rob Winningham |
Approved | October 10 2010 |
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2 - Division |
Rob Winningham |
Approved | October 10 2010 |
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3 - Division Curriculum |
Eric Cooley |
Approved | October 10 2010 |
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4 - Library Dean |
Eric Cooley |
Approved | October 10 2010 |
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5 - Curriculum Committee |
Robert Monge |
Approved | October 19 2010 |
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6 - Faculty Senate |
Gavin Keulks |
Approved | November 09 2010 |
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7 - Dean |
Stephen Scheck |
Approved | November 13 2010 |
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8 - Provost |
Kent Neely |
Approved | November 14 2010 |
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9 - President |
Dianna Nickelson |
Approved | November 15 2010 |
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Attached Files:
| New_Program_Template_Gero_Major_10_10_10.doc |
|
Download |
| Proposal_New Academic Program_Gerontology_Major_upload.docx |
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Download |
