It’s like deja-vu all over again. Free electives.

Curriculum Reform

It’s like deja-vu all over again.

120 Credits for Degrees

Free electives

Individual DepartmentsI should’ve listened to Mackey…Curricular

glut doesn’t pay.

Curricular Complexity

PSU program requires 16 PO courses + 1AN/EC/HI/SO course = 17 courses

Example: Political Science

Westfield State: 12 PO courses

Bridgewater State: 12 PO courses

Western Connecticut: 10 PO courses + 2 SS

Frostburg State: 13 PO courses

Sample Comparator Schools

PSU program = 48 credits of EN

Example: English Writing Option

Bridgewater State = 36 credits

Frostburg State = 40 credits

Westfield State = 39 credits

Sample Comparator Schools

What needs to be done?

Dialogue about majors

Critiques of PSU

NEASC

Critiques of Higher Ed

Cater significantly to the teaching interests of faculty

Require more courses than needed to convey rigor/depth

A Major Ought Not:

Department Autonomy

Fixation on General Education

What we teach…how we teach

Benefits for Students

Ease of Navigation

Truth in Advertising

Less Paperwork

Retention

Time to Degree/Graduation Rates

Positive Experience

Faculty Benefits

Resource/Workload Issues

Enhanced Advising

Linkage With Assessment

Research Methods and Statistics I (4 credits)

Research Methods and Statistics II (4 credits)

Psychology Department (then)

Measuring Behavior (3 credits)

Statistics in Psychology (3 credits)

Research Methods (3 credits)

Psychology Department (now)

Ongoing conversation…the major

Are goals well articulated/realistic?

Are requirements justifiable|program goals?

Are students evaluated appropriately?

Do more courses/credits = greater knowledge/skills?

Questions to Consider