Lyon College Mission Statement
Lyon College offers a liberal arts education of superior quality in a
personalized setting. A selective, independent, undergraduate, residential
teaching and learning community affiliated with the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), Lyon encourages the free intellectual inquiry essential to social,
ethical, and spiritual growth. With a rich scholarly and religious heritage,
Lyon develops, in a culture of honor, responsible citizens and leaders committed
to continued personal growth and service.
Psychology Program Mission Statement
Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes, and the questions that
psychologists focus on are relevant to modern societal issues. The mission of
the psychology program at Lyon is to prepare our students for lifelong learning,
thinking, and service by providing a solid liberal arts education that embraces
psychological theory, methodology, ethics, and values. Additionally, we strive
to prepare those students whose goal is to continue their education in graduate
school or enter the workforce. To achieve these objectives, the program offers a
demanding curriculum that emphasizes critical reading and thinking, research,
effective speaking and writing skills, and a reverence for the multiplicity of
human experiences.
Educational Goals and Learning Outcomes
The following are based on suggested goals and outcomes
suggested from the American Psychological Association’s Board of Educational
Affairs (APA, 2002).
Knowledge, Skills, and Values Consistent with the Science and Application of
Psychology The first three educational goals represent activities that have
been identified by the American Psychological Association provide gold standards
of psychology education. Psychology faculty is responsible for the development
and assessment of these areas within coursework or advising.
Goal 1 - Theory and Content of Psychology
Goal 2 - Research Methods in Psychology
Goal 3 - Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology
Knowledge, Skills, and Values Consistent with Liberal Arts Education that are
Further Developed in Psychology – The last three goals include activities
that usually are part of a liberal arts education. Responsibility for student
development in these areas and assessment of student achievement tends to be
shared across a broader range of disciplines than just psychology; however,
psychology coursework can contribute to and expand upon these general education
goals in significant ways. In turn, well-developed liberal arts skills can
contribute to student achievement within the psychology major.
Goal 4 - Information and Technological Literacy
Goal 6 - Career Planning and Development
Faculty and Student Activities
Student Resources
Careers and Graduate Schools
Specific Topics in Psychology
