GVSU's department of psychology offers a popular psychology major and a
growing behavioral neuroscience major. We also teach courses that are
taken by many students in other programs. We have a masters program in
school psychology and a graduate certification program in applied
behavior analysis. Our faculty members contribute substantially to
advancing our discipline through research publications and conference
presentations, often in collaboration with undergraduate students.
Mission
GVSUs Psychology Department seeks to educate students in the broad field
of psychological science through teaching, research, and service.
Students learn to engage with the empirical findings, theoretical
perspectives, research methods, and practical applications of
psychological science. Through these processes we seek to engender
critical thought, informed judgment, workforce preparation, and
life-long learning.
Vision
The psychology department seeks to achieve a balance among its teaching,
research, and service activities that advances psychological science
while preparing our students to be responsible citizens, lifelong
learners, and to have productive careers. We aspire to develop and
maintain an intellectually rich department culture that fosters
sustained inquiry, multicultural perspectives, critical thinking,
impassioned discourse, creative discovery, ethical action, clear
communication, extensive collaboration, high achievement, and thoughtful
reflection. We see ourselves as key contributors to liberal education,
and we see psychological science as a discipline that embodies the
values of liberal education.
Value Statement
The Psychology Department faculty members represent a diverse and
eclectic set of specialized interests within the discipline of
psychology. Across our faculty members, we seek to represent the
discipline of psychology broadly. People within the department work at
different levels of analysis, with different methodologies, and from
different theoretical perspectives. We have high expectations for both
faculty and students. In teaching, research, and service we value
rigorous scientific and ethical reasoning, academic freedom, integrity,
collaboration, and collegiality.
Strategic Priorities, outcomes, and key objectives
Strategic Priority Area 1: Actively engage learners at all levels.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Strategic Priority Area 2: Further develop exceptional personnel.
Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.
Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Strategic Priority Area 3: Ensure the alignment of institutional structures and functions.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Strategic Priority Area 4: Enhance the institution's image and reputation.
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
