Reflective Paper

Students will write a paper reflecting upon their educational experiences within their psychology program journey, using the Program Goals as an organizational paradigm. That means you will organize your paper using the Goals. Sections of the body of the paper will correspond to the Goals (i.e. Introduction, Goal 1, etc). This paper should include thoughts regarding successes and challenges, new insights, and personal transformations. You should relate specific psychology courses and concepts to your journey and to your future plans. This should be at a deep level rather than a surface mention. You must address each of the Program Goals (found below) and discuss how you have specifically met that goal, referencing courses, papers and concepts. Introduce each goal section with the Program Goal verbatim (with proper citation) and then address each component (e.g. successes, etc.) to receive maximum points. It is your choice as to which course or paper meets the Program Goal but Program Goal 2 requires the use of the research methods course (300/ 305). Note that any course used MUST be a psychology course. You can (and should) use more than one course for each goal but must address at least one relevant course for each goal.

You should also reference the Skills Survey from Week 1 and how courses have helped you develop specific skills. You need to include what skills still need to be developed and how you will achieve that.

The paper should integrate thoughts and knowledge from the cluster areas (biological, social and professional). It is not just personal thoughts. The reflective paper will be 7 to10 pages (1750-2500 words), double-spaced, not including the expected title and reference pages. APA format is expected and you must reference yourself when quoting from past papers. Only academic/scholarly sources should be used(other than your own papers). You should organize it by the Program Goals and use headings per the APA Manual.

Psychology Program Goals
1. Apply major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology to prepare for graduate study or careers in which psychological training is relevant.
2. Apply basic knowledge of research methodology, statistics, measurement, guidelines, ethical standards, laws, and regulations to design, participate in, and evaluate research in a variety of contexts (300/305 paper should be used here)
3. Apply knowledge of human behavior to inform personal growth, communicate effectively, solve problems, make decisions, and interact with individuals, communities, and organizations.
4.Use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and (where possible) appropriate technology and the scientific approach to solve problems related to current and emerging trends within the domains of psychology
5. Value diversity and different perspectives, tolerate ambiguity, and act ethically to communicate appropriately with various sociocultural and international populations.

10 8 6 4 2 0
CONTENT
1. Analyzes each program goal
2. Discusses educational journey and career path in analytical fashion related to Program Goals
3. Identifies successes and challenges
4. Includes relevant coursework and specific concepts related to Program Goals
5. Includes personal goals and transformation
6. Shows integration and analysis at a level appropriate for a capstone student
ORGANIZATION
7. Paper follows a logical path, using the Goals as an organizational paradigm
WRITING MECHANICS and STYLE
8. Paper free of mechanical errors; grammatically sound
9. Citations and references in proper APA style (in-text and reference list expected as well as title page and headings)
10. Writing level is appropriate for a senior level student in a capstone course

Goal 1 – Social Psychology
Goal 2 – Research Psychology
Goal 3 – Abnormal Psychology
Goal 4 – Theories of Psychology