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Graduate
psychology program one of four recognized by national association
By
Erika Mantz, Media Relations
The American Psychological Association (APA) recently recognized
UNH’s Department of Psychology Preparing Future Faculty (PFF)
Initiative as one of four graduate psychology programs that offer
creative and forward-looking approaches to graduate education.
UNH received an honorable mention from the APA’s Board of
Education Affairs at the annual meeting of the Council of Graduate
Departments of Psychology earlier this month. The department’s
Preparing Future Faculty program was recognized for going beyond
traditional coursework and research in psychology to provide students
with hands-on teaching-related experiences, mentoring and graduate
coursework.
“What makes our program innovative is our approach to fully
prepare a new PhD for a faculty position,” says Victor Benassi,
UNH professor of psychology, who is involved in the department’s
PFF program along with professors Ken Fuld, Victoria Banyard and
Peter Fernald. “We prepare students so they can hit the ground
running. As students go through the program, they take on increased
responsibility in the areas of teaching, research and service.”
The program teaches students the principles of test and syllabus
construction, grading practices, effective classroom teaching methods,
and course materials and text selection. Students gain formal teaching
experience by teaching an introductory psychology course under faculty
supervision during their third year, after completing coursework
that helps to prepare them.
Fuld, chair of the psychology department, says that “because
of the unique blend of preparation in the areas of teaching and
research, our students are very marketable and successful in securing
academic positions upon graduation from the program.” Graduates
have landed positions at a variety of academic institutions, including
liberal arts colleges, comprehensive state colleges and universities,
private universities and institutions in other countries.
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