Forensic Psychology

2023-2024 - UG - Major Program Modification (Modify Existing Calendar Entry)

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(A) Proposal summary
Next
  • STEP 1 - Complete the proposal summary information
  • Home faculty*
    Choose your faculty from the list of available options.
  • Content type*
    Choose the type of content imported from the calendar. Contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca if you require assistance.
  • Summary of proposed changes*

    1.  To update the first year requirements of the Forensic Psychology program.

    The proposed changes are intended to (a) offer students more opportunity for choice, (b) ensure students acquire essential skills along with a breadth of knowledge within the social sciences and humanities, and (c) allow space for new program development. 

    The first year of each program within the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities includes a mix of courses within the following groupings:

    a. Major discipline course(s)

    b. Social Science Foundation course(s)

    c. Social Science Breadth course(s)

    d. General Electives

    2.  The proposed changes update course delivery modes for Forensic Psychology courses to include not only in class instruction, but also hybrid and fully online (synchronous and asynchronous) format for certain courses.

    3. Move FFCI 1010U - Introduction to Forensic Science from a required course to a Forensic Psychology elective.

    4.The proposed changes involve the development of psychology-specific Research Methods (PSYC 2900), Data Analysis (PSYC 2910U), and Advanced Data Analysis (PSYC 3910U) courses. These new psychology courses will replace SSCI 2900U, SSCI 2910, and SSCI 3910U as required courses for the Forensic Psychology Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Advanced Entry program.

    Include a brief point by point summary of the changes included in this proposal.
  • Is a new course associated with this proposal?*
    Select 'yes' only if you are adding a brand new course to the calendar copy in this proposal.

  • If applicable, list new course codes, course titles and include hyperlinks to course proposals in Curriculog in the 'new courses' field below. To hyperlink, open a new window and search for the new course proposal in Curriculog. Copy the url from your web browser, return to this form and select the hyper link icon. Paste the url into the url field and save.

  • New courses

    PSYC 2900U - Research Methods in Psychology

    PSYC 2910U - Data Analysis in Psychology

    PSYC 3910U - Advanced Data Analysis in Psychology

  • Calendar start date*
    Choose when the change should appear in the Academic Calendar.
  • Registration start date*
    Specify the first active term (e.g., Fall 2019).
  • STEP 2 - Attach supporting documents, if applicable

  • Visit the files section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form to attach any supporting documentation.

  • Are you attaching any supporting documents*
(B) Program information
Next
  • STEP 3 - Complete program modifications in Section B
  • Program or shared core name*
    Forensic Psychology
    Forensic Psychology
    This is the title of the program or shared core in the calendar.
  • Program type
  • Degree type

  • Note: If the program or shared core description does not import into the field below, it is captured in the calendar copy. In this case, do not add content to the program or shared core description field as it will import to the calendar. Admission requirements should be captured in the calendar copy.

  • Program or shared core description
  • Calendar copy*
  • Program structure
    Describe any experiential or other applied learning opportunities that are part of the program component.

  • Note: Program learning outcomes will not import from the calendar. If you are making changes to this field, please enter the current information now and make changes only after you have validated and launched the proposal.

    If you do not have a recent version of your program’s learning outcomes and alignment with the Degree Level Expectations, or would like to make a modification to them, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca

  • Program learning outcomes
(C) Detailed proposal information
Next
  • STEP 4 - Complete Section C
  • Introduction
  • Brief background on existing program*

    The Forensic Psychology undergraduate program at Ontario Tech University commenced in 2011. It prepares students for leadership roles in the interface between Psychology and Law. This program combines disciplinary study in Psychology, specialized study in Forensic Psychology, study in related fields at the university, and applied learning experiences to prepare students to work in a variety of settings and for post-secondary study in fields associated with Forensic Psychology.

  • Rationale for the modification*

    This modification will open more opportunities for student choice while maintaining the requirements for core disciplinary knowledge. In addition, the requirement for all students to take the same social science foundation course will ensure that students have a base knowledge of writing and social science skills needed for success in university-level studies.

    This will enhance flexibility in how most Forensic Psychology courses can be offered in the future. For pedagogical reasons within the program, the fourth-year seminar courses have just one course delivery mode option indicated (i.e., in-class delivery). Every year during the course offering planning period, the program will discuss the format in which each course will be offered in the upcoming year.

    The development of psychology-specific research methods and data analysis courses ensures that learning objectives critical to psychology are met. This will enhance the learning experience for students, as well as ensure they have the necessary knowledge and skills required in the field upon graduation. In line with this, the development of these psychology-specific courses was also identified as a key recommendation from external reviewers during the most recent Forensic Psychology Undergraduate Program Review.

    How will this change or enhance the program and/or opportunities for students and graduates?
  • Fit with the mission, mandate, strategic plans of the University, and the broader array of program offerings.*

    This proposal fits with the Mission of the university to “equip future leaders to solve complex problems.” In particular, having students study core foundational courses in their first year will introduce them to the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully move to specialized upper year courses. The design of the first-year program responds to students who wish to have more choice in their studies. The re-imagining of the core social science foundation course to include thematic Learning Communities meets the mission of “Learning re-imagined: Co-creating knowledge by adapting to the ever-changing educational landscape through the provision of flexible and dynamic learning and research opportunities” and helps to build “learner-centred educational options” within the Faculty of Social Science & Humanities. This change also builds on the Values of the university, especially with regard to “Intellectual resilience: Pursuing excellence in all that we do by respecting different points of view and engaging constructively when exploring ideas and advancing knowledge.”  

    We believe that these changes will assist in meeting the University’s Strategic Mandate Agreement in the area of Skills and Job Outcomes. We believe that these changes will improve students’ success in their studies, which in turn improves, retention, graduation rates and labour-market outcomes for graduates. 

    The changes fit with the broader array of program offerings because it makes each existing program more flexible and able to reimagine their program structure.

     

    Description of how the proposed modifications fit into the broader array of program offerings, particularly those areas of teaching and research strengths, and complementary areas of study.
  • Resource requirements
  • Faculty members*

    No new Faculty members required.

    List of core faculty associated with the program, including appointment status, home unit, areas of teaching and research interests, and any new faculty requirements and gaps they would be expected to fill.
  • Additional academic and non-academic human resources*

    No new academic and non-academic resources required.

    Details of any administrative requirements, including support staff, adjunct and part-time faculty, supervision of experiential learning opportunities, and any other additional academic and non-academic human resources.
  • Physical resource requirements*

    None.

    Details of any physical resource requirements, including library holdings, information technology support and student services, special equipment, and space requirements (classrooms, laboratory, graduate student work/study space, other).
  • Business plan
  • Statement of funding requirements*

    No new funding is required.

    A summary statement of the funding required to support the modification, including projected enrolments, start-up and continuing costs, if applicable.
  • Statement of resource/funding availability*

    No new resources are required.

    Statements attesting to the adequacy of resources to support the modification from Deans who may have faculty members involved in or are contributing resources, the Registrar or the Dean of Graduate Studies, the Chief Librarian and the Provost.
  • Transition plan
  • Transition plan*

    The new 1st year requirements will be in place by September 2023. Because the changes allow for increased student choice, we do not anticipate any negative impacts for students.

    The proposed changes will be implemented in Fall 2023. At that time, Forensic Psychology BA (Honours) students in Years 1 and 2 and Forensic Psychology Advanced Entry students in Year 3 will be required to take PSYC 2900U, PSYC 2910U, and PSYC 3910U in place of SSCI 2900U, SSCI 2910U, and SSCI 3910U. Forensic Psychology BA (Honours) students in Year 3 and Forensic Psychology Advanced Entry students in Year 4 will have already taken SSCI 2900 and SSCI 2910. These students will be permitted to take PSYC 3910U without having to take PSYC 2900U and PSYC 2910U. Finally, any Forensic Psychology students who have successfully completed SSCI 2900U, SSCI 2910U, and SSCI 3910U by Fall 2023 will be considered to have satisfied the degree requirements for their program.  

     

    Semester (e.g. Fall 2020) for the implementation of the proposed changes; include a plan for all current students in the program, by year level. If this change impacts students that are not new and/or first-year students as of the start date, then a transition plan is required.
  • Converting to online options
  • Does this proposal contain any intended conversion of program components to online options? If yes, please complete the remaining items below*
  • Adequacy of technological platform
    Describe the adequacy of the technological platform to be used for online delivery
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to program-level learning outcomes
    Describe how the current program-level learning outcomes will be maintained and/or changed when moving to online delivery.
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to program objectives
    Describe how the current program objectives will be maintained and/or changed when moving to online delivery.
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to the quality of education
    Describe how the quality of education will be maintained and/or changed when moving to online delivery.
  • Sufficiency of support services and training for teaching staff
    Describe the support services and training for teaching staff that will be made available when moving to online delivery.
  • Sufficiency and type of support for students in the new learning environment
    Describe the sufficiency and type of supports that will be available to students when moving to online delivery.
  • Other
  • Additional supporting information, if applicable
    Describe any additional information needed to support the proposal.
(D) Impact and consultation
Next
  • STEP 5 - Complete Section D
  • We have consulted with all impacted areas*
    By selecting 'yes', you agree that you have consulted with all affected areas prior to beginning this proposal. Select 'N/A' only if the change(s) do not involve students, staff and faculty from other programs or courses.
  • Process of consultation*

    Consultation with the Dean, Associate Deans, Undergraduate Program Directors, Academic Advisors, and faculty members occurred over an 18-month period. This has included broad discussion at a Faculty Retreat, as well as individual discussions with each program director. Academic Advisors recommended these changes as a result of discussions with students.

    This change impacts students in the Psychology and Forensic Psychology undergraduate programs. It has been discussed, and agreed upon, by the Psychology and Forensic Psychology UPDs, as well as among the faculty members from those programs. The Psychology and Forensic Psychology UPDs also met with the Criminology and Justice UPD on December 1 to discuss.

    Must include ways in which student feedback was collected; also include process of consultation with other units if the change(s) involve(s) students, staff, and/or faculty from other programs or courses.
  • Are there any considerations for the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion or decolonization included with this program change?*
  • Please explain*

    The program change is indirectly related to principles of EDID. It is designed to provide more choice and flexibility for students, while also opening up opportunities for new course development within programs and the Faculty as a whole. By opening more space for more elective choices, students will have more flexibility to elect to study open elective courses such as INDG 1000U or other courses in the new Indigenous Studies minor program.

    Does the program contain concepts, materials or resources from scholars/professionals who are part of one or more historically marginalized groups? Are multiple perspectives represented in the program, such as those offered by those who are Indigenous, Black, Persons of Colour and/or 2SLGBTQIA+? How has accessibility been considered? More specifically, have the needs of students with disabilities been integrated into the program design (e.g., the ways that students are asked to demonstrate their learning)? Will this program provide space to allow for the discussion of other viewpoints outside the “dominant, Western narrative”? Have the principles of Universal Design been considered?
  • Indigenous Content and Consultation
  • Does this change include any Indigenous content?*

  • For more information on how Indigenous content is defined at Ontario Tech University and how to consult with the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle, please refer to the Protocol for Consultation with the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle.

  • Has the IEAC been contacted?
  • If Yes, when?
  • What was the advice you received from the IEAC? And, how has it been included in your proposal?
  • Did the IEAC ask you to return the proposal to them for review?
    If Yes, have they completed their review?
(E) Routing
Next
  • STEP 6 - Enter routing information

  • Important note: it is imperative that you choose the correct routing path as it cannot be changed once a proposal has been launched. If you have made a routing error after launching the proposal, the proposal will be cancelled and a new proposal will be required. If you require assistance with routing, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.

  • Should this proposal be routed to the Program Approval step prior to Curriculum Committee?*
    If your curriculum committee is organized by program, or if program-level approval prior to curriculum committee is not required, select 'no'.
  • Faculty or program-level group*
    Choose your faculty or program-level group from the list of options. If your faculty has program-level committees, choose the corresponding program group from the list. Otherwise, choose the home faculty. You may choose more than one option, but please note that your proposal will go to the committees of all options selected. The proposal will not move on to the next step until all faculties have approved at their respective committees. Note: If you are making a change for a Bachelor of Engineering program in FESNS, you must select both the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science from the list of options.
  • Is this change for a Bachelor of Engineering program or program which requires Engineering Curriculum Committee approval?*
  • Are there departments associated with your faculty?*
(F) End of proposal
Next
  • STEP 7 - Save and ensure all required fields are complete
  • STEP 8 - Validate and launch proposal
  • STEP 9 - Review program modifications

  • To view the proposal with mark-up, navigate to the discussion section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form and change the ‘User-Tracking’ setting to ‘Show current with mark-up’. To view the calendar copy with mark-up, click the ‘Preview Curriculum’ icon and then the red pencil icon.

  • STEP 10 - Approve proposal

  • As the originator, you must approve the proposal to send it on to the next step. To approve, navigate to the decisions section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form.

(G) CIQE use only
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