The possibility of developing a major without faculty additions, at least in the beginning, should be explored within the next few years. This is a high quality program but the clinical practice component is not cost effective and never can be. Due to its very nature, the student-faculty ratio will get smaller over time. Overall, greater cost efficiency in the entire program is essential and ways of achieving it must be explored. The program should be maintained but it is critical that the open faculty lines are filled with quality appointments.
Psychology needs to make more connections with and contributions to other programs across campus.
But the program also requires more specific courses than most other majors in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Better use of faculty resources and less reliance on part-time faculty might be achieved by curriculum review aimed at closer coordination with some Advertising courses and consolidation of some Public Relations Courses. Closer collaboration with Advertising is needed. Demand is high and projected to grow. The open position should be defined in such a way that the person hired contributes to several programs.