Department Vision and Mission

Vision Statement

The Department of Psychology and Counseling at the University of Central Arkansas aspires to be a nationally recognized leader in undergraduate and graduate education, where undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty establish close collaborations to learn the scientific principles of behavior and mental processes, to make significant contributions to the science and practice of psychology, and to produce professionals who serve the local, national, and global communities.

Mission Statement

The Department of Psychology and Counseling is committed to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. Our faculty and graduates are expected to be competent and ethical professionals committed to the science of psychology and its application to real-world situations. Our undergraduate program provides a foundation for the scientific understanding of behavior and mental processes and promotes scholarship and service. Our graduate programs prepare students to become Licensed Psychologists, School Psychology Specialists, and Licensed Professional Counselors who provide evidence-based services for children, adults, and families in a variety of healthcare and educational settings. Our department promotes an environment characterized by collaborative learning and scholarship among its undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty, guided by the following core values of our university and professional organizations.

Department Values

Intellectual Excellence– To promote intellectual excellence, we
  • maintain high academic standards for undergraduate and graduate students
  • expect faculty to be dedicated to exceptional teaching and mentoring.
  • serve as scholarly role models who make significant contributions to psychology.
  • provide opportunities for independent and collaborative scholarship and support the dissemination of research.
  • encourage a balance between the theoretical and practical aspects of psychology.
Community– To promote connections within the Department and with the greater community, we
  • encourage shared decision-making and collaboration among students, colleagues, staff, and the communities we serve.
  • promote a collegial environment in which ideas are shared freely.
  • expect faculty, staff, and students to promote a positive environment that encourages departmental cohesiveness, productivity, and morale.
  • encourage faculty and students to use their talents to serve the university, our communities, and our professions.
Diversity– To promote diversity of viewpoints and experiences, we
  • treat all individuals with dignity and respect.
  • recognize the importance of both individual and group characteristics (i.e., those that make us unique and those that make us similar).
  • promote diversity among students, staff, and faculty who have different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and ideas.
  • maintain a supportive and collaborative learning environment designed to enhance one another’s personal and professional development.
Integrity– To maintain the public’s trust in our department and our discipline, we
  • benefit and protect the welfare of those with whom we serve and avoid doing harm.
  • act with honesty and accuracy in our academic and professional activities.
  • teach and model the Ethical Principles of our professional organizations.
  • identify and appropriately sanction academic and professional misconduct.
  • promote transparency and accountability in departmental activities.