Seton Hall Faculty Pioneer Global Model for Undergraduate Psychology Education

Seton Hall University psychology faculty, Susan Nolan, Ph.D., and Fanli Jia, Ph.D., along with an international team of collaborators, have achieved a trailblazing accomplishment in developing the International Competencies for Undergraduate Psychology (ICUPOS) model and curriculum. This innovative initiative sets a global standard for assessing undergraduate psychology education and aims to influence institutions worldwide by providing a comprehensive framework for fostering international perspectives in higher education. The ICUPOS project is a groundbreaking effort involving over 100 participants from more than 40 countries. It is explicitly designed to promote international collaboration, offering guidelines that encourage educators and institutions to think globally about psychology education. The initiative also emphasizes inclusivity, incorporating voices from countries and indigenous populations often underrepresented in global academic conversations.

Nolan, Jia, and their colleague, Jacquelyn Cranney, Ph.D., from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, co-founded ICUPOS. Supported by a grant from the Association for Psychological Science’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, their research culminated in the development of undergraduate psychology competencies. These competencies aim to enhance mobility and connectivity for psychology students across borders, regardless of where they receive their education. The project’s leadership team, comprising three Seton Hall faculty members and 19 individuals from diverse countries, reflects its global purpose. Beyond this core group, ICUPOS benefits from the input of a larger advisory panel representing 40 nations. This diversity ensures the model is informed by a wide range of cultural and academic perspectives, making it adaptable to various educational systems and contexts.

Nolan’s U.S. Fulbright Scholar Award enabled her to spend a semester at the University of New South Wales, further strengthening the collaboration. This international partnership has provided invaluable insights, creating a unique learning experience for all involved. As one participant noted, “The opportunity to learn from different countries has been incredible.”

ICUPOS has already garnered significant interest from institutions around the world. With its development phase complete, the team is now focused on distributing the framework and encouraging its adoption. The model’s goal is to influence how undergraduate psychology is taught globally, fostering greater mobility and cross-border connectivity for students. To explore the ICUPOS model and its diverse contributors, visit the project’s official website. Additionally, the American Psychological Association’s publication on the project, titled “Undergraduate Psychology Graduate Capabilities: Stage 1 of the International Identification, Development, and Sharing of Open Teaching and Assessment Resources,” provides further insights. By bridging educational gaps and creating a truly global framework, ICUPOS aims to set a new standard for undergraduate psychology education, ensuring students worldwide are prepared to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

The Department of Psychology at Seton Hall University offers exceptional programs in Psychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and offers extraordinary opportunities for global learning, cutting-edge experimental research, and mentorship. To learn more about these programs and other research and leadership from the Department of Psychology, contact department chairperson, Gregory Burton, Ph.D., at [email protected].  

Categories: Education, Nation and World