Unveiling Hidden Curriculum

by: Hudson Riehl 

What is the “hidden curriculum” of colleges and why should students be interested in it?  Understanding the answer to both these questions can be a great asset to students.  The hidden curriculum of a university is designed to cultivate in the student a certain set of skills that will assist them in succeeding in their academic and occupational endeavors.

Through required courses of study including the sciences, humanities, language, history, mathematics and the arts, universities can ensure that their students are exposed to a specific set of academic disciplines.  These particular sets of courses are meant to produce a well rounded student who can demonstrate intellectual and practical skills.  Some of these skills include critical and creative thinking, written and oral communication, team work and problem solving as well as quantitative and information literacy.

Students can maximize the benefits of the hidden curriculum by enrolling in other courses that will further develop these skills and by engaging in activities that will give them an opportunity to apply and master these skills. There are numerous opportunities for students to develop these skills.  Students can become a research apprentice, instructor’s assistant, enroll in an honor’s independent project and join organizations like Psi Chi.  Participating in these types of activities will strengthen important skills such as team work, problem solving, and effective oral and written communication.

Individuals who possess these skills are the type of people employees are likely to employ and whom graduate schools are likely to grant admission.  For students considering attending graduate school, having the experience and abilities that are developed from these activities, particularly excellent writing skills are prerequisites for admission. Students who plan on entering the work force will have developed the confidence and the ability to demonstrate their skills in the work force.

The opportunities to develop the skills of the “hidden curriculum are abundant with organizations like Psi Chi. So do not wait another day to start developing and fine tuning the skills that will give you the advantage over the competition and that will help lead to a successful academic and occupational career.      

Getting Involved - A Freshman's Perspective

By: Jacky Hardenburg

This year as a freshman at Oakland University, I already knew that I wanted to major in psychology, but I didn’t really know where to go from there.  When classes started I kind of just went through the motions, as many people seem to do at Oakland, and went to and from class without getting involved.  Within the first couple weeks of going to my Intro to Psychology class, I noticed my professor kept mentioning meetings and get-togethers hosted by PSI CHI.  After hearing the name for a couple weeks and getting frequent e-mails from OU’s chapter of the national honor society for psychology students – PSI CHI, I soon became very interested in what they had to offer me.

The first meeting I went to was a three hour session on a Saturday morning. Crazy as that sounds, sacrificing a Saturday morning was well worth it.  When I arrived at the workshop, there were bagels, coffee, and a lot of smiling faces eager to get started.   As I helped myself to goodies and found a place to sit, I wasn’t really sure of what to expect. The title of the event was Careers in Psychology and I was just hoping I wouldn’t fall asleep.  To my surprise, for the full three hours I was in that little room in South Foundation Hall, I was overwhelmingly intrigued with the information presented to me and the other thirty-one students who showed up that morning. 

The psychology professor, PSI CHI officers, and guest speakers all made valuable contributions to the presentation, as well as answered any questions the students asked.  Professor Lewis, the psychology department advisor, provided a PowerPoint slideshow that explained what jobs and internships are available, which classes are beneficial to take, and other pertinent information for a psychology major.  Although the range of information covered everything from a bachelor degree to a PhD degree, the focus was on the many exciting career opportunities available for bachelor degrees. The presentation left me a little speechless and overwhelmed, but definitely excited.    I walked out of the get-together with over twenty papers of information and how to get started on my career in psychology.

There is so much I want to accomplish and the workshop definitely sparked my interest in becoming a member of PSI CHI.  The more I learn about the organization PSI CHI, the more I want to volunteer my time and do what I can to get involved.  I hope to become a member by my junior year, but in the mean time, I plan to help with fundraisers or functions held by PSI CHI, post fliers, and inform other psych majors about this helpful organization.  Just from that one meeting, I know what my future at OU holds for me and the options that are available to me as a psychology major. With the help of PSI CHI, I can accomplish the goals that I set for myself and my future career in psychology.

Getting Involved - A Transfer Student’s Perspective

By: Jennifer Kelley

In the Spring of 2006, I transferred from Oakland Community College.  I attended Oakland University’s transfer orientation, met with a CAS advisor, and then planned my courses according to O.U.’s catalog.  I was flying through my classes, performing degree evaluations after every semester, and was thrilled to be all set for graduation in May 2009.  

This past winter, I made the decision to pursue a PhD in Psychology.   I started to plan where I would apply for graduate school and came across a workshop that PSI CHI sponsors, “How to Get Into Grad School”.  As I strolled into the workshop, I was very confident I had all I needed to get into a good graduate school: an excellent GPA, upcoming bachelor’s degree, and plans to take the GRE in the summer.  After all, I did what the CAS advisor told me to do. I followed the degree requirements, didn’t I?

Three hours later, I was in tears!  I had no clue about the “hidden curriculum” that was presented in the workshop. What is this “hidden curriculum” and if you need it to get into a good graduate school, why is it hidden?!  Why didn’t my CAS advisor tell me this?  Why doesn’t the course catalog have a section about “hidden curriculum?”

I am ready to graduate with a degree in psychology, but I am nowhere near where I need to be to get into a decent graduate school.  What I did wrong was to ignore the announcements in my psychology classes about PSI CHI workshops such as “Starting Off Right” and “Careers in Psychology”, thinking that I didn’t need those workshops, because I already had a plan. Now I am paying the price, literally!  I am paying extra tuition for additional semesters to get the “hidden curriculum” that was available to me on day one, if I would have opened my eyes.

There are posters plastered all over Pryale Hall and professors more than willing to discuss research opportunities, assistant teaching positions, letters of recommendation, internships, and 400-level courses, that make up the “hidden curriculum”. For students who do not plan to attend graduate school, the workshops offer information and options that will help you decide on your career path.  You may even discover new opportunities that you didn’t even know existed.

If I could give you one piece of advice for your college career it would be, GET INVOLVED!  Go to the workshops, talk to your professors, see the psychology chief advisor, hang around Pryale Hall, talk to students, and join or volunteer for PSI CHI.