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 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.

Dr. Stewart and Students

There was great response and interest shown by the attendees.  Students may think that a good strategy for prepping for the GRE is traditional study methods, but this method has proven not to be very successful. More important, students are better off knowing what to expect from the structure and timing of the test. If you happened to miss this opportunity for information, you can pick up a copy of the handout in at Pryale Hall.  Free practice tests and review guides are provided at www.ets.org.

Students taking notes

·         Think of it as a major assessment of every skill you have ever been taught in all your years of school.

·         Prepare for the test by studying the structure and scoring process of the test.

·         Take every free practice test you can.

·         Purchase an inexpensive review book from Barnes & Noble if you feel you need it. (Kaplan prep courses cost more than the exam and applications!)

·         Recognize that this is not a test of knowledge so much as a test of your ability to solve problems. You cannot study lists of vocabulary words over the summer.

·         The subject test matters if the school requires it, but it tends to be less important than the general test. The Analytic Writing portion is important...be sharp.