Los Angeles City College Psychology Department

Comprehensive Program Review 2008
The Psychology department has excellent retention and success rates. Our student retention rate over a six year
period is remarkably stable at approximately 88% of students. Similarly, our success rate of approximately 70% of
students is also exceptionally stable over the six year period and compares favorably with the College’s overall
success rate of approximately 63% for the same time span. While the College overall, has had a declining success
rate (68% in 2001 to 58% in 2007) our department’s rate of success has actually risen by 1% over the same period
to 71% in 2007. Unlike the college which has its lowest success rates in the evening, our department shows steady
and strong success rates during all periods of the day, including evenings.
Although our overall student enrollment has been very steady over the last six years, we have seen a slight decrease
(approximately 19%) in the number of students in our department receiving degrees and certificates. This decline
may reflect a growing number of students transferring to other Universities to complete their Bachelor’s degrees
before completing degrees or certificates in our program. Our department is considering added several new courses
to broaden or programs appeal including courses related to art therapy and forensic psychology.
c. FTEF
Discuss how the FTEF trends will impact your program. Include any need for increasing or reducing your program
faculty. (Develop Resource if necessary.) Given the data, describe the trend in FTEF/FTES ratio .
What are the implications for your program(s)?
In 2001-02, 02-03, 04-05, and 05-06 the Psychology Department had seven full-time faculty. In 06-07 the
department had six full-time faculty. In 07-08 the department had five full-time faculty and one limited position. FTES
remained relatively constant at approximately 250 so the trend in FTF/FTES ratio has steadily and perilously
declined from 1FTF for every 35 FTES to 1 FTF for every 50 FTES. This trend, if not immediately corrected will lead
to a collapse in the department's ability to fulfill its mission as an academic and vocational-academic program.
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