The purpose of establishing this department is to cultivate individuals with professional competence in psychology, practical psychological skills, rational critical thinking abilities, an international perspective, and sound personality development. In the direction of academic research, emphasis is placed on both theory and practice, aligning with the university's focus on humanities and social development. The department encourages interdisciplinary research with a humanitarian and social care perspective, starting from local concerns and extending to international dimensions, in response to global academic trends. Based on this philosophy, the department has formulated five major objectives:
Foundational Training in Psychological Professional Competence: The department, as an institution for cultivating psychological talent in the country, not only imparts basic knowledge in its curriculum but also prioritizes the development of students' critical thinking abilities and encourages reading of psychological literature. For undergraduate students, the focus is on establishing a foundation, exploring the field of psychology, and fostering identity. Master's students are grouped based on research areas, enhancing their expertise and research capabilities, and they are encouraged to study knowledge from other fields to delve deeper into psychological research. Doctoral students undergo training to strengthen independent research skills and future teaching and leadership abilities.
Balanced Training in Psychological Theory and Practical Application: The department's historical development underscores the practical application of psychological knowledge. Practical areas such as counseling, clinical psychology, industrial and organizational psychology (including human resources) offer internship courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. These courses provide students with opportunities to intern and practice in relevant institutions or workplaces, enhancing communication with practitioners. Guest lectures from professionals are organized to expose students to real-world applications of psychological knowledge, making the department's education a balance of theory and practice, thereby increasing students' competitiveness in the workplace.
Diverse and International Learning and Research: To meet the demands of changing times, the department provides various training channels for students to enhance career planning based on their interests and goals. Beyond basic general education and service learning courses, the department encourages undergraduate students to take courses from different fields, participate in teacher experimental communities, and engage in international conferences or short-term exchanges with foreign schools. This fosters a dialogue between local social humanities and psychology. The department aims to increase the internationalization of faculty and students through participation in international conferences, short-term exchanges or studies abroad, and collaboration with foreign research teams.
Interdisciplinary Research and Teaching Collaboration with Campus Research Centers and Other Departments: Recognizing the importance of cognitive science and neuroscience in recent developments in psychology, the department collaborates with the university's "Mind, Brain, and Learning Research Center." The collaboration includes departments such as psychology, education, linguistics, economics, and computer science, collectively exploring the theme of "Social and Cognitive Neuroscience." This interdisciplinary approach involves both foundational research in cognitive neuroscience and the application of findings to daily life and clinical settings. The department aims to highlight its unique characteristics through this interdisciplinary research, contributing to the advancement of four major issues: behavioral pharmacology, neurolinguistics, neuroeconomics, and health psychology.
Collaboration in Teaching and Research with Medical Units: Anticipating that health psychology will be a key focus of future development in the country, the department has established cooperative relationships with medical institutions such as Taipei City Hospital and National Defense Medical Center. Collaborations with rehabilitation hospitals, Wanfang Hospital, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Changhua Christian Hospital aim to facilitate mutual benefits in teaching and research. This initiative provides a platform for dialogue and exchange between basic research and the medical community, achieving the goal of translational research and offering students more opportunities for future learning.
