Effects of a Graduate Preparation Program on Undergraduate Psychology Majors

Abstract

We conducted 2 studies to assess and enhance levels of graduate preparation. In Study 1, 248 undergraduates and 28 graduate students completed a new measure of graduate preparation, the Grad Prep Quiz. Results documented the psychometric utility and the predictive validity of the measure, with graduate students scoring significantly higher on this measure than undergraduates. Study 2 provided a controlled study of a graduate preparation program. Compared to the control group, participants in the graduate preparation program demonstrated a significant increase in their Grad Prep Quiz scores. These results support efforts to enhance effective preparation for graduate study in psychology.