After a comprehensive review, the department of MPL IQAP Cyclical Review Committee completed a Self-Study Report (SSR) which was submitted in June 2017 to the External Review Committee (ERC), comprised of one arm’s-length external reviewer (Dr. John Tivendell, Université de Moncton) and an internal reviewer (Dr. Chris Thurgood from RMC). They reviewed the self-study documentation and conducted a site visit to RMC on the 15th and 16th of January, 2018. The visit included interviews with the Dean of Arts, Vice-Principal Academic, Head of Military Psychology and Leadership Department, Chief Librarian, as well as several civilian and military members of the Military Psychology and Leadership Department faculty, and several students in the programmes. The ERC subsequently produced a report based on the Self-Study and site visit. The report was circulated to department members and discussed with members of the Military Psychology and Leadership Department faculty.
The ERC identified a number of strengths of the Military Psychology and Leadership Department Programmes including that the psychology degree being offered at RMC is consistent with the expectations proper to a Canadian University and that the curriculum reflects what is being covered in most other Canadian universities and what the Canadian Psychological Association recommends. Furthermore, the ERC recommended that the MPL department should consider introducing a graduate program in psychology. Also included in the report were a number of concerns and several recommendations for improvements to the MPL Programme. The primary areas of concern noted were an increase in published and peer-reviewed research output, more and better funding opportunities provided by the Department of National Defence; teaching workload be fair, comparable and equitable; and the necessity of lab space for faculty and students to conduct research.
According to the Report, MPL is an “energetic and optimistic” department with a strong interest in delivering a sound undergraduate psychology programme to OCdts. The Report found that MPL members, both military and civilian, are dedicated to provide a programme of quality and found it to be on par with those of existing institutions. While there are no graduate programs at the moment, there is a growing interest in offering such programs for students keen in pursuing research in Military Psychology. Although the Report highlighted the strengths of the department, it also underlined some issues that need to be addressed such as engaging in regular meetings, showcasing faculty and student research better, updating classroom equipment, increasing research productivity, reducing teaching load, gaining experience teaching at the graduate level, and the necessity of a lab space. Improving on these aspects will provide cadets with an even better academic experience that will provide them with the skills necessary for their future as officers. The FAR was approved by the Senate of the College on June 28th, 2021.