Curriculum and Degree Requirements

Core Licensure Requirements

(60 credits)

Credits

Brief Course Description

PSY 501 Theory & Practice of Counseling

3

The course will offer an overview of theories and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy with emphasis on comprehensive analysis of each theory. Skills in intake assessment, treatment planning, brief and long-term models, crisis intervention, and prevention strategies will be developed.

PSY 503 Intermediate Statistics

3

An examination of intermediate statistical methods.  Students will examine various forms of statistical analysis and variance (ANOVA) to address various form of regression analysis.

PSY 505 Intermediate Research I

3

An examination of the array of research methods used in the behavioral sciences and helping professions. Emphasis is placed on critically evaluating psychological research and understanding its application to counseling.

PSY 506 Intermediate Research Methods II

3

An examination of the array of research methods used in the behavioral sciences and helping professions. Emphasis is placed on critically evaluating psychological research and understanding its application to counseling. Semester II will address survey research methods and program evaluation. 

PSY 507 Assessment & Evaluation Techniques

3

A history and overview of the standardized evaluation methods commonly used in the assessment of individuals and groups. Students will gain skills in the ethical and professional selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of commonly used aptitude, achievement, and interest tests.

PSY 508 Group Dynamics & Group Counseling

3

PSY 509 Cultural Diversity in Counseling

3

The course will be designed to help counselors maximize their effectiveness in working with clients from different cultures and sub-cultures, including counseling skills that are effective with clients with various disabilities, races, religions, sexual orientations, and economic backgrounds.

PSY 510 Career Counseling

3

An introduction to methods used in counseling clients about career-related decisions. An overview of test instruments used to evaluate skills and aptitudes, methods to give guidance for training and job placement, and job interview strategies will be included.

PSY 511 Human Growth & Development

3

An advanced study of the theories and factors relevant to understanding human development throughout the lifespan, with emphasis on social, cognitive, and affective development.

PSY 512 Legal & Ethical Issues

3

This course will review of relevant laws, the American Psychological Association (APA) Code of Ethics and related codes as appropriate. Steps in ethical decision-making will be discussed and case studies will be presented.

PSY 513 Practicum in Counseling

3

Students are supervised by the course instructor and a field supervisor and receive feedback from supervisors in order to develop counseling skills. A minimum of 300 clock hours of supervised experience is required.

PSY 515 Practicum in Assessment

3

 Advanced training in the use of psychological assessment instruments for the evaluation of children and adolescents experiencing emotional, behavioral, or academic problems. A minimum of 300 clock hours in an approved facility under the supervision of an appropriately trained and licensed mental health professional is required.

PSY 601 Child & Adult Psychopathology

3

An introduction to the evaluation and classification of abnormal human behavior and psychiatric disorders according to current standards of classification, including instruction in the purpose and use of DSM-IV-TR.

PSY 662 Psychology of Criminal Behavior

3

Review of historical and contemporary issues, such as the interface of the mental health system and the criminal system, civil commitment, diminished capacity, the insanity defense, sentencing, capital punishment, competency to stand trial, and the use of research in court.

PSY 664 Assessment & Treatment of Offenders

3

The course will emphasize empirically supported psychotherapeutic programs for specific disorder presentations and conceptual skills necessary for effectively intervening with children, adolescents, and their parents.

PSY 672 Physiological Psychology/ Psychopharmacology

3

An examination of current developments in the fields of physiological psychology and psychopharmacology, including an exploration of the physiological bases of emotion, sleep, sexual behavior, hunger and thirst, learning and memory, psychopathology, and drug use and abuse.

PSY 681 Seminar in Psychology

3

This course is designed to accomodate course offerings on new or emerging topic areas.  May be repeated for credit provided that the topic is different with each selection.  Course content, requirements, and/or prerequisites will be posted independently each term.

PSY 690 Comprehensive Exam

3

The M.A. comprehensive examination preparation will consist of three parts:  (1) theory; (2) Methods; and (3) Substantive Area/Special Area.