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Course Descriptions

PSYC 513: Psychological Testing 3

This course aims to establish an understanding of the problems involved in the measurement of abilities, achievement, attitudes, interests, behavior and personality. Methods of test construction and the concepts of reliability and validity will be considered.

PSYC 540: Psychology of Sexual Behavior 3

This course studies all forms of sexual behavior with emphasis on attitudes and practical concerns such as interpersonal relationships, emotional involvements and sexual difficulties, failures, and therapy.

PSYC 560: Rituals in Families 3

This course provides an overview of the functions of rituals as well as a model of assessment. Daily events, such as tucking a toddler into bed, holiday celebrations, family traditions, and cultural/religious rites of passage are highlighted. The power of these rituals to create and shape reality, express values and emotions, facilitate transitions, and promote healing is demonstrated through lecture, use of popular movies, and class participation.

PSYC 515: Child Development and Counseling 3

This course examines the biological, psychological, and social development of children and adolescents. Child and adolescent disorders such as autism, psychosis, behavior disorders and others are presented in terms of developmental functioning as well as developmental deviation.

PSYC 612: Psychopharmacology 1

This course examines the role of psychiatric medication in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Topics include the neurological basis of mental disorders, pharmokinetics; and specific medications used in the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders and psychotic disorders. In addition, the role of biological treatment of organic disorders is investigated.

PSYC 614 Counseling Diverse Populations 3

This course provides a conceptual framework with which to view the complex interplay of values, exceptions, and social and political forces in the counselor-client relationship. Also examined is the practice of cross-cultural counseling in mental health agencies, schools, and institutions. Guidelines and detailed methods for counseling specific groups of people (including African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Asian Americans, and gays and lesbians) are covered.

PSYC 621: Theories of Personality 3

Designed to emphasize the dynamics of human behavior and the application of these principles in a better understanding of one’s self, the rearing of children, academic adjustment and implications for teaching practices. The focus of the course will be toward the developing of a healthy self-image.

PSYC 622: Principles of Counseling 3

Primary content consists of processes and rationale of the main counseling theories through readings and class presentation. Recognition of deeper meanings of these counseling stances is encouraged by small group discussion, role-playing, etc. Stress is on the “why” more than the “how” of counseling. Each student is encouraged to engage in counseling-type relationships in the surrounding communities.

PSYC 626: Research Project in Psychology 3

This course builds on the research foundation established in Research 610, and specifically addresses applied research within the discipline of psychology. Interpretation of research and its impact on professional practice are studied. Students participate in the design, implementation and interpretation of a research project. Required for the Plan C Master's students. Prerequisite: RSCH 610: Open only to degree students..

PSYC 631: Psychopathology 3

Employing psychodynamic, behavioral, and systems approaches, the various types of pathology are examined emphasizing descriptive characteristics, etiology, and treatment. The students are instructed in the uses of the DSM IV, along with training in the development and interpretation of case histories.

PSYC 643: Issues and Techniques in Career Development 3

This course is designed to familiarize the counselor with the dynamic process involved in making educational and vocational choices. Special attention is given to career information, theory, testing, and organizational procedures needed for career guidance and programming. The class includes discussion of current issues such as leisure counseling, legislative and legal aspects, and new trends in employment prospects.

PSYC 660: Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy 3

This course introduces the student to the history of marriage and family counseling, major interpretive systems, current theoretical issues, counseling techniques and practices. While the course focuses on helping the student understand these cognitive elements, it also provides for some direct experience with counseling techniques and assessment instruments.

PSYC 661: Postmodern Models in Family Therapy 3

This course explores recent developments in family systems theory and therapy. Specifically, the course reviews theories of first and second-order cybernetics, constructivism, and “post-Milan” models of systemic family therapy, including the reflecting team. Class activities include class discussion, role-play exercises and videotaped examples of systemic family therapy.

PSYC 662: Marital and Family Interaction 3

The family is examined in a life cycle framework. The interaction patterns of individuals before marriage, in the marital dyad, and as members of a family are presented as valuable constructs for the understanding and treatment of the family unit.

PSYC 663: Structural Family Therapy 3

This course presents concepts related to the formation and resolution of human problems from the structural family therapy perspective. Students learn the basic theory and skills used in assessing and treating problematic families. Prerequisites: PSYC 660 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 664: Couples Therapy 3

This course is designed for students who have mastered basic counseling skills and marriage and family theory. Specific dynamics that become important when working with couples are explored. Students are asked to demonstrate the use of counseling techniques in simulated couple counseling situations.

PSYC 667: Strategic Family Therapy 3

The purpose of the course is to teach students the theory and application of three specific models of Strategic Family Therapy as developed by the 1.) Mental Research Institute, 2.) Haley and Madanes and 3.) The Milwaukee Group. Students have the opportunity to videotape family role-plays and design strategic team interventions utilizing the live supervision approach with the three models. Prerequisites: PSYC 660, PSYCH 662, PSYCH 663, or permission of instructor.

PSYC 613: Professional Ethics 3

This course provides a foundation for the ethical practice of counseling. The focus is on ethical decision-making through an understanding of legal and ethical standards of practice for counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists. Issues such as client rights, confidentiality, family law, dual relationships, duty to warn, and ethical consideration of special populations are studied.

PSYC 680: Group Dynamics 3

Examination of and experience in basic group processes. Emphasis is on 1.) Knowledge of group dynamics, 2.) Skill building as group leaders, and 3.) Participation in a group experience. Awareness of self and others at increasingly open and honest levels of communication is encouraged without the intensity of encounters approaches.

PSYC 685: Counseling Practicum 3

Opportunity for skill-building experience in the application of counseling methods in a closely supervised laboratory situation. Each student is seen individually and in group seminar on a weekly basis for discussion and videotape evaluation of counseling interviews. Prerequisite: PSYC 622.

PSYC 686: Fieldwork/Internship and Seminar 9

Supervised field experience is considered to be an integral part of preparation for professional activity. The specific nature of the fieldwork/internship experience varies with the submajor and goals of the student and approved by the respective graduate program director. Students receive regular supervision from competent professionals in the field and attend a weekly fieldwork/internship seminar with the director of the student's submajor. Each semester hour of credit is based upon 50 clock hours of fieldwork/internship plus a weekly 1 ½ hour seminar. The minimum number of credits required varies with the submajor.

COURSES IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS

RSCH 610: Foundations and Methods of Research 3

Emphasizes man’s search for truth and the ways in which such search is conducted. Includes the identification and delineation of research problems, survey of related literature, and detailed examination of different research methods. Attention is given to the presentation of research results in acceptable form.

RSCH 612: Proposal Design 2

This course assists the students in completing their proposal for either a thesis or research project that leads to a Master of Science degree (MS). Students are required to complete the full proposal within the context of the course. Prerequisite: RSCH: 610.

RSCH 620: Educational and Psychological Statistics I 3

This course covers statistical analysis methods for descriptive, correlation, and experimental designs. Descriptive statistics, linear regression, introduction to multiple regression, t ratio, analysis of variance for independent and repeated measures designs, factorial designs, chi square, non-parametric measures are included. Students receive instruction in the use of SPSS at the Academic Computer Center. Prerequisite: Course in elementary statistics.

RSCH 635: Thesis 4

This course involves meetings with the thesis committee and satisfactory completion of thesis requirements including the oral examination. Students must register for a total of four semester hours. Prerequisite: RSCH 612.

RHDS 687: Substance Abuse and Family Treatment 3

This course is an introduction to the issues and techniques of treating the family with an alcoholic member. Among the topics discussed are viewing the family as a client, diagnostic assessment techniques, prescriptions for treatment of the alcoholic as well as spouse and children. A family case analysis approach is utilizes. Prerequisite: RHAB 284 or PSYC 660 or equivalent.