All Courses

PSY-746 Psychoanalytic Theory/Therapy

1. Discuss the development and main features of these psychoanalytic theories. A: Classical; B: Object Relations; C: Attachment Theory; and D: Relational Theories.
2. Discuss the significance of each major psychoanalytic theory and how each theory has contributed to our contemporary understanding of personality and/or therapy.
3. Employ in discussion and apply to clinical material the major terms in psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

PSY-747 Cognitive-Behavioral Theory/Therapy

1. Describe the history of behavioral, cognitive, and cognitive behavioral therapies.
2. Explain the principles of classical, operant, and vicarious learning and how they can be used to effect change.
3. Discuss the roles of Social Learning Theory and Social Cognitive Theory in the paradigm shift from a purely behavioral view of personal change to a cognitive mediational view.
4. Explain the reciprocal processes involved in personal change and the role of self-efficacy on those processes.
5. Compare different cognitive behavioral therapies and how they apply cognitive, behavioral, and environmental interventions contextually for different psychological disorders.
6. Apply CBT in a culturally competent manner.​

PSY-748 Humanistic and Existential Theory/Therapy

4 semester credits

This course comprehends humanistic/existential psychology as an approach to psychological theory, research, and psychotherapy that focuses upon lived experience in the context of the individual’s relatedness to self and others, and their cultural, social, and natural environments.

Humanistic/Existential psychologists typically take a profound interest in the experience of clients, therapists, subjects, and investigators. They promote an “open economy” of experience and ideas, respect the autonomy and value of individuals, communities and cultures, honor and value history and tradition without being blindly obedient to them, place the individual’s experience and the therapeutic relationship (as opposed to diagnosis, theory and classification) at the focus of clinical interactions, and take particular interest in the fundamental conditions of human existence, including mortality, freedom, desire, will, isolation, alienation, relatedness, meaning, and creativity. Humanistic/existential psychology is concerned with the positive and joyous, as well as the pathological and tragic aspects of human life. 
Pre-requisites: PSY-711A1  
Delivery Method: Distance/Electronically Mediated
Grading Default: Letter Only
Note: Elective
Learning Outcome(s):  

1. Explain a broad spectrum of humanistic, existential-phenomenological, post-modern and systemic theories and principles.
2. Describe the relevance of these principles to the therapeutic alliance, relationship, and technique. 
3. Discuss the relationship between humanistic and existential psychology and other psychological and psychotherapeutic approaches.

PSY-749 Marriage and Family Therapy

4 semester credits

1. Relate the historical context of contemporary theories of family therapy.
2. Describe the current status of marriage and the challenges facing contemporary couples.
3. Examine the importance and contributions of systems thinking in family and couples therapy.
4. Discuss several different theoretical approaches to family therapy and be able to apply them to clinical cases.
5. Identify the role of ethnicity, culture, and gender in understanding and treating couples and families
6. Demonstrate understanding of the research supporting the efficacy of at least one approach to couples therapy.

PSY-750 Group Psychotherapy

4 semester credits

While the focus will primarily be on interpersonally-focused therapy groups, we will also consider when and how to use different types of groups, including task groups, psycho-educational groups and support groups. Finally, we will review the ethical and legal principles unique to group work, with an awareness of the ethical responsibility to demonstrate sensitivity to group member diversity with regard to race, ethnicity, gender, spirituality, sexual orientation, and disabilities.

All students will be expected to participate in an experiential group (to be negotiated with the professor), the experience of which will be a focus of one of the required papers.
Pre-requisites: PSY-711A1  
Delivery Method: Distance/Electronically Mediated
Grading Default: Letter
Note: Elective
Learning Outcome(s):  

1. Identify the eleven therapeutic factors which are intrinsic to the group therapy process.
2. Identify the typical stages of group development and basic group theory principles.
3. Explain how to modify a prototypic group to the needs of a particular setting, issue, or purpose.
4. Describe the ethical and professional issues relevant to group therapy.
5. Describe and apply the basic techniques/strategies that are useful in leading groups and that differentiate group from individual counseling.
6. Discuss how to work with diverse populations in group settings.
7. Describe contemporary research on group therapy.

PSY-751 Special Topics in Psychotherapy

PSY-752 Positive Psychology

2 or 4 semester credits

1. Identify the historical, philosophical, and meta-psychological foundations of the positive psychology movement.
2. Describe the basic theories and findings of positive psychology.
3. Identify the place of values and cultural differences in the theory and practice of psychology.
4. Discuss techniques and controversies in the practice of positive psychological assessment and to treatment.
5. Describe the role of positive psychological assessment in creating psychological formulations and writing psychological reports.
6. Explain basic critiques of the positive psychological movement.
7. Compare positive psychology in relation to non-western traditions and philosophies.

PSY-755 Writing for the Internship Application

2 semester credits

RCP students: Will need permission from the RCP Program Director who will work with the student and Director of Internship Advising to determine if the student will meet the Oct 1 deadline for completing internship requirements (e.g., 1500 hrs practicum, PSY-710G , PSY-779  or PSY-632B  ). Registration for RCP students will require contacting the registrar with this permission.
Delivery Method: Distance/Electronically Mediated
Grading Default: Credit/No Credit Only
Learning Outcome(s):  

1. Write clearly, concisely, engagingly, and effectively for the purposes of developing APPIC Match materials.
2. Demonstrate comprehension of the process of the APPIC match.
3. Identify unique clinical strengths and growth edges and develop training goals consistent with long term career goals.
4. Identify 15-18 good fitting training sites based on student’s unique characteristics.

PSY-756 Special Topics in Academic Writing

1. Able to write clearly, concisely, engagingly and effectively both for scholarly and other professional purposes.
2. Able to use correct grammar, spelling and APA format.

PSY-757 Teaching of Psychology: Course Development

1. Analyze research on human learning
2. Evaluate principles of effective teaching
3. Analyze research on the characteristics of excellent teachers
4. Design course learning objectives for an undergraduate psychology course
5. Choose appropriate and effective course materials for an undergraduate psychology course
6. Develop a syllabus for an undergraduate psychology course that includes learning experiences and methods of evaluating student learning

PSY-758 Teaching of Psychology: Fostering Learning

1. Develop and describe their teaching style
2. Analyze different instructional strategies for classroom and online teaching environments
3. Apply knowledge to design effective learning experiences for an undergraduate psychology course
4. Apply knowledge to design effective methods of assessing student learning in an undergraduate psychology course
5. Understand methods of fostering effective relationships with students
6. Assess and improve their teaching style
7. Apply knowledge and experiences to design a new course syllabus for an undergraduate psychology course

PSY-759 Teaching of Psychology: Practicum

1. Foster student learning through office hours interactions
2. Design and deliver an effective lecture in the classroom (in-person or via live video meeting)
3. Design and deliver an effective non-lecture learning experience (in-person or via live video meeting)
4. Provide effective feedback on assignments
5. Receive feedback openly and use it to make improvements in teaching practices
6. Manage relationships with students in an effective manner

PSY-760 Independent Study

PSY-762 Human Sexuality and Culture

1. Discuss the effect of cultural factors such as gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, religion, and mental health on sexual behavior and values.
2. Describe the various sexual diseases and dysfunctions.
3. Identify human sexual anatomy and physiology.
4. Describe the processes of sexual arousal and response.
5. Discuss the varieties of sexual styles and relationships across cultural groups.
6. Examine the nature and treatment of sexual dysfunction across cultural groups.

PSY-765 Forensic Psychology

1. Identify the scope of the field of forensic psychology.
2. Explain the tasks involved in applying psychological knowledge and skills to the psycho-legal issues to which forensic psychologists respond.
3. Describe the core psycho-legal issues in various types/areas of forensic practice.
4. Achieve an understanding of the leading cases relevant to the practice of civil forensic psychology
5. Examine the ethical issues relevant to forensic practice.
6. Understand and apply the steps required to conduct a forensic assessment and prepare a forensic report (clinical) or the ability to present expert testimony and an expert report on a relevant forensic issue (non-clinical).

PSY-765A Forensic Assessment in Criminal Cases

1. Examine the tasks involved in applying psychological assessment skills to the psycho-legal issues presented in criminal cases.
2. Describe the core psycho-legal issues in various types of psychological assessments in criminal court cases.
3. Identify the ethical issues relevant to forensic assessments in a criminal setting.

PSY-765B Forensic Assessment in Civil Court

2 semester credits

1. Achieve an in-depth understanding of the basic issues and legal standards in the practice of civil forensic psychology including the assessment psychological damages, causation, psychological disability, fitness for employment.
2. Achieve an understanding of the use of interviews, psychological testing, collateral information, record review, and other sources of information in forming a civil forensic psychological opinion.
3. Gain a basic understanding of research relevant to the practice of civil forensic psychology.
4. Become familiar with the ethical, cultural, and professional issues that arise in the practice of civil forensic psychology.

PSY-765C Forensic Assessment in Child Custody and Parental Rights

1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the methods, assessments, and best practices for conducting child custody and parental competency evaluations.
2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the ethical issues relevant to child custody/parental competency evaluations.
3. Demonstrate a basic understanding of diversity/multicultural factors relevant to child custody/parental competency evaluations.

PSY-765D Forensic Neuropsychology Assessment

1. Outline the scientific approach to forensic neuropsychology.
2. Evaluate the factors influencing admissibility of forensic neuropsychology expert opinions.
3. Analyze ethical issues in the practice of forensic neuropsychology.
4. Analyze the process of assessing response style in forensic neuropsychological evaluations.
5. Compare the common psychological questions in criminal and civil cases utilizing neuropsychological evaluations.
6. Synthesize research and clinical best practices for conducting neuropsychological evaluations for criminal cases.
7. Synthesize research and clinical best practices for conducting neuropsychological evaluations for civil cases.

PSY-765E Ethics in Forensic Psychology

2 semester credits

1. Examine the ethical issues and dilemmas that can arise in the practice of forensic psychology and to be familiar with the guidelines and general principles that aid in their resolution.
2. Apply the APA ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct, the APA Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology, and other APA ethical guidelines to forensic practice.
3. Identify the ethical, cultural, and professional issues that can impact the ethical issues that arise in the practice of forensic psychology.

PSY-765F Malingering and Deception

2 semester credits

1. Discuss the clinical, psychometric, cultural, and ethical issues in the assessment of malingering.
2. Examine and assess malingering of cognitive deficits.
3. Examine and assess malingering of mental illness.
4. Describe psychological report writing as it is relevant to the assessment of malingering and exaggeration.

PSY-765G Evaluations for the Immigration Courts

1. Examine the basics of the U.S. Immigration Courts
2. Examine the law of asylum and removal cases in Immigration Court
3. Analyze the nuance of conducting evaluations with diverse clients
4. Demonstrate a beginning proficiency in interviewing immigrations clients
5. Demonstrate a beginning proficiency in writing reports/affidavits for immigration cases

PSY-765L Forensic Psychology Lab

1. Identify the scope of the field of forensic psychology.
2. Examine the tasks involved in applying psychological knowledge and skills to the psycho-legal issues to which forensic psychologists respond.
3. Describe the core psycho-legal issues in various types/areas of forensic practice.
4. Identify the ethical issues relevant to forensic practice.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the steps required to conduct a forensic assessment and prepare a forensic report (clinical), and the ability to present expert testimony and an expert report on a relevant forensic issue (non-clinical).

PSY-770 Special Topics in Forensic Psychology

PSY-774 Neuropsychological Care in Traumatic Brain Injury: Assessment, Rehabilitation, and Advocacy

4 semester credits

1. Describe how brain injury affects the physiology of the brain.
2. Discuss how brain injury affects neurocognitive functioning.
3. Describe how brain injury affects emotional functioning and personality.
4. Explain how brain injury impacts the family.
5. Identify various approaches to neuropsychological assessment of brain injury.
6. Explain the model of multi-disciplinary treatment used in brain injury rehabilitation.
7. Identify training and career options for doctoral students in clinical psychology who wish to pursue a career in brain injury rehabilitation.

PSY-779 RCP Comprehensive Exam

4 semester credits

1. Ability to develop a case conceptualization and treatment plan that is consistent with one’s preferred theory and reflects an ability to incorporate diversity considerations and relevant research
2. Able to develop and maintain an effective therapeutic relationship
3. Case conceptualizations, treatment plans, and practice appropriately take into account cultural differences
4. Practice in a manner consistent with legal and ethical standards

PSY-780 Neuropsychology in Clinical Practice

1. Describe clinical neuropsychology as a procedure and a specialty
2. Explain the variety of roles clinical neuropsychological evaluations can have in practice
3. Describe the Houston Guidelines for preparation as a clinical neuropsychologist
4. Describe alternatives to the Houston Guidelines for gaining competency in clinical neuropsychology
5. Identify how clinical neuropsychology interfaces with other specialties in clinical psychology
6. Explain issues related to multicultural competencies and ethical responsibilities in clinical neuropsychology

PSY-784 Developmental Psychopathology

4 semester credits

Required topics of this course include:

1. Current and historical approaches to classifying developmental psychopathology (e.g., dimensional vs. categorical)
2. Mental health disparities in diagnostic and treatment outcomes for certain children and families
3. Resilience and risk models to include adaptive and maladaptive coping
4. Overview of common childhood disorders including developmental, etiological, and cultural factors (e.g., ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, Conduct disorders, Mood disorders, Pediatric Bipolar disorder, Developmental/Intellectual Disability, Trauma/Stressors, Child Maltreatment)
5. Key concepts including contextual processes, developmental cascades, and reciprocal and transactional nature of developmental psychopathology
6. Integration of developmental science, psychopathology, and cognitive and affective aspects of behaviors involving processes related to how psychopathology develops

Students completing Developmental Psychopathology will be expected to: 

1. Evaluate the central current and historical theoretical models and empirical findings in the field of developmental psychopathology and consider how current and historical practices have created disparities in outcomes for certain children and families.
2. Apply key concepts such as contextual processes, developmental cascades, the reciprocal and transactional nature of developmental psychopathology, and the necessity of multiple levels of analysis using real world applications.
3. Describe major forms of psychopathology covered in the course including information about development and epidemiology.
4. Demonstrate understanding of the risk/resilience and the principles of adaptive/maladaptive coping associated with behavioral, cognitive, and emotional disorders in the context of typical human development.

PSY-799 Research Seminar on the Integration of Emotional, Cognitive, Psychosocial, and Developmental Aspects of Behavior

4 semester credits

Required topics of this course include:

• Theories and models of research domains involving the integration of Cognitive, Affective, Social and/or Developmental aspects of behavior
• Operationalizing emotion, cognition, and psychosocial constructs
• Methods of interdisciplinary research in the subdisciplines
• Diversity issues in research relevant to the empirical articles under discussion

1. Discuss the models and theoretical perspectives used by researchers who investigate the interdisciplinary nature of cognitive, emotional, developmental, and psychosocial aspects of human behavior.
2. Compare and contrast how psychological constructs used by the researchers are defined and measured.
3. Critically evaluate research methods employed by interdisciplinary researchers.
4. Present, discuss and criticize scientific papers.
5. Reflect upon the developmental nature of the integrative processes under discussion (cf., early development and the conceptual processing of emotion; development, stress, emotion and cognition; lifespan development of cognitive and emotional processing).
6. Reflect upon and discuss diversity issues relevant to the empirical studies covered.

PSY-801 Advanced Research: Respecialization Concentration

RES-FFP Filing Dissertation Pending

RES-IRB IRB Approval for Dissertation