- M.S. in Psychology

This course examines different therapeutic approaches and techniques that focus on the foundational concepts necessary for working with individuals, groups, and families. Attention is given to the development of professional identity and client relationships, case conceptualization, principles and professional standards that apply to the rules of ethical behavior, and the necessary skills required in psychotherapy and counseling. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3

This course examines the importance of understanding cultural and ethnic attributes and the dynamics these attributes have on clinical relationships. Special attention is given to the social and cultural influences on behavior and conceptualizations of psychopathology, cultural diversity, values, credibility and world views, gender roles, ethnic groups, subcultures, urban and rural societies, and differing family life patterns. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3

This course equips the entry-level clinician with an understanding of the variety of ethical dilemmas faced in clinical psychology. Students are introduced to an ethical paradigm with which effective counseling can be practiced. Legal precedents that have been established in the clinical field will also be studied. Additionally, the course is designed to stimulate students’ self-awareness of personal values, and multicultural issues concerning ethical decision making. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3

This course provides an overview of developmental psychology from a life-span perspective. Attention is given to basic concepts and theories of human development, issues in the study of developmental change, biological, environmental, and social influences on development and processes of physical development. Focus is also given to attachment and emotional development, personality, social relationships, and psychopathology from a developmental perspective. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3

This course highlights unipolar and bipolar disorders, psychotic and anxiety disorders, whilst focusing on the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-V multi-axial system. Emphasis is placed on diagnostic and therapeutic issues at an applied level, through research findings, case analyses and clinical material from real life cases. Prerequisites: MSPSY501, MSPSY505 Credits: 3

This course provides students with the didactic foundation and practical experience to further develop clinical skills, vital for clinical interviewing and psychotherapy. Relevant theories and research are reviewed to assist students in gaining expertise in the implementation of a range of core interventions to ameliorate clients’ presenting problems. Special emphasis is also placed on learning how to work with clients from diverse backgrounds. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3

This course provides students with practical training in the process of clinical assessment. It includes an introduction to the science and art of clinical assessment, focusing on the use of different assessment techniques in interviewing and psychological testing. Prerequisite: MSPSY501, MSPSY520 Credits: 3

This first course in cognitive-behavioral approaches to clinical psychology focuses upon Behavior Therapy. Students will examine, explore, and discuss learning theory and develop skills in the basic techniques of assessment and therapy using applied behavior analysis (ABA) for contingency management and the skills of relaxation training and imagery enhancement as part of systematic desensitization procedures and the varieties of exposure therapy. In addition, major focus is on the 3rd wave of CBT which involves Mindfulness based CBT. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3

In this second course of the cognitive behavioral sequence, students learn cognitive theories, clinical skills and techniques based primarily on Beck’s Cognitive Therapy and on recent developments. This course addresses Cognitive Therapy and its application to major psychological difficulties, namely anxiety disorders and Depression. Students may have supervised practice in the HAUniv Counseling Center (if approved by the CC coordinator) where they will work with clients from the HAUniv and/or local communities and apply their skills in cognitive behavioral therapy. Prerequisite: MSPSY524/CMHC Credits: 3

The third course of the cognitive behavioral sequence focuses upon cognitive behavioral approaches in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and their application on somatic problems, marital problems, and other specific areas. "Third wave" approaches to therapy such as Mindfulness & Somatic Approaches will also be addressed throughout the course. Clinical Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling students continue with supervised practice, working with clients from the HAUniv and/or local communities.
Prerequisite: MSPSY525/CMHC Credits: 3.

This course provides an overview of the theory and practice of family counseling focusing on major systemic theoretical orientations. With clear emphasis on the cognitive behavioral perspective, application of family theory to practice, and family treatment planning is studied in simulated clinical sessions. Students will increase their critical thinking skills and awareness of the influences in adult life of family-of origin dynamics and be given the opportunity to practice behavioral couples’ therapy, applied behavior analysis, and problem-solving models. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3

This is an applied course in group dynamics focusing on group counseling, and group psychotherapeutic principles and techniques. Students take part in various group experiences, with a focus on understanding the objectives, rationale, and underlying theory of alternative group models. Information on the use of integrative tools in group therapy is also provided with focus on the experience and personal growth of the therapist, through reflection and self-evaluation. Topics covered include CBT interventions for Anxiety, Depression, OCD, and addictive behaviors. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3)

This in-depth course provides students with knowledge and skills concerning Psychotraumatology. Focus is on what constitutes Trauma and the different healing modalities from a variety of evidence-based perspectives. The connection between body-mind and spirit is highlighted as an important framework when attempting to understand Trauma. Students also learn about Internal Family Systems, its core foundations, and theoretical perspectives as well as how to map, explore and integrate traumatic memories.
Prerequisites: MSPSY/CMHC 520, MSPSY/CMHC 524 & MSPSY/CMHC 525 Credits: 3

This course provides students with the unique opportunity to get acquainted with the field of Psychosexual Therapy and to explore ways to work with adult clients who present with psychosexual concerns and dysfunctions. The course integrates theory and practice in line with the most recent research developments, enhancing the skills of the emerging therapist. Prerequisites: MSPSY524 Credits: 3

This course includes a thorough discussion of the historical and philosophical foundations of qualitative research. Using practical applications of qualitative research through in-class exercises, field observations, qualitative interviewing, and analysis of documents, students work individually and in small groups to generate data through in-depth interviews, observations, and focus groups. Students are also given the opportunity to conceptualize themselves as active and reflexive throughout the process of generation, analysis, and interpretation of data, by acknowledging and analyzing their own role within the research process. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3

This course presents various methods and designs that give students the opportunity to conduct research studies, analyze data and evaluate research findings. Topics such as exploratory data analysis, sampling, and probability theory, statistical inference for hypothesis testing, ANOVA, correlation and power, and the principles of descriptive, inferential, univariate, and multivariate statistics will be covered. Students are given ample practice in a lab setting, that provides for the necessary experience required for their research dissertations. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3

In this course students are given the opportunity to design and conduct research studies, analyze data, and evaluate research findings for their master thesis research proposal. Topics include types of variables and research design, procedures, instrumentation, and other forms of data collection. Methods applied to program evaluation are also discussed. Masters’ candidates are expected to generate academically sound research proposals, according to the American Psychological Association standards, for their investigation that constitutes the basis for a final thesis project. Prerequisites: Co-req: MSPSY535, MSPSY540 Credits: 3.

Following the successful completion of PSY 541, masters’ candidates will carry out research projects based upon their proposals. Data are to be collected and analyzed accordingly. To successfully complete the course and graduate, candidates must present and defend an academically sound research publication manuscript, containing all article sections, as specified by the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Prerequisites: MSPSY541 Credits: 3

Clinical Psychology candidates are required to participate in an internship for a minimum of 600 hours of supervised counseling practice in an agency or similar community-based setting. This seminar will accompany the internship placement where professional issues such as topics of institutional change, structure, supervision, etc. may be addressed. Under the guidance of the clinical site supervisor, the candidate will apply clinical theory to practice and use appropriate clinical techniques. Candidates are expected to follow APA ethical guidelines. Typically, students will serve as interns for a minimum of 9-12 months to acquire sufficient time to fulfill this internship requirement. This requirement will be completed by taking MSPsy551 in sequence following the completion of this course. All placements are to be approved by the director of the Clinical Psychology program. Prerequisites: All foundation and permission of the program director Credits: 12