PS501: Foundations of Professional Psychology

This course will provide you with an overview of the skills needed to study about, and work within, the field of psychology. You will be able to identify the importance of the scholar practitioner model and apply this to your specific area of study. These skills, as they relate to the field of psychology, include academic writing with a focus on professionalism and inclusivity, APA style formatting, critical reading and evaluation of scholarly literature, and critical thinking. This course will also provide support and networking through school and professional resources, career exploration, and understanding state and national licensure/credentialing. You will apply these skills as you evaluate disciplines of psychology and analyze the theoretical and conceptual foundations of psychology.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: Enrollment in the Master of Science in Psychology or approval from the dean

PS502: Ethics and Standards of Professional Psychology

This course explores professional codes of ethics and standards related to research and the practice of psychology. Emphasis will be placed on application of the American Psychological Association Code of Ethics and standards in the field. You will analyze and evaluate operations within professional organizations and ethical decision-making practices while discussing legal and professional implications of those decisions. Multi-cultural and socioeconomic factors and the implications for scholar-practitioners are also explored.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS504: Advanced Research Methods

This course provides an in-depth look at the conceptual underpinnings and methodologies of psychological research. You will explore qualitative and quantitative research methods, learn about data analysis, and apply concepts to explain the components of research studies. Topics include the Scientific Method, issues in experimental psychology, evaluation of internal and external validity, ethical considerations, and responsibilities in writing and reporting research findings. You will also learn how to become critical evaluators of research.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS505: Testing, Measurement, and Assessment

This course examines the theoretical and conceptual framework of psychological testing, measurement, and assessment. You will learn about psychological test construction and psychometrics, and survey specific assessments and tools related to intelligence, education, personality, and clinical situations. You will also explore the uses and limitations of psychological testing and assessment, as well as ethical issues involved in the administration and interpretation of psychological testing and assessment results.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS506: Life Span Development

You will examine the stages of life, from conception to death, through the lens of developmental, cultural, and contextual theories and models. You will be able to identify, compare and contrast, analyze, apply, and justify these theories and models as they relate to the stages of life through authentic assessment tools and activities.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS507: Ethics for Behavior Analysts

This course explores professional issues and ethics in the field of applied behavior analysis. Emphasis will be placed on ethical codes specific to the science and practice of behavior analysis. You will also analyze personal biases that may impact on the ethical decision-making process.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: PS558 and PS560; open to Applied Behavior Analysis students only

PS508: Ethics for Addictions Professionals

This course will provide a comprehensive study of the laws, ethics, confidentiality requirements, and protocols that guide clinical addictions work in professional settings. You will gain knowledge of HIPAA regulations as well as an understanding of ethical theory as it relates to diverse populations. You will analyze and evaluate moral and legal issues, as well as any personal and socio-cultural influences that may impact the ethical decision-making process. You will develop your personal ethical code of conduct as aligned with the NAADAC and the APA codes of ethics. You will develop decision-making skills that will impact your analysis and responses to complex ethical issues.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS509: Telebehavioral Health

In this course, you will learn the key concepts associated with telebehavioral health professional practice. This course will focus on the evidence-based use of telebehavioral health assessment, direct treatment, and navigation of professional rapport and relationships in a virtual setting. Components of the course include critical aspects of cultural diversity, ethics, and safety considerations in telebehavioral health practice.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS510: Qualitative Analysis

This course provides an overview of some of the major concepts and issues in qualitative research as it applies to the field of psychology. You will examine various methodological issues, data collection methods, interpretation and coding strategies, and conceptual and ethical issues involved in qualitative research. You are assisted in thinking critically about these conceptual issues, as well as the validity and reliability of these research methodologies.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS511: Chemical and Psychological Dependency Counseling

This course provides an overview of dependency counseling strategies using a biopsychological approach to help identify, change, and maintain dependency-free behaviors. You will use your understanding of the biopsychological model to explore how substance use and process disorders begin and intensify as a complicated interaction between chemical and behavioral changes that occur during addiction. You will practice identifying diagnoses using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and proposing appropriate interventions through evaluating and writing case studies.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS515: Learning and Behavior

This course provides an overview of some of the major concepts and issues in learning theory. Students will examine the scientific study of how learning is acquired, maintained, and adapted. Emphasis is placed on behavioral, social, cognitive, affective, and motivational factors in human learning. Students are assisted in interpreting available empirical research and in thinking critically about the ethical application of that research.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS516: Psychopharmacology

This course surveys basic psychopharmacological concepts, the effects of various psychotropics and drugs of addiction on the brain, the role of neurotransmitters in mental disorders and medicinal interventions, and the pathophysiology of mental disorders including use disorders. You will focus on basic principles of psychopharmacology and drug-receptor interactions and dose-response relationships as well as examine how specific drug families affect different parts of the brain in cases of psychopharmacological treatments. You will learn the value of an interdisciplinary approach to treatment, consultation and referrals. You will use your understanding of basic psychopharmacology to propose appropriate diagnoses and interventions for hypothetical clients, and to evaluate current research studies.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS520: Neuropsychology

This course provides an introduction to major concepts and issues in the nervous system and behavior. You will explore the major components of neuroanatomy and neuropsychological syndromes, including diagnoses. Through the exploration of empirical literature, you will evaluate ethical, legal, and forensic issues in the research and application of neuropsychology as it relates to clinical practice.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS521: Group Counseling

This course focuses on the theory and practice of group counseling and its application to substance related and process disorders. Concepts include stages of group development, theories of group counseling, including the interactional group model, strategies for group motivation, and group process. You will engage in group simulation exercises wherein you will take on roles of different group archetypes in order to evaluate group situational reactions, evaluate current research studies, develop group session plans, and propose strategies for solving common group problems that arise during the course of treatment. The application of group counseling theory and practice to culturally diverse groups is addressed.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS525: Foundations of Psychopathology

This course explores the major concepts, issues, and the theory of psychopathology as behavior that is considered normal and that is considered pathological is reviewed. Topics include emotional, personality, psychotic, and development disorders; current research methodologies; and ethical/legal issues in face-to-face and telehealth clinical practice. You will be introduced to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) system, which is used as a format for classification of disorders and choice of treatments for both child and adult mental disorders. Assessment strategies and limitations of diagnostic systems will also be examined.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS526: Advanced Addictions Counseling

This course provides an in-depth examination of addictions, including substance use disorders and process addictions dynamics. You will use your knowledge of counseling theories common to addiction, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, to evaluate case studies, diagnose addictive disorders, and propose appropriate treatments. Ethical dilemmas that occasionally arise in the counselor/client relationship will be analyzed and discussed. Additionally, you will evaluate case studies that contain ethical, legal, and sociocultural issues using the code of ethics for addiction counseling.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS530: Cognitive Psychology

This course surveys the major concepts and issues in cognitive psychology. Topics include the scientific study of mind and mental functions including attention, memory, perception, problem-solving, language, imagery and categorization, and human consciousness. You will interpret available empirical research and use critical thinking to apply that research.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: PS520

PS531: Co-Occurring Disorders and Treatments

This course will prepare you to work with clients diagnosed with substance use disorders and mental health disorders. You will display practical skills that apply to complex problems related to having substance use and various types of mental health disorders. Different treatment models will be evaluated, and you will use your knowledge of co-occurring theory to analyze and assess research.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS535: Addictions Practicum I

The minimum 150-hour practicum experience in addictions is designed to prepare you as a graduate student clinician by extending the program's classroom-based experiential components to produce a professional learning experience. The practicum is designed to integrate academic knowledge with practical experience and prepares you for future training in professional psychology.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: Permission of Clinical Placement Team

PS535A: Addictions Practicum I Extension

This course will continue the supervised learning experience at the site approved by the University. This course may be taken after the psychology practicum in addictions for the specific purpose of completion of required hours.

Quarter Credit Hours: 0 | Prerequisite: Permission of Clinical Placement Team

PS535B: Addictions Practicum I Extension

This course will continue the supervised learning experience at the site approved by the University. This course may be taken after the psychology practicum in addictions for the specific purpose of completion of required hours.

Quarter Credit Hours: 0 | Prerequisite: Permission of Clinical Placement Team

PS536: Addictions Practicum II

This course is a minimum 150-hour practicum experience in addictions that follows the Addictions Practicum I experience. This course is designed to prepare you as a graduate student clinician by extending the program's classroom-based experiential components to produce a professional learning experience. The practicum is designed to integrate academic knowledge with practical experience and prepares you for future training in professional psychology.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: PS535 and permission of Clinical Placement Team

PS536A: Addictions Practicum II Extension

This course will continue the supervised learning experience at the site approved by the University. This course may be taken after the psychology practicum in addictions for the specific purpose of completion of required hours.

Quarter Credit Hours: 0 | Prerequisite: Permission of Clinical Placement Team

PS536B: Addictions Practicum II Extension

This course will continue the supervised learning experience at the site approved by the University. This course may be taken after the psychology practicum in addictions for the specific purpose of completion of required hours.

Quarter Credit Hours: 0 | Prerequisite: Permission of Clinical Placement Team

PS540: Industrial/Organizational Theory and Development

This course provides an introduction to the field, study, and practice of Industrial and Organizational Psychology. The course reviews the history of the field and the role of theory within Industrial and Organizational Psychology. It also provides an overview of topics associated with the ethical, legal, individual, and sociocultural dimensions of organizations, units, and teams in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. The course explores theory and research into surveying and facilitating change in individuals, groups, and organizations to improve effectiveness, efficiency, attitudes, satisfaction, work-life quality, and retention. This course also covers professional competencies needed to work in the field of Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS541: Organizational Management and Behavior

This course examines influential management and organizational behavior theory, and explores how organizations function to include formulating a realistic proposal for a leadership development program. You will analyze an organization's response to the need for change, as well as examine organizational communication strategies and conflict management to improve workplace behaviors. Ethical, legal, and sociocultural implications of an organization's decision-making and influence processes will be evaluated across diverse organizations in an equitable and inclusive manner.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS542: Workplace Motivation and Attitudes

This course examines the motivation and attitudes within the workplace environment through the study of applicable theory. Through the assessment of personality and emotional intelligence, you will evaluate employee behavior. You will develop a plan based on empirical research to improve employee satisfaction and work-life quality while integrating multigenerational and diverse teams. Ethical, legal, individual, and other dimensions will be evaluated to improve employee commitment, attitudes, and motivation.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS543: Organizational Leadership - Management, Training, and Evaluation

This course focuses on the development of skills for strategic talent management. This course uses a systems theory approach. The course explores best practices in job and work analysis, criterion development, recruitment, employee selection, managerial selection, and training. Included in this course is a focus on identifying and assessing individual differences. Emphasis is on methods of measuring and evaluating individuals using valid and reliable approaches. Legal issues and perceptions of fairness are examined in relation to talent management decisions. International issues and emerging trends are explored.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS544: Human Resources Management

This course examines psychological principles related to strategic human resources management (HRM) in the context of data-driven decision-making. You will apply job analysis techniques to produce job descriptions and specifications for recruitment and selection. You will evaluate a performance appraisal system for appraising, managing, and compensating. You will also review training program design and effectiveness and evaluate the ethical, legal, individual, and sociocultural dimensions of human resource management policies, programs, and practices to foster inclusive environments.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS545: Industrial/Organizational Field Placement

The field placement experience in Industrial and Organizational Psychology is designed to prepare graduate student clinicians by extending the program's didactic and classroom-based experiential components to produce a sophisticated learning experience. The field placement is designed to integrate academic knowledge with practical experience and prepares the student for future training in professional psychology.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS550: Principles of Forensic Psychology

This course provides you with a comprehensive overview of forensic psychology, including major theories and the key definitions in the field. You will explore basic principles of forensic psychology and its interaction with the civil courts and criminal justice system including: police psychology, psychology in criminal courts, psychology in civil cases, family law cases, and correctional psychology. You will learn about the roles and responsibilities in forensic psychology, as well as diversity, multicultural, and ethical issues faced by practitioners in the field.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS551: Forensic Psychology and the Law

In this course, you will learn about the law as it pertains to the role of psychology in the legal system, including how the legal system intersects with professionalism and ethical standards. You will explore the functions and responsibilities of forensic psychology professionals in and outside of the courtroom. You also will explore the role of forensic experts in consultation and providing testimony in legal settings. These functions and roles include assessment and treatment approaches in cases of criminal, civil, and family law.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS552: Theories of Criminal Behavior

In this course, you will learn about theoretical perspectives of the origins of criminal behavior, such as neurobiological, psychological, developmental, behavioral, and sociocultural. You will investigate the interaction and role of substance abuse and mental illness in criminal behavior. You will examine psychological perspectives of aggression and violence. You will evaluate ethical, legal, moral, and socio-cultural factors.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PS553: Advanced Principles of Forensic Psychology

In this course, you will identify and analyze complex topics in the field of forensic psychology. Knowledge of these topics will prepare you to apply forensic psychology concepts in related fields and settings. You will integrate the skills forensic psychology practitioners need to succeed in various roles within the forensic psychology field, including subject matter expert testimony, therapeutic assessment, insanity and competence assessment, criminal profiling, jury consultation, and the treatment and rehabilitation of forensic populations. You will consider unique ethical and cultural implications for these settings and roles.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: PS550

PS555: Applied Behavior Analysis Fieldwork

The fieldwork experience in applied behavior analysis is designed to provide you an opportunity to acquire new behavior-analytic skills related to the current BACB Task List. These activities should be consistent with the dimensions of applied behavior analysis identified in the seminal article "Some Current Dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis" by Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968). At least 15 hours per week must be devoted to applied behavior analysis-related tasks that combine theory and academic content in a professional setting for a minimum of 150 out-of-class hours. These hours must be in accordance with the BACB standards under the supervision of a BCBA. You will gain practical experience designing and implementing behavior change programs for clients in various real-world settings. This course is appropriate for students seeking to sit for the BCBA exam under the supervised fieldwork category.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: Permission of Clinical Placement Team; open to Applied Behavior Analysis students only

PS558: Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis

This course addresses behaviorism and the philosophical foundations of applied behavior analysis. You will learn the goals of behavior analysis as a science and the philosophical assumptions that underlie the science. You will also explore behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism and learn to distinguish among behaviorism, experimental analysis of behavior, and applied behavior analysis, within the context of professional practice. Finally, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of the dimensions of applied behavior analysis that have and continue to guide research and practice in the field.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: Open to Applied Behavior Analysis students only

PS559: Practicum Field Placement Extension

This course will continue the mentored learning experience in the specialization area at the site approved by the University. This course may be taken after a psychology practicum or field placement course for the specific purpose of completion of required hours.

Quarter Credit Hours: 0 | Prerequisite: Permission of Clinical Placement Team

PS560: Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis

This course is an introduction to the science and application of applied behavior analysis. It will provide you with a foundation of basic concepts and core principles in applied behavior analysis. In addition, you will study behavior analytic terminology in preparation for practical applications in assessment and intervention.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: Open to Applied Behavior Analysis students only

PS561: Concepts of Measurement and Experimental Designs

This course introduces you to single-case experimental designs used to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in applied behavior analysis. You will learn how to evaluate reliability, validity, and measurement integrity in research, as well as how to use methods for observing and measuring critical dimensions of behavior for data collection. Emphasis will be placed on the process of creating graphs for single-case experimental designs and interpreting graphical representations of data using various visual analysis procedures.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: PS558; open to Applied Behavior Analysis students only

PS562: Assessment in Applied Behavior Analysis

This course will address the various assessment procedures that inform the identification and treatment of target behaviors. You will gain an understanding of functional assessment procedures that use direct and indirect methods of assessment, including functional analysis. The course will also introduce various skill-based assessments as well as techniques to identify reinforcers using preference assessments.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: PS507 and PS561; open to Applied Behavior Analysis students only

PS563: Implementing Procedures for Behavior Change

This course addresses the fundamentals of designing effective behavioral interventions that promote, maintain, and generalize socially significant behaviors. You will learn how to determine treatment goals, design interventions based on functional assessment data, develop technological and effective teaching procedures for behavior change, and evaluate the potential emotional and elicited effects of a behavior intervention. Finally, you will develop a comprehensive behavior intervention plan that considers the ethical, practical, legal, cultural, and social validity factors of a real-world setting.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: PS562; open to Applied Behavior Analysis students only

PS564: Clinical Applications, Supervision, and Management

This course addresses the key considerations of supervision and management of personnel and supervisees. You will examine how to assess and establish performance expectations and goals across organizations and systems, develop a plan for training personnel, and implement function-based strategies to enhance supervisee performance. In addition, you will engage in professional collaborative activities to evaluate team interactions and formulate an effective treatment plan grounded in performance management strategies.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: PS563 (may be taken concurrently); open to Applied Behavior Analysis students only

PS565: Master's Capstone in Applied Behavior Analysis

The capstone course is designed to provide a comprehensive review of the foundational concepts, principles, and applications of Applied Behavior Analysis. Through the utilization of CBA Learning Modules, weekly content review, and peer group collaboration opportunities, you will further develop your understanding of skill application in future practice. Emphasizing readiness to successfully pass the BCBA certification exam, completion of this course reinforces the knowledge and skills that will be necessary to achieve BCBA certification.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: Last term or permission of the Dean; open to Applied Behavior Analysis students only

PS598: Master's Capstone in Psychology

This capstone course provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate and apply the skills and knowledge accumulated throughout your program. You will develop a research proposal related to current topics and challenges in the field of psychology, thus demonstrating mastery of program outcomes. Your proposal will include a literature review, a testable hypothesis, and an empirical method for testing the hypothesis.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: Last term of study or approval of the Dean

PS601: Master's Research and Thesis I

This course provides you with the tools needed to develop and submit a formal proposal for research relevant to the psychology graduate curriculum and your chosen area of study. The proposal will reflect a research study that you will conduct in the following term. The proposal will include a literature review, hypothesis, and methodology to test the hypothesis. When required, students enrolled in this course will submit an application to the university's Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the end of the term. This course is best suited for students who wish to add to the body of professional knowledge in their chosen field of psychology or who intend to pursue a postgraduate doctoral degree.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: Successful completion of all thesis-track courses except PS602

PS601A: Master's Research and Thesis I

This course provides the student with the tools needed to develop and submit a formal proposal for research relevant to the psychology graduate curriculum and the student's chosen area of study. This course is best suited for students who wish to add to the body of professional knowledge in their chosen field of psychology or who intend to pursue a postgraduate doctoral degree.

Quarter Credit Hours: 0 | Prerequisite: None

PS602: Master's Research and Thesis II

The goal of this course is the completion of the Master of Science in Psychology thesis. You will complete your research study, analyze your data, and present your research design and methods, research findings, conclusions, and recommendations to your thesis committee. The thesis shall be prepared according to the American Psychological Association and University guidelines. If appropriate, the thesis must conform to the standards and procedures of the University's Institutional Review Board. This course is best suited for students who wish to add to the body of professional knowledge in their chosen field of psychology or who intend to pursue a postgraduate doctoral degree.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: PS601

PS602A: Master's Research and Thesis II

The goal of this course is the completion of the Master of Science in Psychology thesis. You will complete your research, submit the completed thesis to your committee members for review, and orally present your statement of the problem, research design and methods, findings, conclusions, and recommendations during a scheduled thesis defense hearing. The thesis shall be prepared according to APA guidelines and according to University guidelines. The final, approved product shall be submitted to appropriate personnel for binding and acquisition. If appropriate, the thesis must conform to the standards and procedures of the University's Institutional Review Board (IRB). This course is best suited for students who wish to add to the body of professional knowledge in their chosen field of psychology or who intend to pursue a postgraduate doctoral degree.

Quarter Credit Hours: 0 | Prerequisite: None