Graduate Catalog 2010-12

Psychology

 

Note: Additional work will be required for graduate credit in 400-level courses.

PSY 410          Media Psychology                                                                                       3
Prereq.:  One psychology course and at least junior standing or graduate status; or permission of the instructor. Seminar examining the impact of electronic media on human behavior, feelings, thinking, and psychological development. Primary focus on the psychological impact of television and newer electronic media technologies (e.g., computers and the Internet). Summer. 

PSY 430          Psychology of Diversity                                                                             3
Prereq.:  PSY 112 or permission of instructor. Open to students with junior or higher standing. Review of psychological research and theories pertaining to the study of diversity. Implications for clinical work and community education will be discussed. 

PSY 440          Motivation                                                                                                   3
Prereq.:  Three courses in psychology. Physiological and psychological variables in selected motivational processes. Problems of measurement, empirical findings, and theoretical research. Readings in contemporary literature. 

PSY 444          Positive Psychology                                                                                    3
Prereq.:  PSY 112 and 3 additional credits in Psychology or permission of instructor. Scientific study of human strengths. Topics include optimism, creativity, well-being, and resilience. Spring. 

PSY 446          Introduction to Psychotherapy and the Psychology of Counseling      3
Prereq.:  PSY 330 and 6 other credits in Psychology or permission of instructor or admission to M.A. Psychology. An introduction to the basic theories underlying psychotherapeutic process. Explores the primary assumptions of the behavioral, biological, cognitive, humanist-existential, and psychodynamic models. Topics include ethical and professional standards and diversity. Spring. 

PSY 450          Biopsychology                                                                                             3
Prereq.:  Six credits in psychology or permission of instructor. Analysis of relationships between bodily processes and behavior. 

PSY 451          Psychological Evaluation                                                                           3
Prereq.:  Three courses in psychology. Principles and problems basic to construction, choice and use of psychological measuring instruments, and study of application to diagnosis. Special Condition: completion of additional project by graduate students. Fall. 

PSY 454          Drugs and Behavior                                                                                   3
Prereq.:  PSY 112. Overview of the major classes of psychoactive drugs and their effect on the brain and behavior. Legal drugs, such as alcohol and caffeine, and illegal drugs are considered. 

PSY 458          Human Neuropsychology                                                                          3
Prereq.:  PSY 330 and 450, or permission of instructor. Relationship between the brain and behavior is examined. Topics include disorders of speech and memory, common neurological disorders such as dementia and stroke, and alcohol-related disorders. Spring. 

PSY 460          Behavior Modification:  Theory and Practice                                          3
Prereq.:  PSY 200 or permission of instructor. Application of learning principles to the modification of both normal and abnormal behavior. The settings for application include areas such as personal, social, and marriage counseling; individual and group psychotherapy; formal and informal education and re-education; personal, vocational, and correctional rehabilitation. 

PSY 470          Personality Psychology:  Theories and Research                                   3
Prereq.:  Three courses in psychology. Nature of personality theory and critical analysis of major contemporary theories of personality, including empirical evidence relevant to these theories. 

PSY 498          Topics in Psychology                                                                        1 TO 3
Study of selected topics in psychology. Topics announced each semester. May be repeated with different topics for a total of 6 credits. 

PSY 512          Seminar in Developmental Psychology                                                    3
Prereq.:  Admission to graduate program or permission of instructor. Study of human development from conception through old age, including analysis of theory and research findings.

PSY 526          Psychology of Learning                                                                             3
Prereq.:  PSY 512 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Introduction to research and theories of learning with emphasis on implications for classroom procedures.

PSY 530          Psychopathology                                                                                        3
Prereq.:  Admission to M.A. in Psychology or permission of instructor. Psychopathological conditions and their etiologies will be considered in the context of differing major theoretical perspectives. In-depth information about the diagnosis and assessment of abnormal behavior will be provided. Recent research will be reviewed. Spring.

PSY 541          Health Psychology                                                                                      3
Prereq.:  Admission to graduate program or permission of instructor. Examination of health-related behaviors, stress, risk factors and methods to improve well-being. Mind-body aspects of chronic illness, addiction, and immune system disorders are discussed. Fall.

PSY 542          Psychology of Stress                                                                                  3
Prereq.:  Admission to M.A. in Psychology or permission of instructor. Seminar on the biological, emotional, behavioral and cognitive effects of stress. Critical examination of stress theories and research methodology. Focus on factors that modify the relationship between stress and health outcomes (e.g., social support, optimism). Spring. (O)

PSY 543          Stress Management:  Theory & Research                                                3
Prereq.:  Admission to M.A. in Psychology or permission of instructor. Introduction to the field of stress management and biofeedback. A general overview of current theory, research, and practice as well as ethics and the controversies in biofeedback, and other areas of health psychology. Spring. (E)

PSY 544          Biofeedback:  Principles and Practices                                                     3
Prereq.:  Admission to graduate program in psychology. Basics of theory underlying biofeedback; use of biofeedback equipment; overview of biofeedback assessment, treatment, and evaluation. Fall. (E)

PSY 545          Introduction to Clinical Psychology                                                          3
Prereq.:  Admission to M.A. in psychology or permission of instructor. Survey of current clinical practice, theory, and research with an emphasis on ethical issues. Fall.

PSY 546          Short-Term Psychotherapy and Health Care                                          3
Prereq.:  Admission to M.A. in Psychology or permission of instructor. Examination of American health care system and psychotherapy practice. Topics include description of short-term therapy models, ethics, diversity, and controversies. Fall.

PSY 550          Introduction to Community Psychology                                                  3
Introduction to the history, central assumptions and methodologies of community psychology. Fall.

PSY 551          Primary Prevention                                                                                    3
Prereq.:  PSY 550. Intensive examination of the theoretical and empirical underpinnings of primary prevention programs in mental health. Spring.

PSY 553          Developing Prevention Programs                                                            3
Prereq.:  PSY 551 or permission of instructor. Development and operation of prevention/empowerment strategies in institutional and/or community settings. Fall.

PSY 571          Psychology of Women's Health                                                                3
Prereq.:  Admission to graduate program or permission of instructor. Seminar examining psychological theories and research relevant to women's health. Topics include chronic disease, gynecological health, health beliefs and behaviors, minority women, aging, menopause, stress, role strain, and coping. Spring. (E)

PSY 590          Advanced Topics in Psychology                                                                3
Prereq.:  Admission to graduate program or permission of instructor. Study of advanced topics in psychology. Topics will vary and will be announced each semester. May be repeatedunder different topics for a total of 6 credits. Irregular.

PSY 591          Advanced Independent Reading and Research in Psychology              3
Prereq.:  Permission of instructor. Directed advanced independent studies in psychology. On demand.

PSY 595          Graduate Internship in Psychological Applications                                3
Prereq.:  Permission of instructor. Supervised internship at an agency or institution that provides psychological services. Minimum of 120 hours per semester required. Evaluations will be conducted by faculty and field supervisors. On demand.

PSY 596          Psychological Research: Design and Analysis I                                       3
Prereq.:  Admission to M.A. program in psychology or permission of instructor. Topics include experimental and quasi-experimental design, program evaluation, single case, and survey design, with application of statistical software packages (e.g., SPSS). Each student will plan an independent research project. Fall.

PSY 597          Psychological Research: Design and Analysis II                                      3
Prereq.:  PSY 596. An overview of research methods in psychology, continued from PSY 596. Each student will complete the independent project proposed in PSY 596. Spring.

PSY 599          Thesis                                                                                                           3
Prereq.:  21 credits of graduate work, and a 3.00 overall GPA. Students must consult with their advisor before registering for thesis credits. Preparation of the thesis under the supervision of the thesis advisor.