Graduate Catalog 2010-12

Psychology

 

Faculty

Laura Bowman (Chair, Marcus White 212), Carrie Andreoletti, Carol Shaw Austad, Paul Chu, James Conway, Joanne DiPlacido, Francisco Donis, Carolyn Fallahi, Marianne Fallon, Marc Goldstein, Susan Holt, Steven Horowitz, Laura Levine, Marisa Mealy, Lauren Perdue, Jason Sikorski, Bradley Waite, Rebecca Wood (Dept. phone: 860-832-3100)

 

Department Overview

The Department of Psychology offers the Master of Arts in Psychology with options for three specializations: general, community, or health. Students must select the specialization that best suits their needs. The department also offers courses to meet general elective requirements of graduate students in other disciplines. The MA program is intended for full- or part-time students. Most courses are offered in the evening. Each student will be assigned an advisor who will assist in developing an approved MA planned program.

 

Admission

For admission, a BA degree with a minimum of 18 credits in psychology is preferred; courses in statistics and research methods, with a minimum grade of B, are required. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 and a 3.00 in psychology courses, three letters of reference (at least two from academic sources), and a personal statement are required. The application deadline for spring admission is December 1, and April 25 is the deadline for fall admission. Further information can be found at www.psychology.ccsu.edu/.

Programs

Master of Arts in Psychology

 

Program Rationale:

The Master of Arts program is designed to prepare students for careers in the field of human services or as preparation for further graduate study.

 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the MA program in psychology, students should demonstrate the following:

• proficiency with researching, summarizing, and critically evaluating scholarly literature;

• the advanced skills necessary to comprehend, design, and conduct rigorous academic research;

• professional-level skill in scholarly presentations, including the ability to write and publish in peer-reviewed academic journals and to present at professional conferences;

• an ability to critically analyze and integrate psychological theory in applied and real-life situations; and

• expertise within an area of psychology (community psychology, health psychology, or other area of focus).

 

Course and Capstone Requirements:

 

M.A. Program

The program requires 36 to 42 credits, including a thesis. A common core of 18 credits is required for all students.

 

Common Core:

PSY 512 Seminar in Developmental Psychology 3

PSY 545 Introduction to Clinical Psychology 3

PSY 550 Introduction to Community Psychology 3

PSY 596 Psychological Research: Design and Analysis I 3

PSY 597 Psychological Research: Design and Analysis II 3

PSY 599 Thesis (defense required) 3

Specialization in General Psychology

36 credits

The general psychology specialization is designed to give students the opportunity to follow their interests. The specialization provides solid preparation in core areas of psychology, including developmental, clinical, and community psychology and research methodology. General psychology MA graduates often go on to doctoral programs, but many also work in a variety of research and human services settings.

 

Common Core (18 credits)

Directed electives as approved by advisor (18 credits)

Specialization in Community Psychology

36 credits

The community psychology specialization is designed to train students to be active practitioners in the prevention field or prepare them for further study. It emphasizes developing and delivering interventions that can prevent the onset of psychological problems such as substance abuse, interpersonal violence, and depression. Most of our graduates work in the program planning and development level of local and state government, non-profit organizations, and schools, although some work in direct service positions.

 

Common Core (18 credits)

Specialization:

PSY 551 Primary Prevention 3

PSY 553 Developing Prevention Programs 3

PSY 595 Graduate Internship in Psychological Applications 3

Directed electives as approved by advisor (9 credits)

Specialization in Health Psychology

42 credits

The health psychology specialization is designed to prepare students for a career in the field of health psychology or for further graduate study. MA graduates often go on to doctoral programs, and others work in a variety of research and human service settings where they can apply knowledge of health-related behaviors, stress, disease risk factors, and methods to improve health and chronic illness. Some also work in the area of prevention.

 

Common Core (18 credits)

Specialization:

PSY 541 Health Psychology 3

PSY 542 Psychology of Stress 3

PSY 543 Stress Management: Theory and Research 3

PSY 530 Psychopathology 3

PSY 551 Primary Prevention 3

PSY 595 Graduate Internship in Psychological Applications 3

 

Choose 2 additional electives (6 credits) from the following:

PSY 458 Human Neuropsychology 3

PSY 526 Psychology of Learning 3

PSY 544 Biofeedback: Principles and Practices 3

PSY 546 Short-Term Psychotherapy and Health Care 3

PSY 553 Developing Prevention Programs 3

PSY 571 Psychology of Women's Health 3

PSY 590 Advanced Topics in Psychology 3

PSY 591 Advanced Independent Reading and Research in Psychology 3

 

Note: A maximum of six credits at the 400 level may be included, with approval of faculty advisor, in the planned program of study.