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PSYCHOTHERAPY I: INDIVIDUAL APPROACHES A first course in psychological treatment designed to provide the student with an understanding of foundational knowledge and skills required for provision of effective evidence-based psychological treatment to individuals. Students will be exposed to the range of approaches to individual psychotherapy utilized in contemporary clinical practice, with particular attention and emphasis given to behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and other empirically supported models of psychotherapy. Issues of diversity in clinical practice will be considered throughout.
BIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR 3 credits This course will focus on an examination of the biological substrates of behavior from the cellular to the systemic to the behavioral level. The course will examine basic aspects of functional neuro-anatomy and brain-behavior relationships. Models of mind, consciousness, and cortical functioning will also be explored.
FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY: MECHANISMS OF CHANGE AND THE THERAPEUTIC PROCESS A clinical skills course that will examines psychotherapy as a change agent. The empirical foundations of psychotherapy will be addressed with an emphasis on practice implications of current therapy research on readiness for change, efficacy, and effectiveness, client-therapist variables, and the therapeutic relationship. In addition, consideration will be given to issues relating to matching clients to therapy type, as well as the theoretical, empirical, and practical consideration of essential mechanisms of change in psychotherapy. The role of spirituality and its impact on the therapeutic process will also be addressed.
HUMAN BEHAVIOR IV: SOCIAL BASES An examination of the theories and research in social psychology with particular reference to multicultural issues and their relevance to mental health models and psychological practice.
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY I: ADULT PSYCHOPATHOLOGY 3 credits This course will explore the major categories of adult psychological disorders. Theory and research regarding symptomatology, etiology, maintaining factors, and diagnostic issues will be examined in detail. Students will receive an introduction to the use of the DSM-IV.
PSYCHOTHERAPY II: GROUP AND SYSTEMIC APPROACHES A continuation of PSY 700 with the course focus being on those intervention models and techniques appropriate for working with groups, couples, and families. While students will be exposed to a wide variety of intervention approaches seen in contemporary clinical practice, the course will emphasize those models having demonstrated empirical support. Prerequisite: PSY 700
INTERVIEWING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY LABORATORY A laboratory course designed to develop basic diagnostic and interviewing proficiency. In addition, basic relational and intervention skills essential to establishing an effective therapeutic alliance and promoting behavioral change will be discussed and practiced.
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY II: CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOPATHOLOGY 3 credits A second course in psychopathology looking at psychological disorders found in childhood and adolescence. Issues of etiology, symptomatology, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and impact on systems over the life span will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on contemporary issues and diversity. Students will be introduced to the DSM and related diagnostic systems for disorders of childhood and adolescence. Prerequisite: PSY 704
HUMAN BEHAVIOR I: DEVELOPMENTAL BASES 3 credits This course examines how developmental pathways are shaped by the interaction of biological (e.g., genetics) and environmental factors. We explore various theoretical frameworks for the study of development, with an eye toward those that have received empirical support. Particular attention is paid to the ways that developmental processes are similar and dissimilar across various sociocultural groups, and to the clinical implications of such processes.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT I: COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT 3 credits This course provides students with basic competencies in the selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of individually administered tests of intelligence and achievement. The Wechsler scales will be highlighted. Issues of theory, research, clinical utility, and ethics are addressed. Special attention will be given to issues relating to culturally sensitive assessment methodology. Corequisite: PSY 770
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT IV: INTEGRATIVE ASSESSMENT BATTERY This course will provide for focused study and experience integrating psychological tests and test batteries. Particular focus will be on writing professional reports specific to a variety of clinical settings and in cross-validating psychological assessment results with interview and other available data. Prerequisites: PSY 709, 730, and 731
HUMAN DIVERSITY This course will provide students with the knowledge needed to be clinically sensitive therapists able to work with a range of individuals from diverse backgrounds. This course has two parts: 1) multicultural diversity and 2) individual diversity. In the first part of the course, we will cover cultural differences and how they relate to the diagnosis of psychopathology and what we consider "normal" versus "abnormal." We will explore how cultures differ on important clinical issues such as violence, suicide, expression of emotions, and childrearing, among many others. Practical implications, the APA’s guidelines for multicultural competency, and some multicultural therapy approaches will be presented. The second part of the course will be a discussion of the other ways individuals are diverse and therefore can be treated unfairly in our society. We will spend time examining society’s acceptance, views, and treatment of individuals who are considered diverse, or would be considered minorities, because of their gender, religious practices, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or medical conditions. Our role as psychologists in assisting those in need and the importance of social activism will be explored. Practical implications for successful therapy with diverse individuals will be discussed. Finally, we will discuss the importance of therapists’ acknowledgment of their own biases and how these biases can influence the therapeutic process if not addressed.
HUMAN BEHAVIOR II: COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY This course provides students with the empirical and theoretical foundations of contemporary cognitive psychology. Topics include attention, perception, memory, knowledge representation, and structure, consciousness and metacognition, imagery, language, reasoning, decision making, and emotion. Attention will also be given to how cognitive processes may change with aging, be compromised in certain disorders, or vary within gender and culturally diverse groups.
HUMAN BEHAVIOR III: PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES This course will involve an exploration of historical and contemporary models for understanding human personality. The focus in this course will be an in-depth examination of the range of major theoretical models that explain and describe human behavior and differences between individuals. Socio-cultural differences in behavior will be given careful attention throughout the course. Attention to both categorical and dimensional models of personality will be examined. In addition, the application of personality theories and research in clinical assessment and psychotherapy will be addressed; in particular, there will be a detailed exploration of personality disorders in terms of both DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria and underlying psychopathology.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS 3 credits This is a skills course in which the student will become familiar with psychological assessment principles, tools, and practice with children and adolescents. The student will be given training in the selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of a variety of measures appropriate to children and adolescents. Students will then learn procedures for effectively utilizing these measures with the individual assessed, family, school, and other significant elements of the child’s world. Prerequisite PSY 709, 730, and 731
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS II This course is a continuation of PSY 719 in which the student will extend their knowledge, proficiencies, and skills in psychological assessment with this population. Prerequisite PSY 719
HISTORY AND SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY This course provides the student with knowledge about and understanding of the development of psychology as a science and profession. Three general topic areas are examined: psychology’s historical roots in philosophy, natural science, and national cultures; the work of the early psychologists; and the development of various “systems” or “schools” of psychology in the 20th century.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT II: PERSONALITY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT--OBJECTIVE METHODS 3 credits This course will focus on theory and practice of personality and behavioral assessment. The student will be given training in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of several of the more widely used measures of personality and behavioral/emotional functioning (MMPI-II, MMPI-II-RF, MMPI-A, PAI, MCMI-III, BDI, etc.). Ethical and cultural issues related to this approach to assessment will also be highlighted. Prerequisite: PSY 709
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT III: PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT-PROJECTIVE METHODS A second course in the theory and practice of personality assessment, this course will focus on the theory, administration, scoring, interpretation, and clinical uses of major projective techniques with an emphasis on the Rorschach. Prerequisite: PSY 709 and 730
THEORY AND RESEARCH IN SPORT AND PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY This course will focus on the development of a thorough understanding of fundamental principles and current research in applied sport psychology. Social, cognitive, affective, and behavioral factors in athletic performance and participation will be covered. Students will develop a thorough grounding in current concepts and issues in applied sport psychology. Topics such as motivation, team cohesion, anxiety-performance relationship, stress and coping in athletic populations, and psychological preparation/mental skills training for enhanced athletic performance will also be covered.
PRINCIPLES AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF SPORT AND PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY This course will focus on the development of an in-depth understanding of the principles and practices of human performance enhancement by the utilization of psychological interventions in both individual and group (team) settings. Students will develop proficiency in the selection, development, and implementation of psychological interventions based on current theory and research. Mental skills training techniques, such as guided imagery, goal setting, self-instructional training, mental practice, pre-competitive routine development, and arousal/intensity regulation, as well as issues, techniques, and instrumentation in psychological testing in applied sport psychology, will be of prime focus. Issues relating to performance enhancement with specialized populations such as the performing arts, military, corporate, professional, and elite sports, etc., will be covered in depth. Ethical issues in the practice of applied sport psychology, as well as gender issues, considerations in working with diverse groups, and special needs of challenged populations will also be addressed.
COUNSELING AND CONSULTING IN SPORT AND PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY This course will focus on the development of both theoretical understanding and technical proficiency in counseling and consulting issues inherent in sport and performance psychology. This course will focus on an in-depth exploration of both theory and technique in counseling student athletes and elite performers, as well as the theory and practice of life skills program development and implementation. In addition, issues and procedures in the assessment and treatment of clinical issues often seen in the athletic-performance domain, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, psychological reaction to injury, substance abuse, impulse control disorders, etc., will also be covered. Special focus will be given to the recognition and assessment of clinical issues often at the heart of performance concerns. In addition, special attention will be give to the psychological needs and issues inherent in youth sports.
SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCE This course provides students an overview of major body systems, acute and chronic responses to exercise, training and over-training, and environmental effects of those systems and responses. This course will also provide students a comprehensive overview of fundamental principles and concepts in sports medicine, including biomechanical principles and analysis, sports nutrition, and psychological aspects of sport injury and rehabilitation. Mechanisms of sports injuries and principles and issues involved in treating and rehabilitating injury are carefully addressed. Special attention is given to medical/physiological issues and concerns with regard to children in sport, the female athlete, and those with challenging medical/physical realities.
EXECUTIVE COACHING AND ORGANIZATIONAL CONSULTING This course will focus on theory, research, and practice of executive coaching and consulting as a vehicle for enhancing performance in a variety of individual and organizational settings. Emphasis will be placed on distinguishing clear roles and responsibilities of coaches and consultants and will discuss in detail issues relating to ethical and professional practice in this area. Special issues in working with high performing individuals and teams will be carefully considered. In addition, a discussion thread throughout the course will be the role of gender and socio-cultural differences and their impact on performance expectations and opportunities through the life span.
MOTOR LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT This course provides students an overview of the fundamental skills development that individuals incorporate in order to engage in motor activities. Various theoretical approaches to motor development and learning are also addressed. Principles of control and accuracy with relation to motor ability will be discussed. The importance of integration and application of motor development, learning, and control to sport and exercise domains are displayed.
ADVANCED COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY - THEORY AND APPLICATION This course is intended to provide the historical development, theoretical rationale, and the empirical base for rationalist, constructivist, and contextual approaches to cognitive behavioral therapy. Contemporary approaches to cognitive behavioral psychotherapy will be discussed in terms of its efficacy in the treatment of a wide range of psychological disorders and with diverse populations. Issues relating to psychotherapy integration and treatment of diverse populations will also be covered in this class. Prerequisite: PSY 700
ADVANCED SEMINAR IN PSYCHOTHERAPY AND CLINICAL PRACTICE This is an advanced seminar exploring issues in psychotherapy and the contemporary practice of clinical psychology. Focal topics will be announced and resource speakers with expertise in those areas will be invited to participate. Disciplined and thorough literature reviews will be stressed. Prerequisite: PSY 740
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY IN PRIMARY CARE This course will address the importance of the psychologist-physician relationship in the treatment of chronic and acute medical illnesses and the role of psychological interventions in the primary care setting. Illnesses will be conceptualized based on disease causes, treatments, and barriers, and specific interventions for each will be addressed. Treatment techniques, including, but not limited to, brief therapy, stress management, pain management, smoking cessation, and cognitive behavioral therapies, will be addressed as they relate to the psychologist’s role in helping patients manage medical illness more effectively.
CLINICAL HYPNOSIS An intellectual and experiential introduction to hypnosis as a tool in various forms of psychological intervention. The course will examine the history of hypnotic phenomena, the extensive scientific research over the past 40 or so years, and the use of hypnosis in the contemporary practice of psychotherapy.
BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING AND SELF-REGULATION An introductory course in the theory and methods of biofeedback and self-regulation training. The emphasis will be upon presenting the theoretical basis for and technology associated with the primary modalities of biofeedback and their applications to physical rehabilitation and psychotherapy. Demonstrations and hands-on training will be used throughout. Prerequisite: PSY 700, 701, 757, and 758
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY A study of how psychoactive drugs impact human behavior. Emphasis will be on how selected drugs interact with neurotransmitter systems and how neurotransmitter systems modulate behavior. Particular reference will be made to reaction of central nervous system to chemically effective drugs (anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, anti-psychotic). Indications and contraindications will be stressed as well as management strategies. Prerequisite: PSY 701
CLINICAL HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 3 credits Clinical Health Psychology I is a graduate-level course that will provide doctoral students with a foundation of clinical health psychology and behavioral medicine. First, the most widely studied and empirically supported theories of health behaviors will be introduced in relation to behavioral risk factors. Next, we will focus on assessment and treatment of the primary behavioral problems encountered within behavioral medicine, which include sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, high-risk sexual behaviors, obesity, eating disorders, chronic pain, substance abuse/dependency, and tobacco addiction.
CLINICAL HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY II: WORKING WITH MEDICALLY ILL POPULATIONS 3 credits This course will build on the foundation provided by Clinical Health Psychology I. Clinical Health Psychology II is a graduate-level course that will provide doctoral students with an in-depth look at working in medical settings. We will cover working in primary care and working in specific populations such as cancer. We will discuss the practical side of setting up behavioral consultation services in medicine and specific issues related to various diseases seen in primary cancer as well as cancer, and we will also integrate issues that have been found to be important when working within primary care or oncology. We will discuss the medical field, medical professionals, patient perspectives in health care, and communications between health-care providers and patients. Finally, we will use case examples in discussing disease processes and clinical therapy interventions.
PEDIATRIC PSYCHOLOGY This course will provide an overview of theory, research, and professional practice in pediatric psychology. The course will review medical and behavioral aspects of the most common chronic pediatric illnesses, theories explaining the etiology and maintenance of behavioral aspects of pediatric illness, and considerations for psychological assessment and intervention in areas such as adherence to medical interventions, emotional difficulties related to chronic illness, and coping with medical procedures. Course content will also include discussion about the evolving role of psychologists in pediatric settings.
NEUROPSYCHOLOGY I - FUNDAMENTALS OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT An introduction to neuropsychological assessment techniques. Interview-based and psychometric approaches will be examined. The course will emphasize the development of skills for recognizing and describing deficits in major aspects of cognitive functioning. The relationship between neuropsychological assessment techniques and procedures and brain-behavior relationships will be highlighted. Co-requisite or prerequisite: PSY 701
NEUROPSYCHOLOGY II - ADMINISTRATION AND INTERPRETATION OF COMPREHENSIVE BATTERIES The role of the comprehensive neuropsychological assessment procedures in the evaluation of neurobehavioral disorders is explored. Comprehensive batteries, including the Halstead-Reitan and the Luria-Nebraska, will be employed, as well as general use batteries, batteries for assessing specific disorders (e.g. dementia, CVA, etc.), and Lezak’s patient-oriented hypothesis-testing model. Both psychometric and qualitative aspects of the assessment process will be explored along with the selection and use of appropriate normative comparison standards. Prerequisite: PSY 757
ADVANCED SEMINAR IN CLINICAL CHILD AND FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY 3 credits An advanced seminar on issues of theory and practice in contemporary child-clinical and family psychology. This seminar focuses on in-depth analysis of modern issues impacting child and family psychology, including the practical application of empirically supported treatments and discussions of present-day debates. This seminar is designed to extend the student’s knowledge of basic principles and theories beyond the classroom and carefully consider how these translate to real-life situations. Disciplined and thorough literature reviews will be stressed.
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOTHERAPY 3 credits An advanced course focusing on issues of theory and practice in child and adolescent psychotherapy. The focus of study will be on those interventions with demonstrated empirical support. Both individual and systemic approaches will be carefully examined and considered. Special attention will be given to issues of diversity and its impact on working with children, adolescents, and their families.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Students will be introduced to fundamental principles and concepts of measurement theory. In addition, students will develop a fundamental understanding of the foundation of statistical procedures and data analysis and will develop the statistical skills necessary for accurate interpretation of clinical measures and completing a research project. Students will be introduced to fundamental principles and concepts of measurement theory, including reliability, validity, standard error of measurement, and correlation. In addition, students will develop a fundamental understanding of the foundation of statistical procedures and data analysis and will develop the statistical skills necessary for accurate interpretation of clinical measures and completing a research project.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The focus of this course will be upon developing an understanding of research design and development of those skills necessary for the implementation of a research project. In particular, students will develop and have an understanding of issues, concepts, and procedures in clinical efficacy and effectiveness research. Prerequisite: PSY 770
CLINICAL DISSERTATION SEMINAR I: PROJECT INITIATION 3 credits This course will focus on developing a dissertation idea, conducting a preliminary literature search, and developing appropriate research strategies. The course includes an introduction to advanced statistical approaches such as logistic regression and multivariate analysis of variance. This statistical training is meant to facilitate the student’s literature review as well as provide a foundation in techniques that may be used in the dissertation project. Details about the Clinical Dissertation can be found in the Clinical Dissertation Manual included in the Student Handbook. Prerequisite: PSY 771
CLINICAL DISSERTATION SEMINAR II: MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION This course will focus on organization of data and manuscript preparation in preparation for a completion of the written and oral portion of the Clinical Dissertation project. Prerequisite: PSY 772
CLINICAL DISSERTATION SEMINAR III: PROJECT COMPLETION This course must be taken by all students who do not complete the Clinical Dissertation by the conclusion of PSY 773. This course must be retaken until the project is fully completed.
DOCTORAL PRACTICUM I/PRACTICUM SEMINAR I The first of two externships in an approved field placement site. To be accompanied by the practicum seminar. Details are listed in the Practicum and Internship Manual included in the Student Handbook.
CONSULTATION AND EDUCATION Designed to prepare students for the role of psychologist consultant and educator, this course will pay particular attention to the dynamics of working with groups and organizations in a variety of settings and making effective interventions at a systemic level. In addition, education in psychology, with an emphasis on Core curriculum and competencies, historical developments, and future directions will be thoroughly explored.
INTRODUCTION TO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE, ETHICS, AND CONDUCT This course includes didactic and discussion components and focuses on issues important to professionals about to enter the field, including an orientation to modern clinical psychology, an introduction to ethical and legal issues, and trends in professional education and practice.
INDIVIDUAL HUMAN DIVERSITY This course will focus on the impact and implication of diversity issues, beyond cultural differences, on the functioning of individuals and relationships, as well as on the theories of psychopathology and practice of psychotherapy. Clinical psychologists commonly deal with issues related to gender, class, aging, disability, and sexual preference when working with clients. This course will provide students with a solid appreciation of these issues and how living in our society, combating these issues daily, can affect individuals, families, and relationships. Further, we will discuss how therapists can acknowledge their own biases and how these biases can influence the therapeutic process if not addressed. Finally, this course will provide clinical guidelines for working effectively and sensitively with individuals and families dealing with issues of gender, age, disability, class, and sexual preferences.
SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT 3 credits This course will stress the supervisory and case management roles and the student's ability to be a leader and catalyst in these processes. Furthermore, practice development and economic issues in clinical psychology are explored. The student should have completed the first practicum before enrolling in this course.
DOCTORAL PRACTICUM II/PRACTICUM SEMINAR II The second of two externships in an approved field placement site. To be accompanied by the practicum seminar. Details are listed in the Practicum and Internship Manual included in the Student Handbook.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS An examination of professional and ethical issues, with particular reference to the everyday issues of practice. The student will be encouraged to develop a “critically examined” personal style and stance with which to address these issues. The class focus will be on the development of an understanding and a working knowledge of the American Psychological Association Code of Ethical Conduct and relevant State of Pennsylvania laws and statutes.
DOCTORAL PRACTICUM III/PRACTICUM SEMINAR III The third optional externship in an approved field placement site. To be accompanied by the practicum seminar. Details are listed in the Practicum and Internship Manual included in the Student Handbook.
FULL-TIME CLINICAL INTERNSHIP One-year, full-time internship in an approved facility. Continuous registration over three semesters for a total of nine credits is required. The total clock hours served should not be less than 2,000. See Practicum and Internship Manual included in the Student Handbook for details. With Permission of Director of Clinical Training
PART-TIME CLINICAL INTERNSHIP Two-year, part-time internship in an approved facility. Continuous registration over six semesters for a total of nine credits is required. The total clock hours served should not be less than 2,000. See Practicum and Internship Manual included in the Student Handbook for details. With Permission of Director of Clinical Training
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