Department of Psychology

5198 Research Seminar (Details...)
Taken in three consecutive semesters, this seminar provides guidelines and assistance in developing a proposal for thesis research. Successive semesters include discussion of research interests, critique of literature, and selection of research topic; developing hypotheses and designing methods; completing literature review, refining methodology, submitting research proposal, and selecting thesis committee.

5300 Foundations in Psychology (Details...)
This course focuses on developing the knowledge and skills required for success at the graduate level in Psychology. The course content may vary depending on prior academic preparation. This course does not count toward degree credit. May be repeated with approval of the Graduate Advisor.

5310 Advanced Abnormal Psychology (Details...)
Critical analysis of the definition and classification of abnormal behavior and experience and an in-depth study of theories and research on causes, remediation, and prevention.

5315 Psychological Preventive Health and Wellness (Details...)
An examination of the dimensions of mental health with emphasis on self-awareness and personal growth. Includes a review of social and familial factors which influence self-esteem, personal adjustment, and achievement.

5317 Group Processes and Interpersonal Dynamics (Details...)
Designed to train future professionals in both the cognitive and personal issues related to group behavior.

5318 Health Psychology Assessment (Details...)
Familiarize the student with the essential elements of measurement theory as they are applied to psychological assessment instruments. The course should sensitive the student to the proper and improper uses of assessment instruments, the risks and advantages of using them, and the care needed in the interpretation of results.

5320 Advanced Statistics (Details...)
Review of probability theory and parametric and non-parametric statistical techniques. Emphasis on the use of these techniques to interpret behavioral research studies.

5324 Biological Bases of Behavior (Details...)
Provide background in nervous system structure and function appropriate to the overall field of Health Psychology and an appreciation of the biological determinants of behavior.

5326 Health Psychology Assessment II (Details...)
This course will introduce principles of neuropsychological assessment including assessment procedures, interpretation of results, neuropathology, and the range of neuropsychological functions to be assessed. This course will also cover the characteristics and administration of several neuropsychological assessment instruments.

5331 The Emotional Problems of Childhood (Details...)
An examination of the characteristics of children with emotional and behavioral disorders. Includes suggestions for the alleviation of maladaptive behavior in the school setting.

5334 Health Issues in Diverse Populations (Details...)
This course examines the influence of socio-cultural beliefs and perceptions on health behaviors and the use of health services. The various ways in which race, ethnicity, gender and social class are related to the delivery of health care and opportunities to facilitate health care to the most vulnerable are explored.

5335 Preventive Approaches to Health Psychology (Details...)
The purpose of this course is to examine the precursors of physical and mental health from the perspective of biological, psychological, and social risk factors. A main focus of the course will be identifying these risk factors and ways to prevent them from leading to major illness episodes.

5341 Health Psychology (Prevention) (Details...)
Examines the relationship between behavior and illness including the historical analysis of disease and the role that human lifestyles have played in their advent. Importance of epidemiological, correlational and experimental methods and their use in the field is stressed and prevention and intervention research is evaluated.

5342 Professional Ethics and Standards of Practice (Details...)
Focuses on the maintenance of health behaviors, on the effectiveness of interventions in changing high risk behaviors, and on ethical issues with clients and their families.

5343 Occupational Health (Details...)
This course focuses on promoting and maintaining the physical, mental, and social well-being of workers by promoting positive health behaviors, controlling risk factors, and facilitating the adaptation of work to people and people to their jobs.

5345 Psychopharmacology (Details...)
This course explores: (1) the reasons that humans and animals consume mind altering substances called psychoactive drugs, (2) the neuronal, chemical, and hormonal mechanisms underlying drug action, and (3) the environmental factors that modulate the impact of psychoactive drugs on emotional, cognitive, perceptual and behavioral expression in humans and animals.

5348 Health Psychology: Interventions and Rehabilitation (Details...)
An overview of topics in clinical health psychology including: 1) psychological predictors and consequences of health care utilization; 2) impact of patient-provider relationships on health behaviors; 3) adherence to medical regimens; 4) psychosocial aspects of pain and chronic illnesses; and 5) behavioral interventions with medical populations.

5352 Individual Therapeutic Techniques (Details...)
An overview of clinical psychology emphasizing major theories and methods of individual psychotherapy. The role of assessment and testing in clinical psychology will also be covered.

5360 Selected Topics in Psychology (Details...)
An in-depth study of a set of selected topics of great current interest in psychology. May be repeated once for credit if topic differs.

5360A Research Seminar (Details...)
An in-depth study of a set of selected topics of great current interest in psychology. Topics may include issues related to social behavior, personality, cognition, learning, human development, research methodology, and/or physiological psychology.

5360B Issues in Psychology (Details...)
An in-depth study of a set of selected topics of great current interest in psychology. The work is done on an individual basis with a faculty member. This course is available only at the invitation of the department.

5360C Topics in Neuropsychology (Details...)
Familiarize students with the areas of neuroanatomy, neuropathology and concepts of neuropsychology. There will be special emphasis on developmental issues.

5360D Psychology of Gender in Media & Literature (Details...)
Familiarize students with the development of gender identity and changes in gender role portrayals in postmodern media and literature.

5360E Attitude Change and Management (Details...)
This course reviews social cognitive theories and research on attitudes and behavior change, and examines the principles of persuasive communication in the context of health education and prevention Topics covered include individual differences in processing of health related information, risk assessment, decision making and factors moderating attitude-behavior consistency.

5360F Psychopharmacology (Details...)
This course reviews psychopharmacology topics including: neuronal and chemical mechanisms underlying drug action; environmental factors modulating the impact of drugs on emotion, cognition, perception and behavior; the processes underlying drug dependency, tolerance, and withdrawal; and the implications for drug abuse treatment and prevention strategies, especially concerning adolescents.

5366 Individual Study (Details...)
Students design and execute original research or engage in extensive fieldwork in the field of psychology under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated once for credit.

5370 Learning, Cognition, and Motivation (Details...)
Basic problems in the acquisition of responses, treating with such constructs as reinforcement, extinction, retention, forgetting, problem solving, motivation, and punishment. Major theories are treated through attention to classical experiments, but greatest emphasis is given contemporary research.

5371 Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (Details...)
Presents procedures for behavior modification developed from learning theory. Behavioral intervention and management techniques applicable to groups and individuals are covered, with special emphasis given to school psychology. Procedures reviewed include contingency management routines, behavioral contracting, time-out methods, and aversive therapy plans.

5385 Industrial Social Psychology (Details...)
Research findings and theoretical concepts concerned with social-structured problems in organizations. Topics covered include: the system concept, characteristics of social organization, organizational effectiveness, leadership communications, and decision making.

5391 Research Methods and Experimental Design (Details...)
Problems in psychology; emphasis on research procedures. A research project is required of each student.

5392 Program Evaluation in Health Psychology (Details...)
Introduces the theory and techniques of program evaluation. Addressess all phases of program evaluations, including: conceptualization, planning, implementation, methodological and ethical issues, and analyzing and reporting results. Emphasis is placed on experimental and quasi-experimental methods commonly used in the evaluation of health programs.

5395 Practicum I (Details...)
Structured practical experience in health psychology at private or public setting. Supervision will be provided both by a member of the graduate faculty and by a key individual at the site. Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.

5396 Practicum II (Details...)
Structured practical experience in health psychology at private or public setting. Supervision will be provided both by a member of the graduate faculty and by a key individual at the site. Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.

5398 Internship in Applied Health Psychology (Details...)
Students engage in extensive field work in a professional setting related to health psychology. Upon satisfactory completion of all internship course requirements, the student will receive three hours of course credit in health psychology.

5399A Thesis I (Details...)
This course represents a student's initial thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded until student has completed the thesis in PSY 5399B. Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.

5399B Thesis II (Details...)
This course represents a student's continuos thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding. Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.