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Undergraduate Courses in Psychology 830
Professional Psychology 820
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School Psychology 826
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  Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology 2021-2023 Course Listing GSAPP Courses Professional Psychology 820  

Professional Psychology 820

18:820:502 Theoretical Foundations: Systems (2)
This course has been replaced by 18:820:508.
18:820:503 Theoretical Foundations: Analytical (2) The model of human functioning offered by psychoanalytic/psychodynamic theory, with a focus on understanding the person in the context of their development. A goal for the class is for students to obtain "psychoanalytic literacy," familiarity with terms and concepts from this tradition that the students will encounter in a variety of contexts throughout their careers. Topics include: the unconscious, play and dreams, defense mechanisms, psychodynamic understandings of personality, theories of group dynamics and bullying, the integration of attachment theory into modern psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and applications of the theory to school and clinical practice.
18:820:504 Theoretical Foundations: Cognitive-Behavioral (2)
An introduction to the theoretical foundations of the cognitive-behavioral paradigm for understanding human action. Included are the paradigm's behavioral roots in learning theory and its cognitive roots in theories such as Aaron Beck's. Cognitive-behavioral concepts will be learned and applied to formulate case examples from the clinic, schools, the community, businesses, and the students' own lives.
18:820:505 Cognitive and Affective Psychology (3) Reviews selected theory and research in the areas of cognitive and affective psychology. Format will be a mix of lecture, formal presentations, and class discussion based on assigned readings, and demonstrations/activities to emphasize key concepts.
18:820:506 Social and Developmental Foundations of Human Behavior (3) This course is designed to provide students with an integrated overview of the social and developmental foundations of human behavior. It is difficult to understand any human behavior--either typical or atypical--without employing a developmental perspective. Likewise, human behavior is largely influenced by social factors and processes. These influences on human behavior wane and wax over a period of time, with time defined variously (i.e., historically, chronologically, biologically, and/or other experience-related time scales). Furthermore, these influences are not uniform across subgroups and across different contexts. To pull together these various issues, a life-span systems perspective will be utilized to examine contemporary, as well as classic issues in social and developmental psychology.
18:820:507 Learning Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Foundations (3) Introduces students to cognitive behavioral and learning theories, concepts, principles, and strategies, especially as they apply to psychotherapy. Students will become familiarized with several theories, techniques, and strategies that form the basis of most CBT approaches. In addition, they will learn to generate, from a learning theory perspective and a cognitive theory perspective, explanations of (case formulations of) (case conceptualizations of) (interpretations of) human events, through modeling, rehearsal, and shaping. Finally, case conceptualization skills from a CBT standpoint will be emphasized.
18:820:508 Systems Theory and Analysis (3) What is systems theory? Systems of psychology. Learn about how systems concepts are used in cognitive psychology and as a theoretical foundation for work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

What are the social impacts when systems fail? Social aspects of behavior. Use systems theory to better understand and deal with the social forces that affect clinical psychologists and their clients, contributing to individual differences in behavior, human development, psychopathology, cultural and individual diversity, systems of oppression, and health disparities.

What can we do to fix it? Dissemination and implementation science. Become familiar with the systemic factors that affect the implementation and dissemination of evidence-based treatment programs and clinical interventions. Become familiar with the organizational dynamics of schools, clinics, hospitals, and other human service organizations where clinical psychologists work.

18:820:509 Analytic Foundations (3) This course is designed to introduce students to fundamental tenets of psychoanalytic theory and therapy, with an emphasis on clinically relevant models and concepts. Examines ways in which practitioners working in the psychoanalytic/psychodynamic tradition think about the people we work with, the nature of their distress, and the potential benefits of psychoanalytically informed treatment. Students will video-record an initial session with a client conducted from a psychodynamic framework and write a case formulation of that client.
18:820:511 Practicum Applied Behavior Analysis (3) Practica are defined as field practice (either through internal practica housed at GSAPP or external practica at other sites) pursued under the intensive on-site supervision of practitioner supervisors. The practicum experience will vary according to the student's training level, the coursework taken, and the experiences available at the particular site. Practica are designed to provide you with the opportunity to practice what has been and is being learned through coursework, as well as an opportunity to learn directly from experienced field supervisors. Students can learn about possible clinical practica through the annual Practicum Fair. Clinical and School psychology students are approved for these positions by the GSAPP coordinator of practicum placements.
18:820:525 Prevention and Intervention in Tiered Systems (3) The purpose of this course is to provide students an in-depth introduction to the foundational concepts and recent history of multi-tiered systems of service delivery (MTSS) in primary and secondary school settings. Students will learn of the rationale behind, and intended outcomes of tiered services in K-12 settings; how tiered services are often organized and function; and critically, how school systems begin the process of designing and implementing their own tiered services.
18:820:526 Assessment and Data-Based Decision-Making in MTSS (3) The purpose of this course is to provide students with the foundational knowledge and applied skills required to engage in multiple forms of assessment used within MTSS frameworks, and to use data collected from such assessments to guide decision-making and consultation at the individual and systems levels. This course will help students learn the basics of educational measurement, assessment, and evaluation, and will familiarize students with current best-practices in data-based decision-making. It is expected that students completing this course will be able to translate findings from research into data practices that guide and improve services for all learners.
18:820:531 Clinical Interviewing and Assessment (3)
Preparation for clinical work through experiential training. Demonstration and practice of basic helping skills and strategies for facilitating communication and change, with exploration and feedback on one's helping style. Provides the basic orientation to the role of the practicing psychologist. 
18:820:532 Basic Therapeutic Strategies with Children and Adolescents (3) This course is designed to introduce first year graduate students to the therapeutic interview and to basic attending and communication skills that are essential to both the initial visit and the ongoing therapeutic process with children and adolescents. This course has been replaced by 18:826:532.
18:820:543 Human Development (3) Overview of normative, as well as atypical, development from birth to old age from the life-span developmental perspective. Students are exposed to the current body of knowledge in social, emotional, and cognitive development that will be useful for clinical work. Topics covered include development in perception and cognition; motor development; emotion and behavior regulation; temperament and personality; relationships with parents, peers, and romantic partners; and successful aging. In addition, developmental pathways of risk and resilience are discussed throughout the course, especially during transitional periods such as puberty and emerging adulthood. Gender differences and cultural/ethnic variations are also discussed. School psychology students use course number 18:826:543.
18:820:550 History and Systems of Psychology (3) This course examines the nature and sources of the major theoretical paradigms in psychology. The focus is on historical and epistemological roots of the dominant schools of psychology, as well as on the diverse value frameworks and images of the human being that underlie contemporary approaches to psychopathology, personality, and psychotherapy. Develops the student's ability to examine critically the different theoretical approaches in professional psychology. Paradigms studied include positivism and associated philosophy-of-science models, behaviorism, psychoanalysis, pragmatism, hermeneutics, postmodernism, cultural psychology, humanistic psychology, and existential-phenomenology.
18:820:560 Self, Psychopathology, and the Modern Age (3) Offers an interpretive or hermeneutic perspective on psychological aspects of modern culture and society. The course focuses on various forms of psychopathology and on exemplary expressions of modernist and postmodernist culture (including literature and the visual arts)--with each used to shed light on the nature of the self and subjectivity in the modern era. The forms of psychopathology considered include schizophrenia and schizoid personality disorder, as well as some of the following: narcissistic personality, borderline personality, depression, eating disorders, and dissociative identity disorder. Provides an introduction to hermeneutics, phenomenology, and cultural psychology as alternative approaches to an understanding of personality and psychopathology. Not offered every year.
18:820:563 Child Psychopathology: Theoretical, Experimental, and Descriptive (3) This course will provide an overview of the most common expressions of child and adolescent psychopathology. The learning objectives include conceptual, empirical, and clinical issues related to the mental health of children and adolescents. The diverse factors that influence the etiology and expression of disorders will be considered, such as genetics, family influences, and culture. Students will become familiar with the DSM-5 and how to conceptualize cases. Students will also be taught how to communicate as a professional through writing and presentations in order to convey information in a clear and understandable manner. Although interventions will be discussed, they will not be a primary emphasis in this course. This course is designed to advance the student's understanding of the current state of knowledge with regard to etiological factors and the diagnostic issues related to the expression of various childhood disorders.
18:820:565 Adult Psychopathology: Theoretical, Experimental, and Descriptive (3)
Largely DSM-based. Covers the process of diagnosis, differential diagnosis, case description, and the conduct of specialized diagnostic assessments including the mental status examination and various tests and inventories. Students visit local psychiatric facilities to interview patients and write findings. Classroom instruction combines interactive group exercises and role-plays, web-based resources, video and film characterizations, lectures, readings, and class discussion. Frequent papers and assignments are required.
18:820:568 Equity and Anti-Racism in Education (3) What would it look like for all learners to have equitable, fair, and just opportunities for success in school? By taking this course, students are invited to understand the multidimensional, dynamic concepts of oppression and marginalization and their role in education. We will adopt an intersectional perspective that recognizes multiple social categories and the associated power imbalances within them, while also centering race as a focal point of analysis. We will investigate pervasive narratives about the educational experiences of historically marginalized groups, explore what sustains those narratives, and identify ways to disrupt them. We will analyze policies and practices that hold promise for addressing systemic inequalities in education. Finally, we will engage in and value sticky dialogues about (in)equity, marginalization, and (anti)racism, and think critically about our own personal assumptions about and experiences with these topics.
18:820:570 Psychological Intervention with Ethnic and Racial Minority Clients and Families (3)
Focuses on the psychological and cultural experiences of African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Asian Indian, and gay and lesbian populations. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of their impact on assessment, intervention, research, and training in the cross-cultural context. The need for alternative strategies in the delivery of psychological services to minorities is addressed. Both semesters (fall and spring) include both didactic and experiential group process formats.
Prerequisite: Must be at least a second-year GSAPP student.
18:820:575 Diversity and Racial Identity (3) Using an empirically and theoretically based seminar format with both didactic and discussion components, this course teaches about the history, experiences, and backgrounds of racial and ethnic groups such as African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics/Latinos. Examines how diverse factors such as sexuality, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, and tendency to stereotype may function as risk and protective factors that are associated with human functioning, and how they may influence the development of one's identity. Students learn to alter and improve consideration of what is healthy or abnormal, while acquiring a broader repertoire of effective practices with diverse populations in the areas of intervention, assessment, research, and supervision/training. The course considers cross-cultural societal and organizational contexts. The course meets diversity requirements and may facilitate preparation for dissertation and/or comprehensive exams. Prerequisite: One completed year of doctoral study.
18:820:576 Context-Centered and Justice-Oriented Therapy with People in Marginalized Communities (3) In this course the conceptual foundations for relationship- and context-centered therapy will be presented. We will examine concepts such as diversity, identity, intersectionality, race, and oppression as social constructions. Special attention will be paid to learning cultural competency in clinical work with families, couples, and adolescents in poor, racially oppressed, and marginalized communities, such as African-American, immigrant, Latino, and/or sexually or gender variant communities. The course aims to incorporate relationally and socially inflicted trauma and justice-oriented therapy into the scope of the professional work done by psychologists. It will require from the participants personal openness to discover their own socially constructed blind spots and micro-aggressions against others. Equally, the willingness is expected to contribute to difficult conversations in an atmosphere of humility, courage, and respectful curiosity.
18:820:579 Gender and Psychotherapy (2)
Examines gender issues in psychotherapy. Covers topics from the psychology of women and the psychology of men and masculinity, including development and socialization, diagnosis and assessment, couples and family therapy, the impact of gender of the psychotherapist, and emerging areas such as transgender concerns.
18:820:581 Statistical Methods and Design Analysis (3) Develops a practical, conceptual understanding of statistical data analysis, hypothesis testing, statistical inference, and power analysis. Develops skills in conducting and interpreting several types of analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi square analysis, and Pearson correlation/bivariate regression analysis. This course also develops theoretical knowledge and applied skills in psychometrics including classical test score theory, reliability, validity, and test construction. SPSS computer software is used for data analysis.
18:820:585 Advanced Statistics and Research Design (3) Covers multiple regression, further topics in psychometrics and measurement theory, and Cook and Campbell's (1979) threats to validity (construct, statistical conclusion, internal, and external) and research design. Provides the necessary foundation for critically analyzing and evaluating research. Prerequisite: 18:820:581.
18:820:593 Community Psychology (3) This course will introduce community psychology to students as a specific approach to understanding a range of mental health and psychosocial issues. The course will take a broad ecological and global perspective in terms of examining some of the most pressing large-scale concerns we face at this time (e.g., chronic illness; discrimination and stigmatization; disasters, epidemics, and complex emergencies; violent conflicts; and the "three I's": inequality, injustice, and intolerance). The course will address how specific community-based interventions can impact the health of local communities through promoting cultural dialogue, engagement, and well-being, with a continued focus on prevention. Three basic questions will guide the course: 1) what are the factors in various community settings (large and small) that most strongly affect psychological well-being? 2) what are the best evidence-based programs for preventing mental, emotional, and behavioral problems and promoting psychological well-being? 3) what do we know about the problems associated with implementing these programs and the most effective implementation strategies? Prerequisite: 18:820:508.
18:820:601,602 Independent Study in Professional Psychology (BA,BA) Papers required based on independent study. Prerequisites: Prior to registration, students must consult faculty members to determine arrangements and secure an approval form.
18:820:609 Crisis Intervention (3) This course is designed to introduce students to crisis intervention as a distinct theoretical and clinical intervention model. The course is divided into two distinct yet related sections: crisis and early intervention principles and models, and suicide risk assessment and intervention models. Unifying principles of crisis and early intervention will be presented, with clinical and community case examples and applications. Evidenced-based early intervention models from individual, family, and community perspectives will be provided for review, discussion, and application to case vignettes. Suicide risk assessment and management models will be reviewed, as well as identifying risk factors related to specific groups/populations. In-class practice exercises will represent a significant aspect of the suicide risk assessment segment of the class. The critical need for integrating cultural responsiveness in service delivery will be emphasized throughout the course.
18:820:610 Seminar in Professional Psychology (BA)
18:820:613 Ethics and Professional Development (3,3)
Issues involved in the delivery of professional psychology services, including general ethical principles; professional self-definition and self-regulation; and governmental sanctions (judicial, legislative, and executive). Sample areas covered include history and identity of professional psychology, the American Psychological Association's ethical standards, involuntary commitment, right to treatment, confidentiality versus access to clinical information, managed care and the funding of mental health services, and career development.
Prerequisite: One-and-a-half years of study at GSAPP or equivalent.
18:820:614 Professional Ethics, Standards, and Career Development (3) The course will focus on the understanding of the matrix of sanctions in which the professional psychologist functions:  the APA Code of Ethics, federal and state laws, court cases, and the administrative policies and regulations of the institutions within which we work.  Focus will be on the development of reflective ethical thinking and the resolution of ethical dilemmas when these values and sanctions come into conflict. Topics include: professional values, ethics, and regulations; the development of professional psychology as a field with diverse clients, objectives, and practices; and the professional development interests and experiences of course participants. Recommended for second- and third-year students.
18:820:615 Family Treatment of Childhood Disorders (3)
Provides a representative sampling of empirically supported cognitive-behavioral and systems-oriented treatments for families of children with a range of behavioral, emotional, and developmental disorders, including internalizing and externalizing disorders, as well as developmental challenges experienced across the family life cycle. Through lectures and readings, students are exposed to theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of an integrated cognitive-behavioral (especially parent training) and family systems (especially structural) orientation, and participate in experiential in-class activities such as role-plays.
For students of all levels.
18:820:622 Biological Bases of Human Behavior (3)
Basic principles necessary for understanding brain behavior relationships; emphasis on linkage between models of neuropsychological functions, physiological mechanisms, and biochemical processes; issues, methods, and problems fundamental to understanding the role and limitations of psychotropic drugs in management and treatment of major clinical problems such as pain, anxiety, major affective disorders, schizophrenia, other psychoses, and alcohol and drug dependencies.
Prerequisite: Undergraduate course in physiological psychology or equivalent, or 18:820:500.
18:820:631 Social-Emotional, Behavioral, and Personality Assessment: Child (3) The purpose of this course is to attain knowledge of school-based social-emotional, behavioral, and personality assessment of children and adolescents.  The course integrates multidimensional assessment (interviews, direct behavioral observations, behavioral ratings, functional behavioral analysis, and screening tools) with current theories, research, and best practices.  Assessment includes the evaluation of externalizing disorders, internalizing disorders, social competence, adaptive skills, and personality.  Issues related to working with children from diverse populations will be integrated throughout the course in the form of lectures, assignments, and discussions.
18:820:632 Cognitive Assessment (3)
The process of integration of various means of assessment and communication of assessment findings; recent theory, research, principles of measurement, and sociocultural factors relevant to individual cognitive assessment. Instruction and supervision in administration and scoring of individual intelligence tests, interpretation of findings in written reports, and use of findings for relevant intervention.
18:820:633 Individual Cognitive Assessment (3) The purpose of this course is to develop competent skills for the cognitive assessment of children, adolescents, and adults. This course integrates the skills of administration and scoring of major cognitive assessment instruments (i.e., WISC-V, WAIS-IV, WJ-IV COG) in the context of recent cognitive theories and research. An overview of the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale and other tests will also be presented. The Cattell-Horn-Carroll Theory of Cognitive Abilities will be contrasted with other conceptualizations of intelligence. The conceptualizations of intelligence will examine the historical and contributions of racism in the development of the tests and how information from the tests is used in education, employment, and and social intercourse. The topics of Learning Disorders  and neuro-psychological assessment are introduced along with historical, conceptual, and relevant clinical issues. The APA/AERA Ethics Codes and Professional Standards pertinent to testing and dissemination of test results will be discussed along with educational, employment, and social implications of assessment and development of communication skills and appropriate interventions. Issues of assessing culturally and linguistically diverse individuals are integrated throughout the course and systemic cultural contributors to the "achievement gap."
18:820:635 Cognitive-Behavioral Assessment of Psychological Disorders: Adult (2)
An introduction to cognitive-behavioral assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment planning for adult psychological disorders. Emphasis will be on Axis I disorders, but Axis II disorders and adjustment reactions will be covered as well. The use of evidence-based assessment and treatment strategies is emphasized. Course focuses on providing step-by-step instructions so students can learn to systematically assess patients, use the data to conceptualize the case using a modification of Person's approach, and implement cognitive-behavioral treatment interventions to resolve symptoms and address underlying causes. Students will learn to administer semistructured clinical interviews such as an intake interview, the SCID I, the ADIS, and a variety of self-report questionnaires, such as the BDI, OQ-45.2, PAI, and/or MMPI.  Each student will do an intake assessment with an incoming clinic patient over the course of one to three sessions, and will then retain the case for therapy if appropriate. Assessment will include semistructured clinical interviews as well as self-reports to cover a wide domain of psychological disorders and problems.
Corequisite: Plus a clinic credit.
18:820:638,639 Personality Assessment: Adult (3,3) An introduction to the major "projective" techniques used in the psychological assessment of adults: the Thematic Apperception Test and the Rorschach Inkblot Method. The main focus will be on learning to administer, code (in the case of the Rorschach), and interpret these tests; and, more generally, to understand their relevance for developing a complex grasp of personality structure and dynamics. Some individual supervision is provided.
18:820:640 Elements of Psychodynamic Therapy (1.5) This course provides an introduction to the fundamental techniques of psychodynamic therapy, as they apply to ongoing treatment. The focus is on the pragmatics of session-to-session process: how to use guiding psychodynamic principles to inform clinical choices; how to treat symptoms in the context of ongoing exploratory therapy; how to think about what to say in challenging clinical moments; how to tailor interventions to the phase of treatment. This course is designed as an optional continuation of the Analytic Foundations course for clinical students, and first-year clinical students have priority enrollment. If there is room, others may enroll with instructor permission. Prerequisites: Foundations/Analytic or permission of the instructor.
18:820:689 Professional Practicum Placement (3)   One day per week. Required during most semesters for full-time Psy.D. students. Special section(s) for regional public school practicum. For characteristic placements, see listings under each program.
18:820:690 Professional Practicum Placement (3) For characteristic placements, see listings under each program.
Corequisite: For students taking a two-day-per-week practicum, register for 18:820:689 and 690.
18:820:691 Professional Practicum Placement (BA, 1)  
18:820:693 Advanced Professional Practicum and Supervision (3)
18:820:694 Advanced Professional Practicum/Externship (6)

18:820:695 Professional Practicum (3) One day per week. Required during most semesters for full-time Psy.D. students. Special section(s) for regional public school practicum. For characteristic placements, see listings under each program.
Open to students who entered in 2014 and after.
18:820:696 Fourth-Year School Psychology Practicum (0.5) Enrollment is only open to fourth-year and advanced school psychology students who have completed all of their practicum requirements.  One full day of practicum is equivalent to 0.5 credits.
18:820:697 Fourth-Year School Psychology Practicum (0.5) Fourth-year school students taking a second day of practicum.
18:820:700 Advanced Dissertation and Research (3) Dissertation research design and conduct, from selecting a topic through interpreting the results, and writing the final manuscript. Group supervision in dissertation research. This course can be used to meet some of the 9 required dissertation credits.
18:820:701,702 Dissertation in Professional Psychology (3,3) Required of all Psy.D. students actively involved in and soliciting input on dissertation preparation, literature research, data collection, and writing of a doctoral project (fall, spring, summer). Student must register with a particular faculty adviser.
18:820:703 Dissertation in Professional Psychology (1) For students defending during the first two weeks of September only (by special permission of the department chair).
18:820:800 Matriculation Continued (0) May be used only if a student has a written official leave of absence granted by the department chair.
18:820:811 Graduate Fellowship (0)
18:820:866 Graduate Assistantship (BA)
18:820:877 Teaching Assistantship (BA)
 
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