Applied Psychology 844

18:844:501 Practicum Group Supervision (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 students are approved for these positions by the GSAPP coordinator of practicum placements.

18:844:502 Independent Study - Capstone Experience (0) Independent study is a good opportunity for students to understand the research process from the ground up and experience firsthand what goes into the process of collecting data and writing a paper. While the course is through arrangement with individually faculty members and what is required may differ between the faculty, most faculty require working a set number of hours in a laboratory, attending laboratory meetings, and writing a final paper for the course.

18:844:503 Electronic Portfolio Review (0) The electronic portfolio is an opportunity for graduate students in the applied psychology program to highlight their accomplishments over the course of their studies. Graduate students compile items from their studies illustrating successful completion of the master of applied psychology degree program. Examples of items include the curriculum vitae (CV), work samples, advanced certification trainings, and other files that pertain to the field of applied psychology outlined by a program rubric.

18:844:505 Professional Practicum Placement I (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 students are approved for these positions by the GSAPP coordinator of practicum placements.

18:844:506 Statistical Methods and Research Design (3) The primary goal of this course is to provide students with an overview of the statistical methods and designs commonly utilized in psychological research to become a good consumer and producer of scientific research products. To this end, first, this course will expose students to various research designs and their logics, such as experimental, quasi-experimental, observational, and longitudinal study designs. Students will also learn how to utilize various techniques of data analysis, including multiple and logistic regression analyses. This course will include lectures and computer lab sessions.

18:844:507 Biological Bases of Human Behavior (3) In today's health care climate, psychologists are often required to serve beside medical personnel in integrated health care teams for assessment and treatment of complex cases. This course will prepare students for these interactions by providing them with a comprehensive overview of key aspects of biology that explain or otherwise interface with normal and/or dysfunctional behavior. Scientific constructs, techniques, and theories will be examined in depth. Biological topics include the peripheral and central nervous system, the neurobiological systems that underlie sensation, motor behavior, emotion, cognition, self-other representation, and social behavior. We will also integrate understanding of altered behavioral processes of brain-damaged and psychiatric patients with knowledge of basic neuronal and neurobiological processed. Each week students will be required to read the textbook chapters, case studies, and watch a video dealing with a specific topic in the biological basis of behavior.

18:844:508 Psychopathology (3) This course is designed to introduce students to the diagnosis, causal factors, and treatments of the major psychological disorders in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Historical and contemporary conceptions of abnormal behavior will be explored as well as controversies within the field regarding the classification, assessment, and treatment of psychological disorders. Behavioral, cognitive, interpersonal, sociocultural, genetic, and biological/neuroscience aspects of psychopathology will be covered as appropriate. The course will emphasize descriptive psychopathology (e.g., phenomenology, epidemiology, natural course of disorder). Issues of etiology, treatment, access to mental health services, and cultural issues to be considered will also be covered.

18:844:510 Special Topics Seminar: Civic and Global Citizenship, Social Justice, and Cultural Diversity (3) This course consists of graduate-level material to prepare students to address issues related to multiculturalism and various issues of diversity. As the material within the topics of civic and global citizenship, social justice, and cultural diversity are constantly changing, the course material is variable depending on the political climate, the instructor, and other social justice issues within the American and global cultures. Research related to microagressions, racism, prejudice, social justice, and issues of diversity will form the framework of the course.

18:844:511 Ethics and Professional Development Seminar (3) This course will provide an overview of professional psychology education and practice, including historical ethical issues and court cases as well as current practical applications of the American Psychological Association (APA) ethics code.

18:844:512 Public Policy in Mental Health (3) This course examines the federal and state policies affecting mental health and substance use education, funding, reimbursement, and treatment in a variety of settings. The course will focus on understanding U.S. mental health and substance use policies, including the organization, delivery, and financing of service systems and the roles of professionals and the public and private sectors. Situations that impact practitioners, patient access and quality of care, and behavioral health care delivery will be carefully examined. An emphasis will be on learning skills for critical analysis of contemporary policy issues and practitioner dilemmas, especially policies that aim to: expand access to care, reduce behavioral health disparities, improve provider alignment to patient need, encourage service delivery reform, increase community services, and reduce reinstitutionalization. Students will be trained in gathering and evaluating information that can inform their perspective on policy and services.

18:844:513 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (3) This course will provide a broad overview of current research and practices related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Topic areas span a wide range of professional disciplines (e.g., psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, genetics). As is the case with many introductory courses, the goal is to expose students to a breadth of information, rather than go into any one area in great depth. Readings and discussions will draw from a range of perspectives (research, professional practice, family members and self-advocates, media). Students are expected to gain knowledge about research findings and best practices. However, assignments will emphasize application of that knowledge to inform critical thinking and evaluation of new information (e.g., case studies, research articles, media coverage, etc.), rather than regurgitation of facts.

18:844:514 Special Topics: Adult Autism Spectrum Disorders (3) This course will focus on increasing students understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adulthood. There will be a focus on understanding ASD in the context of ongoing development from transition age/young adulthood through later life. Topics will likely include: presentation of ASD symptoms, the unique challenges faced by autistic adults, strengths and adaptability, evidence-based and emerging practices for supporting adults, and quality of life in the context of aging. The course will encourage interdisciplinary perspectives, drawing from literature from fields such as psychology, social work, public health, and neuroscience.

18:844:515 OBM in Human Services (3) This course will offer an introduction to the application of behavior analytic concepts and principles to problems of human behavior in complex organizations such as businesses, human service agencies, industries, and governments. Students will learn the basics of performance management, behavioral systems analysis, and supervision. Students will practice applying the concepts discussed in class through a semester-long organizational behavior management (OBM) project.

18:844:516 Professional Practicum Placement II (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 students are approved for these positions by the GSAPP coordinator of practicum placements.

18:844:517 Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism (3) Through weekly reading assignments, group discussions, and brief lectures, students will learn the ABA-based principles and techniques currently employed to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) acquire functional language, appropriate social behavior, and general academic and living skills, as well as decrease problematic behaviors. Students will have the option to participate in the coursework for Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT) certification.

18:844:518 Applied Clinical Skills and Theories (3) This course is an extension course of the master of applied psychology for graduates seeking licensure for the practice of clinical mental health counseling. This course presents multiple theories with an emphasis on developing the basic skills of therapy such as rapport, active listening, multiculturalism, and much more. Graduate students will also gain the tools necessary to understand human behavior as it pertains to pathology and personality differences.

18:844:519 Career and Occupational Clinical Skills (3) The various models of career development and vocational clinical interventions will be explored. Emphasis on integrating these models into practical interventions will be applied and students will learn the importance of assessment and the various tools available to clinical mental health providers to ensure the most effective and culturally competent care to diverse clients.

18:844:520 Group and Team Skills (3) This course is designed to provide a theoretical understanding of group development and clinical group interventions. Issues related to group counseling methods, skills, and leadership styles will be examined. This course introduces group dynamics, group counseling approaches and models, issues of group leadership, styles of leadership, and group facilitation skills. Additionally, this course adds the component of working with teams within high performing environments.

18:844:521 Introduction to Applied Mental Health (3) This course is designed to provide a general introduction to the field of applied psychology and clinical mental health. The relationship of clinical mental health to other professions and disciplines (e.g., clinical psychology, psychiatry, social work) will be reviewed. Next, the principle theoretical perspectives of clinical mental health will be explored as well as the contemporary issues that influence the profession including ethics, assessment, working with diverse populations, and public policy.

18:844:524 Addiction and Evidence-Based Prevention/Intervention Techniques (3) This is a master's-level course designed to introduce students to substance use and its societal impact as well as research and treatment designed to address these issues in both larger populations (college/community level) and individual clinical settings. The course uses a combination of lecture, discussion, peer-reviewed journal reading and critique, and the learning/application of clinical skills. Emphasis will be placed on epidemiology of drugs use, substance use disorders, etiology of substance use disorders, and intervention/prevention efforts.

18:844:525 Social Psychology & Health Behavior This course focuses on social psychological applications to health risk behaviors and addictive behaviors. Topics include social influences, motivations, identity, emotion regulation, and other topics based on students' interests. The course is a combination of discussion, peer reviewed journal reading and critique, and the learning/application of social psychology to a health behavior of interest.

18:844:526 Professional Development This course focuses on professional development in applied psychology. Topics include research in clinical, social, health, school, I/O, ABA, cognitive, and developmental psychology. Furthermore, the course will also focus on the discussion and development of professional materials (e.g., CV, cover letters, personal statements) that students can use to apply to either jobs or advanced graduate education.

18:844:617 Assessment and Intervention in Sport Psychology (3) The purpose of this course is to assist your development in areas considered relevant to professional sports psychology practice. That is, you will be considered in your role as a doctoral student in professional psychology at GSAPP, or as a Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychology at Rutgers University, or as a student or postdoc in another setting, or as a psychologist already engaged in the practice of psychology. Through the materials that comprise this syllabus, you will learn about the process of assessment in sports psychology as well as assessment in emerging, related areas such as the performing arts. More specifically, you will learn how to use assessment information obtained on athletes, other performers, and teams as a basis for designing customized and potentially worthwhile interventions with these target populations, as well as for larger organizational entities that are associated with sports and with performance, such as theater ensembles.

18:844:618 Sports Psychology: Theory, Research, and Practice (3) The course will provide you with opportunities to develop a base of information about sports psychology---its predominant theoretical and empirical bases and about the practice of sports psychology. In addition, the course content may refine your thinking about whether, and to what extent, you want to pursue additional education and training in sports psychology.

18:844:680 Foundations in Alcohol Studies: Biology, Psychology, and Sociology (3) Foundations in Alcohol Studies introduces the master of applied psychology (M.A.P.) student to lawful aspects of physical and mental functioning with relevance to alcohol use and misuse, and to associated forms of mental disorder and social distress. This course is required for the Alcohol Certification component of the M.A.P. program.